True-Life Adventureland
A Few Things Only I Seem To Dislike...
A Few Things Only I Seem To Dislike...
Posted Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 6:11a Pacific Time
A great question in last week's LaughingPlace podcast: is there a Disney attraction or show where it feels like you're the only one in the world that doesn't like it? Here are a few of mine:
Disneyland's Fantasmic
Projecting movies on a sheet of water is cool. But the sappy "dreaming/wishing/believing" storyline isn't, and I resent how Fantasmic takes over Disneyland's whole Frontierland/New Orleans Square area every evening. No one gets to ride the Mark Twain at night. No one gets the pleasure of hanging out at the River Belle Terrace casually taking in the sights without the sense that they're sitting in a stadium.
Soarin' over California
I don't so much hate Soarin' as think it's simply overrated. I do love the "whoosh" that comes when you take off at the beginning of the ride, but after that it seems like you're watching a scratched, low-quality IMAX film at a discount science center. And the queue in California is unforgivably boring.
Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters (and variants in other parks...)
This ride receives praise from nearly everyone. Again, I don't hate it...but it just doesn't impress me with its visuals or kinetics (a term I'll use to describe the sensation of the ride experience.) If the fun of the ride's "game" made up for it it would be one thing, but it doesn't.
DisneySea's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Here's an obscure one for those of you who've been able to visit DisneySea. For a ride that has such amazing source material to work from, it underperforms. The "underwater" effect, cool as it is, makes it too hard to see out the windows, and what there is to see outside of the windows feels like a very slightly upgraded Fantasyland dark ride, not an E-ticket attraction. (For a little more in-depth criticism--pun not intended--you can read my lengthier review of DisneySea.)
Disneyland's Innoventions
People rave and rave about how amazing Disneyland's Innoventions is, how it's the one thing to see at the park if you only have the time to see one thing. Oh, wait...I'm thinking of Pirates of the Caribbean. Everybody dislikes Innoventions, not just me. Sorry about that.
"Partners"
I'll end up losing most of you with this admission, but I have to say it: I hate the "Partners" statues that have cropped up in front of the castles at most of the parks. The statues are part of the ongoing deification of Walt Disney that started while he was alive but shifted into overdrive after his death. The parks don’t need this kind of overt tribute—after all, they’re already called “Disneyland” and “Walt Disney World”—especially in the form of a bronze statue of Walt and Mickey Mouse that, for me at least, manages to trivialize them both. A lot of people find the statues cute, even moving, but to my way of thinking the parks themselves are already the best tribute possible.
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tags: Disney's California Adventure
Comments
Here it is:
http://www.scottshermandesign.
com/images_show/TDS4aImages/tds4o7RidePlan.jpg
And the 20,000 Leagues page:
http://www.scottshermandesign.
com/html/showdesign2.html
Posted By TDR_Fan Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 8:02p Pacific Time
<< have been on TDS 20K a couple of times and my only disagreement with the article is that I don?t think it is very highly rated anyway (similar to Innoventions). It is a very so-so to poor attraction. The ?dry for wet? idea was a good one, but there is VERY LITTLE to see (it is very dark and hard to see through the double pain widows with water in them. If there was more to see (and if they offered English headsets) maybe it would be better. I rate it as "good concept, poor execution." >>
I disagree. It is indeed a popular attraction; reason why it has Fastpass. And I never had a problem with seeing through the windows, though the front seat offers by far the best view. I find the sets among the most detailed for any Disney attraction, but the language issues do have an effect on us foreigners. Still, there is so much to see in the attraction that it warrants multiple rides just to take it all in. There was a full script on Scott Sherman's website that helped me understand the storyline completely. I recommend it for anyone who has doubts about the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction.
Posted By liveforvacations Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 7:36p Pacific Time
I know that this is an old topic but it took me this long to realize that there was something I did not like about Disneyland. Well, that is pretty strong-I would have to say it is the thing I like the least. LOL
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin! I find it loud and obnoxious and I just don't understand what people like about it?
It has Fastpass and there always seems to be a line so it seems to be popular but I just cannot understand why.
Are there any fans out there that can explain what they like about this ride?
