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

[2DieFR]

Originally Posted by MoonRakerSCM

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.

Fair enough. Maybe "normal" DL guests don't give a hoot. Maybe they'd love seeing characters in iasw.

But maybe there is enough at stake for those who do care that it isn't worth it to make a change that really doesn't do much improving anyway.

[fo'c's'le swab]

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.

Mixing unrelated cartoon characters with any attraction isn't a good idea, IMO. I don't see why Donald Duck in a sombrero is really that more relevant in IASW to you than Peter Pan or Hook, or Mickey. They detract and distract from the message IMO, and the message is the purpose Walt Disney gave IASW when he had it constructed. The design and placement of 'unrecognizable' characters in IASW focuses one on the message and lyrics, IMO.

[fo'c's'le swab]

Originally Posted by MoonRakerSCM

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.

I have no idea of the individual motivations of the guests who ride IASW. I say many feel it still has relevance based on the percentage of people in this thread alone who have expressed their fondness and continuing affection for IASW (whichever side of this debate they are on). This is the only data I have access to.

[penguinsoda]

Originally Posted by mousechild

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.

Bold mine...

And thats the bottom line right there. Do I want to see Disney "Characters" mixed/blended into IASW. No. Will it stop me from going to Disneyland, riding Small World and enjoying it.

No. And the powers that be know this too.

[MrLiver]

Originally Posted by MasterGracey

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.

Winnie the Pooh has wait times that are consistent with the type of attraction it is. There is nothing wrong with the ridership of Pooh.

If Small World is being changed, it is because the ridership counts do not justify the huge expense of keeping the attraction operating and maintained. The operating and maintenance budget for an attraction like Small World is lightyears above that of something like Winnie the Pooh. You're comparing apples and oranges.

This isn't a matter of my own personal opinions on these changes - this is only my attempt to try and explain the situation to you.

[Abominable Snowman]

Very good points 2DieFR and Walt Jr.

I agree with all of them... As much as everyone labels IASW as one of the most annoying rides in the history of the park, everybody loves it and that is because it has stayed basically the same since it opened. It will be a big upset to see new characters

[2DieFR]

Originally Posted by MrLiver

If Small World is being changed, it is because the ridership counts do not justify the huge expense of keeping the attraction operating and maintained.

You infer that Disney characters will increase ridership on small world?

I disagree, in the long term. Seems a pointless change to me.

[MoonRakerSCM]

Originally Posted by fo'c's'le swab

This is the only data I have access to.

Which when compared to the number of people who actually ride the attraction is completely worthless and miniscule.

Just sayin... Talking about something with only a sample of opinions from an obviously biased group of people (being hardcore disney fans) is not a way to properly do things.

Are people going to be upset about this? Yeah... but they're in the very small minority.

[aznshrek88]

Personally, I never liked the ride and don't think I ever will, but I heard that the only change is the boats and the flumes...its about time they renovated it since most the original equipment from the 60's is still there. But if their adding characters wouldn't it be nice in some areas?

[fo'c's'le swab]

Originally Posted by MoonRakerSCM

Just sayin... Talking about something with only a sample of opinions from an obviously biased group of people (being hardcore disney fans) is not a way to properly do things.

As opposed to YOUR hard data...which is..?

[2DieFR]

Originally Posted by aznshrek88

But if their adding characters wouldn't it be nice in some areas?

No, not for me. I don't ride small world expecting to see Disney characters. There are plenty of other places in the Resort to get your fill of them. IASW is an entity of its own.

[penguinsoda]

Originally Posted by aznshrek88

Personally, I never liked the ride and don't think I ever will, but I heard that the only change is the boats and the flumes...its about time they renovated it since most the original equipment from the 60's is still there. But if their adding characters wouldn't it be nice in some areas?

See this is one thing that bothers me about it. How can placing Disney characters in various places in the ride not break up the continuity of the theme. Maybe I'm just not visualizing it the way they will actually do it. But even if the characters are dressed to the land they are in, the way I'm picturing it is that they will stick out among the regular small world dolls.

Granted, I have never seen any other Small World ride other than the one in Disneyland so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I can't see how tossing in a few Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Stitch, and Goofy figures among the rest of the show will work... thematically.

[Datameister]

I can't see how tossing in a few Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Stitch, and Goofy figures among the rest of the show will work... thematically.

I think they were thinking about mostly adding characters from the more realistic animated features--human characters, and animals like Simba or what have you. I could be mistaken, though.

[penguinsoda]

Originally Posted by Datameister

I think they were thinking about mostly adding characters from the more realistic animated features--human characters, and animals like Simba or what have you. I could be mistaken, though.

That might be a little easier to "blend" into the ride, but again, I think I'm going to have to actually SEE what they do since what I can only picture in my mind right now isn't working for me.

[Coheteboy]

Count me on the many that feel that this change is unnecessary. Originality and Individuality is a very important thing and with Disneyland's having the original, I think it's very important to stay true to that design and vision that paved the way for the many clones that followed.

One can argue till the cows come home that change is good. But the truth is, they are changing it and have changed it even prior to this announcement. Repainting the facade. Fixing up the sound system. Replacing the dolls. Cleaning up the dirt. Even putting in a new flume. These are all GOOD changes that keep the attraction's original intentions while providing a better experience for all who visit it.

Even the Small World Holiday is a welcome change and keeps guests entertained in the holiday season, but also creates a slightly higher demand for the original when it ISN'T holiday time. (much like the haunted mansion holiday overlay).

The fact is, IASW is one of those love it or hate it attractions and adding Disney characters will not alter the hater's point of views. This is a fix that would be better suited for the tourists at Walt Disney World, not the original Disneyland.

Film critics have often griped about the Disneyfication of classic stories and fairytales. I never thought the Disneyfication would happen to Disneyland itself.