The Haunted Mansion room does not really compare, however, because there isn't a room like that in any of the attractions.


Actually, there IS - it's a larger version of the conservatory you go through just after the endless hallway. That coffin to one side is a dead giveaway. :D
Here's a ghoulish picture from that lovely Haunted Mansion resource, Doombuggies.com:

http://www.doombuggies.com/images/secrets_conservatory_coffinanim.gif

You can just see the wreath to one side, as well.

Can't wait to see more of the matchup pictures, Gatsby!

Actually, there IS - it's a larger version of the conservatory you go through just after the endless hallway. That coffin to one side is a dead giveaway. :D
Here's a ghoulish picture from that lovely Haunted Mansion resource, Doombuggies.com:

http://www.doombuggies.com/images/secrets_conservatory_coffinanim.gif

You can just see the wreath to one side, as well.

Can't wait to see more of the matchup pictures, Gatsby!

I considered that carefully, but I don't think it matches either the height nor depth of the room in VMK, even if you "pretend" that the graveyard is outside the window.

The thing about the guest rooms, as opposed to the public areas, is that overall they seem to be much looser interpretations, and capture the style and tone of the attractions rather than being straight adaptations.

Thanks for the vote of confidence on the comparisons, though. The thread seems to be getting popular, while Mr.L and I are just doing it for fun. :D

Hi! This is my first post here.
I just wanted to say that there is also a dragon at Tokyo Disneyland.
It's a part of the attraction inside the Cinderella castle and the attraction is a tour that takes you inside the castle.
I don't have a picture because it's really dark and I don't think you're allowed to take pictures inside... Tokyo Disneyland is pretty strict about taking pictures inside attractions.

Has anyone noticed they use a lot of DLP in VMK? Are the developers really really French? Haha, it's probably just because DLP is so pretty compared to the others. :/

that's funny lol

DoomBuggies (http://www.doombuggies.com/)

Having never been to Disneland Paris no I had not noticed....



Mal

never been to paris disneyland too such a shame

Has anyone noticed they use a lot of DLP in VMK? Are the developers really really French? Haha, it's probably just because DLP is so pretty compared to the others. :/

As a matter of fact, many of the programmers are from FINLAND.

Bet you didn't know that, huh?

Whether that explains the DLP stuff, I dunno. It's possible the Disney ppl simply sat down and said, "This from WDW, that from DLR, this from DLP, that from . . ." just to have all the parks covered.

I'll be interested to see how Tomorrowland turns out, because each version is totally different in each park.

I'll be interested to see how Tomorrowland turns out, because each version is totally different in each park.
The gate hints that they may include the robotic trees from TDL. At least, I think the robotic trees are from TDL.

As a matter of fact, many of the programmers are from FINLAND.

Bet you didn't know that, huh?

Nope, I didn't know that at all! It's nice to know. Anyways here's hoping they continue to use motifs from all over the Disney parks and from Disney history.

I have a feeling Tomorrowland is going to be what "Tomorrowland: 2055" (The plan for Disneyland's Tomorrowland that was dropped) was supposed to be. Having to VMK Space Explorers on the red planet seems to hint that we're going to have an out of this world Tomorrowland. Seems like they're dropping the "Imagination and Beyond" or "The Future through the Eyes of our Past" motifs. I hope they don't latch on to the "Montana Future" idea though, I do hold a special place for googie archietecture!

If they put a referance to Monsanto's Adventure into Inner Space when they lauch, it better be one that I can see this time. *is still unable to find the Mighty Microscope in Star Tours*

If they put a referance to Monsanto's Adventure into Inner Space when they lauch, it better be one that I can see this time. *is still unable to find the Mighty Microscope in Star Tours*

I'm hearing you brother! I still can't find it either!

I've just enjoyed playing the reference game with VMK. There's lots of love that's been put into the development of the art, backgrounds, and sound byte choices. The cool thing is, is that everything flows together seamlessly, like they really are like that in the real parks.

BTW, to continue on with the Tomorrowland speculation, the Tomorrowland sign used in VMK is the one from WDW. :)

It is? I never knew that.

If they put a referance to Monsanto's Adventure into Inner Space when they lauch, it better be one that I can see this time. *is still unable to find the Mighty Microscope in Star Tours*

Hmmmm. I have to look this up some time; I understood it was an atommobile hidden in Star Tours, not the Mighty Microscope. The microscope is a bit too big to hide.

