Save Small World! (Why the Classic Shouldn't be changed!)

[MasterGracey]

Originally Posted by MrLiver

I think that will pretty much sum up the majority of posts in this thread.

If there's a great deal of folks out there who don't like the attraction, why not change it?

That's funny.

Unlike your beloved The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mr Liver, "it's a small world" consistently has solid wait times - and its not because it has lower capacity.

I think despite the jabs at the theme song, "it's a small world" is still a juggernaut of an E-Ticket and doesn't need to be "changed."

If anything needs to be changed it's Winnie the Pooh, much of Tomorrowland, and DCA. Ironically, you have made arguments in the past that imply or directly say that there's no need to change these things.

Consider me confused.

[MoonRakerSCM]

Ah yes, what a fallacy, attack the person saying the argument and not the argument itself.

[The Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by 2DieFR

Where did you get the idea that I don't like characters? It's the context. I don't want them in IASW. Let them have as many meet-and-greets and fantasy faires as they want, but not in iasw.

But why? We're talking about Small World here. An attraction where the AAs look like cartoon characters themselves.

If the attraction in question were Big Thunder, the Matterhorn, or the Jungle Cruise...I'd agree with you because those are more realistic experiences. But IASW is just as much of a cartoon as the Jungle Book IMO.

[MasterGracey]

Originally Posted by Olympicnut

Meh.

They did changes to Pirates and Mansion, both classic attractions, and the world didn't cease to exist as we know it. Nothing wrong with sprucing up something that's a bit aged. I mean isn't that why god created Botox?

Mansion's changes were directly related to enhancing the existing show - not changing the existing show in order to sell more character-related merchandise.

I fail to see how "it's a small world" just can't get fully upgraded and updated without adding Disney characters. It seems like an unnecessary addition that Disney is going to market as though its Jay Rasulo's gift to the world.

How about just refurbing the aging attraction? It doesn't need to be changed.

Originally Posted by MoonRakerSCM

Ah yes, what a fallacy, attack the person saying the argument and not the argument itself.

Just because I addressed the poster by name does not mean I was attacking him.

Attacking would be "You're an idiot, go to Magic Mountain."

I did not say that.

Thank you.

[2DieFR]

Originally Posted by The Mad Hatter

But why? We're talking about Small World here. An attraction where the AAs look like cartoon characters themselves.

If the attraction in question were Big Thunder, the Matterhorn, or the Jungle Cruise...I'd agree with you because those are more realistic experiences. But IASW is just as much of a cartoon as the Jungle Book IMO.

IASW is more stylized than just a "cartoon." It's closer to that genera than the attractions you mentioned, I'll give you that, but nevertheless I think it's crude to call IASW a cartoon.

And The Jungle Book and other Disney "animated features" are more than just a cartoon as well, IMO. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean I think they fit/belong together.

[MoonRakerSCM]

You go off on "well, since you defend this and this and this (all unrelated to this discussion) your point on this is discredited"

An argumentive fallacy.

[fo'c's'le swab]

Originally Posted by The Mad Hatter

But why? We're talking about Small World here. An attraction where the AAs look like cartoon characters themselves.

If the attraction in question were Big Thunder, the Matterhorn, or the Jungle Cruise...I'd agree with you because those are more realistic experiences. But IASW is just as much of a cartoon as the Jungle Book IMO.

I think, since IASW has roots in a real world message, some feel the cartoon characters inappropriate.

Let's not forget this attraction was inspired by President Eisenhower's meeting with prominent figures in government and business (Walt Disney among them) in 1956. This meeting was to discuss the promotion of world tourism and travel (a meeting that culminated in the formation of a Student Exchange Program).

Disney, inspired by such lofty goals, put into motion (along with the Sherman Brothers, Mary Blair, and countless others) the plans for construction of what we see today as "It's A Small World". Cartoonish appearance, maybe--but not a cartoonish message.

[2DieFR]

Originally Posted by fo'c's'le swab

I think, since IASW has roots in a real world message, some feel the cartoon characters inappropriate.

Thanks swab, that's what I meant to say.

[MoonRakerSCM]

Originally Posted by fo'c's'le swab

Let's not forget this attraction was inspired by President Eisenhower's meeting with prominent figures in government and business (Walt Disney among them) in 1956.

How many people who ride the attraction have 'forgotten' this? Let alone ever knew it.

[fo'c's'le swab]

Originally Posted by MoonRakerSCM

How many people who ride the attraction have 'forgotten' this? Let alone ever knew it.

Whether forgotten by most or no, it is still a fact, and one that many feel is still relevant. Others do not.

[The Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by fo'c's'le swab

I think, since IASW has roots in a real world message, some feel the cartoon characters inappropriate.

Let's not forget this attraction was inspired by President Eisenhower's meeting with prominent figures in government and business (Walt Disney among them) in 1956. This meeting was to discuss the promotion of world tourism and travel (a meeting that culminated in the formation of a Student Exchange Program).

Disney, inspired by such lofty goals, put into motion (along with the Sherman Brothers, Mary Blair, and countless others) the plans for construction of what we see today as "It's A Small World". Cartoonish appearance, maybe--but not a cartoonish message.

So then Saludos Amigos, and the Three Caballeros should be in IASW because of the good will message that Walt wanted to send to South America. And most of Disney's feature films give off some sort of moral message...so there ya go.

Oh wait we can't do that...because then there'd be mixed messages.

[2DieFR]

Originally Posted by MoonRakerSCM

How many people who ride the attraction have 'forgotten' this? Let alone ever knew it.

Maybe now wouldn't be a bad time to tell them. The refurb wall has some info about the attraction's opening; a little more history never hurt.

[2DieFR]

Originally Posted by The Mad Hatter

So then Saludos Amigos, and the Three Caballeros should be in IASW because of the good will message that Walt wanted to send to South America. And most of Disney's feature films give off some sort of moral message...so there ya go.

Oh wait we can't do that...because then there'd be mixed messages.

Well, you're right. Answered yourself on that one.

[MoonRakerSCM]

Originally Posted by fo'c's'le swab

Whether forgotten by most or no, it is still a fact, and one that many feel is still relevant. Others do not.

Many? So, you can say that many of the people who ride it feel it is still relevant? Take into account here of all the people who go on it...

I'm trying to get a feel of the real impact the attraction truely has on Disneyland guests, not just IASW aficionados or Disney peeps like ourselves.

[mousechild]

Originally Posted by 2DieFR

I know how Disney benefits. How, exactly, do the consumers benefit? I'm interested.

Disneyland is no longer there for your direct benefit, if it ever truly was, it is there to make a profit for the corporation. Disney seems to be banking on the idea that by adding familiar characters to the rides will convince more people to come visit the park and give Disney even more money. And the hardcore fans will swallow it and still come to the park.

This is the logical next step in a process that has been on going for many years. PLOTSI is another of those steps, Nemo on the subs is yet another. One could argue that Fantasmic! is also one of those steps since it used familiar Disney characters outside of their natural element.

In fact using Disney characters in IASW may be a result of willingness for the average guest being willing to accept characters anyplace in the park regardless of theme. Fantasmic! was one of the first big moves in this direction, and since the crowd loves it violating theme must be OK. Turns out theming violations do have consequences.