Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[ctxak98]

The queue video explains why you're there.

I guess because we are not forced to watch it that I don't??? sorry just never understood it so thank you.

 

[GLaDOS]

I am sorry but you will not convince me that its better then a ride through a show building with AA figures and physical elements!

That's fine. I love the Hulk's abstract nature and the way it makes you use your imagination, personally.

 

[ParentsOf4]

I will say that I don't think Dueling Dragon/Dragon Challenge is nearly as pretty as The Hulk. But I think both The Hulk and Manta are well themed, beautiful "Big Boy" coasters.

The actual ride portion of Dragon Challenge could be the most "Six Flags" like element in all of Orlando's major theme parks.

 

[ctxak98]

Since were throwing opinions around, I think it''s absolutely gorgeous.

the more I looks at it I agree its a cool looking coaster, just still not my personal favorite I guess!

 

[Disneyhead'71]

The actual ride portion of Dragon Challenge could be the most "Six Flags" like element in all of Orlando's major theme parks.

Ummm, Kraken. But DD/DC is close.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I can agree with you here. I think everyone took my initial post WAYYYY too far, so I just ran with it. I don't really think the coaster is ugly, just could have been better. I think everyone here is over-hyping the beauty of it though.

The Hulk pretty? That big boy got hit with the big boy ugly stick. Loud and garish for my liking. (<- all green smilies! )

Manta by contrast is stylish and pretty.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Wow.

Universal fanbois are more obsessive & defensive than Disney ones.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Wow.

Universal fanbois are more obsessive & defensive than Disney ones.

We take a lot of flack because, you know, it's not Disney.

 

[lazyboy97o]

The front of The Incredible Hulk does make for a striking image that is appropriate for the more literal comic book world of Marvel Super Hero Island (another aspect that often seems misunderstood) but the back is just a visual mess. It becomes just a bare coaster in a utilitarian environment that exposes the fakeness of Port of Entry.

 

[PhotoDave219]

We take a lot of flack because, you know, it's not Disney.

I get that.... but dear lord. Not everything either company does is gold. They are not Tywin Lannister.

 

[GLaDOS]

I get that.... but dear lord. Not everything either company does is gold. They are not Tywin Lannister.

Did anyone ever say as much?

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

REALLY not getting the Hulk love here. I've obviously bashed Disney's tactics a ton here and have given a ton of praise to Universal for stepping up their game. But I can't see why people are in such adoration of Hulk regardless of what story or minimalistic abstract theming you're being given. There CAN be such a thing as going overboard with the theming, though there's at least ambition there. Too little theming just isn't my taste.

While exposed coaster track still isn't my thing, I can at least better understand why people see merits (artistic ones) in the Manta coaster. Hulk I just don't get what people's fixation is at all, it looks tacky.

I'm not against having thrilling coasters like this. I just think that there's merit in combining thrills with a detailed and well done environment. I see literally nothing wrong with this wish and don't get why anyone would be adverse to it if done well.

I guess the bottom line is that some of us accept that "Theme Parks" are actually a subset of "Amusement Parks". That little fact truly chaps the *** of Disneyfans.

Calling theme parks a subset of amusement parks is doing them a huge disservice and downplays their role in entertainment. They're more an evolution of amusement parks. A higher standard. There's a reason people hold Disney and Universal at a much higher standard than a Six Flags or any roadside carnival or state fair.

I get that.... but dear lord. Not everything either company does is gold. They are not Tywin Lannister.

This. I've been a massive fan of Disney all my life, but I can see that they've become a real mess in the past 20 years or so. I've got serious issues with Universal still, but I can tell that they're really stepping up their game and I'm looking forward to what they've got in store for the next 10 years or so.

I will say one thing as a fan of Disney- while current Disney has gone way off the deep end, their work in the past is something that I think all major theme parks like Universal should strive to be. And Universal has been trying and in a lot of ways succeeding at doing just that. Arguably surpassing them in some ways (perhaps doing that more in the future). I just see nothing wrong with going away from exposed coaster tracks and creating a much more immersive experience for rides like that.

 

[stevehousse]

Would you say Pirates at WDW is "similar" to Pirates at DLP? Because...they are not.

That doesn't even make sense to what I am saying...

 

[BryceM]

This argument is old and tired. And annoying.

No, The Incredible Hulk Coaster is not a lavishly themed dark-ride through multiple sets. Sorry. It does not have some of the greatest theming in the park either. The queue is nice, but the loud cartoon does not describe the story that well. Yes, it has a bare track, BUT SO WHAT?

It's purpose is to be a powerful roller coaster which helps to dominate Marvel Super Hero Island, and even the whole park. It accomplishes this well. The launch tube has lighting effects and audio effects. The exterior of the tube is themed well and it looks freakin' cool. The way that the coaster interacts with it's surroundings is superb. The coaster is visually stunning, but yet powerful.

Like I said, the Hulk does not have the most "impressive" or "immersive" theming, but for a larger roller coaster, it is themed just fine.

If you want a really well themed roller coaster, you have Big Thunder Mountain, Revenge of the Mummy and Expedition Everest. The Hulk is not as well themed as these coasters, but it wasn't made to be.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Did anyone ever say as much?

A few pages ago, I think.

 

[TalkingHead]

I don't see any beauty in a Jackson Pollock or an Alexander Calder.

But a well-maintained roller coaster is a thing of beauty to me!

That's sort of odd, you know?

Meaning a coaster is like a Pollock painting that you can ride.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

The actual ride portion of Dragon Challenge could be the most "Six Flags" like element in all of Orlando's major theme parks.

Nothing in Orlando beats WDW for cheap ugly insanity.

Six Flags:

WDW:

Six Flags, admission $40, all-u-can-eat meal deal $13,49:

WDW, admission $95, one burger $11,99:

 

[BryceM]

The Hulk pretty? That big boy got hit with the big boy ugly stick. Loud and garish for my liking. (<- all green smilies! )

Manta by contrast is stylish and pretty.

Manta is not all pretty smiles and rainbows either. If you're comparing "signature shots", at least get the view of Hulk across the lagoon. Or from Seuss Landing.

But the entrance to Manta is "prettier" than the entrance to Hulk. But Hulk's entrance is supposed to be to a scientific laboratory, not into a mystical aquarium.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I get that.... but dear lord. Not everything either company does is gold. They are not Tywin Lannister.

Oh, I know. I just wish they would pick on the actual issues Universal has. Exposed coaster track isn't one. Counter Service quality and lack of attractions for the under 5 set are very valid complaints. The fact they actually have big coasters in their theme parks? Not so much.

 

[nytimez]

Nothing in Orlando beats WDW for cheap ugly insanity.

Hmmm... someone who looks good in a Wonder Woman costume makes any location "well-themed" for me, ifyouknowwhatimean.