I just thought I'd bring this thread back with my review of the experience. In short, it was just too short for me. I understand the length hasn't changed at all, so that probably won't matter much to you guys. The actual meat of the ride was still good if you ask me. Obviously regular old ghosts on horseback coming out of the fog isn't going to be as effective as the previous star, but they still did a great job.
As far as the absence of that certain someone, I totally understand Disney's concerns after riding it. My ride was filled with drunken adults and a-hole kids who decided they were the show, not the CMs. They were reaching over the sides to try and touch the actors and their horses. They wouldn't shut up the entire ride, and didn't listen to anything that the CMs said (standing up and reaching over the sides were the main problems). I wanted to say something about it after the ride, but figured that it wouldn't really be worth it. It isn't Disney's fault that the other guests were obnoxious.