Very good. WDI should be perfectionistic about their attractions, and thankfully they are. Too bad we have to wait longer, but if that means we get a much better experience, than I applaud it.

"2) Drop Buddy, Sam, Ella & Spike from the "Laugh Floor" show entirely and instead bring in other, more familiar characters from the "Monsters, Inc." film that audience members will immediately recognize & warm up to. The theory here is that people will be much more likely to laugh at jokes being told by characters that they already know."

Before I read this article, I had assumed that Mike, Sully, & the gang were the stars of this show.  It's disappointing that the Imagineers even thought to put characters that we've never seen into the "Monsters, Inc" attraction.

"Though - in future versions of this "Monsters, Inc." - themed show (Should "Laugh Floor" eventually get cloned) - they'll supposedly make an effort to make sure this "Living Character Initiative" show is presented in a much more intimate space."

So, WDW will be stuck with the worse version...yippee.  The retooled show better be great.  I didn't even know that they were having test audiences...I wish I could've gone to a testing.

I do applaud the Imagineers for retooling the attraction.  I think that that's a very wise move.

Turtle Talk with Crush is great- I like how it's different every time, since Crush interacts with the people in the room.  Will the characters in this show always tell the same jokes, or will each new visit be a completely new experience?

"Drop Buddy, Sam, Ella & Spike from the "Laugh Floor" show entirely and instead bring in other, more familiar characters from the "Monsters, Inc." film that audience members will immediately recognize & warm up to. The theory here is that people will be much more likely to laugh at jokes being told by characters that they already know."

That is what they definitely should do. Why create new characters when you already have existing ones. First off, it would be much cheaper. Why waste time reinventing the wheel? Secondly, it would be a much better experience. Think about all the characters they can use. There is of course Needleman and Smitty (who are very Crush-like), there's Charlie & George (2314), perhaps the Yeti, a few more appearences by Roz, maybe Sully, more Mike, and any other characters from the movie. I think audiences would react much better.

Now the biggest complaint I've heard about the show is that the Jokes are just downright bad. Create better jokes, and the audience will like it more. And of course a show like this will never be loved by everyone. Every show will be different, some will be bad, some will be good (like Jungle Cruise).

Part of the problem with making Mike Wazowski the star of the show is definitely the voice.

For Crush, Andrew Stanton just did a stereotypical "surfer" accent that almost anyone can immitate. Mike, otoh, speaks in an exagerated version of Billy Crystal's own distinct voice, he will be much harder to pull off convincingly. This is why Dory uses prerecorded dialogue where Crush is interactive, Ellen's voice is too recognizable.

This all reminds me of when the new Imagination ride opened over at Epcot and, being there on a preview day, I was asked what I thought on the way out. I told them I thought they had ruined it and the rest of the group had tepid responses as well. Based on the crowds I've seen on the ride lately, I'd say a lot of people found it a poor replacement for the original. It's fantastic they are doing extensive research before opening new attractions and are making changes based on that research when it's called for.

Better jokes are always the solution, but I agree that the creation of unfamiliar characters is a little...dumb, really.  You're there in the attraction because you like Sully, Mike and Co., so why spend time with a couple of wannabes?  

I'd like to see the Abominable Snowman here- maybe created some story to suggest HE's a frustrated comic trying out new shtick for us, or do this with another character.  It seems like a solid idea, given Ratzenberg's history with comedy and his sense of comic timing.  Maybe one of the new characters could heckle/mentor a more familiar character on stage or something like that.  Fold the new characters into the mix a little more.

And definitely rewrite the act, because it it's not funny, it's not going to get any funnier with a second viewing.

What this show needs is a finale.  I have not even seen it and I will bet this thing just wheezes its way to the end, with no payoff.   Same as Everest, same as The Seas with Nemo.  

WDI needs to make a trip to IOA and ask themselves why Spider-man works.  It's not the technology that makes that show.  It's not this idea of "story."  It's that it has an ending that the whole show builds to.