BTW, I discovered someone has created a computer graphic version of the Adventures Through Inner Space attraction. Apparently it took years to do, but what I saw of it was nicely done. I think he's selling copies on DVD, but the price is kind of high.

I have a feeling Tomorrowland is going to be what "Tomorrowland: 2055" (The plan for Disneyland's Tomorrowland that was dropped) was supposed to be.

There's been a lot of speculation about the next move on the part of the President of Disneyland, Matt Ouimet. I have heard from several sources that his first task was to get the park ready for the 50th with a total park clean-up and restoration. Now that he's done that, they say he's looking to FIX Tomorrowland -- we can see the start of that with the work being done on the defunct Submarine Voyage. The "Tomorrowland 2055" plans are apparently being looked at again.

They say after that, he's going to figure out how to fix California Adventure. It continues to pull money away from where it's really needed, and something has to be done quickly.

Hmmmm. I have to look this up some time; I understood it was an atommobile hidden in Star Tours, not the Mighty Microscope. The microscope is a bit too big to hide.

I believe the Mighty Microscope is in the film (I.E. What's stated at this link (http://www.eeggs.com/items/31722.html)) and there's an atomobile in the queue where all the junk baskets and the droid repairs are. I think there's one inside one of the little baskets. I can't find a reference to this ATIS tribute, can someone else?

hey,i just wanted to say don't forget about the golden horseshoe!! :pirate:

hey,i just wanted to say don't forget about the golden horseshoe!! :pirate:

I'm sure it's on the list, but MrLunatix is driving this bus . . . I'm just along for the ride :)

I'm sure it's on the list, but MrLunatix is driving this bus . . . I'm just along for the ride :)I thought Nick was the head around here.

I thought Nick was the head around here.

I was referring specifically to the comparison thread. MrLunatix started it and feeds me the VMK shots, then I respond with the true-life adventure. That's why I told PrincessPop the Golden Horseshoe might be on the list of items to compare.

There's been a lot of speculation about the next move on the part of the President of Disneyland, Matt Ouimet. I have heard from several sources that his first task was to get the park ready for the 50th with a total park clean-up and restoration. Now that he's done that, they say he's looking to FIX Tomorrowland -- we can see the start of that with the work being done on the defunct Submarine Voyage. The "Tomorrowland 2055" plans are apparently being looked at again.

They say after that, he's going to figure out how to fix California Adventure. It continues to pull money away from where it's really needed, and something has to be done quickly.

I really hope they go through with fixing Tomorrowland. The Nemo attraction is pretty much confirmed now, so that's a start. Bringing the Peoplemover back would be great, and so would putting the Astro Orbitor back where it belongs! I'm really excited about riding Space Mountain and I want to hear the nighttime track, but that won't be for a while :(
DCA really does need some major fixing.. maybe a whole new theme change or something..

But back to vmk, I wonder if there will be a House of the Future in Tomorrowland, because it is on the "Tomorrowland Coming Soon" page!
further info about house of the future at yesterland (great site) www.yesterland.com

DCA really does need some major fixing.. maybe a whole new theme change or something..
So far the only thing worth going to in DCA is the Block Party Bash. No clue how long that will last before people start saying that they are cloning WDW again, what with Turtle Talk having Soft Opening shows right now.

So far the only thing worth going to in DCA is the Block Party Bash.
Errrmmm... forgetting about a little attraction called Soaring Over California? Most awesome thing ever. Also, (and trust me I am no defender of DCA) but we have Tower Of Terror there as well. Those are two things I try not to miss when I visit the DLR. :)

Errrmmm... forgetting about a little attraction called Soaring Over California? Most awesome thing ever. Also, (and trust me I am no defender of DCA) but we have Tower Of Terror there as well. Those are two things I try not to miss when I visit the DLR. :)

I agree with Soarin' -- what a great surprise. And the score is by my favorite composer . . . bonus!

As for Tower of Terror, as usually it's not half of the DMS version; pales in comparison.

Abd at least they got rid of SuperStar Limo. Easily the WORST ride Disney Company ever produced. And guess who personally designed it?

And at least they got rid of SuperStar Limo. Easily the WORST ride Disney Company ever produced. And guess who personally designed it?

