Ride Refurbishments

batraylover · 05-28-2005

So, is it just me, or has some of the magic been taken out of some of the more popular Disneyland rides? I rode the new Jungle Cruise, which I love, but some of the lamest jokes have survived. The new add-on's on the Jungle Cruise were delightful, and the skipper we got was amazing, and it was the best Jungle Cruise ride I have ever been on. So Jungle Cruise is perhaps one of the good refurbishments, but I have heard some not so good things about many of the other ride refurbishments, and some of the rides just seemed to be a little less magical.

Pirate's of the Carribean seems a little less "Yo-Ho" then I remember it to be, and there seems to be a lot less action going on, as far as the pirates are concerned to look at as you are floating by. And, is it just me, or does the ride seem to take a whole lot longer than it used to, as in, are the boats moving a whole lot slower, or could I be "out-growing" the Pirate ride, which I find hard to believe.

The Storybook Land Canal boats seem to go a lot faster than they used to. I love all of the extra houses to look at and such, but the boat seems to move faster, and there is really a set script, as in this is so and so's house and this person lives next to so and so. I don't remember it always riding that fast, as in not having a chance to take photos of the houses or stopping at any of the houses, and I also don't remember the skipper talking so fast you can barely understand what she's saying.

Haunted Mansion, did they re-do the inside? As in, some of the ghost scenes? I seem to remember there being a lot more "spooks" then there are now. It is still a good ride, and I most definately enjoyed riding it, especially since there was no line, but it just seemed, so different I guess, in this case, I am not sure different is such a good thing.

And, maybe it's because I am not a Winnie The Pooh fan, or is it really the case that the Winnie The Pooh ride is the lamest dark ride ever? I mean no real special effects, or anything that would give it the magical wow factor that all of the other dark rides have. My mom who is a die-hard Winnie The Pooh fan liked the ride, but I just thought they could have done a whole lot more with it, like make the Heffalumps and Woozles scary like they appear on most of the movies, and what's with all the neon pink, green, yellow, etc. The whole place looked like a lava lamp threw up.

Last but not least, the gold paint...how many people honestly think it makes some of the rides look U-G-L-Y? I mean, I had my picture taken in the golden ride vehicles because it's sort of a once in a lifetime kind of opportunity, but the gold paint just looks so awful. Dumbo in particular looks horrible, in my opinion painted gold.

I would love to hear what everyone else has to say about all of the ride refurbishments, do you like them, like things better the old way, thoughts? And what about all of that gold paint? I think the castle has never looked better, but some of the rides: Teacup and Dumbo in particular, I think should never have been painted gold.

Andrea · 05-28-2005

Hmmm... I think we're on different sides of the fence on this one (except that I agree that the Jungle Cruise looks great).

I thought the Haunted Mansion looked wonderful and the new stuff in the Madame Leota room was great. I didn't notice any lack of anything there.

As for Pirates, I'm over the PC changes that were made and I'm just not going to complain about them anymore. What's done is done. I do give them a lot of credit for improving the cannon balls. It was such a small change for a great result. I was impressed by what a difference it made. More "bang" for your buck!

I can't speak to the Storybook Canal ride; I didn't do it.

As for the gold ride vehicles.... I just shrug. I'm not particularly bothered by them. What I liked was being able to get a picture in the Peter Pan ship, because our cheap disposable camera has never been able to get a decent picture during the ride! So I guess that's just personal.

In person I thought the Mark Twain looked great and festive, but in pictures I think it looks like it's a bit much.

And as for the castle... I think the paint looks great! But the crowns and bunting are just way way WAY too much for me and I could really do without them.

CaribBeachNut · 05-28-2005

I haven't been to DL in a long time, so I can't comment on the refurbishments.
However, let me ask one question. After our 4th trip to WDW, the whole family started to see MK as if it was slightly 'tarnished'. We didn't know what it was, whether Disney wasn't as good in the upkeep or something else. But we realized that this happened just about the time we had completely seen everything - and we decided that this must be the reason: the way we actually looked at the MK had changed. Gone was the rush. Gone was the craziness. Now we could leisurely walk Main Street and notice things. Details in design, intricacies we hadn't noticed before. But we also saw chipping paint and loose wires. These were always there but in our rush and in the Disney Magic we hadn't noticed them before. We had reached a new plateau of enjoyment with MK and one which combines Disney Magic with that comfortable feeling of familiarity. We all felt our tensions melt away and our vacations became definitely more relaxing. We are now making our 10th visit to the MK and it hasn't lost it's charm or magic for any of us. The magic grows in other ways.
Perhaps you have reached a similar plateau with your enjoyment of DL?

