My grandkids love the ride as did my children many years ago. Disney needs things for the young males and this is one ride they particularly enjoy. It would be a shame to eliminate a Disney tradition without a compelling reason.
I am one of those with a hyper-sensitive sense of smell, so the smell is nauseating to me. I kind of hold my breath and rush past the ride hugging Cosmic Rays if I need to go that way. My kids never had any interest in it.