"in future versions of this "Monsters, Inc." - themed show (Should "Laugh Floor" ever be cloned) - they'll supposedly make an effort to make sure that this "Living Character Initiative" show is presented in a much more intimate performance space."

This is a strange sentiment. I mean, if it doesn't work at WDW, why would they want to clone it? (I'd have a hard time believing an Imagineer could convince the suits that the only reason the show didn't take off was that the theater was too big.) And if it does end up working, why would they consider lowering its capacity?

How many people do you think are living in the Orlando area that could do a resonable representation of Ratzenberger's voice PLUS improvise comedically for multiple shows a day 7 days a week on Disney wages?  They'd be lucky if they could find one let alone enough to staff the show for 365 a year.  And believe me, people would be FAR more dissapointed in hearing a bad Ratzenberger impersonation, or a bad Billy Crystal impersonation go one and on for minutes than they would be hearing the voice a character they are unfamiliar with.

The only logical answer was to design the bulk of the show with new characters with personality types that can be readily voiced by the cast member talent that might be available on a daily basis.

BAD impersonations of KNOWN characters would ensure a failed attraction from the outset.  This was obviously realized by the show designers and addressed in meetings duting the initial planning stages.

Where's my proof reader when I need him?

Monsters Inc is loaded with great characters, but guess what, they ALL have recognizable voices! So the solution is to use characters that do not appear in the movie whose name is on the marquee?! Maybe this wasn't thought out very well...

Perhaps the reason that they aren't using Mike and Sully is that their voices are too recognizable. Perhaps it's too hard to find someone who's voice sounds a lot like Billy Chrystal and John Goodman. By introducing new characters you can hire any good actor/comedian that you can find. But I'm just speculating there.

Although I'm not as "Yanqui Pixar Go Home!" as some of the others here, I didn't really warm up to the Monsters show from the description--A)  Seemed like they were throwing a warmed-over MI placeholder to placate the "We want a Door Ride!" nuts who kept nagging them to put one there (it's a -show- building, guys), and B) We've already GOT a cool audience-interactive show--Epcot invented it and sent it west, remember, quit acting like you're giving -us- some East Coast DCA-export charity!

Second:  >>As to why the "Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club" has been getting middling scores from these early test audiences … The Imagineers have a number of theories about that subject. These include:  * While the audience is familiar with Mike & Roz from the "Monsters, Inc." film, they don't really know the trio of comics that WDI has specifically created for this new show: Buddy, the two headed Sam & Ella as well as Mike's nephew, Ike."<<

(Wait--It...WASN'T EVEN going to have Mike & Sully, as most of Disney's promotional artwork for the past year implied it would?...Oh, man.  >_<    That's a worse bait-and-switch than not actually getting Mike Fink for the Keelboat ride.)

>>"1) Cut the number of "acts" featured in the show back from three to two. Thereby allowing the remaining performers more stage time. Which (in theory) will then give the audience more time to warm up with these new characters. Which will then make it that much easier for WDW guests to just sit back and enjoy the material that's being presented to them.<<

True--Shorter, fewer, and more ensemble-integrated acts could have reclaimed the original Tiki Birds show and made it seem less of a "timekiller" to 90's audiences, without having to get all snooty about it...

"2) Drop Buddy, Sam, Ella & Spike from the "Laugh Floor" show entirely and instead bring in other, more familiar characters from the "Monsters, Inc." film that audience members will immediately recognize & warm up to. The theory here is that people will be much more likely to laugh at jokes being told by characters that they already know."

If it's not area themed--and it's NOT--at least show us the -courtesy- of making it character themed.  Some of us at least give Stitch's Escape a little extra leeway just for that.

>>askmike1 said:

"Why create new characters when you already have existing ones. First off, it would be much cheaper. Why waste time reinventing the wheel? "<<

That was THEN.  Now, the new characters are created, and producing new comics for the Laugh Floor, even based on existing Monsters, Inc. characters, would be an expence.  But just because it may be an additional expence does not mean it is a bad idea.  The whole idea behind using new characters was to eliminate the need for sound alike voice actors.  Good idea, not so so good implimentation.

