E-ticket or not e-ticket?

[gusgoose]

So this is a topic that's been on my mind lately and I thought it would be interesting to take a poll and see the consensus around here on what rides qualify as e-tickets and what rides don't.

(For those who don't understand the concept of e-tickets, please refer here)

The term e-ticket gets thrown around a lot in these parts, so I think these results will be interesting to see. Far as I can tell, the following rides would be considered e-tickets by a solid 95% or more of the forum public and aren't even worth consideration:

Splash Mountain, Expedition Everest, Aerosmith's Rock 'n' Rollercoaster, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

But I put up 20 other rides that are up for grabs. You can vote for as many as you think are e-tickets (if you think only one is, vote for one, if you think all 20 are, then vote for all 20).

After voting, I encourage you to make your case for or against any/all of your choices in the thread.

 

[gusgoose]

Personally, I voted for Space Mountain (still a classic), Mickey's Philharmagic (to me, it's top notch), Test Track (great theming), Pirates of the Caribbean (the original e-ticket), Soarin', Dinosaur and Kilimanjaro Safaris.

I think Spaceship Earth and Haunted Mansion are quite popular on these boards and personal favorites of a lot of people, but I don't think they quite live up to the other attractions mentioned.

I had to obstain from voting for Toy Story Mania, since I haven't ridden it yet. Star Tours has really fallen off to me, but with a refurb like is being promised, probably will be revived as an e-ticket.

 

[gusgoose]

Interesting results so far. I can't say I expected to see Kilimanjaro Safaris ahead of Space Mountain and Pirates...

 

[tdonald]

The only ones that shouldn't be there are PhilharMagic and Mission to Mars, which I think are strong D-tickets, but not E-tickets.

 

[WDWFigment]

The only ones that shouldn't be there are PhilharMagic and Mission to Mars, which I think are strong D-tickets, but not E-tickets.

Festival of the Lion King?

 

[JimboJones123]

Yes, SSE is a long ride, but I wouldn't concider it an E-Ticket anymore. I would easily put GMR above it. I would concider Small World Disneyland, but not Small World WDW.

I may be the only one to say it, but I really can't tell much of a difference between Sorin' and the Pumba movie also located in the Land. I would put almost EVERY EPCOT attraction ahead of Sorin except Mexico. I'd say it's on par with Norway and Imagination. Those are what, C ticket? That sounds about right for a 9 minute movie with rocking chairs and citrusmells. I don't get it. Especially to clone it. It seems more and more like the Kings New Clothes every time I think about it's merits.

 

[gusgoose]

Yes, SSE is a long ride, but I wouldn't concider it an E-Ticket anymore. I would easily put GMR above it. I would concider Small World Disneyland, but not Small World WDW.

I may be the only one to say it, but I really can't tell much of a difference between Sorin' and the Pumba movie also located in the Land. I would put almost EVERY EPCOT attraction ahead of Sorin except Mexico. I'd say it's on par with Norway and Imagination. Those are what, C ticket? That sounds about right for a 9 minute movie with rocking chairs and citrusmells. I don't get it. Especially to clone it. It seems more and more like the Kings New Clothes every time I think about it's merits.

I wonder how many people thought Spaceship Earth was an e-ticket in the Walter Cronkite days vs. how many people thought Spaceship Earth was an e-ticket in the pre-2007 refurb days vs. how many people think it's an e-ticket now? I agree it's not really an e-ticket and I question whether it ever really was. I think in the old days all it really had going for it was that it was the ride inside the "giant golf ball" and Walter Cronkite narrated it. Nowadays I think all it has going for it is the nostalgia factor. Maybe a d-ticket at best, circa 1987.

I disagree with you on Soarin', I think it's a unique and entertaining experience, but I understand what you're saying.

As for It's a Small World, how is the Disneyland version better? I haven't been to Disneyland since I was a kid, but as I recall the only real difference is the loading/unloading area is outside not inside.

 

[gusgoose]

Festival of the Lion King?

