"it's a small world" Changes - A Full Recap - Updated 3/26

[ZeekSlider]

Thank you for not only answering a question that wasn't really directed at you, but also making me believe more so now than before that there is a pocket of Disney fans that won't be satisfied until the park is vacum-sealed like a collector's edition of a limited run of a comic book.

That said, is the actor that plays Bill Nye even still around? The last time I saw him playing that character was in 2002, but it was as the tutorial guide for CyberSpace Mountain.

[Luke Manning]

Originally Posted by ZeekSlider

That said, is the actor that plays Bill Nye even still around?

Well he still is around. And he doesn't play Bill Nye, he is Bill Nye, seriously.

[WDWizard]

Have any of you seen the videos of the soft-opening of It's A Small World at HKDL? If the Disneyland version is any similar, then this is definitely an improvement. The scenes look bigger and better, the lighting effects are great, and other than a few I didn't think that the characters were very noticeable. Even the ones that were noticeable weren't bad at all.

[Neverlandtink]

Originally Posted by WDWizard

Have any of you seen the videos of the soft-opening of It's A Small World at HKDL? If the Disneyland version is any similar, then this is definitely an improvement. The scenes look bigger and better, the lighting effects are great, and other than a few I didn't think that the characters were very noticeable. Even the ones that were noticeable weren't bad at all.

I've seen them (in fact I posted the same thing about 5 posts ago). Big scenes and better lighting effects are great, but I don't agree at all that the Disney characters improved the over all experience. Especially the added theme songs integrated with the original song/score. Not noticeable? How can you not notice?

[ZeekSlider]

Originally Posted by Neverlandtink

Not noticeable? How can you not notice?

By singing along with the ride really loudly with your eyes closed.

[Semiquaver]

I used to be on the fence about the disney characters being added, but now I've watched some the videos of HKDL. I'm appalled at the insertions.

To me they are very prominent. Most seem to be placed so they are on the outside of a curve, naturally drawing the eye. Cinderella and co. are very obvious, right up front with a big castle behind them and no other dolls near them. Aladdin was not with the other carpet flying kids, etc. The animals seemed to be less obvious, and fit in better though. I'll give them that.

The music change is the worst part in my opinion. I was genuinely excited for that part,too. The speakers for the disney music seemed to not be very focused, so you can hear those sections long before and after you get to the actual dolls associated. Try to find a video that doesn't have a CM coming on the PA constantly, so that you can hear the insertions. The first one you hear is Bibbity-Bobbity for Cinderella. I seriously felt like I tripped. The two songs do NOT go together. Sure the beats lines up since iasw is in 4/4 and Bibbity is in 2/2, but it is not a smooth transition. Each time this happens, I felt like it underlined the fact that the Disney characters do not fit in.

The rest of the attraction is beautiful, and it's great to see an iasw ride in prime condition, but it just makes me think how bad the DLR one has gotten.

[HBG2]

You can't ignore musical insertions. If they do this to DL's version, it'll be horrible.

My two cents on how NOT to argue against the IASW changes: http://micechat.com/forums/showpost....&postcount=102

[Oswald the Rabbitt]

Maybe I should move to Hong Kong cause I like the changes especially the animals

[ZeekSlider]

Originally Posted by Oswald the Rabbitt

Maybe I should move to Hong Kong cause I like the changes especially the animals

I know the feeling. People are saying I should move to Tokyo given how I like their live entertainment.

[captainZachsparrow]

Short-time reader, first-time poster.

I'm not one to judge something before I see it, so I don't want to start letting my thoughts go wild on this subject. But I can't hold back:

I understand wanting to update a ride, especially if it's an improvement to my (and our) overall experience with the ride. However, IMO part of IASW's charm is that it is older, outdated, and a little rundown. That's part of why I love it. Also, it's one of the few attractions in the park that doesn't feature any Disney characters, again part of the joy of riding it. If I wanted to go on a ride with Disney characters, I would just go on a ride with Disney characters. When I go on Small World I know what I'm getting and that's why I ride it.

On the other hand, it looks from the HKDL pics like the additions are small and not too noticeable. The "spot that character" aspect could actually be pretty fun, enhancing the ride by not only finding the characters, but other of the original children characters that some may not have noticed. I'm okay with that.

But no matter what else WDI says, there's something fundamentally flawed with the plan to rip out the Rainforest section. The symbolism of such a move is ridiculous.

*I should point out that John Lasseter is Principal Creative Advisor for WDI, and I do trust the man with everything, so I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[JCSkipr79]

Oh PLEASE , Lasster is ONLY there to get bloated Pixar projects into the parks. He has not spoken up on this OR , to our knowledge, to anything to derail this.

[JCSkipr79]

i agree, the music is the most blasphemous part and disgusting. However, on later videos, i could hear that the French, Spanish, Scandnavian, Italian tracks were turned up, so someone w/ oxygen in thier brain thought it was too disruptive.

[1disneynut2another]

I understand the need to update certain rides, but IASW is not just any ride. It is infact a piece of art. Its not like adding Jack to POTC, that is a commercial product with a movie tie in. If Mary Blair was around to make the changes herself that would be different but shes not. No good can come of this, destroynig the entire Rainforest scene to put in some phoney baloney camerican theme by some other person (I wont even say artist because artist dont make changes to other peoples artwork) is anything but relevant, whats relevant about that. The Rainforest is the most relevant part of that ride these days, aren't we suppose to be trying to save the planet right now, whats Greener than the rainforest. I wonder if the new american scene will show Miickey and Friend soldiers dieing for oil, cant get more american than that.

[SingingAngel7242]

Originally Posted by 1disneynut2another

I understand the need to update certain rides, but IASW is not just any ride. It is infact a piece of art. Its not like adding Jack to POTC, that is a commercial product with a movie tie in. If Mary Blair was around to make the changes herself that would be different but shes not. No good can come of this, destroynig the entire Rainforest scene to put in some phoney baloney camerican theme by some other person (I wont even say artist because artist dont make changes to other peoples artwork) is anything but relevant, whats relevant about that. The Rainforest is the most relevant part of that ride these days, aren't we suppose to be trying to save the planet right now, whats Greener than the rainforest. I wonder if the new american scene will show Miickey and Friend soldiers dieing for oil, cant get more american than that.

hmm...good point! i agree

[ZeekSlider]

Originally Posted by 1disneynut2another

I wont even say artist because artist dont make changes to other peoples artwork.

L.H.O.O.Q. or Mona Lisa
Marcel Duchamp
reproduction of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa
with added mustache, goatee, and title
19.7 x 12.4 cm
1919 Private Collection, Paris