Splash Mountain Refurb

[George Lucas on a Bench]

When I was a little squirt at WDW, no one much cared if the ride was too scary for me. It was far more intimidating back then because there were screaming heads that popped up in the darkness at you and a scene with hands prying a door open.

Even at a very young age, however, I was more charmed by the experience than frightened.

 

[Hattieboxghost110]

LOL@ “long into he night.” Naw Top 10 is too easy bruh. Top 5 makes you make the tough decisions.

Before they ruined London for me I’d say Pan and Alice were neck and neck as my favorite FL Dark ride with Alice having the edge. But now it’s a lot easier for me to say... Alice. I love the indoor/ outdoor element with the huge ficus tree outside, the Mary Blair leaves and designs in the outdoor queue and the caterpillar ride vehicles are probably my favorite in the park. The IP holds a lot of nostalgia for me because I had the movie on repeat when I was like 6-8 years old. I literally remember my dad taking me to some mom and pop video store and me picking it out the VHS along with some VHS of 3 Donald shorts.

I really like the projections they added to the ride as they were tastefully done. I like everything they did to Pan too except London. Also, is it just me or that “second star to the right” / Neverland star has been broken for a while? The nursery upgrades and Tiger Lily water effects are nice.

For sure, Alice is awesome. Would it be weird if we ever got on Alice together, 2 grown- men while the wives & kids wait for us outside? Haha

Peter Pan for me is a sentimental favorite because I watched Pan on the daily. That ride gives me the feels whenever I ride it, which is not often unfortunately.

 

[Hattieboxghost110]

You say PotC is your all time favorite attraction at Disneyland but then say the old man is playing a banjo in the same breath! The old man is not playimg a banjo, the banjo is being played inside! Some fan you are! Your Disneyland AP has been revoked.

So what are your Top 5? Tread carefully. You're a member of the HOB. People are watching.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

A top 5 DL list is pretty impossible to rank. The top spot is easy: The Haunted Mansion. Others I tend to gravitate towards more than others include POTC, Snow White, Mr. Toad and Roger Rabbit.

A top overall theme park attraction list:

1. The Haunted Mansion (DL, classic version)
2. E.T. Adventure (USF)
3. George Lucas Bench (HM courtyard, The Magic Kingdom)

 

[Curious Constance]

My top five is:

1. Pirates of the Caribbean (the smell!)
2. Haunted Mansion
3. Splash Mountain
4. Matterhorn
5. Peter Pan

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I enjoyed the Matterhorn significantly more before they de-charmed it by replacing the 70s chintz and added Fastpass, making the wait time longer than Titanic.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

My top five (alphabetical):

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Haunted Mansion Holiday
Indiana Jones Adventure
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride / Alice in Wonderland (tie)
Pirates of the Caribbean

Honerable mentions to the two RR dioramas, the castle walkthrough and Mr. Lincoln. All part of the charm of the original Magic Kingdom.

Maybe this year I'll finally be able to ride the Matterhorn if it's not closed in the fall.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I enjoyed the Matterhorn significantly more before they de-charmed it by replacing the 70s chintz and added Fastpass, making the wait time longer than Titanic.

Fortress of Solitude > WDI pile of garbage

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

It's a terrible change. The new robotic ice monsters look so out of place. It's supposed to be a static Jim Henson-looking thing with a strobe light illuminating it.

 

[TROR]

So what are your Top 5? Tread carefully. You're a member of the HOB. People are watching.

1. Pirates of the Caribbean. An absolute masterpiece of an attraction with amazing wit, humor, music, set pieces, and audio animatronics.
2. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Truly a classic and as a lover of American history, especially Civil War era, the attraction holds a special place in my heart.
3. Mark Twain Riverboat. Another classic like Mr. Lincoln that acts as a love letter to American history, specifically the American West.
4. Indiana Jones Adventure. It's not perfect by any means, but Indiana Jones was always my favorite over Han Solo as a kid. Still is, honestly. The attraction does a great job at recapturing the adventure of the films while being something new and unique.
5. Splash Mountain. I wish the ride wasn't as fast as it is, but its large audio animatronic cast designed by the brilliant Marc Davis really helps it stand on its own against other greats like the aforementioned Pirates of the Caribbean.

I'd love to give a few quick shout outs to the Disneyland Railroad, The Haunted Mansion, the original Star Tours, Country Bear Jamboree, and Big Thunder Mountain. All great attractions but didn't make the list for one reason or another.

 

[Curious Constance]

I actually think the new Matterhorn yeti is a positive change. I get what you're saying about removing the 70s chintz, but sometimes 70s chintz just looks like 70s chintz. Old Harold was kinda sad in today's world.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

How dare you.

 

[Curious Constance]

How dare you.

Trust me. I understand what you're saying. I love cheese as much as you do. But they have to do SOMETHING to keep parks updated and interesting for new generations. And old Harold, while lovable and quaint, wasn't very scary.

I think their efforts with the Matterhorn upgrade were well done. Upgrading AAs is a great way to make parks more relevant for today's kids. I mean let's face it, they could have decided to update by changing to a Frozen toboggan ride. *shudder*

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Is the yeti really supposed to be scary?

The old one was more in line with the rest of Fantasyland.

 

[mickEblu]

For sure, Alice is awesome. Would it be weird if we ever got on Alice together, 2 grown-*** men while the wives & kids wait for us outside? Haha

Peter Pan for me is a sentimental favorite because I watched Pan on the daily. That ride gives me the feels whenever I ride it, which is not often unfortunately.

LOL. Honestly, I don’t think it’s weird at all.

Ya I hear you on Pan, the “ you can fly” song as you fly thru the nursery. Cmon now.

 

[TROR]

The new yeti is in my five favorite animatronics at Disneyland list.

Those five are the auctioneer, new Harold, the baby elephant on the Jungle Cruise, Mr. Lincoln, and Br'er Rabbit. Honorary mentions being the original Rex, Henry, and the original G2 droids. Just in case anyone was wondering this list, as well.

 

[Curious Constance]

LOL. Honestly, I don’t think it’s weird at all.

Ya I hear you on Pan, the “ you can fly” song as you fly thru the nursery. Cmon now.

Is there a reason why the wives and kids wouldn't be able to ride with you?

 

[Hattieboxghost110]

I actually think the new Matterhorn yeti is a positive change. I get what you're saying about removing the 70s chintz, but sometimes 70s chintz just looks like 70s chintz. Old Harold was kinda sad in today's world.

Nailed it. I appreciate that George is an old soul and prefers the old school Harry, but GAWD the new Harold's are just FANTASTIC!

 

[Hattieboxghost110]

Is there a reason why the wives and kids wouldn't be able to ride with you?

Negative. We all wouldn't fit. I would ride shotgun & mickEbruh would ride passenger or vice versa.

 

[mickEblu]

I actually think the new Matterhorn yeti is a positive change. I get what you're saying about removing the 70s chintz, but sometimes 70s chintz just looks like 70s chintz. Old Harold was kinda sad in today's world.

I never looked at old Harold and thought it needed to be upgraded but I see what you re saying. I like the new AAs but miss the old howl. They went from a howl to growls. Your right though, every few decades things need to be updated. For example, I don’t think anyone would be too impressed riding the original 1955 dark rides after being accustomed to the 80s remakes. We just hope that the updates are tastefully done like the Alice and Matterhorn.