Posted By bravebrother Sunday, July 29, 2007 at 10:38a Pacific Time
You are smart Kari12177...very smart!
Posted By kari12177 Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 11:58p Pacific Time
I don't think I've even been in Innoventions, I'd rather wait in a long line for Space Mt.
Posted By bravebrother Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 10:34p Pacific Time
<<I think the fact that the rest of DCA was done so cheaply hurt my opinion of Soarin'. Instead of seeing the good about it, it quickly became something I saw as cheap as well.>>
>Unfortunately, for that same reason, other smaller attractions like 'Seasons of the Vine' and 'Golden Dreams' also suffer.
Even the tortilla factory and bread tour, had they been part of a richer experience, would not have been so vilified.
I'd even say 'Superstar Limo' may have even still been in the park.<
I disagree....These attractions were vilified because they are completely awful. lets not sugar coat anything here. Crap is Crap.
Nobody wants to come to Disneyland and see how a taco or bread is made...these were terrible ideas right from the start. This is a prime example on Disney cheaping out on the park and not putting in real attractions.
Soarin is the most popular ride in the park, so I am puzzled why people wouldnt like it?? I love it and think it is breathtaking...but to each there own.
Fantasmic...I consider this one of the main attractions in Disneyland, yes it causes lots of problems in the evening but it is a main attraction and still extremely popular. I just got back from my yearly trip this weekend and am always amazed at how many people grab a spot 3-3.5 hours before the show starts. This show is not losing any of it's audience at all.
The fireworks exceeded expectations and is experiencing an unexpected popularity (deservingly so)
Innoventions...a complete waste of space...this is something you would expect in DCA not DL..they gotta do something and get rid of it.
I personally think Winnie the Pooh is completely underwhelming and is the worst of all the darkrides....oh ya...so do most other people.
Posted By 8 ilovemickey 8 Friday, July 27, 2007 at 7:51p Pacific Time
Buzz: Maybe it's because I grew up in the video game era or maybe it's because I can get a really high score but I LOVE BUZZ!!! Haha. I could ride it over and over. I love competing with my boyfriend and family.
Soarin: While I agree that I wouldn't want to ride Soarin over and over. It is really fun to ride first thing in the morning when the smells are vibrant. Also having been born and raised in CA, I love seeing the beauty of it all. Also, my mom and grandma love the ride so I would hate to see them not be able to enjoy it.
Peter Pan: I think the enjoyment of this ride is pure nostalgia. That ride is probably one of my first memories and I love returning to that memory.
Posted By Kayoss Friday, July 27, 2007 at 2:28p Pacific Time
Peter Pan's Flight is indeed different at Disneyland. It's the shortest version of the 4 (Tokyo & WDW's are close to indentical.... maintenence aside)... Paris' is the most elaborate, but for some reason Disneyland's is the only version with full-on twinkling fibre optics in the 'london' scene, which to me, totally makes the ride. Disneyland's, despite having the 'tiny' neverland scene, is to me the best version.
Posted By BluemoonT Friday, July 20, 2007 at 10:29a Pacific Time
Totally agree about Fantasmic, a great great show, just wish it was not on the Rivers of America. I miss the days of jumping on the Mark Twain going around the river and watching the fireworks. Or standing along the railing by the river, so quiet, peaceful, can really see the park, then watch as fireworks went off over Thunder Mountain.
Are you kidding on Soarin', it's one of the best.
Posted By twirlnhurl Friday, July 20, 2007 at 9:16a Pacific Time
For some reason, I am not at all impressed with Thunder Mountain. I am not entirely sure why, but it is by far my least favorite mountain rides, and I don't like waiting for it if I do have to ride it.
Also, I don't much care for Peter Pan (Is WDW's version different from the others? I have only been to WDW) The flying over London part is great, but after that it is just kinda boring and short.
I also hated El Rio when it was open, and think the Gran Fiesta Tour is much better.
I have always been underwhelmed by the Circlevision China film as well. I like Oh Canada much more.
I don't really like the Great Movie Ride, not because the films depicted within (The montage at the end is the only really good part), but because the stupid spieler/splitting car thing. I have never been on the ride and thought the spieler thing worked well, and the Omnipotent Narrator in the Alien and Raiders of the Lost Ark scenes is jarring and inconsistent. The whole train splitting/ rejoining thing ruins the pace of the entire ride, and because of it, when the ride is running only one of the two cars, the experience is more enjoyable.
