Day 1214: Disappointment

If you experienced The Little Mermaid attraction in its original form back at Disney California Adventure, you'll remember the above hairstyle. For me, it was just one of the many things I disliked about the attraction, which felt disjointed and sort of boring, despite the fact that it had such potential. The story wasn't there really, and it still isn't, and to top it all off, Ariel's hair looked like an ice cream cone. 

But that version of the attraction, which has now been updated in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World to include more normal looking hair, taught me something. It taught me that being disappointed with an attraction is completely alright, because we're all different, and if we all liked the same things exactly then the Disney Parks would be pretty boring. 

Since then, several attractions have disappointed me with their updates, The Great Movie Ride and Test Track included, and while that doesn't mean they're completely bad, it does remind me that we're not all perfect. Even Imagineers need to have a less than exciting attraction every once and a while to really perfect the great ones. 

After all, it's happened before! Look at the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland, the precursor to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It wasn't nearly as popular, but if it never existed, we wouldn't have found Big Thunder. The same could be said for Discovery Island. I mean, it inspired an entire park: Animal Kingdom! 

In other words, while there may be a few problems with newer attractions, I suppose we'll just have to put our trust in the Disney Imagineers, because after all, not everything is going to be perfect for us, and even if it's less than perfect for everyone, they'll fix it in time...hopefully. 

Have a magical day!

Day 485: At the Bottom of the List

Day 5 of the Disney Photo Challenge: A picture of your least favorite ride or attraction. 

Blast from the Past: 

It seems funny, and totally out of character, but this one is REALLY hard for me to answer. Be warned...this is another REALLY long one. 

There are, believe it or not, a number of attractions that I don't particularly enjoy. 

I would probably say something like Mission Space, but I've never been on that...so I can't say that. And then there's the Tower of Terror...which I'm never going on...ever...but I've never been on that either. And I'm not a huge fan of the Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor...I don't like being picked out like that...or the China Pavilion Video because it's in dire need of an update because it's so dated now compared to everything else. 

But, in the end, I think that the attraction that I REALLY dislike is "Lights, Motors, Action: Extreme Stunt Show." I hate (ok...hate is a strong word)...I dislike this attraction so much that I've been known to call it "Lights, Motors, Stupid: Extreme Waste of Disney Property." Here's why: 

When I was younger, the backlot area of the then "MGM Studios" was a working production lot. There was an entire neighborhood of houses for filming. Every Christmas time, this area was lit with thousands of lights for the "Osborne Spectacle of Lights" based on the family's tradition of lighting everything in the yard. This really impressed me when I was little, and it really brought something different to the park. Plus, the "Backlot Tour" went right by the houses and explained how they are used to shoot movies...real movies. It was truly awesome. 

But a number of years ago, Disney did something stupid (and I won't say they don't do the occasional stupid thing, because sometimes they do...) and totally striped the entire backlot area...the houses, the old theater where "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" stage show took place, everything...and turned it into a stunt show where a spy ran through Paris in some cool looking cars. 

Now, the first time I saw this, I have to say...I was impressed. These stunts were really cool. I mean, they drove the car backwards, at high speeds, through explosions...and the guy got set on fire! (It's ok...he survived). They made it seem as if they were actually shooting an action scene for a spy movie...and at the end, you got to watch the completed scene. 

And then I saw it a second time. LMA is not like the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular...also located in the same park. Indy's got a heck of a lot going for him. It's a funny show, they get people involved (A LOT), there are some awesome stunts, and everyone knows the movies. Plus, it's got the Harrison Ford connection, but either way, it's awesome. LMA doesn't have that. It's not based on a popular and award-winning movie series, and it certainly doesn't have much else going for it when you are bored the second time you go see it. 

So that's why I call it "Lights Motors Stupid: Extreme Waste of Disney Property." The backlot area used to be really awesome, and it really taught a lot about movie making. Not only did LMA get rid of that area, but it also got rid of the stage production AND most of the Backlot Tour, which is now made up of a trip past Walt's Private Jet, a trip through the costuming department (WHICH I GO TO GO IN...but that's another story), through "Catastrophe Canyon," and past a bunch of movie props (including my favorite...a skiff used in "Return of the Jedi." Harrison Ford could have STOOD on that skiff...). You finish by going through an exhibit on Villains (Darth Vader is there!). That's it. It used to be so much more than that...

The funny part: there has recently been talk of taking out LMA and replacing it with a Disney World version of CarsLand...which is new to Disney's California Adventure (and a big success) in California. It certainly makes sense...no one goes to see LMA much anymore, and unlike Indy (who does many shows a day), LMA generally only has two per day. Just remember Disney...I told you so, many years ago. Can't say that every day! 

