I completely agree, that's exactly how I see it. '94's SSE was uplifting and successfully walked through man's incredible achievements, the descent painted a bright and shining future for us too. Literally bright and shining, the city of light and the sweeping orchestral score was incredibly moving.
In retrospect, The only thing that dated SSE 94 at all was the line "As we greet the 21st Century" and the rotating News cycles. Take that out and it could have lasted another 25 years at least.
I pretty much agree. If the descent needed any tweaks, it only needed minor ones. Not a complete removal of the scenes outright. Not to mention a complete dumbing down of the script (and even musical score).
I will admit I do like some of the minor cosmetic changes in the first few scenes especially The AAs and costumes (done by Eddie Sotto's aunt I believe) Starting with the roman scene there become certain minor nitpicky type staging changes I don't agree with Lack of chariot projection, Too many props, Lighting in the Rome scene, I think that the new turban on the lead Islamic scholar looks too much like an onion, Censoring the rennaisance statue is idiotic, I am not too fond of how Michelangelo was re-staged, I feel that the paper boy talking to the wall is ridiculous also bringing the subject of the Civil War makes it too closely tied to one countries history and hurts the broader story, Same with Jesse Owens in the cinema, Mainframe scene is pretty cool though I must say that dressing the Black female scientest in yellow tights and go-go boots is preposterous and maybe even borderline racially insensitive. Wozniak scene is OK and I am amazed they managed to get that car up there. Matrix Tunnel is impressive but the effect has some not so great side effects. The only thing that I can say actually gave me a sense of awe in 07 is the Blue star field and of course the descent quickly takes that awe away with the embarrassing Jetsons cartoon. Overall, The narration is painful, the music is decent but has no where near the emotional depth of the 94 score and the overall mood of the attraction has gone from majestic to meh.
As far as we know what is there now with just a few more lighting effects. Nothing really of substance, Nothing to restore the greatness of what used to be the most powerful experience a theme park ride has ever provided.
Didn't see anything like whats in the pic last week, or before. Looks new to me.
Did you ever ride any of the previous incarnations of the ride? It is understandable that you wouldn't know what you were missing, if you haven't seen what was there before.
The star curtain hasn't been there, it's a new thing. At least it wasn't there any previous time I rode the newest incarnation of SSE.
I guess it might seem a bit of an improvement, so that's probably fair. But until the descent is addressed on a substantial level, this is still duct tape and chewing gum to cover up their cheapness (even if it's somewhat more visually appealing duct tape and chewing gum).Is it wrong to think that any visual addition - temporary or not - is a good thing vs the black hole that is there now?
Didn't see it last time I was on it so I'm not sure exactly where in the decent it was. (Confession... I was playing with the screen 'cuz Dame Judy Dench told me too!)
Is it wrong to think that any visual addition - temporary or not - is a good thing vs the black hole that is there now?
And yes, the have had that look into the future before, most obvious in Horizons. That one, however, didn't have my face in it. That makes me "special"! 
I kinda like the video end. It is fun, and I like the stylised cartoony look of it. Not as fun as a real-set descent, but in and of itself, it is fun. It does get old fairly soon.
