POTC Johnny Refurb

[Snowflake]

Well, I guess I simply have to reserve any commentary until I board the boat at Lafitte's Landing. I do have to say that I'm grateful that Johnny does not make an appearence in the Jail scene. While I am of the opnion that Pirates probably needed tweaking only to repair an aging attraction, I'm on the fence about messing with the ride. But I can't form an opinion for myself until I ride it.

I think Euro's comment on moving from refurb and tweaking to NEW attractions is a great point. Let's hope the management is moving in that direction. I love the AA technology and think another really great AA themed E-ticket ride is in order. Just what that would be or be based on or imagineered, too early for me to speculate, I've not had tea yet this morning

[CoasterMatt]

I'm glad the World of Motion figures are gone.

As for "is there even a curse anymore?" - Davy Jones only mentions it in 3 of his 6 or 7 different clips and because of the silly spot they placed it, with any sort of boat back up - you get to hear it at least once...

The only thing of this rehab I really don't like is the music in the battle scene -but they change sound levels ALL over the place in this ride through the years, so I'm not too worried about that... After all, a big chunk of the music in the caves was missing for nearly 30 years.

[Alex]

According to the press materials the voices of Barbossa, Sparrow, and Davy Jones were done by Rush, Depp, and Nighy.

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I suppose it's possible that there's a ghostly symphonic orchestra hidden somewhere between the walls of Phantom Manor.

So is/was there a hidden pirate choir somewhere after the first drop and before the second one then? Just curious how this part plays in your music logic on the ride. I guess I had never really thought of it before, but it does seem like you're in a movie in Phantom Manor...

[innerSpaceman]

With all due respect to ML, whose intent this was not .... I hate when the "museum" card is played.

It's such a cheap shot. No one is complaining about change. Floating Madame Leota was one of the best changes ever! New Fantasyland - great example of fantastic change for the better. The new Space Mountain music - what an excellent change!

Please don't change the subject! People who are complaining about the changes made to Pirates are not complaining about change itself. But there's improvement and there's detraction. They don't have to be the same for everyone, but people know for themselves which they perceive in any given instance.




* * * * * * * * *

GC - I always find voices defensible as ghosts. I don't know why I can accept an unseen ghostly choir more readily than an unseen ghostly orchestra. I just can. So this part was never a problem for me. I will admit, though, that - because the music was is so awesome, I never had much of a problem with an orchestra suddenly appearing at the treasure room.

Fact is though, that with new music after the first drop, new music after the second drop, old music at the treasure room and new music in the battle scene ... there's just too much frelling underscore for me to accept anything I'm seeing as "real."


CM: Huh? What music was missing in the caves? Oh, and I know Davy tells (some guests) about a curse on the way back up .... but does he say anything about it as it's about to happen??

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Is not Finding Nemo Subs essentially an overlay and tweak? I long held out hope that they would eventually fill in the lagoon and do something completely new. Or at least find another water-based attraction to do.

While a whole new ride concept would have been preferable, at least it's a ground-up redesign with completely new technology (not just a few bits of new technology squeezed amongst the old technology), and a completely new story. That doesn't, of course, guarantee quality, but at least it presents the opportunity. If they do it right, it stands to be a fair sight better than if they ahd glued a lucky fin to the sea serpent in the cave.

[Gemini Cricket]

I was really looking forward to a Davey Jones AA. That would have been cool. Moving tentacles and all that.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'm cross posting this from the WDW Pirates thread, 'cause I posted it there and still want it as my response, but it belongs more to this thread.

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

As for the alterations as a whole, while I still find it an enjoyable ride, I fear that iSm may be right in that it has been altered to a point where it's lost its capacity to be a lasting experience. You just don't mess with perfection. There's a certain amount of tweaking that's fine to do (witness the continual improvement of the Auctioneer over the decades). Upgrade an effect or two, add a small, interesting element. But they can't lose track of what the essential elements are that make it a memorable classic. It's no coincidence, as iSm pointed out elsewhere, that two of the most beloved attractions in theme park history (Mansion and Pirates) share (or shared) the quality of having plausible sources for all the music and sound.

There's an undeniable difference in impact between "Holy crap, I'm in the middle of a pirate battle, all I hear is pirates yelling and cannon fire" and "Holy crap, I'm watching a Pirate battle, it's so exciting!" It's subtle, but there, whether the average guest is aware of it or not. There are thousands of theme park rides that people enjoy, but don't have the nostalgic power that Pirates has. So just because people are saying the still enjoy the ride doesn't mean that it hasn't lost that essential spark that made it ageless.

[MickeyLumbo]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

With all due respect to ML, whose intent this was not .... I hate when the "museum" card is played.

It's such a cheap shot. No one is complaining about change. Floating Madame Leota was one of the best changes ever! New Fantasyland - great example of fantastic change for the better. The new Space Mountain music - what an excellent change!

Please don't change the subject! People who are complaining about the changes made to Pirates are not complaining about change itself. But there's improvement and there's detraction. They don't have to be the same for everyone, but people know for themselves which they perceive in any given instance.

now i get it. and the "museum card" should not have been used and was not needed.

honestly, for several days, i waited with high hopes that you would report back that you loved the changes. it kinda makes me sad that you aren't pleased.

[Ponine]

ML, do you know the date of the pic you posted?