Back to the Future: 

Honestly, this is another hard question.

I still don't like Lights Motors Action, that's for sure, but I don't think I'm as opposed to it as I used to be. In fact, I pretty much enjoy all the attractions at Disney, although there is one in recent years that sort of disappointed me: Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid. I love the movie and everything, but something in the attraction just falls flat. Don't get me wrong, it's absolutely brilliant up until the end. The first number of rooms are bright, colorful and very much like the movie. But the entire Climax of the film is missing, giving it a sort of abrupt end that I didn't like the first time I went on it, or any time after that.

Otherwise, I'm pretty chill about my attractions. I've found reason to love most of them in the past couple of years, and while I still swear I'm not going on Tower of Terror...it seems my friends have it out to get me on it. So we'll see about that.

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 19).

Day 431: FAF: Journey of the Little Mermaid

And so begins another month of Featured Attraction Friday, with a whole new theme: Princess March Madness! Now, I don't know if there's a bracket out there for voting for who is your favorite Disney Princess, but for me it's like not even a toss up: RAPUNZEL. I love Rapunzel. But maybe we'll have another post on that later this month: (hint hint, wink wink, nod nod, nudge nudge).

To start things out, let's head into New Fantasyland, where there's plenty of new stuff going on when it comes to the Princesses! In fact, all of the Featured Attractions this month come from New Fantasyland, since I had plenty of time to check out a couple of new additions recently! To begin, let's go for a swim with Ariel in her Undersea Adventure!

What's On The Map: 

Descend below the waves for a splashy musical adventure (WDW Park Maps)! Relive the tale of how one lucky Little Mermaid found true love - and legs! Enter Prince Eric's castle through an underground cavern at low tide, board a colorful clamshell and take the plunge. You'll become part of a world where mermaids dream of dancing, fish form a conga line, evil sea witches ensnare souls and unlikely pairs fall in love...and live happily ever after (WDW Website).

A Brief History Lesson: 

Once again, today's history comes from the Disney Wikia!

Back in the 1990's, a dark ride based on The Little Mermaid was plan for Disneyland Paris and the Magic Kingdom park, as well as Hong Kong Disneyland. However, the ride was scrapped except for a concept design and virtual recreation featured on the 2006 DVD version of The Little Mermaid.

In 2011, at Disney California Adventure, a different version of the attraction was created, and in 2009 plans to recreate Fantasyland at Disney World's Magic Kingdom were released, including a Little Mermaid attraction. Several modifications were made from the California edition.

Fun Facts: 

Considering the fact that this ride is pretty new, I honestly don't really have any for the attraction. My book only goes up to 2007. So I guess for the rest of the month we'll just skip this portion of the Featured Attraction Friday, since everything else here is also brand new (and some of it I haven't even seen!)

My Thoughts: 

I first saw this attraction at Disneyland not long after it opened there, since I went in 2011. I had some high expectations for the attraction, and as I went through the opening scenes I was really impressed (other than that ice cream hair that's been changed for Disney World). The Ursula portion is brilliantly done, and the entire thing features super bright colors and everything. Plus, the part where you go "under the sea" has a beautiful effect. In other words, I loved it...up until Kiss the Girl. I've never been a huge Little Mermaid fan (Sorry Benny!), but this part really just lost the magic for me. They cut out the entire climax of the film, a portion I have felt that previously Disney did a great job with in the Dark Rides. Peter Pan, for instance, has Hook and Pan up fighting at the top of the Jolly, and back in Snow White they had the rock and the dwarves and the witch. It was all great.

But with Little Mermaid it fell flat. It's like "Kiss the Girl" straight to "Happily Ever After." Now, after further inspection on the Disney World edition, you CAN see Ursula off in the distance in the final scene before the "Wedding," but other than that it skips so much of the storyline.

Overall, you don't hear me say it often, but this is one attraction I feel Disney just LOST it on. I really am hoping for more from the Mine Train, because the Beauty and the Beast section (which we'll take a look at next week) is well put together and very creative, with the entire idea of storytime with Belle. More on that later though. But with Little Mermaid I was just lost. It doesn't tell the story at all, and I understand that they were really focusing on the musical numbers of the film, and that's fine, but where's the story? Where's the climax? HOW did Ursula lose the battle? I DON'T KNOW!

I actually had to rewatch the movie after returning from Disneyland to remember how it ended because I had that little of an idea. Either way, that's my rant on that.

On the bright side, I think the theme they have in New Fantasyland, with the castle and the low tide and running right into the Mine Train and everything is wonderful. Much improved from the queue at California Adventure. Plus, I think the meet and greet area with Ariel is great too. She's certainly one of my favorite Princesses to meet because she really talks with you and is just adorable.

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on March 25 due to Midterms and Travel).