The last thing I dislike that everyone else seems to love is It's Tough to Be a Bug. It has some cool effects, but it seems like they just went through the laundry list of cheap 3D tricks, with nothing very interesting in between. I like it about as much as Stitch's Great Escape, and I feel like it is by far the worst 3D film.
Posted By GMLSKIS Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 11:59p Pacific Time
I pretty much DISAGREE with everything listed.
Fantasmic is awesome and better than anything around there without it.
Buzz is a great attraction once you learn what to shoot at. Along with the canoes one of the few things where you get to participate. With fastpass always less than a 10 minute wait.
Soarin' - The greatest attraction anywhere of any kind and will never get old with me.
Innoventions - Not great but a relief from the heat. The only place in the park I know of to send an email card home. The robot Asimo - unbeleivable technology in robotics.
Partners statue - A symbol of the man (Walt) who brought the most joy in my life and his partner (Mickey) that helped make him. I love this statue so much I have a small bronze version on top of my curio cabinet that is filled with Disney stuff.
Posted By p-n-p06 Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 1:50p Pacific Time
If you visit DL mid-week in late November-early December you can experience NOS at night without Fantasmic! shows. They only operate on the weekends (if the weather permits).
Buzz Lightyear is a once-was-plenty experience for us. Tacky. Monsters, Inc. is much better than Buzz, IMHO (at least for an Pixar attraction).
Star Tours...cool theme, dated attraction. Wouldn't be sad to see it go except who knows what hideous thing they'd replace it with.
Innoventions...Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Honey, I Shrunk...Ripping-my-hair-out bad. So dated, so annoying, so LOUD and such a waste of space.
Posted By Grumpy Pete Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 1:31p Pacific Time
The last time I went on Soaring, I thought that the sudden change from the sea to the skiing slopes, etc. was disconcerting. I though it could be a bit more smooth. If they would do a segway(sp?) that flowed from one scene to another, rather than the sudden change,I think it would be more enjoyable. Maybe in the next update; assuming there is one planned, they could make it flow more evenly.
That said, It still like it.
Posted By Kennesaw Tom Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 1:11p Pacific Time
Everyone still cheers and claps when getting off Soarin. So Disney must be doing something right. I like it. And DL in my opinion que sucks, but the CMs working this ride are friendlier and the picture quality is better than WDW vesion. I like the screen at DL better to... its more contored and wraps around you... WDW's seems more flat and IMAX like.
And its the ONLY ride at DL that actually for a few seconds made me feel like I was at WDW. That and the smell of the water at Pirates....
Posted By trekkeruss Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 10:46a Pacific Time
<<<Soarin- I'm in agreement that this is totally overrated. My expectation is that it will die off like Star Tours unless they regularly change the movie. >
I disagree, precisely because Soarin' has no plot. It's mostly natural beauty, and natural beauty doesn't get old, or at least not as fast as something plotted.>>
The nice thing about Soarin's storyline is that it steers clear of the Suddenly Something Goes Wrong plot device.
Posted By Dabob2 Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 9:18a Pacific Time
I saw both ATB and AJ countless times at DL (and WOC on both coasts). I'm in my 40's.
Yes, the cars and clothes aged, but not the Grand Canyon, you know? And Soarin' has very little in the way of cars and clothes.
Posted By monorailblue Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 9:12a Pacific Time
Dabob wrote: <<I don't know how many times I saw America the Beautiful or Wonders of China,>>
If you were watching Wonders of China in Disneyland, you were probably watching American Journeys, not America the Beautiful. I enjoyed both of these Circlevision presentations many times, and agree that they are less prone to aging because they aren't plot-based. American Journeys, however, dated itself with cars and fashions. I didn't see America the Beautiful for its swan-song run, but I imagine it was more dated still.
