Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind SPOILER Thread

[mergatroid]

Pre-shows used to be part of the experience. Think Haunted Mansion and Tower of Terror. Now they are mostly just screens with someone telling you a backstory.

They did a pretty good job with Rise and MF. Having the “pre-show” be getting to explore the chess room was a really cool idea.

Probably not the best example?

 

[MisterPenguin]

Without any type of pre-show, we'd be spending that time standing in a switchback.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Probably not the best example?

Using a screen doesn’t = screen based. That pre-show is close to perfection along with the stretching room.

Without any type of pre-show, we'd be spending that time standing in a switchback.

Which can be ok. Granted it’s not in the Florida humidity but I enjoy the old switchbacks in California. Gives you a chance to look around and notice details and builds anticipation for the attraction.

 

[No Name]

Using a screen doesn’t = screen based. That pre-show is close to perfection along with the stretching room.

Oh c’mon the Tower of Terror’s pre show is literally on a tv screen. Just because it’s good doesn’t mean it’s not screen-based.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

Oh c’mon the Tower of Terror’s pre show is literally on a tv screen. Just because it’s good doesn’t mean it’s not screen-based.

I think what they might have meant is that there's a conceptual difference between how these rides make use of their screens that justifies one more than the other.

Tower's TV screen doesn't feel like a shortcut, because you expect the Twilight Zone TV Show to make an appearance in exactly that form. However, guests getting in line for a Guardians of the Galaxy ride are much more likely to expect a tangible appearance from the Guardians - Merely seeing them on screens instead of ever being in the room with them can feel like more of a letdown because in the world of Guardians the characters are known for showing up in person to kick a** and crack wise, not for FaceTiming in from a remote location.

One feels like a shortcut because it is, the other doesn't because it isn't.

 

[Casper Gutman]

I think what they might have meant is that there's a conceptual difference between how these rides make use of their screens that justifies one more than the other.

Tower's TV screen doesn't feel like a shortcut, because you expect the Twilight Zone TV Show to make an appearance in exactly that form. However, guests getting in line for a Guardians of the Galaxy ride are much more likely to expect a tangible appearance from the Guardians - Merely seeing them on screens instead of ever being in the room with them can feel like more of a letdown because in the world of Guardians the characters are known for showing up in person to kick a** and crack wise, not for FaceTiming in from a remote location.

One feels like a shortcut because it is, the other doesn't because it isn't.

Also, the ToT preshow features a host of very cleverly deployed, relatively subtle non-screen-based effects, including the storm outside the window, the voice that moves from the TV to fill the room, and the secret passage exit. coupled with the lobby queue, it both establishes the story AND skillfully evokes a mood. The preshow room itself is wonderfully designed, carefully themed and full of easter eggs, in sharp contrast to the incredibly generic, barren, and unadorned space of GotG. ToT is a very strong preshow.

 

[Casper Gutman]

The emphasis on screen preshows seems to be a necessity because the company continues to use movie stars and won't choose to build Animatronic figures. The case could be solved by not using known widely actors as the main characters. This would take getting creative and coming up with original stories. But we know the possibility of that.

GotG features the two most AA-friendly characters in all of the MCU, Rocket and Groot. AA figures of those highly-marketable characters would seem like the very least a GotG ride should offer. No one really cares as much about Star Lord or Gamora appearing in person, although it should be noted RotR features several AAs of familiar actors. The concept art makes it clear that we were supposed to get Rocket and Groot figures accompanying projections of the other heroes inside a massive, 3-dimensional model of the Milano as the pre-show. Even holograms ala Gringotts would be vastly superior to what Disney produced.

 

[mergatroid]

Using a screen doesn’t = screen based. That pre-show is close to perfection along with the stretching room.

Which can be ok. Granted it’s not in the Florida humidity but I enjoy the old switchbacks in California. Gives you a chance to look around and notice details and builds anticipation for the attraction.

It literally uses a screen to tell a story which is what you said.

Now they are mostly just screens with someone telling you a backstory.

All I'm saying is it's not the best example but let's not go in circles and I don't want to shut people down. I do think the TOT pre-show is brilliant, just not the best example of a pre-show that "doesn't use screens with someone telling you a backstory". I mean if in a quiz the question was "Name a Disney pre-show attraction that uses screens with a person telling you a backstory", TOT would be a correct answer. I also love the stretching room at the Haunted Mansion, took some friends there for the first time two months ago and they loved it.

 

[Purduevian]

Which can be ok. Granted it’s not in the Florida humidity but I enjoy the old switchbacks in California. Gives you a chance to look around and notice details and builds anticipation for the attraction.

At WDW after waiting minimum 30 minutes in switchbacks, a 5 minute preshow is always welcome to me over 5 more minutes in a switch back.

Trying to think of all the rides that have a preshow:
Tiki room, Haunted Mansion, Monsters Inc, Mission Space, Soarin', Test Track, Muppet Vision, Star tours (kinda), Rock n' Rollercoaster, MMRR, ToT, RotR, Dinosaur, FOP

 

[lazyboy97o]

There are ways to arrange queues besides pre-shows and switch backs.

 

[mergatroid]

At WDW after waiting minimum 30 minutes in switchbacks, a 5 minute preshow is always welcome to me over 5 more minutes in a switch back.

Trying to think of all the rides that have a preshow:
Tiki room, Haunted Mansion, Monsters Inc, Mission Space, Soarin', Test Track, Muppet Vision, Star tours (kinda), Rock n' Rollercoaster, MMRR, ToT, RotR, Dinosaur, FOP

I agree and I enjoy pre-shows also most of the time. Had Guardians not had a pre-show then I'm sure some would have been upset about that. It could be argued that pre-shows can become repetitive when seen regularly, but so can some attractions. I used to think that the Muppet pre-show was one of the greatest early on, it was highly amusing and had me in stitches. After many, many visits however it began to make the wait seem longer, probably because I knew every line and how long was left.

