News Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Historical Construction/Impressions

[D.Silentu]

mickEblu, you are not alone in thinking that Forbidden Journey is more marinade than meat. You supposed that it may have been too hyped by the time you got to ride it, and I think that may be my story as well. Five years is a lot of time to hear about something. I think the 3D was meant to give us some improvement over Florida's version, but it sure didn't last. When the glasses went away, they were replaced by sights of ride infrastructure and other vehicles, a total fourth wall break.

However, where it fails to grasp me is in the story itself. We're visiting Hogwarts and Harry and pals want to show us a good time, fair enough. Of course "something goes terribly wrong" and we're here and there, and largely forgotten by those who got us into the mess in the first place, until the deus ex machina. Then Harry says, "You were brilliant!" Thanks, I guess, not sure what we did. It steers perilously close to the 'book report' style ride (though given the source material maybe that's appropriate). Also, where did the dementors come from?

I ought to say that I do enjoy the ride and it's without a doubt the one of the best Universal has done. There are phenomenal moments (womping willow) offset by head scratchers (static spiders?). Yet, I heard for years that it was the greatest modern ride ever built, and to that I'm not so sure. I'm rooting for Battle Escape to take that title and from what we're hearing it looks to fulfill that promise!

 

[mickEblu]

mickEblu, you are not alone in thinking that Forbidden Journey is more marinade than meat. You supposed that it may have been too hyped by the time you got to ride it, and I think that may be my story as well. Five years is a lot of time to hear about something. I think the 3D was meant to give us some improvement over Florida's version, but it sure didn't last. When the glasses went away, they were replaced by sights of ride infrastructure and other vehicles, a total fourth wall break.

However, where it fails to grasp me is in the story itself. We're visiting Hogwarts and Harry and pals want to show us a good time, fair enough. Of course "something goes terribly wrong" and we're here and there, and largely forgotten by those who got us into the mess in the first place, until the deus ex machina. Then Harry says, "You were brilliant!" Thanks, I guess, not sure what we did. It steers perilously close to the 'book report' style ride (though given the source material maybe that's appropriate). Also, where did the dementors come from?

I ought to say that I do enjoy the ride and it's without a doubt the one of the best Universal has done. There are phenomenal moments (womping willow) offset by head scratchers (static spiders?). Yet, I heard for years that it was the greatest modern ride ever built, and to that I'm not so sure. I'm rooting for Battle Escape to take that title and from what we're hearing it looks to fulfill that promise!

I hope that the Battle Escape takes that title as well. And yes! Years of folks calling it the "best ride in the world" probably didn't help at all. Now that you bring them up, I never thought about the story issues. But your right, what did we do that was brilliant? Lol. I guess not get killed. That's something. Story wise, it's kind of like Star Tours 2.0 in a way. With that said the story doesn't bother me to be honest with you. At the end of the day I just found it mildly fun and way overhyped.

 

[TP2000]

It's hard not to let expectations get so high. I remember when Indy was being built, and they promoted the "no two rides exactly alike" aspect to it. I was imagining some sort of complex multi-chambered temple with dozens of switch tracks! Then it turned out to be multiple bump profiles programmed into the jeeps. A little disappointing. The attraction is so great as it was, they needn't have promoted the "no two rides" aspect to it. Hopefully there won't be any similar over-blown aspect to the marketing of these SWL attractions.

I remember that Indy marketing hype, and yes, it was overblown and hokey even by 1990's standards. They didn't need the stretched-truth hype for that excellent ride.

But marketing dweebs are marketing dweebs regardless of which decade it is. Now Disney's marketing dweebs have a permanent dweeb-hive in a cubicle farm in Celebration, Florida and they pump out mindless marketing drivel 24/7 via their Disney Parks Blog.

I have very little hope that the marketing hype for Star Wars Land won't be overblown and breathless and gag-inducing, even though the land will speak for itself. It's just how those people work. It's basically a sickness.

 

[Curious Constance]

I remember that Indy marketing hype, and yes, it was overblown and hokey even by 1990's standards. They didn't need the stretched-truth hype for that excellent ride.

But marketing dweebs are marketing dweebs regardless of which decade it is. Now Disney's marketing dweebs have a permanent dweeb-hive in a cubicle farm in Celebration, Florida and they pump out mindless marketing drivel 24/7 via their Disney Parks Blog.

I have very little hope that the marketing hype for Star Wars Land won't be overblown and breathless and gag-inducing, even though the land will speak for itself. It's just how those people work. It's basically a sickness.

Cubicle farm lol

 

[TP2000]

Cubicle farm lol

It's funny because it's true.

I just Googled "Disney Marketing Office Celebration Florida" and got this image. It's actually taken inside Disney's marketing office in the Celebration Place office park. It's of their little "interactive meeting lounge". Notice the Facebook and Twitter and Android throw pillows. Barf.

Can't you just picture a gaggle of vapid marketing drones sitting around that IKEA coffee table talking about how to hype up Star Wars Land to all of Disney's theme park customers they have disdain for?!?

"But Jen, what's the Millenial angle here? What do Millenials like about Star Wars?"

 

[The_Mesh_Hatter]

The facebook pillow!

 

[BrianLo]

mickEblu, you are not alone in thinking that Forbidden Journey is more marinade than meat. You supposed that it may have been too hyped by the time you got to ride it, and I think that may be my story as well. Five years is a lot of time to hear about something. I think the 3D was meant to give us some improvement over Florida's version, but it sure didn't last. When the glasses went away, they were replaced by sights of ride infrastructure and other vehicles, a total fourth wall break.

