So recently, Jim Hill wrote a rather infamous article about how fans seem to be ignoring WDW's efforts to improve the parks in favor of Disneyland's own renovations. The article is as follows:
http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief ... years.aspx
The article has quickly gained infamy for its seemingly apologetic tone and how it looks down on people that disagree with some of the decisions at WDW as being angry fanbois (he wrote it like that really). After reading both the article and the comments, I actually understand both sides of the story.
I definitely understand Jim Hill's frustrations with the fanbois as he calls them. It does seem genuinely hard to talk about ANYTHING WDW (or at times Disneyland) without a league of fans bemoaning the current state of affairs or trying to suck the fun and joy out of their park. Having been there last July, I had an absolute blast and never really noticed some of the extreme issues the fans are talking about (really, only two attractions I felt needed some TLC: Universe of Energy at EPCOT and Muppet Vision 3D at Hollywood Studios). It does get annoying when people do nothing but bring up the negatives as absolute FACTS and are quick to label anyone that sees it otherwise as being blind fanboys and apologists. On that end, I see where Jim Hill is coming from...
... But on the other side of the coin, I also see why some WDW fans would be upset with the current state of affairs, and see how Disneyland is the most exciting Disney park at the moment. I do agree that some of the improvements and new additions to WDW are nothing to scoff at, and DO add value to the resort in the long run (really, we the fans are only a minority in the consumer watch, and some of these decisions are made to attract a wider range of park guests). But I think what fans REALLY want to see is something brand new that will spark interest in the park in the same manner that the Disney California Adventure refurb did.
Here's what I am talking about... When DCA first premiered, it was a joke of a park. It had nothing of value to offer to the Disneyland guest. That's when they decided to invest billions in changing strategies and create attractions that would make the park worth visiting alongside Disneyland. In that strategy we got...
- A brand new, modern dark ride attraction (Little Mermaid)
- A spectacular, modern nighttime show (World of Color)
- Updating existing attractions to more familiar facades (Mickey's Fun Wheel, Goofy's Flight School, Silly Symphony Swings)
- Brand new, modern attractions (Toy Story Mania)
- A main entrance that replicates a part of Walt's history (Buena Vista Street)
- New shows for older park guests (ElecTRONica/Mad T Party)
- An updated classic parade (Pixar Play Parade)
- And prior to that, we got some changes like the Monsters Inc. ride and such
- Smaller shows that add atmosphere to the park (Goofy's water concert, Five and Dime, Newsboys, Citizens of Buena Vista street)
- And the absolute biggest addition of all... Cars Land. It's a land based off of a very popular Disney movie, it has THREE attractions, one being an E-ticket attractions with lots of modern elements, and has a very killer atmosphere.
All of that has made Disney California Adventure into almost a brand new park that EVERYONE wants to experience at least once when staying at Disneyland.
In comparison, what has WDW been doing as of late?
- The biggest project now is New Fantasyland, which will look gorgeous and will re-invigorate Fantasyland. But, it is composed of updated classic attractions, dining and shows. The only real new attractions is The Little Mermaid (a clone of the DCA version but with better themes), and the Snow White coaster (Which won't open till 2014, and even then it will mainly be a slightly more intense family coaster).
- They closed a classic attraction to make way for a meet and greet. As exciting as that may be for meet and greet fans, in comparison it doesn't seem as exciting.
- Brand new interactive games that are fun to experience once for yourself, but you forget about them later (Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom, Agent P).
- TONS of work on accelerating the waiting times on big attractions with interactive games or updated FastPass systems.
- Updates to the resorts, highly themed value resorts (Art of Animation)
- An update to Test Track (this is more of what fans want to see happening at WDW)
- And the biggest one of all... a land based on Avatar.
So when you compare the two, WDW's own renovations and projects seem underwhelming considering the drastic evolution DCA went through, and I think that's what Jim Hill is missing in his argument. These projects, I agree, are no laughing matter as they DO in the long run make the park that much more valuable to the park guest, and shouldn't be so easily dismissed because of fanboy delusions. But what Jim Hill fails to realize is that fans want to see the following happening at WDW...
- A BRAND NEW PARADE, not a re-theme of an older one. Make NEW floats, with NEW characters, NEW music and NEW themes. Disneyland's Soundsational Parade NAILED IT with that idea: it combines classic Disney stories along with brand new ones with music that is very catchy and fun.
- A MUCH MORE INSPIRED PARADE. Serious that Pixar parade at Disney's Hollywood Studio is super uninspired when compared to the DCA version.