>>Hrundi V. Bakshi said:

"How many people do you think are living in the Orlando area that could do a resonable representation of Ratzenberger's voice PLUS improvise comedically for multiple shows a day 7 days a week on Disney wages?  They'd be lucky if they could find one let alone enough to staff the show for 365 a year."  <<

LOL, this is probably the most easily imitatable voice of the movie!  While I do not know any of the voice performers, I know the were casting from and auditioned performers from the Comic Warehouse at Downtown Disney.  Most of the guys there have the talent to pull off the imitaion.

Didn't WDI used to do more extensive "test"-type attractions before they went for the real thing?  I was at one of the first showings of "Magic Journys" playing in the (then) outdoor Tomorrowland stage.  The showing of that film was not an Eisner/Pressler/Harris era "new" attraction, but a serious study to see if a Disneyland audience would even be interested in sitting through a 3-D film before they committed the big bucks for steel, concrete and Michael Jackson.

Couln't they have tested this out a bit better before tearing up Tomorrowland?

Just asking.

First off, misterjohnson: You couldnt be more off base about Seas with Nemo having no finale. The fish in the tank? With the song? What did you think that was? It is sweet. And i really enjoy that ride.

As for This ride.

I was there for a preview show. And... its not pretty. Bad jokes. Bad impersonations. Its long. Its boring and incredibly impersonable. But you know what the biggest problem is?

Tomorrowland is becoming a hodge podge of nothing.

Walk in the main gate. Youve got Stitch on your left. Monsters on your right. Buzz on your upper right. TTA in the middle, High School musical YELLING at you in the background COP with Grandma and her wonky eye in the middle and space mountain on your left and Tomorrowland speed way around the other side.

Aside from the 4 "originals" WTF does Pixar characters have to do with tomorrowland?

I HATE stitch. I HATED monster. I dont care for buzz. The rest I love. I just dont see why it has to be pixar. Make an orginal 'futuristic' ride.

/rant

While I do applaud WDI's attention to this ride, I have a few remarks:

-What exactly are they expecting the audience to do? This attraction in no way seems like an attraction kids will be begging their mothers to go on again and again again. All they are doing is telling jokes. Where is the real innovation in that? I agree that the reason why Turtle Talk works with kids is the fact that they have the chance to talk with Crush, not just listen to him.

-Is the content ever going to change? This attraction has a major problem and I think it is it's repeatability. Once you have seen the show, you really have seen it all. What would motivate you to return if you will just hear the same jokes again and again?

It's obvious that WDI is banking on the inclusion of Monsters Inc characters in order to entice people to come to this show, but how long will that hold out? It sounds as though this show might go the way of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Play It! People will get tired of it.

I think this idea should have been turned into a stage show where it could entertain crowds for a few months or a year and then be replaced by a new show. Add to the fact that the technology showcased is the same as Turtle Talk, this show should have never been made a permanant fixture when something much more innovative and NEW (and fitting to the area's theme) could have taken up residence in Tomorrowland.

DerekJ said: "Seemed like they were throwing a warmed-over MI placeholder to placate the "We want a Door Ride!" nuts who kept nagging them to put one there"

Since I first saw "Monsters, Inc" in the theater, I wanted there to be a door ride (and I had never been to a Disney park yet).  I saw the DCA ride on You Tube, and I'm glad that there are doors incorporated into that.  

DerekJ also said: "We've already GOT a cool audience-interactive show--Epcot invented it and sent it west, remember, quit acting like you're giving -us- some East Coast DCA-export charity!"

