I have never cared that much for the current version of the CoP, but appreciate and respect its history and previous versions.
One could say, the CoP is a legacy of the old ideals of the Disney company, and a remnant of the work of Walt Disney. The only thing original from the show, are the costumes and sets from Acts 1, 2, and 3.
The building itself is bland, and sits off in the corner of tomorrowland. There is hardly any promotion for it, or major recognition of it, however the new fastpasses for the CoP atleast let people hopefully question what it is and then ride it.
The theater system was built to host the millions of people going to the 64/65world's fair. Even with 250 or so people entering and exiting every 4 minutes, the wait time would almost always be over an hour!
This is a major blow to the CoP as it currently is because there is no wait, because the ride system easily can take large groups of people or any groups every 4 minutes. Thus, it looks like the ride isn't open and/or popular.
The current show no longer uses the amazing full piece band and orchestra soundtrack in the load and unload theater, or the shimmering kaleidophonic screens. Nor a sponsor. Nor the amazing background musical scores for each act, or the nice singing voice of Rex Allen, sorry folks but Jean Shephard sounds very dry when compared to Rex Allen.
The script isn't as positive as the original, and the current ending takes place in a 1994 envisioned look at the year 2000, and the huge gap between the home of the 1940s and the home of 2000 isn't too swell either.
For me, the CoP has got to get out of Tomorrowland. If space were available in liberty square, on main street, or in Epcot, or even a museum, the attraction would be more appropriate there.
As for the show, it needs to be revamped with a new cast of voices, and a new script that better emphasizes the hope and optimism of the original version, this includes show presentation.
Personally I think they need to get rid of the one of the load or unload theaters and turn that into a new Act.
Have a 4 minute preshow explaining the history of the ride, then guests enter a theater as the audience in the same theater is leaving. The show stars and we see pretty much a close rendition of the 1964 version....1890s, 1920s, 1940s, and 1960s.....this would remain forever untouched, however as a bonus act, we enter a 5th scene, a scene that is about the future and can always be updated. :wave: Thus preserving two vital elements of the show: the main and true fundamentals of the 1964 version, but an ending that can always be updated.