I considered it a tenuous addition to this list, maybe the 19th or 20th attraction I thought of. But I know I've seen people testify it's among their favorite attractions at Disney.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Well, here's my votes for E-tickets:

1. American Adventure: Yes, its a show, but the use of AA's makes it unique, and the story is nice as well.
2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Its a rollercoaster thats family friendly. Can't beat that.
3. Dinosaur: Nice bit of thrils with some hefty AA's as well. I think it deserves the title of E-ticket.
4. Kali River Rapids: Water raft ride that, while short, still gets the job done.
5. Kilimanjaro Safaris: Just an all around great ride that really makes you feel like your on an African safari.
6. Soarin': While simple in premise, its a unique attraction that you can only experience at Disney.
7. Space Mountain: Its a roller coaster, ergo, its an E-ticket.
8. Test Track: A family friendly thrill that provides an educational experience about a subject you wouldn't see at another park.
9. Toy Story Midway Mania: The use of technology to create an attraction in 3-D in real time for an experience customized to you easily makes this an E-ticket.

Now for the attractions I did not rate as E-tickets:

1. Festival of the Lion King: Great show, but nothing that you couldn't see elsewhere.
2. "its a small world": Nice boat ride, and its a classic, but there are other attractions that you should ride before this one.
3. Jungle Cruise: Another nice classic, but its not a "must do" in my mind.
4. Lights, Motors, Action-Extreme Stunt Show: Definitely not an E-ticket. An interesting show to see the first time, but otherwise, not the kind of thing you would rush back to see.
5. Mickey's Philarmagic: Great 3-D show, but not an E-ticket.
6. Mission to Mars: Never saw it, so I can't comment nor vote for it.
7. Star Tours: Has the potential to be an E-ticket, but right now, it lacks that extra bit of thrill.
8. The Great Movie Ride, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Spaceship Earth: All very nice AA based attractions, but they offer no thrills. They're the kind of attractions you go on after you've done the E-tickets, so in other words, they're strong D-tickets.

In fact, everything except LMX I would say is a strong D-ticket. They're good attractions, just not "must do's" when compared to what else Disney offers.

 

[tdonald]

I think the meaning of E-ticket has changed since it was last actually used. Remember that in the days of ticket books Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Country Bear Jamboree, Haunted Mansion, Hall of Presidents, It's a Small World, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Space Mountain were the E-tickets. I imagine that many or almost all of Epcot's attractions would have been E-tickets, and could possibly be part of the reason why Epcot was the first Disney park not to have them.

 

[JimboJones123]

I wonder how many people thought Spaceship Earth was an e-ticket in the Walter Cronkite days vs. how many people thought Spaceship Earth was an e-ticket in the pre-2007 refurb days vs. how many people think it's an e-ticket now? I agree it's not really an e-ticket and I question whether it ever really was. I think in the old days all it really had going for it was that it was the ride inside the "giant golf ball" and Walter Cronkite narrated it. Nowadays I think all it has going for it is the nostalgia factor. Maybe a d-ticket at best, circa 1987.

I disagree with you on Soarin', I think it's a unique and entertaining experience, but I understand what you're saying.

As for It's a Small World, how is the Disneyland version better? I haven't been to Disneyland since I was a kid, but as I recall the only real difference is the loading/unloading area is outside not inside.

I don't have stats, but it's MUCH longer, plus the load is outside, so there is an extra outdoor boat trip as well.

 

[tirian]

^^It's true that DL's IASW has more to it, yet with the exception of the exterior, WDW's IASW is generally considered superior (flooded show scenes, continental segments).

Back OT:

I think some people misunderstand what "E-ticket" meant. Those attractions promised the greatest immersion and technology, not necessarily the most gut-wrenching thrills. If we follow the term's original meaning, almost everything on this list can be considered an E-ticket, with the exceptions of Philharmagic, Mission to Mars (foggy memories), and TSMM—all of which are solid Ds.

LMA and FotLK don't count because they're live-action shows.

 

[jeffk410]

Lion King

why is the lion king show and philarmagic so low? i consider philarmagic the best 3d show in disney even better than its tough to be a bug. but i think lion king is the most amazing show ive ever seen. I saw the broadway they dont compare the lion king show at disney is 10x better its fun and enterataining its my favorite show all around.

 

[gbrooks135]

there is a ride missing from the list that should be on there, and that is Expedition Everest to that is a defiantly a E ticket ride to me.:sohappy:

 

[tirian]

I imagine that many or almost all of Epcot's attractions would have been E-tickets, and could possibly be part of the reason why Epcot was the first Disney park not to have them.

