Dark Rides?

[Crockett]

In my opinion I think Splash Mountain has more thrills than Dudley Do-Right. Don't ask why, it's MY OPINION! I still think the list is wrong

But in retrospect, isn't the list-maker entitled to have his/her OPINION?

I find Splash to be more detailed. It emerges guests into the storyline much better. Wheras Dudley has a more thrilling drop sequence. What one lacks, the other makes up for. But I can see how DD could top Splash in some...opinions....and vice versa.

 

[allgar]

No, no, not at all. Harry Potter, Spider-man, and Revenge of the Mummy all tell quite coherent stories from start to finish; I'd be happy to explain them if you didn't catch them. If we're talking about the best dark rides, as much as I love Disney (and I do), Universal has them beat hands down, and it's not because of the thrill factor. Those three rides I mentioned as my favorites have really pushed the envelope of ride innovation (even today over twelve years later, Spider-man still wins awards for Best Dark Ride, and rightfully so, though I suspect Potter will knock it off of its number one perch). Disney has had some flashes of brilliance, like the EMV (Enhanced Motion Vehicle) used on Indiana Jones at DL and Dinosaur at DAK (two great rides). But for the most part, Disney's dark rides have not pushed the envelope since Pirates and Haunted Mansion, and those rides are over forty years old.

Well thanks for being condescending about the story, gee I guess maybe you should explain the stories to me. I'm sure they're riveting. *rolls eyes*

What I said was that the rides are dominated by the "thrill" more than the story. If you think they're about the story, enjoy! Spiderman gets ranked higher because of the thrill, because it's more adrenaline pumping. I find it nauseating. Adrenaline rush isn't on my critera list for what makes a dark ride good. And frankly the types of simulators used in the Universal rides are WAY over the top and don't allow for the pure enjoyment of the story.

 

[misterID]

You know, I've heard people say how great Dudley Do Right is. I personally think Splash is better, but it's not surprising that people say that.

I can't imagine what the list is going to look like when UNI's Transformers ride opens.

I still think HM is the best dark ride, though

 

[redshoesrock]

Well thanks for being condescending about the story, gee I guess maybe you should explain the stories to me. I'm sure they're riveting. *rolls eyes*

What I said was that the rides are dominated by the "thrill" more than the story. If you think they're about the story, enjoy! Spiderman gets ranked higher because of the thrill, because it's more adrenaline pumping. I find it nauseating. Adrenaline rush isn't on my critera list for what makes a dark ride good. And frankly the types of simulators used in the Universal rides are WAY over the top and don't allow for the pure enjoyment of the story.

There was no condescension regarding the "story" elements of Harry Potter, Spider-man, and Mummy; if that's how my sentence came out, my apologies. I said that because sometimes people overlook what the story is suppose to be on any ride - Disney, Universal, or other (they might be jibber-jabbering and not listening to the pre-show video or paying attention to what's in the queue, they might just not care period, etc.). And I don't think anyone denies that thrill plays a factor into how popular those three rides are; many people enjoy thrilling attractions. I grew up one hour from Cedar Point, and I can tell you stories about waiting in line over three hours for rides like Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster (which literally took my breath away, TTD was that thrilling). But what makes HP, Spider-man, and Mummy such great rides isn't the fact it's "dominated" by thrill more than story, it's the fact that separate from any thrill there also exists clear, understandable, and coherent storytelling which is what separates good rides from the truly outstanding rides.

I'll give you an example - Journey to Atlantis at SeaWorld Orlando, and Splash Mountain at MK. Both are similar style rides (though JoA has that roller coaster-ish part at the end), both are thrilling rides, but story-wise they're miles apart. If you can honestly tell me just what the hell is going on story-wise on Journey to Atlantis you're a better person than me because I can never figure it out (who the hell is the old guy with the magic golden seahorse? And why are the mermaids ed that I came to Atlantis; didn't they "invite" me in the first place?) Splash Mountain, on the other hand, tells a complete and understandable story from start to finish, making it the superior ride (Brer Rabbit leaves home for adventure, gets in over his head but outsmarts the villains and learns his lesson).