I agree.  I mean, there are multiple flying rides (Dumbo, Aladdin, Triceritops Spin), but those make more sense than having two extremely similar Pixar attractions.

greenyskp said: "Tomorrowland is becoming a hodge podge of nothing."  (stands up and applauds)  Maybe you should be an Imagineer!  I accept Buzz in Tomorrowland, since he's a spaceman.  Stitich *is* from outer space, but I wouldn't say he's from the future, unless Lilo is from the future (which I don't think is true).  Monsters, Inc. really doesn't belong in Tomorrowland.  Attractions from that film would be better off at Disney-MGM.  And, I read recently (but I can't remember where) that the HSM show was moving to Disney-MGM.

linklewtt, I agree with all that you said.

Well, now it's guaranteed Kevin Yee will be posting his "review" of this show within a day of seeing it, which will cause the inevitable avalance of nay-saying about it over on his site.

I still can't get over his faux-review of Everest months before the attraction's grand opening. If you want to review a ride/show, give the creators the benefit of getting it open and saying, "Here's the finished product. Have at it."  If you find flaws after the grand opening, they are there to stay. However, a fair amount of the issues he brought up were either non-issues in the first place, or were addressed as part of the soft opening test runs.

Anyway... this isn't a column about Yee, but I always think about that Everest review (and then his more complimentary but still unfair) review of the Nemo show, and ride, and wish he'd show a little courtesy towards the artisans who make up the Imagineers. Publishing "first impressions" with disclaimers that the ride isn't done yet is one thing, posting it as a "review" lacks journalistic integrity.  Film critics don't public reviews of test screening for that very reason.

Thanks Jim for casting no judgement, other than to say that giving the attraction the time it needs to develop is a good thing. I agree!

I'll admit up front that I haven't seen this show yet, but even so ...

From the moment I heard about it I was tepid on it at best. It's the definition of uninspired, if you ask me. Turtle Talk is cool, but why does WDI insist on beating their good ideas to death? It works once ... that doesn't mean it's going to work again.

Personally, I'm flat-out sick and tired of all these retread attractions. Everything these days is either a 3D movie or a simulator or a hub-and-spoke ride or one of these things.

When are we going to get a new stinkin' dark ride? That's what people want. Not this recycled, boring garbage. In a way, it's fitting they put this thing across from Stitch's Great Disaster ... Sounds like they're birds of a feather.

Now I'll finish by saying that I honestly will wait to pass full judgement until I see it, but my brother and mother saw it last week and they said the same thing ... "Eh" ...

Who goes to Walt Disney World for "Eh"???

linklewtt said:  >>"What exactly are they expecting the audience to do? This attraction in no way seems like an attraction kids will be begging their mothers to go on again and again again. All they are doing is telling jokes. Where is the real innovation in that? I agree that the reason why Turtle Talk works with kids is the fact that they have the chance to talk with Crush, not just listen to him."<<

Good questions:  The interactive feature was probably originally to engage the audience nightclub style, but the theater is too large and show-y for that--Basically, what ARE we doing there?  Turtle Talk makes sense because we know Crush, and he wants to tell us about totally cool turtles, which makes sense in an educational Epcot aquarium that's already Nemo themed--Here, we're wandering in, asked to watch total strangers do second-rate acts, and we still have no real idea what the Monsters dimension has to do with Tomorrowland Spaceport.

blackcauldron85 said: >>"Attractions from that film would be better off at Disney-MGM."<<

Most people don't even know the MI Mike & Sully photo-op "soundstage" on the ABC Backlot across from Star Tours...And that, apart from the parade car, was originally -it- for East coast Monsters representation.  Now, I see a theme idea here that would have had a LOT more logic to it...

Comedy is hard but the best way to turn this around is simple: R&D needs to seek some help from Improv Olympic or Second City.  Simple comedy, puns and slapstick doesn't work for large crowds.....they really need to get into improv, using alot of the "games" toned down for the demographic from "Who's line is it anyway."  Instead of picking selected guests to be a part of the magic get the entire audience envolved!!!! This needs to be like Rocky Horror but for families, lots of laughs and interactvity and  of course audience parti-c-i-pation!!!!

btw I totally agree that Tomorrowland is rapidly becoming "The Land That Theming Forgot"

This attraction definitely fits much better in the Studios.