ALL of EPCOT Center's attractions were E-tickets except for the Mexican boat ride (EL Rio del Tiempo), which was an enjoyable C-level attraction. Even though I enjoy many of Epcot's new additions, it's sad to see how the latest attractions are far less technologically advanced than the originals.

Here's a list:
Horizons featured a huge AA cast, three Omnimax screens, a "Choose Your Own Ending" finale, and various sensory experiences—all in a two-level attraction. This was replaced with a glorified centrifuge.

Journey into Imagination was at one time the single most popular dark ride at WDW (yes, more popular than HM or PotC). Technological advances included vehicles that could join and separate when necessary, a show turntable synchronized to the vehicle's movements, various optical effects, and green screen technology (new at the time). The ride itself was just one part of Epcot's most popular pavilion; other attractions included a massive play area featuring some of the latest photographic innovations, and the first fully-realized "4-D" film. The attraction's replacement is one of the least visited areas at Walt Disney World.

Wonders of Life opened just as the health and fitness craze was becoming mainstream in America. It was perhaps the most fully realized pavilion at Epcot, comprising both recorded and live-action shows, a thrill ride, a food court, and various play areas. Unfortunately, the art direction was nowhere near as timeless as everything else in Epcot, and reeked of a 1980s shopping mall. This building was gutted and turned into a special events pavilion.

World of Motion is the only attraction replaced by a completely new, technologically superior ride, regardless of personal feelings concerning Test Track.

Spaceship Earth has been updated a few times, but the Walter Cronkite version was the single most complete "Vision" for the attraction. The latest refurbishment has made SSE technologically superior to its predecessors, but Judy Dench's narration is so dumbed down that it's borderline insulting. At least the wand is gone.

The Living Seas was really cool in the 1980s and extremely outdated in the the 2000s. The Nemo overlay has helped, but has unfortunately stripped the pavilion of all mystery and suspense. Disney STILL needs to redevelop the exit strategy for the pavilion; after convincing us we're underwater with Nemo and friends, the current exit is simply a doorway into the park. The Living Seas hydrolators that brought us down into Seabase Alpha and back up into Epcot completed the underwater illusion, and the new pavilion needs some sort of similar conceit.

If you skim over everything else in my post, read this:
When EPCOT Center opened, everything was an E-ticket attraction except for El Rio del Tiempo. Now few attractions are considered E-ticket-level. The park's new president is working hard to restore Epcot to its glory, but I find it incredibly ironic that most of Epcot's previous "updates" except for Test Track pushed the park backwards in technology.

 

[gusgoose]

there is a ride missing from the list that should be on there, and that is Expedition Everest to that is a defiantly a E ticket ride to me.:sohappy:

If you read my first post, it's one of four attractions that I considered definite e-tickets and therefore did not include in the poll.

 

[gusgoose]

ALL of EPCOT Center's attractions were E-tickets except for the Mexican boat ride (EL Rio del Tiempo), which was an enjoyable C-level attraction. Even though I enjoy many of Epcot's new additions, it's sad to see how the latest attractions are far less technologically advanced than the originals.

Here's a list:
Horizons featured a huge AA cast, three Omnimax screens, a "Choose Your Own Ending" finale, and various sensory experiences—all in a two-level attraction. This was replaced with a glorified centrifuge.

Journey into Imagination was at one time the single most popular dark ride at WDW (yes, more popular than HM or PotC). Technological advances included vehicles that could join and separate when necessary, a show turntable synchronized to the vehicle's movements, various optical effects, and green screen technology (new at the time). The ride itself was just one part of Epcot's most popular pavilion; other attractions included a massive play area featuring some of the latest photographic innovations, and the first fully-realized "4-D" film. The attraction's replacement is one of the least visited areas at Walt Disney World.

Wonders of Life opened just as the health and fitness craze was becoming mainstream in America. It was perhaps the most fully realized pavilion at Epcot, comprising both recorded and live-action shows, a thrill ride, a food court, and various play areas. Unfortunately, the art direction was nowhere near as timeless as everything else in Epcot, and reeked of a 1980s shopping mall. This building was gutted and turned into a special events pavilion.

