I'll give you one.
I'm afraid if you never actually experienced the finale in the 1980s you don't have much validity to call it either way.
As credible as I know you to be, Martin.. I really don't think I would have enjoyed it very much. Nor would many of the people in my generation. It seems like it is overrated today, looking back on the past. Much like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, for instance... I rode it for the first time in Disneyland last year aaaand, honestly, Pooh was better. In my opinion. Not really sure what the big hubbub was about.
I feel the same way about Tiki Room and Carousel of Progress. They're trapped in a nostalgic bubble when really, honestly, they're just... Eh. Not that great anymore. Except to really die-hard Disney fan. Take anyone who doesn't know much about Disney outside of some movies. A normal person, if you will. And honestly, it just isn't that good when it comes down to it.
I feel like that's the same viewpoint the die-hard Disney fanatics feel about Energy, Living Seas, many old EPCOT attractions. When in reality, they were okay for their time. But really, that's all they were.
May the rotten fruits be thrown all over me. I'm guilty of this too, though, as for my childhood consists of all the attractions that replaced the attractions a majority of the people on these forums loved. So MY nostalgic bubble kicked in when things like Food Rocks closed. Ellen's Energy Adventure. The Wonders of Life pavilion. Literally my childhood favorites. I'm salty towards Soarin' as a result. But that doesn't mean it's not an improvement. Much like I'll be salty about Guardians taking over Energy, but I believe it'll be an improvement. Despite my childhood and MY nostalgic bubble literally disappearing. So now, attractions like Soarin', Frozen Ever After, and Guardians will be ANOTHER generation's "nostalgic bubble" one day.
I may not have been able to experience the (seemingly boring) original Epcot Center. But I'm sure if I had grown up with it, I would have enjoyed it... However, I don't think I would have enjoyed them in comparison to the attractions
I got to know and love from all of
my trips. You guys just have a connection with those attractions... And I cannot understand that connection for the same reason many of you wouldn't be able to understand my connection to EEA or the car stunt show at HS. Much like
I won't be able to understand the
next generation's obsession with Pandora and Star Wars Land. I'll think they're alright. But I'll always be flocking to my personal nostalgic bubble attractions more excitedly than the new ones.
Take it as it is.