So like I said before, it's not the thrill that makes them as good as they are; there are plenty of thrilling rides that tell either minimal, incoherent, or no story whatsoever. What makes them outstanding rides is the marriage of thrill and superior storytelling.

 

[Chrononymous]

I am against ANYONE who ranks Dudley Doo Right over Splash Mountain and they DO. What's wrong with those people?

I am a confessed Splash Mountain junkie. I love the ride, the characters, the songs, the effects...pretty much everything about it.

My husband on the other hand, yawns when I talk about it.

Yes...he is one of those people who prefers Dudly Doo-Right's Ripsaw Falls

And the reason he gives? It's all about what he grew up with. He loves the nostalgia, the horrible horrible puns, the familiar characters.

He watched more TV as a kid, and doesn't fondly remember seeing Song of the South as I did a child.

It has nothing to do with the falls, or the thrills, or the amount of water.

and yes...I really do think he is insane.

 

[allgar]

I love a good thrill ride too, and also grew up going to Cedar Point. Love, love, love their coasters. Top Thrill, Millenium, even way back when Magnum was king.

I guess where we disagree is what makes up a good dark ride. I seek my thrills elsewhere, and maybe I'm in the minority but give me a nice easy ride through PotC to a jolting, spinning, whirring ride through Spider-man any day. It's about expectation I guess.

Don't get me wrong, I think highly of Universal, and it has it's time and place. I've ridden all of the rides you've listed, including Potter, and can say without reservation that while they do have stories, most strongly Potter, the constant movement and buffeting about renders the stories as a plot line for the "ride" not the reason for the ride. It's kind of like bread at dinner, it's just a great vehicle for butter. The bread's still good, but it's all about the butter. LOL

Anyway, when it comes to Universal and their concept of dark rides, it's my opinion that they feel the need to give us more excitement as a crutch to their inability to deliver a quality detailed story. Aside from the TREMENDOUS queing area for Potter, there are few details in the Universal dark rides, mostly because they don't need them, you move too fast, are spun around too often. With Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Splash, so much of it is about the details and it's why they can be enjoyed 100s of times, not because they make your heart race with adrenaline but because they allow each experience to be different.

In general, it seems to me everything at Universal is over done. "We're going to move you more and get you more wet." Take Shrek as an example. Do they really need to toss you around in those seats? Really? Do you really need to walk off a ride soaked to the bone? Sometimes getting wet is nice, but more often than not being soaked to the bone is uncomfortable and very limiting. Subtlety just seems lost on their designers. For all of these reasons, I find Universal's dark rides inferior to many of those at Disney.

 

[onelivelygirl]

I have to agree with the two previous posts. 1. I think it is all about what you grew up with. I personally detest Universal. The rides were fine. In fact, the Simpsons is probably one of the coolest things I have ever ridden. I truly thought I had risen many feet in the air and was on a coaster climb. The ride suspended my belief in ways I never thought were possible. I love the area before loading where the characters talk to people just like at a carnival. It was really imaginative. The coasters at US and IOA are fabulous. RRRocket was amazing! However, I am a core Disney follower and no ride is ever going to surpass a Disney ride......FOR ME. I grew up on Disney and believe in all of the magic. I love seeing kids run around in overpriced costumes hugging their favorite characters. It's just very magical. Therefore, I think all Disney rides are a cut above any other park. BOTTOM LINE - my opinion is my own and I have to respect the love others have for Universal or Busch Gardens, etc.

2. I agree that one of my biases is because the queing areas at Disney are a bit more superior. They may be more "child-like" but I prefer that because of my statements above. I like the magic and the cheesy stuff. You may disagree and you have every right to. My answer isn't the right one cause there isn't a "right one". All opinions are subjective. Even surveys.

Maybe we should enjoy this forum for what it is....a chance to discuss our PERSONAL favorite dark rides. I will NOT agree with any non-Disney ride but will happily hear any differing opinions and won't get bent out of shape if you like Spidey more than Peter Pan although I won't understand how.

