Disneyland Resort (DL, DLR, DCA) Discussion Thread

[robbalvey]

Earl of Construction

Ok, that gets an lol!

[Wes]

Seriously...feels like that place has been under construction for a year now. How hard is it to build a sandwich place???

[Justice]

I would just love to know who genuinely thought "Dapper Dans Sing Boy Bands" was a good idea.

[Jew]

^I would imagine it is because there is an entire generation of kids who have no idea who the Dapper Dans are and what they are supposed to represent. I agree that it sounds kind of ridiculous and it is not something I'll stop to watch, but there are sure to be tons of teens who will.

Edited October 23, 2012 by Jew

[Mechanic]

Maybe they can serenade the chick that whined about Knott's monsters' "abuse" with this one...

 

[cfc]

I would just love to know who genuinely thought "Dapper Dans Sing Boy Bands" was a good idea.

 

I think it makes as much sense as this.

 

[jray21]

^Haha! That's totally going to be it, but worse because it is boy band songs!

[robbalvey]

Does it feel like Radiator Springs Racers is one of the most hyped, but almost never discussed attractions now?

 

It's really weird... I've heard people bring up many other 2012 and even 2011 rides and stuff in conversation lately, and I hear almost NOTHING about this ride...ever! I sort remember the same thing about DCA's Tower of Terror.

 

Why is that?!?!?

[cfc]

^They're too busy listening to the Dapper Dans sing old boy-band tunes?

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-375504-million-project.html

 

The City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday to support the concept of building a $319 million streetcar system that could transport thousands of employees and millions of tourists each year.

 

So far, the city has secured $24.6 million in transportation funds for the project and now will turn its sights on securing the remaining $294 million.

 

At least half that money is expected to come from federal funding, through the Federal Transit Administration's "New Starts" program. Anaheim will have to compete for that funding among cities across the nation looking to fund similar projects.

 

Other funds would come from Measure M2, the county's renewed half-cent sales tax for transportation projects and from other federal and state grants.

Up to 10 percent of the project – or about $32 million – would have to come from "local sources," city planners said.

 

Mayor Tom Tait voted against Tuesday's plans, along with Councilwoman Lorri Galloway, citing fears that city taxpayer money could be at risk if sufficient grant funding isn't secured to pay for the remaining $32 million to build the streetcar line – and the expected $4.3 million annual cost to keep it operating.

 

"I'm not against the project," Tait said. "I'm against not knowing enough about the project."

 

A majority of the council said that enough study had been done and the city should move forward with traffic studies and other environmental clearances so it can get in line for the next round of federal funding. They also said they wouldn't support the project continuing if the city's general fund were determined to be at risk.

 

The rail line would consist of 10 streetcars transporting passengers from the ARTIC transit hub, expected to open in 2015, west along a 3.2-mile track up Katella Avenue and along Harbor Boulevard with stops at Platinum Triangle, GardenWalk mall, Disneyland Resort and the Convention Center.

 

In more than three years of studies, the city had considered other alternatives, including an elevated monorail or a bus service dedicated to a specific route for transporting tourists and local employees.

 

City officials had originally favored the idea of an elevated system. But in the end, the idea proved too expensive at up to $679 million to build and $10 million to maintain.

 

A bus line, while less expensive at $53 million, wouldn't compete as well for federal funding or encourage development near the line because the route could change at any time, planners said.

 

City officials hope to keep the cost of riding the line to a small fee or even free to encourage maximum ridership. Operating costs would be covered primarily by advertisements at streetcar stops and inside the cars and from a 2 percent tourism-improvement-district tax on hotel bills in the area, city planners said.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

I dont like the idea for a street car that shares lanes with traffic. Its already crowded enough as it is on the streets, a large train isn't going to help things. They would have to still build off site parking for all those people to use and type of system.

 

And though I would really love an elevated system like a monorail or something it still poses the same parking issue. So many people use their cars to get to this area so this really doesn't seem to solve the problem unless there is more to the whole plan they haven't released yet.

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/disney-375568-hanks-movie.html

 

For the first time in a dozen years, Disneyland will host crews to film a major movie – this one starring Tom Hanks as Walt Disney himself.

Disney will block off parts of the park on Nov. 6-7 for "Saving Mr. Banks," which will tell the back story of the making of Disney's 1964 "Mary Poppins" movie. The new film, by Walt Disney Studios, stars Hanks, Emma Thompson as book author P.L. Travers, and Colin Farrell as Travers' father.

 

The film will follow the long road Disney took to persuade Travers to let him do a movie based on her books; Mr. Banks is the name of the children's father in "Mary Poppins," and the character reportedly was inspired by Travers' own father.

 

Disney officials declined to confirm which actors would come to Disneyland, and they warned that visitors shouldn't expect to see or hear any stars on set, which will be obstructed.

 

Because the movie is set in 1961, crews can't risk accidentally filming any regular guests in the background, said Suzi Brown, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman.

Instead, Disney has asked its employees to apply as extras who will appear as Disneyland guests. Interested employees submitted pictures of themselves in period clothes for consideration for a few dozen spots.

 

Four balloon vendors and four Main Street, U.S.A. vehicle drivers were selected for more prominent roles to do their jobs while the cameras are rolling, Brown said.

