Are People Moved By WDW’s Updated TTA?

October 6th, 2009 . by Jon

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority (TTA) reopened to Magic Kingdom guests back in September (the 11th to be exact) and since then those who’ve been fortunate enough to visit have been able to hop aboard (not literally hop by the, well not unless they were so inclined, although keeping one’s balance on the moving platform is difficult enough on two legs sometimes, so its probably more of a step or a lunge. Anyway, I digress..) the new ‘improved’ version, with added Stitch.

So what’s so different I hear you ask? Well not a whole lot, but the most notable change is that of the audio spiel. Gone is the much loved “Paging Mr Tom Morrow…” line, the deep bellowing voice that signalled your approach to one of the TTA’s ride through destinations (”Now Approaching…”) and the request to keep all forward facing tentacles inside the vehicle. Those who have forward facing tentacles may want to be extra vigilant in future. The Tomorrowland Transit Authority

Instead, the voiceover has been formalised with a more generic host to help guide you round the 10 minute tour of Tomorrowland. A few of the Disney characters get in on the act too, chiming in when the vehicle passes by their associated building (the aforementioned Stitch for ‘Stitch’s Great Escape’, Mickey Mouse for Mickey’s Star Traders and one of the monsters from ‘Monsters Inc Laugh Floor’). The ride itself is virtually as it was prior to the rehab, with only a general sprucing up of the paintwork and show areas. The ride through Space Mountain is currently a lovely exhibition of wooden panelling, a result of the ongoing rehab therein. Obviously Disney dont want to spoil the suprise of ahead of Space Mountain’s November 21st* re-launch, so in the meantime its a pretty redundant section for TTA riders.

On the whole, its nice to see the most poular non-headlining attraction in Walt Disney World (it was even voted as such by parkgoers!) getting a little TLC, however the switch of spiels may not please everyone, especially the Disney purists. The initial reaction seem to pretty mixed, if not a little weighted towards the negative.

The original gave the impression that you were IN the future, where space travel and co-habiting with alien life forms is commonplace and vehicles such as that of the people mover are the standard form of transport for the age to get around. The new version however plays out more like a tour-guide commentary which points out the landmarks to you as you pass by them. The playful nature and cheesy one-liners that so appealed in the original script have been left aside in favour of a more conventional (and you could say unimaginitive) one.

It’s this change above all others that has and will divide opinons. Early feedback shows some to be disappointed about the loss of the familiar gags whilst others see it as change for change’s sake. On the flip side however, some think it to be a more complete spiel (the building hosting the Laugh Floor Comedy Club now gets a mention) and find the character additions are used to good effect.

As with every other alteration Disney has made to its parks and attractions, the TTA People Mover’s latest incarnation will be firmly in the spotlight for debate amongst park guests and the general Disney community. Time will tell which side of the fence opinion will fall on this particular change.

If I was a betting man, and I do dabble from time to time, I doubt it will go down as some worthwhile ‘plussing’. How long before the ‘ bring back Tom Morrow to the TTA!’ facebook page emerges…

*at time of writing

Have you been on the TTA since its re-opening? What did you think? Leave us a comment!

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