pumouse · 05-28-2005

Well said.

batraylover · 05-28-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaribBeachNut

Gone was the rush. Gone was the craziness. Now we could leisurely walk Main Street and notice things. Details in design, intricacies we hadn't noticed before. But we also saw chipping paint and loose wires. These were always there but in our rush and in the Disney Magic we hadn't noticed them before. We had reached a new plateau of enjoyment with MK and one which combines Disney Magic with that comfortable feeling of familiarity. We all felt our tensions melt away and our vacations became definitely more relaxing. We are now making our 10th visit to the MK and it hasn't lost it's charm or magic for any of us. The magic grows in other ways.
Perhaps you have reached a similar plateau with your enjoyment of DL?

I do not think the craziness every dissappears for our family at Disneyland, I think that's part of the fun. I think I would be dissappointed if we ever took time to stop and look at things and we found chipped paint or loose wires. Afterall, with what they charge to get in Disneyland, they should be able to afford the routine upkeep there. I think it's a good thing we stay caught up in the craziness, because if I started noticing things like that at Disneyland (the way I used to notice increasing problems at Sea World) I would refuse to return to Disneyland, like I did about Sea World when they opened Journey to Atlantis.

jodilt · 05-29-2005

I think DLR has just received a well deserved rehab and fresh coat of paint. From the pictures I have seen it looks great! As for the gold ride vehicles, I like the idea...it's only temporary...and much better than the cake castle at the WDW anniversary a few years ago!

Disneywife · 05-30-2005

Oh gosh, I haven't been on the Storybook Canal boats in YEARS...we should go, as my dd would probably really like it.

The HM refurbishments were supposedly done in line with new available technology, but I haven't been on it since winter. Same with Pirates. I didn't know that they changed Pirates at all. I knew there was some issue a few years back with the wench auction scene, so they removed it, then put it back, and now I'm not even sure if it's there. I think it is.

What did they do to the Jungle Cruise? I know it has a golden vehicle, but what else??

batraylover · 05-30-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disneywife

Oh gosh, I haven't been on the Storybook Canal boats in YEARS...we should go, as my dd would probably really like it.

The HM refurbishments were supposedly done in line with new available technology, but I haven't been on it since winter. Same with Pirates. I didn't know that they changed Pirates at all. I knew there was some issue a few years back with the wench auction scene, so they removed it, then put it back, and now I'm not even sure if it's there. I think it is.

What did they do to the Jungle Cruise? I know it has a golden vehicle, but what else??

Most people seem to like the new Haunted Mansion, in my honest opinion, I think it has been adjusted so that it is more family friendly. I would now feel confident that a five or six year old would not be spooked on it, unless they really didn't like ghosts. It seems to have lost a lot of its haunt. But it does offer more along the lines of things to see (if you pay attention to tiny details) then the pre-50th anniversary refurbishment does. I guess I am more of a person who enjoys the total ride experience than individual details, but that's just me.

As for the Jungle Cruise, there are now piranas (spelling). The best part about them is that if you are riding with someone who doesn't know they are there, it will scare the heck out of them. You can also get (sometimes very) wet from the piranas (spelling), depending on the skipper of the boat. The skippers have guns again that they shoot off. There is an adorable baby elephant that has been added that also can get you very wet. Just little touches here and there that are very refreshing on a ride such as this.

Pirates of the Caribbean is a lot wetter. The wench scene is still there but altered (someone correct me if I am wrong) she seemed to be carrying food or something. The new battle scene on Pirates is a lot better, and a lot wetter. I guess everyone will see the positives and negatives in the new ride improvements. I definately didn't like coming off Pirates of the Caribbean as wet as you would get on Splash Mountain but the Jungle Cruise water was refreshing, but we were sitting in the center area and some people on the outer seats got pretty wet.

**WishUponAStar** · 09-09-2005

I've only been to DL twice but I will say... be THANKFUL you never had to deal with a HUGE PINK birthday cake of a castle that we had over in WDW for the 25th!!! Now THAT was truly terrible!! I am STILL having nghtmares over that one, haha.