Posted By Dabob2 Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 8:06a Pacific Time
<Soarin- I'm in agreement that this is totally overrated. My expectation is that it will die off like Star Tours unless they regularly change the movie. >
I disagree, precisely because Soarin' has no plot. It's mostly natural beauty, and natural beauty doesn't get old, or at least not as fast as something plotted. I don't know how many times I saw America the Beautiful or Wonders of China, but I always check(ed) them out when at the parks, just because the natural beauty was so wonderful, and wonderfully displayed.
Also, Star Tours is a thrill ride, and any thrill ride over time loses a bit of thrill if you ride too much. Soarin' is not a thrill ride, it's relaxing and pleasant. And pleasant is always, well, pleasant.
It would be nice, of course, to have a new Soarin' film at some point with different sights, but among the film-based attractions at Disney parks, it seems to me that the less plotted, and more focused on natural beauty they are, the better they age.
Posted By Goofyernmost Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 3:01a Pacific Time
>>>I agree that Walt doesn't need this kind of tribute, and he probably would have hated it.<<<
You probably haven't heard about his ego have you. I think he would have loved it and probably would have had it done himself, if he had thought of it. For the rest of us it is a nostalgic connection to the name and the man. Many folks born in the 60's don't even know what Walt looked like. I think it is a fitting tribute because ego or no ego, without Walt Disney that statue would be sitting in the middle of an orange grove. See how much fun that is to tour on a weekend! (before anyone gets all in my face...I know that without Walt Disney there wouldn't be a statue either :-) )
>>>Innoventions- Here here! Close Innoventions and bring back... anything.<<<
As much as I dislike Innoventions on either coast, Disneyland's is better that WDW's. The problem is that when I step onto that moving floor, I remember what used to be in that building and that saddens me a little.
Posted By davewasbaloo Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 1:02a Pacific Time
Hmmmm, Tom, I want to hear your full views (good,bad and ugly). Personally I'd rather go to DL than WDW, but that's just me.
The beauty is Disney learnt from DL's mistakes to make them better in some ways (e.g. the parade issue is handled better at MK, and even better at DLP).
FWIW - I prefer DL's Fantasmic set up to WDW's. I do not think Soarin is overrated, and Innoventions has potential (love the really innovative stuff - re non game related stuff).
I do get annoid at DLers sense of entitlement however.
Posted By Kennesaw Tom Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 12:41a Pacific Time
13) Line cutting.
Posted By Kennesaw Tom Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 12:27a Pacific Time
10) Stairs. I think they should rename DL chuts and ladders. For a park in a state with so many assessability codes for handicaped and nonamblitory individuals, it sure has a lot of stairs.
11) What exactly is a rusty satellite farm doing in the most promitory point of Tomorrowland?
12) The closest Ghiredelli Chocolate shop is several hundred miles away.
Posted By Kennesaw Tom Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 7:56p Pacific Time
I think I had better say that I like Disneyland. I have really enjoyed my trip here and experiencing it with so many wonderful friends. Now I could create an entire thread of how DL is better than WDW. I hope you call all appreciate that there are some things I just find "odd" about DL.
Posted By Kennesaw Tom Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 7:44p Pacific Time
7) Just thought of another one. No "Disney" drinks. I went to the Lost Bar meet and requested a Monorail Red or Monorail Blue and they looked at me like I was from Pluto.
8) The cement pond outside of The Grand Californian Hotel. The Moderate resorts at WDW have better pools. I think if someone from California ever saw the pool at the WL or the Volcano pool at the Poly.... they would probably pass out.
9) Where's the water park?
Posted By Kennesaw Tom Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 7:25p Pacific Time
Let me take a try at this.
1) Having to wait in bag check line regardless of if you have a bag or not. What kind of nonsense is it to have people who don't have bags clogging up the lines so it takes long for people who actually do have bags that need to be check, take that much longer? Plus when I mentioned something to a Cast Member their comment was that they tried having a seperate line for people who didn't have bags ( like the way WDW does it ), but it didn't work.
