Opinion time from that guy that loved the original more than any other show at WDW 
I liked the ending. I loved the original's ending, but it definitely needed a bit more of a kick at the end. The inclusion of Lion King is Ok, with the strongest part being the African chant thing and circle of life (with the projection of three pride rocks?) being the worst part of that.
Throughout the show were new lighting and projection effects, though I didn't see much (or any) new choreography of the boats themselves. For the most part they looked good, with a special praiss on the rainbow bit. But there was some over use of the rear screen, drowning out (visually) what was happening on the lagoon.
The start of the show absolutey hurts me. A 1-2 minute block of just IP clips and music projecting on the rear screen alongside minimal (if any) lighting changes on the lotuses feels wasteful and pointless. Not to mention it destroys the momentum/pacing of the original that really, really does the beginning well with the drum beats and the dance of the spirit guides.
At least they had the smarts not to place too much IP right in the center of the show. The addition of Bear neccesities right after the cheeta hunt hurts me down inside. That doesn't work together, no matter how long you put low musical beats down between them.
TL;DR: It's equal to the old show, but I'd say marginally worse. The already odd pacing is stretched out even further, the rythm of story/show is marginally improved, and some neat lighting effect patterns have been added. The finale is neat. But that IP suppository at the beginning... Blegh.
I'm still going to watch it every night I'm at AK. I'm just going to have to treat myself to the classic show's soundtrack (which is mostly untouched, just not intact in the new show) on the drive home afterwards.