Pixie · 09-09-2005

I really like what they did with Jungle cruise. The piranas(sp) were great. The cannon balls on pc always got me wet. Didn't much care for that when we were stuck there for about 5 or 10 minutes. But oh well. I loved what they did with Madame Leota. It was so wonderful. Can't thing really whatelse was done. But it looked great.

CerealBoxQueen · 09-09-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disneywife

Oh gosh, I haven't been on the Storybook Canal boats in YEARS...we should go, as my dd would probably really like it.

HAHAHAHA I went on that with my neice in 2000, and omgosh

she stood so close to the edge that someone accidently nudged her and she did one of those windmill-arms falls backwards, luckily my step-mother grabbed her by the t-shirt and she didn't fall in, so that was good...lol...I havent thought about that in years, but it was kinda funny

, and yeah I remember that ride to be sooooooooooo boring.

dznygrl · 09-10-2005

I haven't gotten to see any of the changes on the rides for the 50th....I think I will soon though.

But I just have to say....I love the Winnie the Pooh ride.

I know it doesn't have the best special effects, but maybe it's the fact that it's nestled back in Critter Country like a little surprise. It's DH's and my "special ride." We ride it together over and over and over again during Fantasmic, when there's no line and we don't have to get off!

dznygrl · 09-10-2005

Oh, BTW....Storybook Land Canal Boats ARE boring, CBQ!

You remembered quite correctly!

They remind me of an attraction that belongs in the little theme park I worked at in Oregon.

They're still cute and quaint...and kinda cool at night...but I actually WAITED to ride them last time!

What a mistake! It was boring

and the whole time all I could think about was the little girl sitting in front of me, and how she kept sticking her fingers outside the boat...I was sure they were going to get smashed!!

The Goof Father · 09-10-2005

Dsnygirl - Do you speak of the Enchanted Forest??? If so, I totally agree... BooooOOooooOOooring!

I loved that place when I was little, but after you go to Disney it is revealed for what it is... LAME...

Viva Disney!

pumouse · 09-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksdonaldson

Dsnygirl - Do you speak of the Enchanted Forest??? If so, I totally agree... BooooOOooooOOooring!

I loved that place when I was little, but after you go to Disney it is revealed for what it is... LAME...

Viva Disney!

Aw, come on you guys! You have to admit those little villages are so cute.

05-28-2005	#1 (permalink)
batraylover Junior Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 28	Ride Refurbishments So, is it just me, or has some of the magic been taken out of some of the more popular Disneyland rides? I rode the new Jungle Cruise, which I love, but some of the lamest jokes have survived. The new add-on's on the Jungle Cruise were delightful, and the skipper we got was amazing, and it was the best Jungle Cruise ride I have ever been on. So Jungle Cruise is perhaps one of the good refurbishments, but I have heard some not so good things about many of the other ride refurbishments, and some of the rides just seemed to be a little less magical. Pirate's of the Carribean seems a little less "Yo-Ho" then I remember it to be, and there seems to be a lot less action going on, as far as the pirates are concerned to look at as you are floating by. And, is it just me, or does the ride seem to take a whole lot longer than it used to, as in, are the boats moving a whole lot slower, or could I be "out-growing" the Pirate ride, which I find hard to believe. The Storybook Land Canal boats seem to go a lot faster than they used to. I love all of the extra houses to look at and such, but the boat seems to move faster, and there is really a set script, as in this is so and so's house and this person lives next to so and so. I don't remember it always riding that fast, as in not having a chance to take photos of the houses or stopping at any of the houses, and I also don't remember the skipper talking so fast you can barely understand what she's saying. Haunted Mansion, did they re-do the inside? As in, some of the ghost scenes? I seem to remember there being a lot more "spooks" then there are now. It is still a good ride, and I most definately enjoyed riding it, especially since there was no line, but it just seemed, so different I guess, in this case, I am not sure different is such a good thing. And, maybe it's because I am not a Winnie The Pooh fan, or is it really the case that the Winnie The Pooh ride is the lamest dark ride ever? I mean no real special effects, or anything that would give it the magical wow factor that all of the other dark rides have. My mom who is a die-hard Winnie The Pooh fan liked the ride, but I just thought they could have done a whole lot more with it, like make the Heffalumps and Woozles scary like they appear on most of the movies, and what's with all the neon pink, green, yellow, etc. The whole place looked like a lava lamp threw up. Last but not least, the gold paint...how many people honestly think it makes some of the rides look U-G-L-Y? I mean, I had my picture taken in the golden ride vehicles because it's sort of a once in a lifetime kind of opportunity, but the gold paint just looks so awful. Dumbo in particular looks horrible, in my opinion painted gold. I would love to hear what everyone else has to say about all of the ride refurbishments, do you like them, like things better the old way, thoughts? And what about all of that gold paint? I think the castle has never looked better, but some of the rides: Teacup and Dumbo in particular, I think should never have been painted gold.

