Reviews of New "Small World" at Disneyland - Post HERE

[AliKzam]

Tomorrowland_1967, you are clearly very passionate about this. You are not alone. Forgive me if I sound like a real jerk at the moment (and this is probably a moderator's job), but I'm guessing you haven't ridden the attraction. There is a separate thread for critiques and views. This is a thread of reviews for those who have ridden the attraction. I didn't post on here until I rode IASW.
Small World - General Comments - Moved From Review Thread

[Tomorrowland_1967]

Originally Posted by AliKzam

but I'm guessing you haven't ridden the attraction.

Been on it twice, since the reopening.

[Skullrocker]

I rode it last week. The characters didn't bother me, they were almost like Hidden Mickeys scatterd throughout the ride. What did bother me was the lighting. It's far too bright in there. You see too much. There were dusty footprints visible on the floor, and in several places the curtains were slightly ajar so you could see behind them. I spotted a broom, several extension cords, and a baby stroller behind various curtains.

The old lighting directed your vision. Your eyes moved from one bright spot to the next, and the lighting was part of the ride. The new lighting is so indirect that everything is illuminated uniformally so you find yourself looking every which way, and I think it detracts from the ride.

I also didn't like the new music. It's much higher quality, but that's not necessarily a good thing. I didn't leave the ride with the song stuck in my head like I used to. It doesn't get into your brain like it original version, and the musical transition from one part of the world to the next is too subtle.

I guess the bottom line is that it is now a more complex experience because of the light and the music, but that's not necessarily a good thing. The simplicity of the experience was the charm of Small World, and that's no longer what it used to be.

[AliKzam]

Originally Posted by Tomorrowland_1967

Been on it twice, since the reopening.

My bad. Sorry.

[disneyfann121]

I can't offer a review of IASW yet, but I would agree, as a general rule, that not every new attraction should be franchise-based or character-based. There were a few at WDW which were based on original concepts, but none at DL for a long time. Not sure why that is; maybe the proximity to Hollywood and Disney's headquarters?

Plus, now some old attractions are getting characters. It's a bit of overkill. Again, this is not a judgement on IASW, as I haven't ridden the new version yet. I just hope that the company has not completely shelved the idea of attractions based on original concepts. If that happens, who knows what great concepts will be left on the shelf? Why impose such limits on Imagineering's imagination?

[Tomorrowland_1967]

Originally Posted by disneyfann121

I can't offer a review of IASW yet, but I would agree, as a general rule, that not every new attraction should be franchise-based or character-based. There were a few at WDW which were based on original concepts, but none at DL for a long time. Not sure why that is; maybe the proximity to Hollywood and Disney's headquarters?

Plus, now some old attractions are getting characters. It's a bit of overkill. Again, this is not a judgement on IASW, as I haven't ridden the new version yet. I just hope that the company has not completely shelved the idea of attractions based on original concepts. If that happens, who knows what great concepts will be left on the shelf? Why impose such limits on Imagineering's imagination?

You know ...
Disney reminds me of the history of Hollywood Musical.
At the start of the Golden Age (early 30s) ... it was all about original material. Then the golden came to an end, as the Studio System collapsed. Then what was left of the golden age momentum that carried into the 60s .. Reliance was placed on proven Broadway material, pretty much with (Gypsy, Sound of Music, West Side Story, etc.). As the reliance continued through the end of the decade .. every Broadway show was milked and they began to be mishandled with such "stellar treats" as Camelot, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, Paint Your Wagon, and more.

The combination of:
* So few original good stories
* Hollywood loosing it's grip how to produce them right
* People loosing interest in the genre
* Using too many Broadway shows, even the mediocre ones

.... Pretty much killed the genre .. going into the 70s.
For 30 years ... this genre was pretty much laid to rest.
The damage was done, and Hollywood and the public lost most of it's interest.

Disney and their imagineering team seem to mirror the same pattern - As they are both part of the world of Entertainment/Art/Creativity.

