Are Disney AA Theater Shows a Thing of the Past?

[mark]

What do you think? At DL, Tiki Room is the only one left. MK in FL still has the Bears and Tikis, TDL these two and -at least I think- has the MM Revue.

Used to think they were still relevant, but after hearing some soundtracks, I've changed my mind.

What are your thoughts?


Mark

[Datameister]

I think Disney is certainly moving away from them. I personally rather like them, but if you ask me, I'm sad to say Disney's kinda moving in the right direction with this. AA theater shows (not AA-based rides!) aren't high-capacity attractions to begin with. Factor in their relative unpopularity these days...and it makes sense not to build new ones. Again, I'm not happy about it, but I think Disney's right about this one.

Where they're really off the mark is in avoiding AAs in other attractions. It is not AA technology that's lost its appeal. Anyone at WDI or TDA who thinks it has should probably go check out how many satisfied guests POTC and HM are pumping through every hour. Naturally, not every attraction can have that sort of scale, but working AAs into the mix is nearly always a good thing in my book. They're just so...Disney. They're an art form, and they're definitely still sexy.

[sleepybear]

Ew-- okay I did not need the image of "sexy" and AAs in my head. EW!

I totally agree with Data here. I love the AA shows but who are we kidding?

[Alex E]

I like AA shows, but I don't know how many people would like to sit down for like, a half hour to see that sort of thing. And then there's the capacity issue, like Data said.

AA's are truly an art form. And ever since compliance, they move much better than they used to. Though, there's still something stiff looking about modern human figures. I can't really put my finger on it, but they look a little uncomfortable. Appendages never change direction on a dime, faces barely move, knees don't bend -you know. I'm not implying that the technology is like, readily available, but I think it's still far from complete.
Animals, on the other hand, look better to me.

Maybe when the technology is really, really, mind blowing, we will see the lost art of AA shows once again.

[Alex E]

Originally Posted by sleepybear

Ew-- okay I did not need the image of "sexy" and AAs in my head. EW!

Hey it happens. -I wants the redhead...

[Datameister]

Haha, the "sexy" thing was in regards to something an Imagineer said once about AAs not being sexy anymore.

I agree, Alex--human figures can still look a little awkward, even with all the amazing work in compliance. But they still have enormous appeal for me. I mean, even the older AAs in Pirates or HM can still tell a wonderful story and elicit enormous emotional attachment. (Note, WDI, that when I say "story", I'm simply referring to a vague story arc, not a beat-me-over-the-head explicit narrative! )

The thing about the AA shows specifically is that we've got a great litmus test in the park already. The Enchanted Tiki Room is fun, but I double-dog-dare you to sit through an entire show and not see at least a couple people walk out perhaps halfway or two-thirds of the way through. People just don't have patience. I'm not justifying it, and while I can somewhat understand it, I certainly don't fall into that category...but it is what it is. I'm not suggesting the Tiki Room should be removed! But adding more shows in that vein is regrettably futile, I fear.

[GhostHost2]

Disneyland needs one or two more AA theatre shows IMO. They are one-of-a-kind experiences that are sadly being lost due to the changing tastes of many guests. People have really bad taste now days IMO. AA theatre shows are still relevant, it's just hard to convince ignorant and uniformed guests why they are great.

About AA technology, if Walt was still around, AA technology would likely be lightyears ahead of what we have now. AA advancements have sadly slowed down with current and recent management not interested in them.

Projections suck, AAs rule.

Bring back the Country Bears.

[mark]

You guys are making me reconsider what I posted on my blog this morning...
Hmmm...

[Datameister]

Disneyland needs one or two more AA theatre shows IMO. They are one-of-a-kind experiences that are sadly being lost due to the changing tastes of many guests. People have really bad taste now days IMO. AA theatre shows are still relevant, it's just hard to convince ignorant and uniformed guests why they are great.

But Disney can't build an attraction, knowing it won't get much attendance, and then throw up their hands at the uninterested guests and pout, saying, "Well, you should like it." They're artists, but they're also a business. To a certain degree, they can affect public interests by creating something that'll suck people in and then provide a different but still enjoyable experience. But again...look at the Enchanted Tiki Room. People walk out of it all the time. That clearly indicates a lack of interest, and considering how frightfully expensive AAs are, I'd say adding theater shows would be unwise.

However...

About AA technology, if Walt was still around, AA technology would likely be lightyears ahead of what we have now. AA advancements have sadly slowed down with current and recent management not interested in them.

Yes.

AAs rule.

Yes.

Projections suck

Mmmmm...sometimes. But do you wish Madame Leota were an animatronic head? Or the singing busts? I don't! That'd be terrible. There's a time and place for projections. Unfortunately, they've overstayed their welcome right now.

