Mickey's Fun Wheel

[MagicWDI]

I'm a bit let down that they chose the no-build alternative for the queue structure. It looked rather stunning on the model, and I hate knowing what could have been. I do like the new colors and new lighting a whole lot, and the way Mickey greats you when walking down the parade corridor is truly spectacular. The sun icon rather blended in within its own color scheme of the wheel and never truly stood out. This Mickey POPS, and it sure does look welcoming.

Even though I am disappointed they didn't go all out, because that is what I believe Disney should really strive for, I am not going to get my panties in a bunch worrying about what could have been with this attraction, even though sometimes it bothers me a whole lot on top attractions. It's a fun attraction but one of the few ones that doesn't come with a story, as far as I know. Do I think it belongs in a Disney park? Sure, why not. If it's fun it should be part of the experience. I don't think Disney should discriminate against ANY kind of attraction, as long as it is fun. There is no rule about theming, the guests have come up with that on their own based on the past. However, said attraction does need to be part of the story... that is all that matters, is the overall story.

I do believe a lot of Disney fans have taken thing "theme" aspect of everything a bit too far and out of context, as well as too literal sometimes. These themes that Disney applies is to enhance or drive a story, not as a recreation of a set time or event, or even object. As a story it can be true or fantasy. If a carnival ride is part of the story, go ahead and add it.

This is how I see it, anyway.

[mark]

My issues with Paradise Pier 1.0 (in no particular order) - Poor landscaping with few trees or pleasant places to sit and soak in the atmosphere. Too much exposed steel. Where are the fun places to eat and snack? Lacking an AA attraction a la Pirates or Haunted Mansion to balance out the filler. Ugly buildings and lots of concrete, something that you can "sneak by" in Condor Flats, but not here. Lacking music, whimsy, and creativity. As the last land anyone sees, it is a big disappointment.

Paradise Pier 2.0 seems somewhat better. Architecturally more charming but many of my concerns above are still unanswered. TSMM is fun but it cannot be mistaken for anything of great substance.

[tcsnwhite]

What Disney theming? While people are actually on the ride, there is nothing themed about the experience. The gondolas are still the same gondolas, just the outside of them is wrapped. Guests won't be able to see Mickey while they're actually on the wheel. The experience is going to be as unthemed as ever. And I think the overall experience could have been helped a lot by a themed queue. All this talk about the "average Disney visitor" is rubbish. Since when did Disney become about aiming for "average"? And when did it become okay?

I don't know what more you can do to the inside of a ferris wheel gondola...?
Were early 20th Century Victorian ferris wheels heavily themed inside?
For an experience like a ferris wheel, I don't think there is really much more that can really be done besides the actual aesthetics and maybe lighting.

As for the "average Disney guest," what I mean by that is those that are not hardcore Disney fans (especially those who are members on various internet message boards). The bulk of Disney's audience is so much bigger than that. Now, do I think that should be used as an excuse to do less than what they are capable of, because the average guest won't notice...no. I think that mentality is what got us the original DCA in the first place.
But, it is not simply about pleasing the hardcore fans 24/7. There is a big broad audience to consider.

At this point, this piece is being used to advertise the product. It's not just simple concept art anymore.

But they always do that now. I think we as fans should still know better, and always remember to keep things in check.
And I still don't see a heavily themed queue in that picture.

I don't buy into the idea that Disney characters qualify as "theming" or "embellishments." I think that's a weak excuse.

Well, then we agree to disagree. I think it overall works.
And in the larger scheme of things, I think the wheel is a more minor part of this overall redo. I mean, would I have liked a few more things here and there...sure...but I think there are more important things on the redo priority list. I am actually more concerned that nothing really seems to be changing with Triton's or CA Screamins queue. At least the wheel itself got something...those other parts of Paradise Pier don't seem to be changing yet at all.