Looking at the bigger picture however, Disney wasn't built for just repeat guests like many of us on here are. Lot's of people visit just once, or a small number of times over a long period of time. I would say that pre-shows give these visitors more value for their money and on that basis are a good thing, whilst a minority don't like them it's fairer to cater to the majority who I believe do.

 

[HauntedPirate]

There are ways to arrange queues besides pre-shows and switch backs.

See: RotR, perhaps?

 

[TheEPCOTHistorian]

I think the main issue with this ride's preshow is the weird first room with Glenn Close (Nova Prime) and Terry Crews. I get that it's "important" to the story, but it is highly repetitive on re-rides and becomes tedious. It is also going to age like milk, as I've seen guests react to the humor as kind of groan inducing. The second room is fun, breathtaking, and relatively quick, with lots to offer.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

I think the main issue with this ride's preshow is the weird first room with Glenn Close (Nova Prime) and Terry Crews. I get that it's "important" to the story, but it is highly repetitive on re-rides and becomes tedious. It is also going to age like milk, as I've seen guests react to the humor as kind of groan inducing. The second room is fun, breathtaking, and relatively quick, with lots to offer.

Disney seems to like doing this, where they kick off a preshow with a semi-stern, talking-at-you Type A personality that's meant to disguise or contrast the actual loose, wild, Type B experience that follows. Dinosaur, Flight of Passage, Cosmic Rewind, all start out this way.

While this is one of the most efficient ways to relay information to guests it's also very likely the most boring. Good for Disney, not as good for the guest.

Dinosaur at least successfully manages to inject some fun into it with Marsh and Seeker's banter.

 

[999th Happy Haunt]

Disney seems to like doing this, where they kick off a preshow with a semi-stern, talking-at-you Type A personality that's meant to disguise or contrast the actual loose, wild, Type B experience that follows. Dinosaur, Flight of Passage, Cosmic Rewind, all start out this way.

While this is one of the most efficient ways to relay information to guests it's also very likely the most boring. Good for Disney, not as good for the guest.

Dinosaur at least successfully manages to inject some fun into it with Marsh and Seeker's banter.

It’s incredible how much better Dinosaur’s preshow is compared to Flight of Passage just because of the writing. I haven’t been on CR yet but if it’s similar to FoP I’m sure Dinosaur’s preshow is still better. I never feel like I’m being forced to sit through Dinosaur’s preshow, FoP feels like a punishment for wanting to ride.

 

[Incomudro]

I agree and I enjoy pre-shows also most of the time. Had Guardians not had a pre-show then I'm sure some would have been upset about that. It could be argued that pre-shows can become repetitive when seen regularly, but so can some attractions. I used to think that the Muppet pre-show was one of the greatest early on, it was highly amusing and had me in stitches. After many, many visits however it began to make the wait seem longer, probably because I knew every line and how long was left.

Looking at the bigger picture however, Disney wasn't built for just repeat guests like many of us on here are. Lot's of people visit just once, or a small number of times over a long period of time. I would say that pre-shows give these visitors more value for their money and on that basis are a good thing, whilst a minority don't like them it's fairer to cater to the majority who I believe do.

It drives me nuts when guests who know the pre show rudely recite it out load among other guests.
I remember very well my first time on many rides from ToT to Dinosaur, to Rock n Rollercoaster etc., where I got to enjoy the pre shows with my wife and young sons and fortunately everyone was quite.
Since then, I've been on many of these rides and others, where some jerk is spoiling that first time experience for others.
And heck, I still want to hear it from the source - not some loud mouth who thinks he or she is funny.

 

[mergatroid]

It drives me nuts when guests who know the pre show rudely recite it out load among other guests.
I remember very well my first time on many rides from ToT to Dinosaur, to Rock n Rollercoaster etc., where I got to enjoy the pre shows with my wife and young sons and fortunately everyone was quite.
Since then, I've been on many of these rides and others, where some jerk is spoiling that first time experience for others.
And heck, I still want to hear it from the source - not some loud mouth who thinks he or she is funny.

Quite agree. It amazed me on our visit this March the number of folks who were watching films, videos or reading from their phones in the queue. A percentage of that is perhaps on Disney for making the Genie app so necessary, however people were literally playing music through their phones speakers on two attractions and had to be asked to turn them down. Our group rule was phones only out when necessary.

 

[Hawg G]

It drives me nuts when guests who know the pre show rudely recite it out load among other guests.
I remember very well my first time on many rides from ToT to Dinosaur, to Rock n Rollercoaster etc., where I got to enjoy the pre shows with my wife and young sons and fortunately everyone was quite.
Since then, I've been on many of these rides and others, where some jerk is spoiling that first time experience for others.
And heck, I still want to hear it from the source - not some loud mouth who thinks he or she is funny.

Or when people scream before Jack shows up in Haunted Mansion Holiday elevAtor. Screaming over him talking.

Or people talking on the Hogwarts Express.

Or the damn girls that scream in the tunnels on BTMRR. I sometimes turn around and scream back at them.

 

[lazyboy97o]

It’s incredible how much better Dinosaur’s preshow is compared to Flight of Passage just because of the writing. I haven’t been on CR yet but if it’s similar to FoP I’m sure Dinosaur’s preshow is still better. I never feel like I’m being forced to sit through Dinosaur’s preshow, FoP feels like a punishment for wanting to ride.

What um is um the um problem um with um the um Flight um of um Passage um preshow?

 

[mightynine]

What um is um the um problem um with um the um Flight um of um Passage um preshow?

I, aaaahh, have, uh, no.....idea.