Yes, wasn't it our favorite CEO's vision of a madcap journey through America's Craziest City? Anyways...I actually kind of liked SuperStar Lame-O when it was around. I think my favorite part though was seeing my family's picture at the end of the ride on the big screen. All our faces were totally struck with boredom. We all just wanted off (especially how we wasted 20 minutes in line for it!). I got to ride it once and was liked it because the entire experience was so asinine! The original plans were so much better...

Soarin over California is a great ride, and so is Tower of Terror but no one goes to a theme park for a whole day for a couple of great rides. I never really undersood the whole California theme of a theme park in California, either. Much of Disneyland's attendance is made up of annual passholders who live in California and have seen all the areas that DCA represents firsthand. If someone put the New York, New York hotel from Las Vegas right in the middle of Manhattan, would anyone go? Probably not, because they could just walk down the block and see the real Empire State Building. And for guests not from California, the mini Golden Gate Bridge and Redwood Creek Challenge Trail are no substitute for seeing the real San Francisco and redwood forests, and I doubt anyone would decide to go to California and say, "Hey, we don't need to go anyplace else but Disney! The whole state of California is summed up enough in DCA, so we can see it all there!"
DCA is trying to fix these problems with great headliner attractions and when they do this, they move farther and father away from the California theme, so I guess it is working for the time being.
Soarin' really is an excellent attraction, but now it's been imported to WDW so there really isn't anything to see at DCA that you can't see somewhere else. Fortunately, Disneyland is still Walt's original park, and it will always have that going for it.

On the Mighty Microscope hidden in Star Tours;
taken from "50th Anniversary, The Sounds of Disneyland" book that accompanies the cd's:
"Adventure Thru Inner Space 'shrank' its last guests in September of 1985, when it closed to make room for the space adventure Star Tours. Sharp-eyed (and nostalgic) passengers aboard that attraction's Starspeeders will be able to catch an homage to the area's previous tenant, though: as the space transport makes its preliminary plunge through the center of its launching bay, it passes a working version of the Mighty Microscope - complete with miniaturized Atomobiles off on still more voyages of discovery through diminution."

I never really undersood the whole California theme of a theme park in California, either.

Good point.

Originally, something called Westcot was planned for the spot, and the plans I saw for it were really exciting. But the "on the cheap" Eisner balked at the pricetag and asked Paul Pressler to find a way to cut the amount it would take to build it. Pressler proposed they scrap Westcot entirely, and instead they built the cheaper California Adventure.

That's called a wasted opportunity.

I never really undersood the whole California theme of a theme park in California, either. Much of Disneyland's attendance is made up of annual passholders who live in California and have seen all the areas that DCA represents firsthand. [...] And for guests not from California, the mini Golden Gate Bridge and Redwood Creek Challenge Trail are no substitute for seeing the real San Francisco and redwood forests, and I doubt anyone would decide to go to California and say, "Hey, we don't need to go anyplace else but Disney! The whole state of California is summed up enough in DCA, so we can see it all there!"

The intent (good or bad) was to change Disneyland from a "local visitor" attraction to the same kind of resort attraction they had at the other parks, most notably WDW. Even when out of towners came to DL, they knew people would often leave to visit something else.

To keep their dollar, Disney thought they could borrow pages from the other resorts: add more hotel rooms, add more attractions that copied nearby local attractions, add a night-life district. The problem is: it didn't work. The area is already pretty saturated with hotel rooms that DL had a good relationship with over the years. The new attractions were terrible and, as you noted, didn't really attract out-of-towners. I have no idea how Downtown Disney is doing.

The "visit a park about X instead of going to X" isn't as far-fetched as it seems. Although the tourist boards who have paid for Epcot like to think otherwise, there are a sizeable number of people who bizzarely think that now that they've attended a pavilion about the country, they don't have to visit the country itself. But California isn't a country.

(On an amusing note. Someone once commented that if they tried to create a Disney's Florida Adventure, they would have to create "WaltDisneyWorldLand" in it.)

http://img.****************/albums/v617/wejogirl/DLRMatterhorn.jpg

Hey Gatsby, are those real people climbing the Matterhorn? Or are they like statues or animatronics?

-Ariella

They are real people!

When Walt put in the Matterhorn, one of the ideas he approved of was having real mountain climbers climb the attraction occasionally during the day. For a long time, they were just known as Fritz and Hans.

When they started doing the climbs, Disney workers realized that not only did it entertain the guests, but also allowed the climbers to check out the ride to make sure there weren't any problems with the outside of the mountain -- things that needed to be fixed.