I hate the DoM label just as I hate it when people derogatorily call or imply others as "purists." I wasn't trying to imply anybody was a DoM, I was just using other people's words to make a point --- people ARE saying that its "good enough" and that it's "just a ferris wheel." And frankly I think that's sad. Disneyland is full of standard rides, but who ever goes on Space Mountain and says "Oh, it's just a rollercoaster"? Who ever goes on Dumbo the Flying Elephant and says "Oh, it's just a spinner"? Why should we be saying "Oh, it's just a ferris wheel"?

I know you weren't actually implying anything about the DoM kind of stuff, but I guess some of the "good enough"/"six flags" comments got to me. I can understand that there are some folks out there that will just take anything blindly...but I'm not one of them. Thing is, on quite a few of these Disney boards, it becomes so easy to start pushing people into corners and labeling them when they say something different...it's like there is no middle ground.

As for "it's just a ferris wheel," that is exactly what it is. I think it's a bit different than a spinner. Those heavily themed Disney spinners like Dumbo, Aladdin's Carpets, etc. are not really there to be a spinner. They are attractions that are supposed to take you on a flight in a magical flying elephant or magic carpet and the like...it is about being more than simply a spinner.
Mickey's fun wheel is exactly that...a ferris wheel on a Victorian style pier. Literally...what more can you do?
I personally am not saying that it is "good enough"...but that it's a ferris wheel on a pier and it is not trying to pose as anything more than that. And personally, I think what they have done is an improvement. The next step would be to go back and theme the queue a bit more.

[tcsnwhite]

Keep on dreamin'

Are you saying that the rest of the DCA makeover is being cancelled?
That the rumors for a makeover of TL are no more?
That the rest of the plans for a DLH makeover, DTD expansion, etc. are gone?

Because while some of these things are rumors, and the DCA stuff is a go (as far as we know)...I haven't read or heard anything that says these things are kaput.
Unless you know something we don't know...

[MasterGracey]

I do believe a lot of Disney fans have taken thing "theme" aspect of everything a bit too far and out of context, as well as too literal sometimes. These themes that Disney applies is to enhance or drive a story, not as a recreation of a set time or event, or even object.

Tell that to Main Street, USA, Frontierland, or New Orleans Square, among other things.

I don't know what more you can do to the inside of a ferris wheel gondola...?
Were early 20th Century Victorian ferris wheels heavily themed inside?
For an experience like a ferris wheel, I don't think there is really much more that can really be done besides the actual aesthetics and maybe lighting.

Was Walt's hometown of Marceline, MO heavily themed? No, but when he took the nostalgia of his hometown and applied it to Main Street, USA, then it became heavily themed, highly evocative -- a hyper-real, romanticized version.

I don't know what Disney could do with the Fun Wheel -- but that's not my job, it's the Imagineers. I have no interest in coming up with Armchair Imagineering plans to make the ride better. But I'd again like to point out that the queue, boardwalk, and victorian theming would greatly enhance the OVERALL experience of the ferris wheel.

As for the "average Disney guest," what I mean by that is those that are not hardcore Disney fans (especially those who are members on various internet message boards). The bulk of Disney's audience is so much bigger than that.

That's who I mean when I refer to the "average Disney guest" too.

Now, do I think that should be used as an excuse to do less than what they are capable of, because the average guest won't notice...no. I think that mentality is what got us the original DCA in the first place.
But, it is not simply about pleasing the hardcore fans 24/7. There is a big broad audience to consider.

I agree 100% that that mentality got us DCA in the first place. But my question is -- why wouldn't a broader audience like a highly-themed queue building, a wrap-around boardwalk, and an actual theme for the area? My guess is that they most certainly would -- why do you think Disney theme parks are the most popular in the world?

But they always do that now. I think we as fans should still know better, and always remember to keep things in check.
And I still don't see a heavily themed queue in that picture.

The model shows covered queue structure off to the left side of Fun Wheel (if you're facing the back of the wheel). That painting shows an angle coming from the right side of the Fun Wheel, which I'm assuming blocks the view of the queue. Although, I could be wrong.