- A NEW LAND THAT ISN'T EITHER AN EXPANSION OF A FORMER LAND OR A LAND THAT IS BASED OFF OF DISNEY! This one is very simple: the New Fantasyland will be beautiful and a stunner, and I believe it will beautifully complement the existing Fantasyland with its attractions. But at the end of the day, it is an updated land that is on top of already existing property.
Also, Avatarland... I admit, at first I didn't see what the big deal was with all the rage. But after visiting Animal Kingdom last July, I now understand. Animal Kingdom is a beautiful park, and a very underrated one. I do agree that it needs something better, something new and something exciting to make the park come alive. Avatarland... ain't it. Yeah, it was a successful movie that a lot of people liked, but how many people are still in love with the movie after it premiered? It seems to be quite the opposite: for all its success, it has gained infamy with people.
Star Wars and Indiana Jones were already successful series when they arrived at the parks. They had great stories, unforgettable characters and, most importantly, very loyal fanbases that WOULD gladly pay thousands of dollars just to visit the parks. What does Avatar have? The movie was successful, sure, but is that really enough? Don't we have to wait till the other movies to come out to see if it has lasting appeal?
So why gut out a part that is very popular at Animal Kingdom for something that may or may not have appeal in the years to come? Fans want to see instead Beastly Kingdom be finally completed, since that was part of the plan with the park to begin with. Animal Kingdom is a celebration of animals that exist today, that existed in the past and exist in our imagination. Beastly Kingdom does that job perfectly. Avatarland doesn't.
- THEY WANT CLASSIC RIDES THAT ARE UPDATED, HIGHLY MAINTAINED AND STILL RELEVANT. Going back to Animal Kingdom, one of the most infamous things there is Expedition Everest, an attraction known for hosting a very realistic and super scary animated yeti. Now, the yeti is not working. I get that some fans do go overboard with every single issue from a small piece of gum on the ground to chipped paint. But I can see why some of the bigger issues would cause concern among fans. The examples I mentioned earlier (Muppets and Energy), are also things people bring up.
Other stuff they want to hear Disney confirm: brand new stuff at EPCOT like new World Showcase pavilions and attractions at Innoventions and Future World. They want to see more stuff at Disney's Hollywood Studios. They don't want small stuff like interactive queues or fancy hotels: they want their imaginations to be inspired by WDW in the same manner that DCA has.
Apparently, Disney has gotten the idea and has hired the person in charge of Cars Land to do something for them. Yet all signs point to a clone of Cars Land at Hollywood Studios. While it would likely inspire more people to visit the park, having the same ideas at Disneyland does cripple WDW. Recently, there were rumors that there could be major plans underway for Hollywood Studios:
http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/9719
If true, then that's the sort of thing fans want to see: brand new lands inspired by Disney franchises, updates to classic attractions and new ideas. I do, however, believe that this rumor seems too good to be true so who knows at this point.
But I do believe that changes are coming to WDW now that DCA is finished. Next year marks D23 2013. I will go out on a limb and say that they will announce all their new plans for WDW. Like I said, DCA is done and over with for now. It would make sense to shift their focus to WDW and do work there. If some of the things we have seen at the New Fantasyland are any indication, if WDW does get its act together, the new things we could experience could be amazing to say the least.
So long story short (TOO LATE), or the tl:dr version: I understand Jim Hill's frustrations with some of the fans, and it shouldn't all be negative. For all its flaws, WDW is still an amazing place to be, and I hope these news improvements help it shine even further.
But Jim Hill should also understand why some fans feeling frustrated: after some improvements that turned DCA from the butt of the jokes to a bonafide experience, WDW deserves some of that sugar. Let me put it this way... Imagine if your favorite sports team is having a bad to terrible season. One of its star players has retired, one good player has experience an injury that has disabled him greatly. This means the team is being affected by this. Fans of the other teams are happy because they are doing much better, and they want to brag about it.
This is what happening right now: Disneyland fans are enjoying one of the biggest renovations Disneyland Resort has experienced yet, whereas WDW fans feel like they are stuck in a rut, and its ideas don't seem as inspired or cool as Disneyland's. Personally, I HATE the rivalry between park fans and I find it obnoxious. But, when ALL parks (Disney or otherwise) enter a park war of sorts, everyone then wins since they can look forward to experiencing something new, so in short everyone wins.
If you have stayed with me after ALL of that... thoughts?
