Quote:
Originally Posted by PeoplemoverMatt
What people want is immersion. Characters walking around that you can touch, feel, hug, take a photo with, wave at, etc works wonders in creating immersion. Suddenly you're not watching them on a TV screen or a book's page, you're now interacting with them yourself. Same goes for attractions. Suddenly now you're in the adventure that you were merely watching on a TV or movie screen, or in a book.
That immersion is what people are looking for, but it will only go as far as how good your story is. That is where DCA fails the most. Its themes, while not completely ludicrious, are weak. They are weak in their substance. They are weak in their presentation. They are weak in their immersion. People do not feel anywhere close to as immersed in DCA as they do in Disneyland.
Does that mean the CA theme fails? No. The idea isn't a failure. If the substance, presentation and overall immersion of the CA themes are improved, then DCA will do fine.
Sure characters & attractions are ingredients of immersion, but they aren't the whole receipe. And even once all the ingredients are together, they still must be mixed together properly to ensure the correct outcome. That's what we have to watch for in this coming project. Are they adding the correct ingredients? Are they mixing it properly to ensure the desired immersion? Only time will tell that.
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Exactly! While some parts of DCA are neat and different (and I do honestly enjoy DCA), some parts feel like you're walking into an open area with some shops and rides and it doesn't feel "disney". The CA may have worked, and may still work, as long as guests are immersed in the park and with the themeing.
As to the whole character vs. attraction debate, there must be original attractions or else there would be no reason to go to DCA when you can go to DL, but I do agree that characters are an important part to the "disney magic." When you're walking through the park, it is always fun to see Donald, Snow White, or if you're really lucky Mickey Mouse walk by. Also, while original rides are really great and are the favorite of many (myself included) you can't pretend character rides aren't popular. Go to Fantasy Land and tell me those movie/character rides aren't popular. Heck, Peter Pan has one of the longest lines! So, there is a need for them, but DL wouldn't be the same if it was one huge Fantasy Land would it? AND, where would DL be without Fantasy Land? I think the main question that Matt stated also is what is that magic mix of the movies and what many assocate with Disney and original attraction? Once DCA finds that, it will do great!