Its a Small World Holiday

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by nicoleloveswalt

I think the execs are concerned much more with the fact that Disney World is much more of a destination vacation thatn a trip to Disneyland. So if it's a family's only trip to Disney ever, they want to see the original Haunted Mansion and Small World intact.

Bingo!

When the average Disneyland guest has been to the park 30 times in the last 2 years(I am making that up, but I bet am right) the folks in Anaheim have no choice but to switch things up a bit at Christmas(and Halloween, etc) just to keep their captives from jumping ship out of boredom.........Disney World does not need to operate under such a fear----although, with all the DVC units being built that dynamic is getting closer to Anaheim with each passing day---

That being said, I think an overlay of Small World is not as intrusive as the one to Haunted Mansion and therefore they could do it without too much guest chagrin.

I agree. In fact, I am a bigger fan of the Florida version of the show than of Anaheims(the fully flooded show building makes it for me) and would schedule a special trip just to see it if the folks in Orlando ever decided to do a Christmas overlay

[tinkerb]

I think the entire complex is a Christmas wonderland and very magical, with or without the overlay. The decorations are over the top.

[Jspider]

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

Bingo!

When the average Disneyland guest has been to the park 30 times in the last 2 years(I am making that up, but I bet am right) the folks in Anaheim have no choice but to switch things up a bit at Christmas(and Halloween, etc) just to keep their captives from jumping ship out of boredom.........Disney World does not need to operate under such a fear----although, with all the DVC units being built that dynamic is getting closer to Anaheim with each passing day---



I agree. In fact, I am a bigger fan of the Florida version of the show than of Anaheims(the fully flooded show building makes it for me) and would schedule a special trip just to see it if the folks in Orlando ever decided to do a Christmas overlay

I find that to be a bit of an exaggeration. I'd say on average you get guests that visit once a year total. I'd calculate this off the people I know from my own area who mostly visit once a year and on occasion twice since the Holiday stuff started. Plus the local base in California plus all the odd tourist groups you see durring the summer (unless those bussloads of non English speaking Asian people are from LA o_O)

The overlays were added at a point when there wasn't much room to really add new rides to DL (DL being a very well packed park ride wise with WDW packs having the opposite problem).



I find the arguement that Disney doesn't do HMH because of fear that people wouldn't know the Nightmare Before Christmas characters to be rediculous. If anything we're seeing the opposite approach to litterally every other ride to the point that it irks me. That said I'm fine with guests experiencing origional HM, exspecially around Hallow33n.

As far as IASW goes, the overlay SHOULD be done because its non intrusive and could be rapidly added to the ride. The ride is basically the exact same ride only giving credit to the time of year which is actually pretty nifty.

IF WDW were to run two overlays I say bring back the country bear overlay and run the Small World overlay :P



It's increadibly stupid that WDW ran the ORIGIONAL Holiday overlay but then failed to add any of the others and has since removed the origional out of lazyness.

[nicoleloveswalt]

Originally Posted by Jspider

IF WDW were to run two overlays I say bring back the country bear overlay and run the Small World overlay :P

Completely agree. If any ride's overlay really works, it's the Country Bears. It's not so popular normally, but when they sing Christmas songs, the audience connects with the show so much better.

[SpectroMan]

Originally Posted by nicoleloveswalt

I think the execs are concerned much more with the fact that Disney World is much more of a destination vacation thatn a trip to Disneyland. So if it's a family's only trip to Disney ever, they want to see the original Haunted Mansion and Small World intact.

That seems to be the most commonly used reason - too many first timers that come to WDW only once in their lives and would be too upset if Mansion and IASW were closed for 3 weeks out of the year.

[trebor13]

Originally Posted by ORD84

That's pretty cool I may have to head down there and check it out, sounds cool enough for a trip...now to just get some days off in the holidays lol

If all you want is to see the Haunted Mansion overlay, it starts in late September and last through the New Year, so maybe they'll let you off in mid-November, if not "the holidays"

[HMF]

Originally Posted by ORD84

For the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay what all do they change? I know for the Country Bears they changed the songs, costumes, etc. but never been to DL during any of the overlays, so I'm pretty interested in the idea...

And the last time I saw the Country Bears overlay was in Dec 99 however I try to avoid the holidays, too hard to get a flight for cheap, and I hate the crowds at that point in the year...

I can PM you an in-depth description if you want.

[ameeg]

I would love a small world overlay, but I would much prefer a holiday overlay in haunted mansion. The only time we ever did country bears was on Christmas, haven't been back since they dropped it. I think its sad how little WDW management seems to be putting into keeping the parks relevant and exciting. Its almost and insult as they add very little, if any, to the overall guest experience, but continue raising prices.

[dead_Mau5]

Do the creepy puppet children even deserve a Christmas overlay?

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by Jspider

The overlays were added at a point when there wasn't much room to really add new rides to DL .

There's plenty of room.....they didn't close attractions(Skyway, Peoplemover, Keelboats, Motorboats, Tahitian Terrace,etc...we all know the list) and leave them empty and disgustingly vacant because they have no more room.

They closed them because they have a local captive audience.....which will forgive the closing of some attractions so long as the overlays and cheap ap's keep coming

As for actual real estate...there's enough room to build an entire new land to the North/Northwest of Big Thunder........Mystery Island from Disney Seas would fit with a little butter

[WorldLover71]

I'm hoping to go to WDW in early January for the first time in 6 years and I'm really glad two of my favorite attractions won't be closed to take down holiday overlays.

Also, am I the only one who doesn't like Nightmare and and has no interest in its overlay?

[yoyoflamingo]

Originally Posted by WorldLover71

Also, am I the only one who doesn't like Nightmare and and has no interest in its overlay?

Don't worry...there are many MCers on here who feel the same way. I see both sides of the argument, but I do enjoy the overlay. True, I've only been during the holiday season once though!

[Country Bear Fan]

Originally Posted by Malin

You see I don't view this as a good enough reason because Fantasyland at WDW is much larger than the existing smaller Fantasyland at Hong Kong. Yet HKDL with its lower capacity is still doing the Holiday overlay and like the Magic Kingdom is about to have some rather big expansion too.

The actual Fantasyland expansion is another example of poor Management decisions. I was at the Expo when Jay Rasulo annouced the project to a huge response from the audience until he mention the princess part and the response just dropped straight away. The project looks nice with some good theming but the only worthwhile additions out of the whole expansion unless your a 10 year old girl is the Beauty and the Beast Restaurant, Little Mermaid dark ride and the new interactive Dumbo queue. WDW caters to more than one target audience and shame on them for ignoring this, and I personally have much higher hopes for the Harry Potter expansion over at Islands of Adventure. At least that area appeals more to a wider range audience, than to just 6 to 12 year old girls.

No need to be a conspiracy theorist.