When Paul Pressler became president of Disneyland, one the the things he stopped was the mountain climbing, so they were gone for a long time. When Matt Ouimet became DLR president, one of the first things he did was start the mountain climbing again.

A long time ago, every holiday season, Disneyland used to put a huge star/snowflake on the top (it had about a dozen points on it). It was maybe a third the size of the mountain and lit up at night. Maybe Mr Ouimet will bring that back, too!

If I find an old photo of the star, I'll post it too.

As for the Wescot plans, I think the struggles of a new Disneyland at that time (A Magnificent and huge park in Paris) and Disney losing billions in the first many years of that park probably made Disney re-think its "building new theme parks" plans. Plus, it is very very difficult to acquire land surrounding Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Its completely developed, there is no open space and there are many small businesses and residential neighborhoods that sit right outside of Disneyland. Actually it took Disney a very bitter legal battle to obtain the only large open space near the park (a large strawberry field on the SE corner of Katella and Harbor that serves as Cast Parking and a potential third theme park way down the road).A couple of problems with this statement.

1) If they are rethinking new development after Paris, then Hong Kong would not have happened. Nor would they be discussing Shanghi.

2) The Disney management know the Paris park is not losing the money, it is the hotels around the park that is pulling out all the profits. They realize now they made a big mistake building that many luxury hotles around a single park so close tom the most romantic city in Europe.

3) The strawberry field was not obtained through a legal battle. They would have had no leg to stand on for a legal battle. Disney bought it when the original owner passed away and his heirs sold it.

4) What the big talk is now is that they are looking at Westcot as a retheming
of DCA. Disney has already been pulling all the DCA logos off bags, napkins, and other places and are deciding how to "fix" the park. Westcot was abandoned by Pressler in a "cost cutting" move, and word is Rasulo and Ouimet are considering aspects of Westcot to replace parts of DCA over the next five years or so.

Sorry, about the errors. That was right, the owners (two of them i think) passed away and they were the ones who wouldn't sell Disney the field even for alot (I don't want to get the dollar amount wrong also). Your also right, I totally neglected the resorts that came with Disneyland Paris. But comparing the two Disneylands (Paris and HK) doesn't Hong Hong seems very small for a Disney Theme Park? Didn't Disneyland Paris start out with alot more than what Hong Kong Disneyland has? Ever since Paris i've been noticing all the new parks (DisneySea, DCA, HK Disneyland, Disney Studios Paris) start out small then there are major expansions or major attractions are slowly added in subsequent years.

As for Wescot being re-visited, wow, that would seem a major undertaking. but Ouimet has done some big things in doing a major upkeep of the entire park for the 50th.

Ever since Paris i've been noticing all the new parks (DisneySea, DCA, HK Disneyland, Disney Studios Paris) start out small then there are major expansions or major attractions are slowly added in subsequent years.Good observation!

A lot of blame for that is currently being leveled at Paul Pressler. He started the Disney Stores for the company, then got himself named, first Disneyland president, then president of all the theme parks.

Being from retail, he did not understand entertainment very well, so under his tenure, the parks closed rides and opened up shops and restaurants. All new parks built while he was in charge had fewer and fewer rides, but more and more shops. And Disney management wondered why attendance in those parks was low?

I once saw a well-researched paper for someone's MBA which made some good points about this. He had written it about DCA before it opened, and his conclusion was that the park would fail miserably. Many years later, I'm struck by how "on the nail" this student was. And he based much of his conclusion on the shinking number of rides vs the increasing number of shops and restaurants.

Now that you mention it GreatGatsby, i remember that DCA was overloaded with lots and lots of eating places when it first opened. The Backlot alone had around 6 food and drink stands/restaurants the big food court (Hollywood & Dine) and the roach coach (Between Takes) seem to have remained closed, The Soap Bistro got replaced by Playhouse Disney, Schmoozies and Fairfax Market seem to operate on some days. Some other venues like Maliburritos, Lucky Fortune, and that Bountiful Farm BBQ place don't seem to operate anymore. Some of the remaining eateries i've seen closed on many off-season days. When i'm typing this up, i am just awestruck - this IS alot of eateries for a park with the size of DCA and also with the many restaurants that line up along Harbor Blvd just outside the park. There was also a Disney Magazine not too long ago with an article i saw titled something like "How I ate my way around DCA."