Like the glory days of the musical .... WDI had it's Golden Age too. With talents who were properly supported .. and gave us Pirates of the Caribean, Haunted Mansion, EPCOT in 1982, and more.

Now .. the superiors looking over today's WDI staff are mandating to rely only on "Broadway proven material" - The parade of Disney Character franchises. We are starting to get that "slippery slope" of questionable musicals - Paint Your Wagon = Disney characters in "small world". Camelot = Dory, Nemo, and friends in the Submarine Voyage.

How long is it going to be .. when they've become so overwrought with one too many "Broadway only" musicals and the public takes a second look ....... and it takes decades, if at all, to recover?

I feel WDI has already begun going down that slippery slope: "Zanadu", "The Whiz", "Can't stop the music" = WDW's Monsters Inc. Comedy Floor, Stitch Encounter, "Small World" invasion of the Disney Cartoons, etc, etc, etc.

[curto]

We enjoyed the improvements. It was fun looking for the additions and I liked the new boats that we rode in. On this trip we rode it seven times.

[timbabbcomedian]

Originally Posted by Tomorrowland_1967

You know ...
Disney reminds me of the history of Hollywood Musical.
At the start of the Golden Age (early 30s) ... it was all about original material. Then the golden came to an end, as the Studio System collapsed. Then what was left of the golden age momentum that carried into the 60s .. Reliance was placed on proven Broadway material, pretty much with (Gypsy, Sound of Music, West Side Story, etc.). As the reliance continued through the end of the decade .. every Broadway show was milked and they began to be mishandled with such "stellar treats" as Camelot, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, Paint Your Wagon, and more.

The combination of:
* So few original good stories
* Hollywood loosing it's grip how to produce them right
* People loosing interest in the genre
* Using too many Broadway shows, even the mediocre ones

.... Pretty much killed the genre .. going into the 70s.
For 30 years ... this genre was pretty much laid to rest.
The damage was done, and Hollywood and the public lost most of it's interest.

Disney and their imagineering team seem to mirror the same pattern - As they are both part of the world of Entertainment/Art/Creativity.

Like the glory days of the musical .... WDI had it's Golden Age too. With talents who were properly supported .. and gave us Pirates of the Caribean, Haunted Mansion, EPCOT in 1982, and more.

Now .. the superiors looking over today's WDI staff are mandating to rely only on "Broadway proven material" - The parade of Disney Character franchises. We are starting to get that "slippery slope" of questionable musicals - Paint Your Wagon = Disney characters in "small world". Camelot = Dory, Nemo, and friends in the Submarine Voyage.

How long is it going to be .. when they've become so overwrought with one too many "Broadway only" musicals and the public takes a second look ....... and it takes decades, if at all, to recover?

I feel WDI has already begun going down that slippery slope: "Zanadu", "The Whiz", "Can't stop the music" = WDW's Monsters Inc. Comedy Floor, Stitch Encounter, "Small World" invasion of the Disney Cartoons, etc, etc, etc.

Nice analogy...but it does omit the brief resurgence of the musical in the form of Disney animated films of the 90's Mermaid, Beast, Aladdin, Lion King, & Pocahontas.

Not sure how that effects your theory, but if Disney can breathe new life into the musical...then perhaps there's hope?

[disneyfann121]

I like that small world movie trailer. Funny stuff.

[Tomorrowland_1967]

Originally Posted by timbabbcomedian

Nice analogy...but it does omit the brief resurgence of the musical in the form of Disney animated films of the 90's Mermaid, Beast, Aladdin, Lion King, & Pocahontas.

We all were so fortunate to have the incredible talents of Menken and Ashman. Sadly .. Ashman is gone. And though Rice came in on a couple projects .. it was not long that resurgence lost it's steam.