MY favorite dark rides are HM and Small World. (I'm kinda silly.)

 

[Edeyore]

I hope it qualifies, but Splash Mountain, has been my favorite for a while now.

I have mentioned a dark ride I would like to see would be a Disney only, version of GMR.
You would go through the ride, through different scenes from Disney movies. Heigh Ho from Snow White, Step in Time from Mary Poppins, I want to be like you from the Jungle Book, the opening song from the Lion King, etc. I would work and it would be great.

 

[WondersOfLife]

I gotta stop my hating because it's just pointless for me to do. Tempting at many many many many many (you get the idea) but it's not getting me anywhere. :shrug:




As for my opinion, my favorite's going to be Ellen's Energy Adventure. It's a funny, educational ride... WITH DINOSAURS!!! :lookaroun


Also it's probably the longest dark ride ever made. Never a wait either but it sure does deserve one.


- WondersOfLife

The last original pavilion. :king:

 

[redshoesrock]

Anyway, when it comes to Universal and their concept of dark rides, it's my opinion that they feel the need to give us more excitement as a crutch to their inability to deliver a quality detailed story. Aside from the TREMENDOUS queing area for Potter, there are few details in the Universal dark rides, mostly because they don't need them, you move too fast, are spun around too often. With Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Splash, so much of it is about the details and it's why they can be enjoyed 100s of times, not because they make your heart race with adrenaline but because they allow each experience to be different.

In general, it seems to me everything at Universal is over done. "We're going to move you more and get you more wet." Take Shrek as an example. Do they really need to toss you around in those seats? Really? Do you really need to walk off a ride soaked to the bone? Sometimes getting wet is nice, but more often than not being soaked to the bone is uncomfortable and very limiting. Subtlety just seems lost on their designers. For all of these reasons, I find Universal's dark rides inferior to many of those at Disney.

I can't say for sure since I am not a higher-up at Universal, but I don't believe they use excitement as a crutch. And I don't think subtlety is lost on their designers; many employees of Universal Creative have been laid off Imagineers. Matter of fact, when DAK was nearing completion, WDI laid off TONS of Imagineers who then turned right around and got jobs at Universal Creative building IOA (the rumor is that Dueling Dragons got brought over to Universal by some of the higher-up ex-Imagineers when Disney wasn't going to do Beastly Kingdom and the Dragon's Tower roller-coaster at DAK). My guess is they tend to build more thrilling rides than Disney simply because Disney tends not to build too many thrill rides. It's a market that Universal has chosen to fill to separate themselves and not just be a clone of Disney; Disney tends to build attractions for the entire family, while Universal tends to aim for the 18-45 year old crowd. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[DancingPhoenix]

BIG fan of this! Start in the forest though instead of west wing.

Haunted Mansion is my current fav

I agree as well about the Beauty and the Beast needing more attention. I mean it has the show at DHS, and now a soon to be restraunt in the FLE. It needs a ride, badly. And they could go wild with animatronics and what not with that. Definitely could be something more scary like the old Snow White.

Do I have to mention how BatB is (or was, I don't watch award shows anymore) the only animated film ever to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars? Hell, I wait in line every trip for the Princess meet and greets, but then just pass them all by and only see Belle.

That and I'm a rabid fan. Rabid. :zipit:

 

[Did Knee]

I find it interesting that some feel that some kind of adrenaline surge is necessary to have a decent dark ride. Don't get me wrong, I love the drop on splash Mountain and on TOT. But that doesn't mean I don't love POTC an HM which are my favs. I also want to call out Grand Fiesta, Maelstrom (even though it's too short), SSE (though they gutted the end), Ellen's Energy adventure (though I'm one that wishes they would return it to it's original state minus Bill Nye and Ellen),Pooh, GMR, and even JIYI. I like just sitting in a vehicle and just watching the eye candy calmly float by. I like adrenaline surges too, and always hit the MK mountain range, TOT, RNRC, and Everest. But I also appreciate the calm cerebral experience of the plain story telling dark ride.