2) Rude or clueless Cast Members who just don't seem to want to be there in the first place. OK, so day two I'm standing outside the gates around 7:45 AM... first off it looked like they were only opening 6 gates. Come on there had to be at least a thousand people in line waiting to get into DL, whats the deal with ONLY 6 gates? Then a Cast Member yells at me telling me "Hey Mr End of the line, there are two lines here.... pay attention". Now if a Cast Member has said that to a guest at WDW he would have been fired on the spot. OK, so yesterday was Disneyland's 52nd birthday, you would never have known that walking into the park that morning, no banners, no signs till later in the day, easily 90% of the Cast Members didn't even know it was DLs birthday. Oh, and as several DL old timers pointed out... no paper crowns or birthday cake either. Kennesaw Joe just remind me of the unethusiastic and unfocused when checking you out, they all seemed distracted and slow. KJ says it took him 20 minutes just to pay for a cookie in the Pooh store. I wanted to purchase a Nemo tee shirt today and the CM at the Tomorrowland Terrace store ( forget the exact name ) didn't even know where I could find the tee shirt I was looking for despite the walls being full of Nemo tee shirts, obviously this was the place to buy all the different Nemo tee shirts.
3) No escape from MK during a parade. OK, we made the mistake of getting onto IASW when the parade started. Now we were trapped on the ride.... then we got off the ride and couldn't get out of the park. The only means of escape was to take the train. And apparently everyone else had the same idea....four trains later we made it Main Street.
4) Fast Pass, OK so at DL you can use Fast Pass... well on Indy it just get you beyond the first que and then you have to stand in line with everyone else inside the building at the next que. When using a Fast Pass anywhere in WDW it gets you to the front of the line ( no exceptions ). Perhaps Florida does it that way is because of all the elderly people in those parks? I just don't understand why DL does it the way they do.
5) Innoventions. What exactly is suppose to be going on in that building? Somehow I just can't get excited about the invention of the wireless keyboard. Ho hum.
6) When it comes down to marriage and the perks associated with it, Cinderella got the better castle over Sleeping Beauty.
Posted By NJ AP Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 6:43p Pacific Time
^^^#12 It annoys me that it is not as easy to see all of the Electric Light Parade and the fireworks. Thought the parade alternated directions, only to learn it always goes from back to front. What a pain for getting out of DCA!
Carry on...
Posted By karlg Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 5:21p Pacific Time
My comment:
Fantasmic!- While I can understand how some people dislike how it effects the nighttime ambiance, Fantasmic is still worth the price of admission. I think one of the most magical things Disney does is the transformation of that area of the park for Fantasmic. My only complaint having seen it since it opened, is that it should be regularly updated.
Soarin- I'm in agreement that this is totally overrated. My expectation is that it will die off like Star Tours unless they regularly change the movie. I must admit I was amazed to see 3hour waits for it at EPCOT but then again, Epcot currently only has 2 VERY popular attractions for the whole family, Soaring and Test Track.
Buzz- Once again I don't get its popularity, but I think it is falling off. I noticed on my last trip that while Buzz is busy early in the day, it often falls off later. The aim is somewhat random and the bonuses are way too high as far as "game play goes. I always thought Buzz was a nice make-over of an existing attraction but never a really great attraction.
TDS 20K- I have been on TDS 20K a couple of times and my only disagreement with the article is that I don't think it is very highly rated anyway (similar to Innoventions). It is a very so-so to poor attraction. The "dry for wet" idea was a good one, but there is VERY LITTLE to see (it is very dark and hard to see through the double pain widows with water in them. If there was more to see (and if they offered English headsets) maybe it would be better. I rate it as "good concept, poor execution."
Innoventions- Yep it sucks. I say bring back the Hall of Aluminum Fame and the Milk Pavilion to Tomorrowland (this one is for Disney History buffs).
Partners- I like the Partners statue. I think it is well done and adds to the park. I also like having Roy at the square at WDW's MK.
KarlG
Posted By onlyme Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 4:13p Pacific Time
While I agree that F! takes up the whole area for such a long time, each night, I can see why people love it.
Innoventions: I can't imagine anyone disagreeing.
Soarin': very relaxing. Over-rated. I don't know...compared to what.
Partner Statue. wow, it takes up a 10' X 10' section. While I don't get misty-eyed. I enjoy it, probably because it's surrounded with nice flowers-very picturesque. Would you prefer that they put a plush store in its place?