 

Crews will close sections of the park only during filming and no area will be closed all day. Disney declined to say which parts would be closed.

 

"We will be communicating that schedule to guests when they arrive on those days so they can schedule their visit around the closures," Brown said.

 

Last year, visitors could easily see actors from ABC-TV's "Modern Family" filming all around the park. And annually, guests stake out spots to see celebrities, such as Miley Cyrus and Stevie Wonder, performing for ABC's annual "Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade," which is usually only partially blocked.

 

But major-motion-picture filming at Disneyland is rare.

 

A 1962 film, "40 Pounds of Trouble," starring Tony Curtis, was centered at Disneyland. The last time a movie was filmed there was "That Thing You Do," released in 1996, starring Hanks, who wrote and directed the movie about a band snagging hit.

 

During the production of "That Thing You Do," Hanks spent several weeks in Orange County, especially in Old Towne Orange. Scott Parker, who owns of Watson Drug and Soda Fountain, said he had interactions with Hanks who filmed inside the business. Hanks took time to meet with Parker when he lunched there to scout out the place, apologized when a crew member broke a bottle and posed for photos with Parker.

 

"Tom Hanks was always pleasant, always good," Parker said. "He was good with the employees and good with the public. It was a pleasant experience."

 

The filming of "Saving Mr. Banks" began last month in Los Angeles. The movie is due in theaters on Dec. 20, 2013 – just in time for Oscar season.

[azza29]

^^We have loads of them down here. Convenient from a passenger point of view but on an already congested street they don't make it any better.

[Jew]

I'm guessing the majority of the parking would be at the transit hub. As someone who no longer has a premium annual pass, I'd gladly park a couple of miles away and pay a small fare to ride the trolley vs. paying for parking at Disney each time I visit.

[nursemelis374]

Does it feel like Radiator Springs Racers is one of the most hyped, but almost never discussed attractions now?

 

It's really weird... I've heard people bring up many other 2012 and even 2011 rides and stuff in conversation lately, and I hear almost NOTHING about this ride...ever! I sort remember the same thing about DCA's Tower of Terror.

 

Why is that?!?!?

 

I think it may have been outshone (is that a word?) by Carsland in general. I think Carsland itself as a whole is what is being talked about. RSR is really good but it did not blow my mind like Indy did when it opened.

[cfc]

^I also think people were more blown away by the atmosphere of the place, plus the food offerings, which look really good.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

^^ Also, your profiles says you're 34, and Indy opened in 1995...17 years ago when you were 17, lol. Its easier to please a child then an adult. That being said, I still like Indy more then Racers.

[Double0Kevin]

^I only say that cause I like the Indiana Jones Trilogy (there was a 4th one?) better than the Cars films.

 

I agree with the overall environment being the main attraction and overshadowing RSR though. Also, RSR is great, but I haven't had a chance to really appreciate it since the lines are always so long that I've only gotten a few rides in. As time goes on and the lines calm down I think people will talk about it more... maybe.

 

I sort remember the same thing about DCA's Tower of Terror.

 

Why is that?!?!?

 

Well... I mean... come on. I'm a Disneyland Fan Boy, and even I have to admit disappointment on that one. And, I haven't even been on Good Tower to compare them.

[Jew]

To be fair, we're in a different era now as far as technology goes. It's much harder to impress someone now.

[azza29]

^True, but Indy is still pretty damn impressive! Even more so when you consider the technology available at the time.

 

Unfortunately I don't think we'll see something like it again - it's cheaper and easier to make something which uses 3D projection screens for the tricky bits these days. And as good as the 3D is, there's something about practical effects which make them much more immersive.

[cfc]

I also tend to prefer physical effects to CGI projections; for example, I'd rather watch an old Ray Harryhausen movie than Jurassic Park (there's just something about the look and "feel" of stop-motion characters that I prefer).

 

That being said, a I do enjoy a good mix of physical and projected effects in a ride (Spider-man at IOA does this very well).

[jray21]

^ That's exactly why I like Buzz Lightyear versus Toy Story Midway Mania. Even if the guns didn't work, Buzz would be a fun dark ride you could spin in. In TSMM, you are just watching a video game.

[azza29]

^ I don't mind TSMM, but there's definitely no escaping the fact that it's basically a series of Xbox Live-type minigames pumped up into a dark ride. It's telling that the best part of the ride is Mr. Potato Head in the queue.

[Jew]

To clarify my point: When Indy opened, it was truly groundbreaking for what could be done on a ride. As was Jurassic Park at USH, Tower of Terror @ Disney Studios, Test Track @ EPCOT, and so on. But now that we've seen it all AND have all sorts of new audio/lighting/pneumatic/control/design/etc. technologies that has allowed designers to improve upon those ride systems...it takes a whole heck of a lot more to impress us.

 

Radiator Springs Racer is certainly a solid E-ticket attraction that is sure to make Disney a ton of money. However, it doesn't really take anything to the next level. It just takes a lot of proven concepts and does them really well.

[azza29]

^Yep. Another example is the new Little Mermaid ride - the animatronics and detail are incredible but because they're largely a more advanced version of something we've have seen before, a lot of people were underwhelmed. (I'm not really a mermaid fan but I still liked it enough to ride it 3 times last time I went!)