I agree terp79. You know, there was a wildy popular stage show at DCA for a while called DUH: Department of Untapped Hilarity. Now this show was all improv, and it worked so well i thought. Eventually it was replaced as most stage shows are, but it was really popular.

I think the Imagineers should have done this instead of a permanant attraction. Monsters doing improv? So crazy it just might work!

Well no duh people didn't love it.  What's to love?  It was such a mediocre idea to begin with, and hardly something you woud expect to come from the "creative" minds of WDI.  Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor doesn't have anything to do with the whole theme of Tomarrowland anyways.  What happened to the day's of WDI creating things that were new and unique for the park?  But for the past couple of years its only been Pixar.  Every attraction for the 2007 Season is pixar related, and every attraction, as far as I know, is pixar related, too.  They even went as far as having a conversion of the living sea's into the "Seas with Nemo and Friends."  It's not even what Epcot's about.  It would have been one thing to have the attraction actually educate you, but did it in a fun way with Nemo, but instead its all about finding nemo, and it just really kills the whole purpose.  Disney is selling themself out and I think we could see some backlash because of it in the near future.

Personally, I can't wait to see    MILF    Comedy Club, no matter what land it's in!

coolbeans326, you bring up some good points.  I wonder, had Pixar not been bought by Disney, would there still be *as many* Pixar-themed attractions in the works...?

greenyskp, I actually think I could be more off base than I am with my assessment of The Seas with Nemo...but please feel free to defend it.

For me, it is one of those coulda-been/shoulda-been attractions.  Coulda been better and it really shoulda been, if they were going to use these great characters.  

The finale is a fine song with great characters set in the same drab fish tank that has been in place since '86.  Nothing big about it.  A cool effect?  Sure.  Nothing else, though.  No surprise, no further immersion, no "me" moment.

If that ride is your idea of something sweet, you are more than welcome to it.

You know, if you would all like to hear an audio recording of the new show (in test phases of course) made on the first few days of the soft opening, you can go to to http://meanderingmouse.libsyn.com/ and locate Episode #44 of the Meandering Mouse Podcast.

Judge for yourself if the jokes seem funny or not.

I believe Eisner’s ugly legacy is still being upheld.  They dismiss artists and reward executives.  Keep raising prices until attendance falls.  Replace innovation with the minimum.  Don’t pay the employees but make sure executives get bonuses.   The Eisner plan enforces the removal of attractions to be replaced with static cut-outs and movies and gift shops.    Sure movies can be innovative (If You Had Wings), but what is so funny about watching large TV screens of family-clean improv?   Sounds like Laugh Floor is a “pre-show”  but without an attraction connected to it.  The money would have been better spent if they ripped out Buzz and totally rebuilt it with both cut outs and video etc...  Stitch’s Great Escape is terrible.  Journey into Imagination is terrible/ruined.   I bet Disney "eisner-Iger & friends" executives even thought of what they could rip out of all of the other rides and replace them with video screens.  So having Laugh Floor will just make these attractions more appealing.  BTW: Tomorrowland should be renamed to Pixsorrowland

I'm so glad that I'm not alone in my feelings about Tomorrowland at WDW. I'm new to this site and I find a lot of comfort in the fact that reading your comments lets me know that I'm not crazy! "Toon"morrowland is sucking lately. There is nothing in this land I enjoy anymore. I hate Buzz...I hate Stitch...and after riding Space Mountain: Mission 2 in Paris last year, I'm not loving our jerky Space Mountain much either. Someone previously said in their commentary that we want more dark rides...right on! And make them original ideas please!!!! I'm so sick of reliving cartoons! Save it for Fantasyland where it belongs. The other lands are for adventure and discovery and innovation and thrills! Not all park patrons are 4 years old!