Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[luv]

BTMR is a coaster, I guess, but it is a very mild one. Just one step up from a little-kid coaster. It is well themed.

But it isn't a thrilling, fun, WOW kind of coaster.

Real coasters go too fast to have much theme...and don't need theming to make them amazing rides.

 

[BryceM]

The Incredible Hulk is the only launched B&M coaster in existence. So it is a VERY unique coaster. The company usually strays away from launched roller coasters, because they think them to be unreliable. So, a separate company designed the launch system. I love that it uses spinning tires... That always fascinates me.

Then the feeling of being launched 40 MPH up that incline is just unreal. Then the zero-g roll that follows it... It's just amazing.

 

[Goofyernmost]

There are a couple of things that I don't understand. Why do so many people insist that Disney pile on a bunch of coasters and/or other thrill rides? Why can't Disney exist, like it has from the beginning, different from the run of the mill ride and puke amusement park? Why do we have Cadillac's vs Pinto's. They are both cars but both have a different standard. Cadillac's cost more, The have a different ride, they are strictly for pleasure and not the thrill of wondering when it is going to burst into flame. Yea, I know, pretty lame comparison on my part, but, my point is, there are places where one can go to enjoy thrill rides, why do that all have to be the same. Why can't one just go to the thrill ride place and leave Disney's uniqueness alone. Why try to make it something that it never was intended to be and, also, I might add, what made it the most popular theme park in the world.

I think it's bad enough that they put in what they did for thrill rides. If they hadn't themed them as well as they did, it would have been upset. I think it's unacceptable that I have to look at the ugly backside of Everest from the parking lot, the last thing I want to see is a massive, twisted mass of steal obstructing my few of fantasy. Universal can get away with it because they never pretended, until recently, to be Disney. Still because of their past operational realities, they can mix both themed and bare nekid coasters and no one will blink.

 

[disney fan 13]

For those keeping track at home, I went on Splash Mountain in Disneyland today and they had at least 4 animatronics on the showboat that weren't working.

Yeah, apparently OSHA won't let workers up there to fix it.

(Hence why there are random fences on top of themed roofs.)

 

[JenniferS]

Agreed above about the awful Primeval Whirl. Such a disgusting sight that is. The entire carnival in fact. But even then there's a logical story they were going with for the area, so someone COULD make an argument for the way it looks. I couldn't care less about that, the entire area looks horrible and ruins that side of the park.

That's the problem with Hester and Chester's Dino-Rama. It's cheap and tatty looking with a quasi backstory (that's really no more than a lame excuse) that nobody outside of these boards knows about.
I had been to DAK half a dozen times and had heard nothing about this backstory. How is one supposed to learn of it? It is memorialized on a plaque somewhere?
It just seems like Disney is stretching to compensate for a cheap place filler. Story is free. Theming, as we know, is darned expensive.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Yeah, apparently OSHA won't let workers up their to fix it.

You must be confused. All reports are that Disneyland is pristine and as close to perfect as a theme park can get. It's WDW that has the tight purse strings.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Hulk is a great coaster with a mediocre theme. Big Thunder is a mediocre coaster with great theming. I enjoy both good theming AND good coasters.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Oh, and Dave, I am glad you brought up Universal's entertainment. Fear Factor, Sindbad's, and Beetlejuice all need to be replaced. But the Horror Make-up Show is one of the best theme park shows there is.

I've heard that before.

Some of Uni's entertainment is FANTASTIC but some of their shows need help. Beetle juice could be great but it just needs some reworking

 

[Tom Morrow]

Disneyland isn't perfect but it's a hell of a lot closer to it than WDW. If you have an eye and ear for show quality, its instantly obvious when comparing it to WDW.

 

[Funmeister]

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

Sure it does. You mentioned the "similarities." I was pointing out that even when things are similar they can be quite different. I knew you would agree with me.

 

[CDavid]

Oh, as and far as exposed coaster track goes, if it is appropriate to disguise a cell phone tower in a residential neighborhood as a too-tall tree, then surely hidden, themed, or at least disguised supports are called for in a themed environment. Such theming/decoration would never detract from the actual ride experience in any way; Not at least making an effort suggests either laziness or an unwillingness to spend the money, assuming you are aiming for something better than a Six Flags or carnival level of immersiveness.

 

[Voice of Disney sanity]

This is probably giving too much time to the "Disney snacks aren't all that" conversation. But I'll continue the conversation just a little farther because I rarely know when it's time to call it quits.

I get that. Disney treats are yummy. They are yummier still after spending a hot day in the parks. With all the nostalgia tied into them, it's easy to forget you're paying a 400% mark-up for an ice cream bar or a cupcake.

My point is that some people act like these treats are the holy grail of snack food. They act like they have never had a brownie or a soft serve ice cream before. And maybe they haven't. But whatever your favorite Disney treat is, there is something similar at just about any tourist spot you might choose to vacation at.

Some people make it sound like unless you have a Dole Whip your vacation is ruined. That's crazy talk.