05-28-2005	#2 (permalink)
Andrea Dole Whip Apostate Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shasta in my heart Posts: 2,815	Re: Ride Refurbishments Hmmm... I think we're on different sides of the fence on this one (except that I agree that the Jungle Cruise looks great). I thought the Haunted Mansion looked wonderful and the new stuff in the Madame Leota room was great. I didn't notice any lack of anything there. As for Pirates, I'm over the PC changes that were made and I'm just not going to complain about them anymore. What's done is done. I do give them a lot of credit for improving the cannon balls. It was such a small change for a great result. I was impressed by what a difference it made. More "bang" for your buck! I can't speak to the Storybook Canal ride; I didn't do it. As for the gold ride vehicles.... I just shrug. I'm not particularly bothered by them. What I liked was being able to get a picture in the Peter Pan ship, because our cheap disposable camera has never been able to get a decent picture during the ride! So I guess that's just personal. In person I thought the Mark Twain looked great and festive, but in pictures I think it looks like it's a bit much. And as for the castle... I think the paint looks great! But the crowns and bunting are just way way WAY too much for me and I could really do without them. __________________ x´¨) x¸.•´ ¸.•´¨"...make sure you don't grow up stupid.¸.•´¨) (¸.•´xxxxxxxxxxxxIt's bad for the world."xxxxxxxxxxx ¸.•´ xxxxxxxxxxxxx--Tami Taylor, Friday Night Lightsxxxxxxxxxx(¸.•`* My Disney Countdown Counting down to: I have absolutely nothing to look forward too. :-(

05-28-2005	#3 (permalink)
CaribBeachNut Big Cheese Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 910	Re: Ride Refurbishments I haven't been to DL in a long time, so I can't comment on the refurbishments. However, let me ask one question. After our 4th trip to WDW, the whole family started to see MK as if it was slightly 'tarnished'. We didn't know what it was, whether Disney wasn't as good in the upkeep or something else. But we realized that this happened just about the time we had completely seen everything - and we decided that this must be the reason: the way we actually looked at the MK had changed. Gone was the rush. Gone was the craziness. Now we could leisurely walk Main Street and notice things. Details in design, intricacies we hadn't noticed before. But we also saw chipping paint and loose wires. These were always there but in our rush and in the Disney Magic we hadn't noticed them before. We had reached a new plateau of enjoyment with MK and one which combines Disney Magic with that comfortable feeling of familiarity. We all felt our tensions melt away and our vacations became definitely more relaxing. We are now making our 10th visit to the MK and it hasn't lost it's charm or magic for any of us. The magic grows in other ways. Perhaps you have reached a similar plateau with your enjoyment of DL?

05-28-2005	#4 (permalink)
pumouse In the land of boredom Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Wandering aimlessly...... Posts: 3,624	Re: Ride Refurbishments Well said. __________________ Avatar custom made by Mr.Go! Pepperjack is my favorite Cheese! Doughnut is Paw'erfect! Dopey Evil genius. I Love Lovemysons! 626 is the Smartest most good looking person I know! www.somefunnypicsforyou.blogspot.com Llama for President!! Who's the Boss of me?? Boss mouse, that's who One out of every four Americans is mentally unstable. Look around at your 3 closest friends, if they seem okay, you're the one!

05-29-2005	#6 (permalink)
jodilt Big Cheese Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: TEXAS Posts: 784	Re: Ride Refurbishments I think DLR has just received a well deserved rehab and fresh coat of paint. From the pictures I have seen it looks great! As for the gold ride vehicles, I like the idea...it's only temporary...and much better than the cake castle at the WDW anniversary a few years ago! __________________ Disneyland - too many times to count! '01 - Grand Californian '02 - Disneyland Hotel '03, '04 - Grand Californian '05 - Disneyland Hotel WDW '96 - All Star Music '97 - Caribe Royale & Swan '98 - Carribean Beach '99 - Coronado Springs & Dixie Landings '00, '01, '02, '03, '04 - Wilderness Lodge

		MouseBuzz.com > Disneyland California > Disneyland Theme Parks
Ride Refurbishments

05-30-2005	#7 (permalink)
Disneywife Mouse Meister Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,427	Re: Ride Refurbishments Oh gosh, I haven't been on the Storybook Canal boats in YEARS...we should go, as my dd would probably really like it. The HM refurbishments were supposedly done in line with new available technology, but I haven't been on it since winter. Same with Pirates. I didn't know that they changed Pirates at all. I knew there was some issue a few years back with the wench auction scene, so they removed it, then put it back, and now I'm not even sure if it's there. I think it is. What did they do to the Jungle Cruise? I know it has a golden vehicle, but what else??