Well, then we agree to disagree. I think it overall works.
And in the larger scheme of things, I think the wheel is a more minor part of this overall redo. I mean, would I have liked a few more things here and there...sure...but I think there are more important things on the redo priority list. I am actually more concerned that nothing really seems to be changing with Triton's or CA Screamins queue. At least the wheel itself got something...those other parts of Paradise Pier don't seem to be changing yet at all.

I would argue that the Wheel is more substantial part of the makeover as opposed to the Silly Symphony Swings, which IS getting its covered queue space.

The Wheel is a HUGE landmark on the Pier. It's probably the first thing you recognize upon approaching Paradise Pier. It's impossible to miss. I think it's pretty important as far as Paradise Pier is concerned.

I know you weren't actually implying anything about the DoM kind of stuff, but I guess some of the "good enough"/"six flags" comments got to me. I can understand that there are some folks out there that will just take anything blindly...but I'm not one of them. Thing is, on quite a few of these Disney boards, it becomes so easy to start pushing people into corners and labeling them when they say something different...it's like there is no middle ground.

I dislike the labeling game that goes on on boards like this. And I'm not going to be all holier-than-thou, because I admit I've made the implications before about people, and I've thought about saying other things in the past. But I try to avoid going that route. I'd rather have a respectful debate, no matter how heated or impassioned, instead of turning to labeling people.

I personally am not saying that it is "good enough"...but that it's a ferris wheel on a pier and it is not trying to pose as anything more than that. And personally, I think what they have done is an improvement. The next step would be to go back and theme the queue a bit more.

Well, then we'll have to respectfully agree to disagree. I'd like to say again, though, that I don't think Mickey looks bad -- in fact, I really like the Mickey face-- but then again pie-eyed Mickey is my favorite Disney character, so I know I have a built-in bias. With that said, when I'm discussing the DCA makeover, I'm constantly thinking about how the new additions and enhancements work in regard to theme and show quality. And when I consider those terms, as much as I love Mickey Mouse and his bright smile and his pie-cut eyes, I just don't see how he has any relevance in a turn-of-the-century boardwalk. Same goes for Toy Story characters, Dumbo, the rest of the Fab 5, and the Little Mermaid.

[Mortimer]

If we are this critical over a Ferris Wheel queue. God help us when we start discussing the results of TLM and Carsland....

[Camino]

I fear for my life then haha. A possible way to add a new queue building is to have guest go in an allternative way, have the building built, divert the queue back to normal and maybe Have a few things added over night or close the attraction for a week.

[planodisney]

The Screamin queue will be minimal at best. King Tritons will be nowhere close to the concept art without the Victorian structure and my understanding is that they decided to go with the veryu minimalist version of WoC viewing area instead of the elaborate Victorian looking version.

I guess I do need to hold my opinion of WOC viewing area until finished, but if it ends up like the very modern looking concept art, I will be less than impressed.

[1FoolishMortal]

The Screamin queue will be minimal at best. King Tritons will be nowhere close to the concept art without the Victorian structure and my understanding is that they decided to go with the veryu minimalist version of WoC viewing area instead of the elaborate Victorian looking version.

This was pointed our earlier, but I just want to clarify again that the current refurbishment of the carousel is NOT (nor was it ever intended to be) the big "makeover" that the Blue Sky Cellar shows it as getting. That is going to be at a later date, much like the Screamin' queue will also be later in the future.

[MasterGracey]

This was pointed our earlier, but I just want to clarify again that the current refurbishment of the carousel is NOT (nor was it ever intended to be) the big "makeover" that the Blue Sky Cellar shows it as getting. That is going to be at a later date, much like the Screamin' queue will also be later in the future.

From what I understand, and I could very well have wrong information, the major remodel of the Eastern half of Paradise Pier (California Screamin', Carousel) has been pushed back to Phase 2. Phase 2 isn't even confirmed to happen yet.

I wouldn't bet on seeing significant changes at Screamin' or the Carousel for a few years, if we ever get anything at all.