I don't disagree with anything you said

 

[Cody5242]

At the risk of going off topic, in what world does that make sense?

Just a guess: You haven't read a comic book in at least ten years? AmIright?

Let me rephrase that. I prefer the more realism looks of te marvel characters rather than there comic forms. A good example for me would be the wolverine

 

[Tom Morrow]

I think that's the only reason my parents took me to Sea World as a kid - to see Batman & Robin. Seems like we got to meet them in person after the show was over.

Oh, as and far as exposed coaster track goes, if it is appropriate to disguise a cell phone tower in a residential neighborhood as a too-tall tree

Are you talking about the DAK cell tower? Its actually backstage at DAK. There aren't any neighborhoods or residential areas that close to DAK.

 

[Captain Chaos]

LOTR still kicking according to Disneyhead... Any more info on that DH? IP for the 3rd gate? Toon Lagoon or LC replacement?

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

Big Thunder is a fantastic ride for other reasons not related to thrills. It's very fun though, but also incredibly well designed outside of being a low-thrill coaster.

For those keeping track at home, I went on Splash Mountain in Disneyland today and they had at least 4 animatronics on the showboat that weren't working.

They've apparently been that way for quite some time now, weeks if not months. Sad to see it starting to resemble WDW's pre-refurb (though at least there doesn't seem to be any major leaks or chunks of concrete almost crushing people yet). I wonder if Disneyland inheriting Animal Kingdom's previous president has anything to do with that.

Funny thing is that WDW's Splash Mountain from what I gather is still in pretty top notch condition overall since it reopened. They've kept a pretty good eye on any elements breaking and fix them whenever they do. Assuming that's still the case of course, i'm only going by what others have said and youtube videos as i've yet to visit myself.

LOTR still kicking according to Disneyhead... Any more info on that DH? IP for the 3rd gate? Toon Lagoon or LC replacement?

Wait, so Universal might get a Lord of the Rings attraction/land/park? Now THAT would be something! I'm a huge LOTR and Hobbit fan.

If they do that, I hope very much they do NOT build any exposed coaster tracks. You're not going to convince me that would ever work with the theme of LOTR. There's so much potential here.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I think that's the only reason my parents took me to Sea World as a kid - to see Batman & Robin. Seems like we got to meet them in person after the show was over.

Oh, as and far as exposed coaster track goes, if it is appropriate to disguise a cell phone tower in a residential neighborhood as a too-tall tree, then surely hidden, themed, or at least disguised supports are called for in a themed environment. Such theming/decoration would never detract from the actual ride experience in any way; Not at least making an effort suggests either laziness or an unwillingness to spend the money, assuming you are aiming for something better than a Six Flags or carnival level of immersiveness.

The Hulk is neither lazy or cheap. It's just different than Disney. They wanted to build a world class park (and they did) with a world class coaster (and it is). They wanted people to see the coaster. That is why it is the front of the park, bright green, and LOUD! And SCREAMS "Not for little girls and grandmas!".

 

[Disneyhead'71]

LOTR still kicking according to Disneyhead... Any more info on that DH? IP for the 3rd gate? Toon Lagoon or LC replacement?

No more details other than the fact Universal has in fact been discussing it. I originally heard anchor for a 3rd gate, but Toon Lagoon has also been mentioned as a location. But that's all old news.

The new thing is that the rumor is still alive.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Wait, so Universal might get a Lord of the Rings attraction/land/park? Now THAT would be something! I'm a huge LOTR and Hobbit fan.

If they do that, I hope very much they do NOT build any exposed coaster tracks. You're not going to convince me that would ever work with the theme of LOTR. There's so much potential here.

I have faith in Universal Creative with LOTR, creating one awesome land and attractions...

 

[bhg469]

Sorry, but I just had to laugh at this review, and I like Chef Mickey's just fine. The over-the-top, almost orgasmic praise of the food is just hilarious. Of course, if I were getting free trips to WDW and DLR to write over the top dining reviews, I guess I would gush as much as possible, too.

I have mentioned before that I don't have a sophisticated palate. I am pretty adventurous, but some of the nuances of a fine dining experience are just wasted on me. That being said, I hate, absolutely hate how people refer to themselves as "foodies" (another made up word that makes me cringe) and then wax poetic about some of the mediocre food at Disney. For example, I just don't get the love for a place like 'Ohana. I have been there a few times and didn't care for it. I assumed at first that I must be missing something because I just didn't care for the food. It finally hit me that many people were so enamored with the huge quantities of food that the actual taste was secondary. I bet that if that if they served normal portions instead massive quantities that no one would eat there. Why? Because the food just isn't very good!

I have found that my best dining experiences at Disney are usually at places that no one bothers to visit. I just posted about the Grand Floridian Café in another thread. The food and service I have had there has always been excellent, and it's usually half empty. I will gladly eat there and let other people have places like 'Ohana and LeCellier.

I love the wave and gladly its never busy .