AP preview of enhanced "it's a small world"

[MasterGracey]

Did Walt even know about them? Was the attraction presented to Walt with the characters in there and he said "Lose the characters?" Or did the designers do that?

What Walt wanted most of any attraction was that it be fun and new. And if the characters further that goal, I don't see a problem with it.

Walt's entertainment goals were more involved than simply "fun and new." Heavy considerations of the show's theme, intent, and purpose were also defining factors in WED's creative process. "Fun and new" would have resulted in Walt opening up another carnival. Disneyland is everything BUT just another carnival.

And by the way, it wasn't just fun and new. Walt wanted his attractions to tell a story and to immerse his audience in that story. Adding fictional characters to an attraction expressing the unity of the real world does not add to that story.

The "story" aspect of Disneyland attractions is a relatively new trend in Imagineering, which seemingly first started with John Hench and later perpetuated by Tony Baxter. Many of Disneyland's classics were created without storylines, and more with just interpretive themes. See: Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Matterhorn Bobsleds, etc.

[Spokker]

So add laser guns to the boats and turn it into the next Space Ranger spin. That would definitely be fun and new.

And by the way, it wasn't just fun and new. Walt wanted his attractions to tell a story and to immerse his audience in that story. Adding fictional characters to an attraction expressing the unity of the real world does not add to that story.

In fact, replace all the Small World dolls with 3D screens. Why not? The attraction has the audacity to be old and needs freshening up... by any means necessary.

Just as effective as adding Disney characters would be to do the massive refurb on Small World, not adding the characters, and marketing it as a restored classic. It worked for the Tiki Room (I didn't see crowds wanting for Iago and Zazu). But then again, the attraction should always be pristine whether there's a promotion or new additions.

People came back after the Pirates additions and remarked on how fresh and clean the attraction looked. Well it was never supposed to be in such bad shape to begin with!

[refurbmike]

The "story" aspect of Disneyland attractions is a relatively new trend in Imagineering, which seemingly first started with John Hench and later perpetuated by Tony Baxter. Many of Disneyland's classics were created without storylines, and more with just interpretive themes. See: Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Matterhorn Bobsleds, etc.

The attractions didn't tell the story, so much as they put the guest into the story. You weren't just looking at animals; you were on a jungle safari engaging different dangers and encounters. You weren't just watching seven dwarfs battle a wicked queen; you were Snow White eating the apple. You weren't just some kid riding a car; you were a participant in the future of highways. You aren't just walking kids singing a song; you're journeying to all the different continents of the world.

And now, apparently you can find a blue alien in one of those continents.

[Tiggerlives]

Pirates, too, definitely had a story. In fact, I'd argue that the Imagineers were careless with it when they updated the ride to include Jack Sparrow.

[MasterGracey]

The attractions didn't tell the story, so much as they put the guest into the story. You weren't just looking at animals; you were on a jungle safari engaging different dangers and encounters. You weren't just watching seven dwarfs battle a wicked queen; you were Snow White eating the apple. You weren't just some kid riding a car; you were a participant in the future of highways. You aren't just walking kids singing a song; you're journeying to all the different continents of the world.

And now, apparently you can find a blue alien in one of those continents.

The Fantasyland dark rides definitely were built with stories from their film counterparts in mind - there's no question of that. As for the Jungle Cruise -- there is no story. It's a series of experiences in varying exotic locales all tied together by a river and the boat you travel in.

As for the Haunted Mansion, Pirates, etc... well, Marc Davis put it well enough:

"We don't really have a story, with a beginning, an end, or a plot. It's more a series of experiences building up to a climax. I call them experience rides."

Davis said this in 1969, which was the year the Haunted Mansion opened. I would imagine it is safe to assume this quote was used while talking about the Mansion and can also easily be applied to the Pirates of the Caribbean, an attraction that has Marc Davis' fingerprints all over it.

Re-Imagineering had a couple great articles on this topic... if you haven't read it, I highly recommend it: http://imagineerebirth.blogspot.com/...-of-story.html

[refurbmike]

The Fantasyland dark rides definitely were built with stories from their film counterparts in mind - there's no question of that. As for the Jungle Cruise -- there is no story. It's a series of experiences in varying exotic locales all tied together by a river and the boat you travel in.

You do realize that all of Disney's original attractions had film counterparts, right (save the transportation attraction, which have their own story)? And while they may not tell the same story as their movie, neither do the Fantasyland attractions who had clear film tie-ins: e.g. Did Dumbo really just fly in circles the whole movie?

[MasterGracey]

You do realize that all of Disney's original attractions had film counterparts, right (save the transportation attraction, which have their own story)? And while they may not tell the same story as their movie, neither do the Fantasyland attractions who had clear film tie-ins: e.g. Did Dumbo really just fly in circles the whole movie?

Yeah, I do realize that most of the original Disneyland attractions were inspired by Walt Disney films. That doesn't mean the attractions have story lines and plots.

[sweeper]

Children of the world with Disney toys. I like it. Something new to see and a fun way to enjoy an attraction. I like POTC additions too. A little bummed the cannonball effect seems broken. But I am all for them adding to attractions.

Let us not forget IASW is most fun when viewed from a child's perspective. At least to me it is. I think this is a way for more kids to connect with this attraction. Even though I really don't like Lilo and Stitch, I like their inclusion in IASW for all of the children I know who love that movie and identify with those characters.

[Spokker]

You do realize that all of Disney's original attractions had film counterparts, right

There were also attractions that had nothing to do with films. Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, the People Mover, Adventure Through Innerspace, Space Mountain, Carousel of Progress, and until now, Small World. Disneyland's most popular attractions had nothing to do with movies or established characters.

Jungle Cruise may have been inspired by the True Life Adventure series and Matterhorn may have been inspired by Third Man on the Mountain, but I don't think they were tying them into each other like some sort of synergy run amok.

It was pretty obvious that unique adventures and rides based on movies were both part of the Disneyland formula, and I would argue that original attractions were even more important than ones based on movies.

I think this is a way for more kids to connect with this attraction. Even though I really don't like Lilo and Stitch, I like their inclusion in IASW for all of the children I know who love that movie and identify with those characters.

Then any ride would benefit from adding random Disney characters. Add Donald Duck into Haunted Mansion. There was in fact a cartoon where Donald, Goofy, and Mickey explore a haunted house. Add Stitch to Space Mountain. After all he comes from space. Add the yeti from Monsters Inc. to the Matterhorn. He lives in the snow, you know. These are solid synergistic opportunities that are going unfulfilled.

[Spokker]

Children of the world with Disney toys.

It makes sense to put the Disney toys in the China section. Those kids made them after all.