That’s the first time anyone has suggested that I was one of the “fanbois” “snorting the nostalgic pixie dust”. Hopefully you’ve read enough of my posts to recognize this is not the case. In the future, I respectfully suggest an argument comes across stronger when such inflammatory language is not used.
Please recall this discussion started because a third party suggested FLE was a waste of space. You took exception to that as hyperbole. More on that in a moment.
As one of the points defending that person’s opinion, I wrote MK has a dozen attractions better than JotLM. Furthermore, I suggested JotLM was not even the best attraction in Fantasyland. In response, you mentioned Philharmagic (my favorite in Fantasyland) and IASW as possible candidates but, to me, you appeared generally dismissive of the idea that anything other than JotLM was the best attraction in Fantasyland. I, in turn, suggested even attractions such as Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh were better. Our posts represent opinion and, as such, are a matter of subjective interpretation. You might consider JotLM to be superior. I might consider Peter Pan to be superior. On topics such as this, we both are entitled to opinions without being subjected to name calling.
I agree Peter Pan badly needs a refurbishment. It its defense, it has taken 40 years for Peter Pan to reach its current state. Regardless of condition, its show elements are still as appealing today as they were decades ago when the attraction first opened. Its “pirate ship in flight” presentation is intriguing while its use of subdued lighting contributes to the overall dream-like mood and focuses attention on the ride’s show elements. Taken as a whole, Peter Pan holds up well after 40 years and still impresses many first-time riders. Although Peter Pan desperately needs TLC, in my opinion (and we are just discussing opinions) I’ll gladly take a brand-new Peter Pan over a brand-new JotLM. But JotLM’s queue is better.
JotLM has managed to reach a state of disrepair in just a few months. Yes, JotLM is a waste of space. JotLM, opened last year, is based on Disney’s overused 1960s Omnimover technology. Yes, JotLM is a waste of space. JotLM, with its confusing narrative of a well-known and beloved “modern classic” muddles its story, something Disney used to excel at. Yes, JotLM is a waste of space. (Eric’s defeat of Ursula was the attraction’s one chance to inject some excitement into what otherwise is a rather dull ride.) IMHO, JotLM will never become a “classic” attraction like the similarly low-tech HM, PotC, Jungle Cruise, or Peter Pan. In 10 years’ time when JotLM falls into a state of disrepair echoing so many other WDW attractions, I suspect we’ll all be agreeing that JotLM is a waste of space.
No private company spends $450M without expecting significant ROI, certainly not TWDC with its recent obsession with ROI, and TDO spent approximately $450M in an attempt to reenergize WDW. There is so much they could have done with that budget and with that location, so much potential. Wasted potential
is a waste.
All we have to do is compare the public’s reception of FLE to the public’s receptions of WWOHP and Carsland to know that, all things considered, FLE is a complete waste of some incredibly valuable space.
P.S. I promise I’ll let you have the last word on the subject.