[GhostHost2]

Originally Posted by Datameister

Mmmmm...sometimes. But do you wish Madame Leota were an animatronic head? Or the singing busts? I don't! That'd be terrible. There's a time and place for projections. Unfortunately, they've overstayed their welcome right now.

Madame Leota and the singing busts work as projections. By projections I'm really refering to ones like on FNSV. We could easily have an AA Nemo on FNSV, but Disney just gives us a fake looking projection instead. The Madame Leota head and the singing busts still look believable even though they are projections, due to what they a suppose to represent.

About people walking out of the Tiki Room, well many of those who walk out of the Tiki Room would turn Small World into a shooting gallery without a second thought. I appreciate the dark humor of Small World being a shooting gallery, put I would never deface a classic and turn it into the opposite of what it is suppose to be.

If everything Disney builds is aimed at the ADD generation that can't sit still for 30 seconds, than we might not have a Disneyland that stands the test of time.

I undertand the logic behind not building AA theatre attractions, but it doesn't mean I have to like the decision not to build any.

[ah schucks]

My biggest problem is the current use of AA for queues rather than shows. Why put the the most expensive AA in theme park history in the middle of a queue for Toy Story Mania? Why the Buzz Lightyear in the Astro Blasters?

Why not create a decent queue and invest those elements into the ride? Or why not put those incredible figures into a show that you have a vested interest in.

I think by and large its not the the AA figures or the shows but the writing and plot and story that has caused the decline of great shows.

Per example the theater for Turtle Talk with Crush is not very large but it pulls in a decent audience because of the capacity for interaction. Clearly the new Potato Head figure is proof that the same concept can be applied to AA figures.

I would go as far as to say they audience is open and receptive to NEW plots and shows but you cannot judge the current attendance of shows like the Tiki Room as a weather vain of the interest in AA shows.

With advances in technology: the 3d-audio as seen in Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and Alien Escape, Interactive Projections and Audio Animatronics, 3D movies, etc... its all coming to a new level where these shows could see a resurgence- but it all relies on good story from super-Imagineers like Joe Rhode.

[Alex E]

[QUOTE=GhostHost2;2880307]We could easily have an AA Nemo on FNSV, but Disney just gives us a fake looking projection instead./QUOTE]

A Nemo animatronic? A little fish? How do you make a small animatronic energetically scuttle around suspended in water like a fish? Where do you connect and hide the pneumatic and hydraulic lines? -It wouldn't be very exciting if Nemo was always near a rock, or some coral or something all while not swimming.... As far I know, that is not easy or even really possible at this point in time. I haven't seen FNSV yet because of long lines, however I'm sure he swims. A lot.

[techskip]

Paging Swab.... Paging Swab... thread found in need of your discrete input...

Personally I think Disney has moved away from FULL AA shows in favor of AA integration into shows. Evidence of this can be seen in Tough to be a Bug and Muppet's 3D, and dates in my memory at least as far back as StarTours... with the thought being to let the AA be a part of the show (usually a host or primary character) but not THE show, as in CBJ or Tiki.

The reason for the page is that Swab wrote something similar some time ago.

[princedalton]

Wait is Carousel of Progress closed for good at the MK? I thought for some reason it was still open every once in a while...

[Aladdin]

Don't forget The Carrousel of Progress in WDW. And Lincoln is still expected back in DL. Of course WDW also has the Hall of Presidents. And Walt saw that having guests move through and attraction provided interest, like the Doom Buggies move you through the Haunted Mansion and the Boats move you through Pirates, those are just more advanced audio animatronic shows.

But there is Room for the sit down a spell, and relax AA shows, that bring a much needed variety of the way attractions are presented. And they are still popular! look how traffic increased in the Tiki Room after it was refurbished, and the Entry area was made noticable, and more inviting! And the show is just slightly shorter than it was 45 years ago, BUT it is still the exact same show as back in 1963!

Country Bears was a fantastic Crew of Characters, 3 different shows, and the Christmas show was always especially popular. (It's entrance was hidden, and needed to be made visible and welcoming.) And with the use of surround sound, and characters everywhere, it was one of the most creative and fun shows in DL history. It's really disappointing that such a charming attraction is no more at DL. (Much more charming than what is there now!) And with two different theaters, they could really even be running two different shows at the same time!

The Carousel of Progress/America Sings building STILL cries out for another such attraction. Instead, it was vacant of guests for 10 years, and nearly as vacant for another 10 years, in dreadful form of innoventions, which has needed updates MORE frequently than either CoP or AS! The Uniqueness of that theater was truely made it a Disneyland original! And an AA show needs to return there, as well!

With AA's, you didn't need those special glasses to fake the illusion of 3-D, because the AA's were already in REAL 3-D. Help us all if they ever insist on adding effects to Haunted Mansion and Pirates that would make it necessary to wear 3D glasses.