Monday, May 5, 2008

Saving Face, Propping Up...






Before the Suits in Burbank finally began to realize the mistakes in conceiving Disney's California Adventure, the mantra was
"Well, we'll just keep adding attractions and that will be enough.".

It wasn't, but it's hard to get bean counters to admit they're not Imagineers, much less Walt himself...

On this day...

Four years ago today, the clone of Disney's Hollywood Studios "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" made it's official debut. While somewhat different architecturally, the basics of the ride are actually the same. The placement of it near the end of the Hollywood Backlot section of the park is somewhat awkward due to flawed designs. Designs that will hopefully be fixed in the second phase of DCA's "Extreme Makeover" with a more period themed and expanded area surrounding the attraction. While there was a boost in park attendance, it wasn't what the Mouse wanted/intended and wasn't the much needed "E-Ticket" that would become the savior of the park. But it was at least a new ride and a much better one that "Superstar Limo".

Hopefully, the mistakes of the past will not be forgotten and will not be repeated...

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

What is "proping"? Is it how "a" eternal fan spells "propping"?

Hadn't heard about the area around TOT expanding, yet.

Anonymous said...

And you won't for a good four years most likely.

Anonymous said...

can you go into detail about what they will be doing to "plus" the area around Tower of Terror?

Anonymous said...

Doesn't the DCA version go backwards first?
I've been on the DisneySEA version, and while beautiful on the outside, it still doesn't compare to the Florida version.

the one in DCA looks cheap and small, and NOT scary at all.

Florida got it right.

Honor Hunter said...

"can you go into detail about what they will be doing to "plus" the area around Tower of Terror?"

Nope.

Sorry, but the planning is in the very early stages... what they finally build could be very different, but from what I've been told, it could be quite nice and totally Disney.

Anonymous said...

The DCA version is not a carbon copy of the Florida version.

The DCA version lacks the lackluster and out of place 4th Dimension room, but does have the mirror effect. I actually enjoy the DCA version ride wise better, but the setting in Florida is much better IMHO.

Anonymous said...

DCA's Tower is nothing like Florida's version which is a masterpiece. DCA's Tower is a cheap rip-off which is why it did not save the park like they thought it would.

Anonymous said...

Tower of Terror is a real disappointment. They need to fix it to make it better and not to compare it to the superior WDW version.

The whole storyline is lost since it didn't make me feel like I am part of the action. Essentially, the ride is a Maliboomer approach to the ride rather than an immersive Disney-type attraction.

It is unremarkable and pretty bad.

Sorry WDI. Your effort needs improvement.