:)
Posted By iceknyght Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 4:09p Pacific Time
>>Hey Iceknyght,
How you been man?? As one of the original 'boys of LP' calendar 2005, did you make the cut again this year at the meet?? I know I been thrown off of it by some hotter, studlier young punk to come along and I think Mr. X is working out to bump off of it ;D.<<
I have not been asked back, or maybe my invitation got lost in the mail... Yeah, that's it... Heck, I never got to do my swimsuit photo shoot... ;) And I say bring it to anyone that thinks they can take us on... A little healthy competition is fine by me... :D
As for the fireworks show, I know a lot of people that don't like the fact that it's hub-centric and while I agree that it *is* a problem, they did come up with an awesome show and have even offered alternative locations to watch it (ie: SW mall area, TS Island, etc...). It's not as good as watching it from the hub, but you still get a good show. And they also changed the direction of the Electrical Parade in DCA so that the people finishing that couldn't come straight over to cause more traffic problems for the fireworks show... But with all this, I can always find a place to watch the Fireworks show around Coke Corner... And usually if you wait about 10-15 minutes after the show is over, the traffic dies down... I know first time watchers won't really know these things, but the locals and repeat viewers should...
And I do wish they had some sort of colapsable bleachers in NOS for watching F!... Just like the speakers that pop up from the ground, it would be neat if they had stadium seating that could do the same... I know it won't happen, but it sure would be cool! :)
Posted By WorldDisney Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 2:51p Pacific Time
Hey Iceknyght,
How you been man?? As one of the original 'boys of LP' calendar 2005, did you make the cut again this year at the meet?? I know I been thrown off of it by some hotter, studlier young punk to come along and I think Mr. X is working out to bump off of it ;D.
But yeah, I agree, I generally like things there. Even the stuff I *hate*, its certainly more exaggerated on the boards for conversations sake, but if I'm at DL and DCA somewhere and someone ask me to do something I'm not a huge fan of, I still just shrug my shoulder and go, 'why not?'. There is just nothing teeth grinding awful there for me. I even ride most of the stuff at PP when I'm at DCA lol. I can't of one I truly, truly hate...okay, maybe Dumbo, I don't know lol.
<<Well "A" fireworks show is a big nighttime staple, but not a fireworks show that shuts down huge parts of public areas for an hour, and gathers a huge amount of guests into a very small area. Bring back a normal well done show that doesn't inconvenience those who don't want to watch it.>>
Yeah, but to be COMPLETELY fair, I don't Disney realized how POPULAR this thing would be!! Its my understanding the show was only suppose to go during the 50th, but I guess its taken a life of its own. Fantasmic as well. I read somewhere that was suppose to be a 5 year show. When it first debuted, I saw it when I was 18. I'm 33 now lol. It just took a life on its own and honestly Disney is damn if they do, damn if they don't. Yeah, it sucks to get around areas of the park when you DON'T want to see those things, but if Disney took them away, can you imagine the backlash???
I think that's why it premiered in MGM, they were smart just to build an entire theater for that show alone and I'm guessing if they knew how popular it would've been, they would've done something different at DL as well....or they could place it in DCA lol. Kill two birds with one stone. Not only will you have a place with LOTS more room, you will actually have more than 100 people in the park past 9 pm ;).
Posted By SIR at X-S Tech Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 2:10p Pacific Time
Actually I like Seasons of the Vine. Makes me think of the supplementary sort of attraction one would find at EPCOT Center circa 1982. Course it needs an attraction to supplement...
Posted By SIR at X-S Tech Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 2:07p Pacific Time
Well "A" fireworks show is a big nighttime staple, but not a fireworks show that shuts down huge parts of public areas for an hour, and gathers a huge amount of guests into a very small area. Bring back a normal well done show that doesn't inconvenience those who don't want to watch it.
Posted By iceknyght Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 2:06p Pacific Time
I'm with ya WD on liking it all (well Innoventions, not so much...). I LOVE the fireworks show and Fantasmic is awesome, but I do enjoy the times it's not running as well... Innoventions has parts that are good, but overall needs to either be re-worked into showcasing the future or just replaced with something else... That's a lot of real estate for a giant E3 show from 2001... :)
But overall, I don't hate or dislike any of it! Well, maybe 'Honey, I shrunk the audience'... :)
Posted By Jim in Merced CA Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 2:04p Pacific Time
<I think the fact that the rest of DCA was done so cheaply hurt my opinion of Soarin'. Instead of seeing the good about it, it quickly became something I saw as cheap as well.>
Unfortunately, for that same reason, other smaller attractions like 'Seasons of the Vine' and 'Golden Dreams' also suffer.