World of Motion is the only attraction replaced by a completely new, technologically superior ride, regardless of personal feelings concerning Test Track.

Spaceship Earth has been updated a few times, but the Walter Cronkite version was the single most complete "Vision" for the attraction. The latest refurbishment has made SSE technologically superior to its predecessors, but Judy Dench's narration is so dumbed down that it's borderline insulting. At least the wand is gone.

The Living Seas was really cool in the 1980s and extremely outdated in the the 2000s. The Nemo overlay has helped, but has unfortunately stripped the pavilion of all mystery and suspense. Disney STILL needs to redevelop the exit strategy for the pavilion; after convincing us we're underwater with Nemo and friends, the current exit is simply a doorway into the park. The Living Seas hydrolators that brought us down into Seabase Alpha and back up into Epcot completed the underwater illusion, and the new pavilion needs some sort of similar conceit.

If you skim over everything else in my post, read this:
When EPCOT Center opened, everything was an E-ticket attraction except for El Rio del Tiempo. Now few attractions are considered E-ticket-level. The park's new president is working hard to restore Epcot to its glory, but I find it incredibly ironic that most of Epcot's previous "updates" except for Test Track pushed the park backwards in technology.

How about Food Rocks vs. Soarin'?

Though I appreciate many of your sentiments, I also found it humorous you labeled Mission to Mars a "glorified centrifuge." Though I'm not a huge fan of the ride, it is a unique and interesting experience and I'm glad I got to ride it at least once. I'm not sure what it is that happens in your life that you're comfortable calling something a "glorified centrifuge" (maybe you work for NASA?) but for most of us this is our only chance in life to ride in a centrifuge, let alone a "glorified" one.

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

What defines a true E-Ticket attraction..

As I am new to this forum, but not new to "the world", I apologize for any mistakes I do.

To me generally no show qualifies as an E-Ticket, because to me an E-Ticket is ALWAYS a ride, a very elaborate ride which needs a lot of space, is heavily themed even by WDI-standards and located in a large building or structure (often but not necessarily serves as a wienie), dominates the sourrounding park area, often combines several ride-elements and is very popular.
Typical E-Tickets are all mountains but also classics like Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise. If the Jungle Cruise wouldn't exist already but would be planned, announced and built in the next years, would ANY one disagree, that this attraction would be considered an E-Ticket addition?

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

And as I would like to add

And as I would like to add, WDW is in need for an new E-Ticket attraction and as Animal Kingdom got Expedition Everest and Epcot Mission:Space I think it's time for a new E-Ticket in the Magic Kingdom. I would love an "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"-Attraction based on Anaheim in Adventureland (my favourite land) or a new E-Ticket in Fantasyland on the grounds of former 20.000 leagues.
Or even better, a new pavillion for WS or at least a new ride in WS. WS is desperately in need of new attractions AND pavillons. And one should be an E-Ticket, e.g. Mount Fuji-Rollercoaster or Venezuela Pavillion with big Rainforest-Ride.

 

[tirian]

How about Food Rocks vs. Soarin'?

Actually, it would be Kitchen Kabaret vs. Soarin', since KKab came first. I chose not to include those two attractions because I was talking about entire pavilions. Soarin' is a fantastic attraction, and I'm happy to see it at Epcot (But I hope it gets a new movie covering the world.)

Though I appreciate many of your sentiments, I also found it humorous you labeled Mission to Mars a "glorified centrifuge." Though I'm not a huge fan of the ride, it is a unique and interesting experience and I'm glad I got to ride it at least once. I'm not sure what it is that happens in your life that you're comfortable calling something a "glorified centrifuge" (maybe you work for NASA?) but for most of us this is our only chance in life to ride in a centrifuge, let alone a "glorified" one.

Again, I'm not talking about whether or not I like the new Epcot rides. There are plenty of other threads about that. This thread is about E-tickets, and I'm saying that Horizons—with its triple Omnimax screens, advanced AAs, sensory effects, and synchronized ending options—was replaced with a glorified centrifuge (you spin and look at a screen).

This doesn't make M:S any less fun, but it's definitely not as impressive as the variety of tech in Horizons.