09-09-2005	#9 (permalink)
WishUponAStar Waiting for BLT! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: I'm right here! HI! Posts: 12,749	Re: Ride Refurbishments I've only been to DL twice but I will say... be THANKFUL you never had to deal with a HUGE PINK birthday cake of a castle that we had over in WDW for the 25th!!! Now THAT was truly terrible!! I am STILL having nghtmares over that one, haha. __________________ Disneyland & College Program Moderator Upcoming Trips Dec. 16th - 20th '09: Bay Lake Tower June 2010: Alaska Cruise Oct 2010: Spooky Halloween in Disneyland "Life without a vacation countdown is like a cupcake with no frosting." Banner by Mickeysgirlz, she's a rockstar! My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Our first Bay Lake Tower stay 21 days 5 hours 11 minutes

09-09-2005	#10 (permalink)
Pixie Big Cheese Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Puyallup Wa Posts: 552	Re: Ride Refurbishments I really like what they did with Jungle cruise. The piranas(sp) were great. The cannon balls on pc always got me wet. Didn't much care for that when we were stuck there for about 5 or 10 minutes. But oh well. I loved what they did with Madame Leota. It was so wonderful. Can't thing really whatelse was done. But it looked great. __________________ Avatar: Senior proud to be class of 2008 ´¨) x¸.•´ ¸.•´¨)xxxx¸.•¨) (¸.•´xxxxxx(¸.•`XXNicole *´¨)

09-10-2005	#12 (permalink)
dznygrl aka dizzygirl Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The breezy shore Posts: 9,335	Re: Ride Refurbishments I haven't gotten to see any of the changes on the rides for the 50th....I think I will soon though. But I just have to say....I love the Winnie the Pooh ride. I know it doesn't have the best special effects, but maybe it's the fact that it's nestled back in Critter Country like a little surprise. It's DH's and my "special ride." We ride it together over and over and over again during Fantasmic, when there's no line and we don't have to get off! __________________ Proud former 2-time Disneyland CM Avatar: Moooom, make Alice stop hugging me! 2000 ~ off-site 2002 ~ Polynesian 2003 ~ All-Star Movies 2008 ~ All-Star Music My Disney Countdown Counting down to: The girls' first trip to Disneyland! 39 days 9 hours 11 minutes

09-10-2005	#13 (permalink)
dznygrl aka dizzygirl Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The breezy shore Posts: 9,335	Re: Ride Refurbishments Oh, BTW....Storybook Land Canal Boats ARE boring, CBQ! You remembered quite correctly! They remind me of an attraction that belongs in the little theme park I worked at in Oregon. They're still cute and quaint...and kinda cool at night...but I actually WAITED to ride them last time! What a mistake! It was boring and the whole time all I could think about was the little girl sitting in front of me, and how she kept sticking her fingers outside the boat...I was sure they were going to get smashed!! __________________ Proud former 2-time Disneyland CM Avatar: Moooom, make Alice stop hugging me! 2000 ~ off-site 2002 ~ Polynesian 2003 ~ All-Star Movies 2008 ~ All-Star Music My Disney Countdown Counting down to: The girls' first trip to Disneyland! 39 days 9 hours 11 minutes

09-10-2005	#14 (permalink)
The Goof Father I have a fever! More MB! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pacific Northwest! Near Portland! Posts: 1,704	Re: Ride Refurbishments Dsnygirl - Do you speak of the Enchanted Forest??? If so, I totally agree... BooooOOooooOOooring! I loved that place when I was little, but after you go to Disney it is revealed for what it is... LAME... Viva Disney! __________________ Everybody's got a laughing place A laughing place to go ho ho Take a frown, turn it upside down And you'll find yours we know ho AVATAR - me and the little dude taunting Splash Mountain! My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Going to DL with my wifey! Turning my frown upside down in DL!

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