Disneyland Punches Up Indy Show
The big news at the Disneyland Resort is the opening of Toy Story Midway Mania, the groundbreaking interactive attraction that has guests busting virtual plates and playing other traditional carnival games using newfangled 3-D video game technology. It's generating huge, er, buzz, at both Disney's California Adventure and at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida. I just returned from a visit to the Anaheim resort, and I'll have a review of the new ride next week. Here are some other developments from the Happiest Place on Earth:
The bottom floor of the Innoventions pavilion at Tomorrowland now features the Dream Home. Harking back to Walt Disney's original conception for the land, as well as to the Carousel of Progress attraction that occupied its space for many years and the circa-1957 Monsanto House of the Future, the new exhibit showcases new and emerging technology in an engaging way. Guests can play with many of the high-tech gizmos, such as the interactive video puzzle that magically appears on the surface of the dining room table or the electronic musical instruments available in the "back yard." They can also interact with members of the Elias family--Elias was Walt Disney's middle name--the fictional, relentlessly perky clan who has inexplicably opened up its futuristic home to Disneyland's teeming masses. Other wonders in the Innoventions Dream Home, about 65% of which represents technology currently on the market, include: a kitchen presided over by a computer named "Lillian" (which was the name of Walt Disney's wife) that responds to voice commands and offers recipes in a monitor embedded beneath the counter; a "magic mirror" that superimposes virtual clothes over the projected image of whomever stands before it (although, wouldn't it be easier to just hold up an actual article of clothing in front of a real mirror?); and a 3-D printer that copies and conjures dimensional items. It's all quite intriguing, but the implacable Disney traditionalist in me pines for the Carousel of Progress (which is still sending audiences in circles at Florida's Magic Kingdom).
Capitalizing on the Indiana Jones frenzy fueled by the release of the sequel a few weeks ago, Disneyland has peppered Adventureland (which already features the wonderful Indiana Jones Adventure) with all kinds of Indy goodies. With the aid of an available archaeologist's map, guests can find clues and artifacts hidden along the Jungle River Cruise and throughout the land. An Indy doppelganger periodically appears on rooftops to battle one of his enemies. And a new Indiana Jones show solicits young audience members to help solve an archaeological mystery. I was more than a bit surprised to see the Indy character connect with a few swings to the face of his female nemesis in the show. (In fairness, said nemesis kneed Dr. Jones in the crotch first. Ouch!) Has Disneyland descended to the depths of WWE-style, simulated male-on-female violence? What's next? An enraged Donald Duck putting a chokehold on a defenseless Daisy? Apparently, I wasn't the only one taken aback by the Vince McMahon smackdown. Glenn Kelman, a senior show director with Disney, says that the show will be retooled in response to guest feedback. Starting the week of June 21, the Indiana Jones character will "struggle with, push, and shove" the female baddie instead of directly hitting her. And Donald Duck will be sent to anger management classes.
Earlier in the year, Disney's California Adventure launched the Pixar Play Parade and a revamped Playhouse Disney Live on Stage. Read about those attractions and more at the Disneyland Resort Ride Guide 2008.
As to future plans, Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, offered a few tidbits about the extensive makeover of Disney's California Adventure that began with the opening of Toy Story Midway Mania. The much-anticipated Radiator Springs Racers attraction that will anchor the new Cars Land will use (as-yet-unidentified) breakthrough technology to pit guests in two ride vehicles against each other as they rev through scenes from the Pixar movie. "Until the very end, you won't know who is going to win the race," Rasulo says. Confirming that the ride will have some similarities to Epcot's Test Track, the Disney executive didn't say what role, if any, guests would play in controlling the vehicles and determining the outcome of the race. Although ground will break shortly, Rasulo says that the ambitious Cars Land will be the final component of the park's transformation to open and won't debut until 2012. The main gate changes and radical makeover of the front of the park will also be among the last things to open. And while he didn't give firm dates for The Little Mermaid Ride or Disney's World of Color Lagoon show, Rasulo did say that about every 18 months there would be something new at the resort's second park; look for those to open in 2010 and 2011. The Little Mermaid dark ride will focus on the movie's music, he notes. "When completed," Rasulo says, "Disney's California Adventure will feel more immersive and richer. It will have more heart."
- Putting the Disney into Disney's California Adventure- Overview of the park makeover.
- Disney's California Adventure Expansion Preview Photo Gallery
- You'll Believe You Can Fly: Soarin' Over California at Disney's California Adventure Ride Review
Comments
Arthur,
I recently read your article about the Indiana Jones events going on at Disneyland. I am currently directing a documentary on the fans of Indiana Jones and the legacy that has been left behind by the films, or at least the first three. I myself have been a lifelong Disney theme park goer, having grown up in Florida for 15 years, and in California the other ten. I also worked at Disneyland for a year at Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones Adventure, and other shows and attractions.
Like you, I was totally taken back by the current Indy entertainment in the park. I’ll admit, that I’m “ok” with the rooftop fights, but the Stone Tiger show is insulting. Through my girlfriend, a current Disneyland Entertainment Department cast member, I met Glenn Kelman one night and we spoke heavily about the Indiana Jones entertainment. I told him that coming off of “Jack Sparrows Swordfighting Extravaganza,” that fans were expecting a LOT out of the Indy entertainment. Some Disney fans online even said “this could be the coolest thing ever, or ruin Adventureland.” He told me that all online sites like Miceage.com, were posting that it was going to be a stunt show, which is not the case. I asked him if they were doing anything to correct the misunderstanding, but they didn’t. When fans associate Indy and Disney and Stunts, they begin to expect the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular in Florida. That’s certainly not what was going to be here.
Being a life long Disney and Indy fan, I told Glenn that if they had ANY questions, or were confused about ANYTHING, just give me a call. I’d be happy to help in any way, shape, or form. In the course of my documentary, we’ve interviewed everyone from Deborah Nadoolman, the woman who designed Indy’s costume; Anthony DeLongis, Harrisions bullwhip trainer on the forth film; and even interviewed EVERY Imagineer that created the Indy attractions all over the world. Glenn assured me that their team was very excited about the project and were very much die hard fans of the Indy films, and knew what would and wouldn’t happen in the world of Indiana Jones…
On May 22nd, the new Indy entertainment opened with Indy wearing black pants (he wears a tannish green), god awful bullwhips with no form and shape that could easily hit someone in there front row, as far as I know, no bullwhip training, and of course hitting a woman! Much like what you said, I said the same thing. It’s like a WWE fight! I mean if Disney can’t get it right, I begin to worry. And furthermore, Lucasfilm approves them, and obviously doesn’t care enough about the character and the property to do it correctly. Which makes us Indyfans very sad! We feel that we care more about the character than Lucasfilm does!
I know this might seem like I’m just whinning, but I’m saying this as both a Disney fan and someone who has been working in the entertainment business since age 4, I find it very discouraging that there are people out there that are so high on their horse, they don’t take time to ask simple questions…
Anyhow, I personally feel that changing the show now doesn’t help the situation. You’ve already damaged the Disney name! I’m sure Walt would just love a show in his park where a childs hero beats up a woman! Too little, too late!