Even the tortilla factory and bread tour, had they been part of a richer experience, would not have been so vilified.
I'd even say 'Superstar Limo' may have even still been in the park.
Posted By WorldDisney Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 1:49p Pacific Time
Christ, I'm such a gusher I guess. I like them all...even innoventions lol. People think I'm this bitter, negative person (and they would be right ;D), but I have to say I love most things in the parks and I can't imagine DL without Fantasmic or the fireworks show!! I mean, they are just big night time staples now although I certainly agree with the author they take up a huge amount of space at night. But some things are worth it I guess.
Posted By grammy954 Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 1:15p Pacific Time
I think one of the good things about DL/DCA is that they have a variety of things. They are never going to create anything that everyone likes, and it seems silly that anyone would expect that.
I personally don't care about any of the logistics or technical stuff. If I go on a ride or watch a show and I am smiling when I get off, then I am a happy camper.
I love Fantasmic and Soarin' and Buzz. My daughter spends hours in Innoventions - so there is at least one person who likes it :)
Posted By SIR at X-S Tech Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 11:02a Pacific Time
I think the fact that the rest of DCA was done so cheaply hurt my opinion of Soarin'. Instead of seeing the good about it, it quickly became something I saw as cheap as well.
Posted By Dabob2 Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 10:42a Pacific Time
With you on some of it, not with you on some.
Can't agree that Soarin' is overrated. I don't care that the technology is fairly simple. The overall experience is terrific, and that's the bottom line. It's similar to how I don't care that the technology of StorybookLand or Peter Pan is very simple; sure, you could say PP is a simple overhead track above blacklit sets on the floor. Yet the actual experience is marvelous.
Soarin' is about the only ride I can think of that's exhilarating and relaxing simultaneously.
But I'm kind of with you on Buzz (fun, but not something I need to do more than once or twice a visit), and how Fantasmic destroys the vibe of the west side after dark.
Posted By SIR at X-S Tech Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 9:49a Pacific Time
Oh c'mon, you're not alone in these.
Fantasmic!- I loved Fantasmic when it opened but I was too young to care about any of the logistics. I still like the show, but the way it takes over the west side of the park annoys me to no end. Nothing in Disneyland should come at the expense of so many other attractions- experiences. I feel the same way about the Fireworks show. When I have mentioned this to friends, they say "But I think it (Fantasmic or Fireworks) makes more people happy than it upsets". Even if that's true, I don't think that's ok. Is it ok to entertain 300 people if you only anger 50 people with bottlenecks and massive crowds? I don't have a problem with the sappy theme, but since it's been coopted by Light Magic, Wishes, Believe, and every little parade or show in between, it's hardly unique anymore.
Soarin- Totally overated. I don't see anything in this attraction that couldn't have been done 15 years ago, or possibly right after Star Tours. The fact that in all this time all they were able to come up with was a fancy erector set system (is anyone else tired of hearing that story?) and slap it together with as little theming as possible, is laughable. But they knew the gimmick would be enough to carry the attraction for a few years, and as usual, they built the cheapest version possible.
Buzz- yeah if I never rode it again it would be no big deal. Plain and simple, it's garish and it doesn't fit in Tomorrowland.
TDS 20K- How dare you. You sir are an idiot- all things 20K are superb.
I've never ridden TDS 20K so mine is not an informed decision.
Innoventions- Here here! Close Innoventions and bring back... anything. Something immersive that transports guests, instead of reminding them that Best Buy is their Best friend.
Partners- Hmmm I've always liked the Partners Statue at DL, but I was miffed that all the parks got them- and with nicer patina's too. I agree that Walt doesn't need this kind of tribute, and he probably would have hated it. These are for the guests though. On the other hand, I'd rather the Company promote that there was a Walt rather than just letting him be the name on the building, though you could say they are only using him when it's profitable.
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Posted: 11/22/09