[Aladdin]

Naw, Disney and Pixar have continued to carry great music through recent movies. Menken has continued to produce great songs for Disney animated movies, - don't you remember how "Enchanted" was nominated for at least two songs last year. And even when they are not musicals, Wall-e was nominated, and Bolt's main song was nominated for a few awards also. And even the Emmies tipped their hats to non animated High School Musical. - Just be glad they didn't try to place the crew from HSM in Small World.

Disney did fine with the character additions (with the exception of Jessie, Woody, Stitch, fat boy puppet Pinnoch, and the 2 mushus, . . . or is plural Mushi?)

[Tomorrowland_1967]

Taking the characters .. one at a time ... The only ones that appear to blend in, and be unobtrusive .. are Simba, Pumba ... and the ocassional "pop goes the weasel" - Timon.

The others are positioned along the flume so you can't miss them.

So much for Marty Sklar saying they would be "seamlessly blended in."

He was either lied to .. Or he lied to us.

Either way ........ the company is more concerned with as much Disney Character commercialism they can cram in. And if it impedes on the artistic integrity of their classic rides - Well .. who cares!

They are on a One-track course with with their Branded Characters.

That is NOT a good thing!

I'm now officially beginning to loose heart and interest in Disneyland. I never thought it would happen.

But Disney is devolving .. by relying on their line up of fictional-fantasy branded characters too much .... and the 3D World of Disneyland is devolving into a 2D Cartoon Fest.

[tikicub]

Originally Posted by Aladdin

the 2 mushus, . . . or is plural Mushi?)

Mushinississinistacitas.

[ICe101]

Originally Posted by Tomorrowland_1967

Taking the characters .. one at a time ... The only ones that appear to blend in, and be unobtrusive .. are Simba, Pumba ... and the ocassional "pop goes the weasel" - Timon.

The others are positioned along the flume so you can't miss them.

So much for Marty Sklar saying they would be "seamlessly blended in."

He was either lied to .. Or he lied to us.

Either way ........ the company is more concerned with as much Disney Character commercialism they can cram in. And if it impedes on the artistic integrity of their classic rides - Well .. who cares!

They are on a One-track course with with their Branded Characters.

That is NOT a good thing!

I'm now officially beginning to loose heart and interest in Disneyland. I never thought it would happen.

But Disney is devolving .. by relying on their line up of fictional-fantasy branded characters too much .... and the 3D World of Disneyland is devolving into a 2D Cartoon Fest.

I have to contradict this statement. If you have ridden the ride you can clearly tell that the characters are tastefully placed in their correct countries not blurting with words. IF Disney was all about merchandising then the characters would physically say something and there would be a big label on them. I mean have you physically ridden the ride. Me an my mom thought it was much improved. Even the rooms without the characters seemed to be freshened up. Clearly Disney did the right thing because on a Disney fan site, which is super critical, there is an overwhelming amount of votes that think it was a lateral move or improved.

[disney55]

Originally Posted by Mac Daddy

I'll try to post a few shots in a little bit. In the mean time, I voted OK because there is no way in the poll to say I liked SOME of the changes, but thought others didn't work at all. I'd have to admit the Alice, Aladdin, and Jasmine didn't bother me that much because they seem to fit in to the general theme of their own country. If they hadn't used Aladdin, they still would have had dolls on flying carpets, so why not give them a resemblance to the Disney characters.

What DIDN'T work for me was the whole USA area. Some corn, a cow, and Woody and Jessie...what was the point? And Woody and Jessie are the biggest mistake, IMO. Are they supposed to be children, like the rest of the attraction, or are they supposed to be toys? If they are toys, why are they larger than the children? And they don't LOOK like the other dolls on the ride. They're ALL dolls, right? Why make Woody and Jessie look different?

So for me, the music is fine, and is actually much improved. It's really hard for me to remember what the track sounded like before Christmas, but it seemed that more than a few areas picked up some extra instruments depending on the country. And you'd have to listen very closely to hear any Disney overlay/counterpoint against the main theme. So no harm done there.

But the USA area....blech.

EXACTLY the way I feel. That is why I said OK.