Post
by PatchOBlack » Wed Jun 02, 2010 6:30 pm
Well, at least we got a list of the changes that have offended Honda. Let's take a look:
The Main Street Cinema was closed at WDW, but lives on at DL. Was replaced first with VMK Central, then refurbished as an Art of Disney store. A minor bit annoying, but I would have to say that the Main Street Cinema (while having sentimental value) probably isn't a major consideration when folks visit the parks. In a similar vein, the closing of the Penny Arcade to expand the Main Street Athletic Company is slightly disappointing, but then again, even modern arcades are very much in decline. Looks like the one at DL is still there, though. Removal of Swan Boats? I didn't even know WDW had such a thing. Been gone for over 20 years. How many forum dwellers out there, aside from Honda, can say that they miss having them there? The Walt Disney Story: A nice little museum piece. Would have been nice if they had kept it.
Moving on the Adventureland...Tropical Serenade, the MK's copy of the original Enchanted Tiki room, being replaced by "Under New Management"? Okay, I'll grant you, that change hasn't met with much approval. Luckily, once again, DL doesn't make that mistake and the traditional version is still here. I admit some apprehension regarding with the introduction of elements from the movies to the Pirates of the Caribbean, however, I haven't heard any general outcry denouncing it, so I shall again reserve judgement.
Fronterland: Yep, a lot of the old boat rides are gone. However, the Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat is no longer there because an accident damaged it beyond repair. The cannons, while no longer at WDW, can still be found at DL. The Diamond Horseshoe may be closed, but the original Golden Horseshoe is still going. From what I can see, the keel boats were nixed after one capsized at DL. Could be that the bad publicity and expense of making the ride safer is what caused it to be closed.
Liberty Square: I assume the Haunted Mansion is on the list due to the "updating" they recently got, and not the holiday season over-lay. From what I can see, the changes were not to tie it into the movie (thank goodness), but to update and upgrade some of the effects. Again, since I haven't actually seen the changes, I will not render an opinion, though in this case, I'm rather optimistic.
On to Fantasyland: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, to be honest, was showing its age, though I also felt disappointed when it was closed. However, I am glad to hear it is back, and I think tying it in with "Finding Nemo" wasn't a bad idea. Of course, in DL, it is located in Tomorrowland. What do subs have to do with fantasy, anyway? The Dumbo Ride: Added six more ride cars, changed Timothy's whip to the magic feather, and he now stands on a balloon instead of a disco ball. Sorry, I don't see this as such a bad thing. Also, shows changing aren't exactly new, so I don't think Legend of the Lion King and Magic Journeys really should make the list. The Mickey Mouse Revue sounds like it was neat, and I'm sorry I never had the chance to see it. The Skyway, from what I can tell, has been removed from several parks, most likely due to safety concerns. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride may be gone from WDW, but again, the original still operates at DL. From what I can tell, the original version of Snow White's Scary Adventures in DL is unchanged, while the WDW version was redone to more closely resemble the DL version. So, in a sense, it was changed from an "updated" to the original.
Tomorrowland: Now, with the Carousel of Progress, Circle-Vision 360, and the Flight to the Moon/Mission to Mars, well, let's face it, they were becoming as dated as the House of the Future. It is little wonder they would be replaced. From what I can see, the only real change on the Speedway is that they put in guide-rails, once again for safety. The Star Jets were replaced with the Astro-Orbiters, which as far as I can tell (except for cosmetic changes) is nearly the same ride. The PeopleMovers? Does anyone really consider this a major attraction, and really misses it?
Over all, I would say that very few of the attractions named have been actually closed, or changed to such a degree that it is no longer recognizable. Thus, I feel that such fears that Disney is destroying large segments of the various theme parks history is unwarranted.