However, where it fails to grasp me is in the story itself. We're visiting Hogwarts and Harry and pals want to show us a good time, fair enough. Of course "something goes terribly wrong" and we're here and there, and largely forgotten by those who got us into the mess in the first place, until the deus ex machina. Then Harry says, "You were brilliant!" Thanks, I guess, not sure what we did. It steers perilously close to the 'book report' style ride (though given the source material maybe that's appropriate). Also, where did the dementors come from?

I ought to say that I do enjoy the ride and it's without a doubt the one of the best Universal has done. There are phenomenal moments (womping willow) offset by head scratchers (static spiders?). Yet, I heard for years that it was the greatest modern ride ever built, and to that I'm not so sure. I'm rooting for Battle Escape to take that title and from what we're hearing it looks to fulfill that promise!

As someone who loves Forbidden Journey I see the point. The story is a complete mess. But the queue and actual Kuka ride experience is simply unlike anything I'd ever seen before. It's just so different, but also depends on touring timing of the ride. I first went on Forbidden Journey back when there was Spiderman and Simpsons (which I did the next day). DM was under construction. Jaws was closing the next day. I more recently went with first timers (Potter fans) to USH and that was after a full day that we finished with FJ. Their reaction was simply muted. They felt it wasn't worth a wait (we didn't even really wait much longer than 30 min). Universal rides are great but all start to provide diminishing returns next to one another.

The greatest modern rides ever built are Mystic Manor and PoTC in Shanghai. I really have no complaints about either one. Whereas FJ has significant story troubles and JTTCOE just quite isn't long enough. A scene or two alluded to in the queue are absent thanks to the path diversion. RSR is fantastic, but it's a retread of tech so naturally doesn't exactly make it stand out.

I think FJ might be the greatest ride system ever built though. I really wish Disney would tackle it with a future project.

 

[FerretAfros]

I remember that Indy marketing hype, and yes, it was overblown and hokey even by 1990's standards. They didn't need the stretched-truth hype for that excellent ride.

I don't think "overblown and hokey" quite covers it

 

[britain]

I don't think "overblown and hokey" quite covers it

"BRING TO ME... THE TROPHY!" Pause... then yer done. Go ahead relax.

 

[TP2000]

"BRING TO ME... THE TROPHY!" Pause... then yer done. Go ahead relax.

Thank you for catching that. Hysterical!

I hope they are sitting around their little Facebook sofa out there in Celebration Place this afternoon brainstorming ideas for the Super Bowl LIII Star Wars Land Half-Time Show Starring Beyonce and Chewbacca, Presented by Cadillac.

It better be good, kids!

 

[Phroobar]

As someone who loves Forbidden Journey I see the point. The story is a complete mess. But the queue and actual Kuka ride experience is simply unlike anything I'd ever seen before. It's just so different, but also depends on touring timing of the ride. .

What would be even better is to put the Kuka arm on a Six Flags type coaster!

 

[The Mur]

I don't understand the fascination with declaring a ride great by it's tech. Like many of you I am fascinated by the inner workings of an attraction but if I am enjoying the tech then I am not really enjoying the ride. It is just a means for telling a story or creating an experience. I view it like good special effects in a movie. That said I prefer the tech of Indy over FJ as I get the feeling of being in a real vehicle in a real environment. The Kuka tech (which is awesome as well) is way more dependent upon screens. There is a great place for screen tech to expand the world we are experiencing but too much of it really does seem to have diminishing returns as noted above.

I love the queue for FJ; tops in my book just ahead of Indy but the ride to me is eh. I much prefer Spiderman. That and Indy are my favorites.

 

[mickEblu]

I don't understand the fascination with declaring a ride great by it's tech. Like many of you I am fascinated by the inner workings of an attraction but if I am enjoying the tech then I am not really enjoying the ride. It is just a means for telling a story or creating an experience. I view it like good special effects in a movie. That said I prefer the tech of Indy over FJ as I get the feeling of being in a real vehicle in a real environment. The Kuka tech (which is awesome as well) is way more dependent upon screens. There is a great place for screen tech to expand the world we are experiencing but too much of it really does seem to have diminishing returns as noted above.

I love the queue for FJ; tops in my book just ahead of Indy but the ride to me is eh. I much prefer Spiderman. That and Indy are my favorites.

Speaking of ride systems, I heard an official USH commercial on the radio today describe FJ as a flight simulator and a coaster. Coaster? Talk about false advertising.

BTW I agree. I still haven't rode one of these modern hybrid/ new tech rides that I enjoy more than a simple Coaster like Space Mountain or flume ride like Splash Mountain.

 

[Mike S]

Speaking of ride systems, I heard an official USH commercial on the radio today describe FJ as a flight simulator and a coaster. Coaster? Talk about false advertising.

BTW I agree. I still haven't rode one of these modern hybrid/ new tech rides that I enjoy more than a simple Coaster like Space Mountain or flume ride like Splash Mountain.

The term "robocoaster" is a thing you know.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RoboCoaster

 

[mickEblu]

The term "robocoaster" is a thing you know.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RoboCoaster

Oh cool. I learned something new today. Ive never heard the term before. Still think "Coaster" is probably a misleading word for the general public that the commercial is aimed towards. Also they didn't say robocoaster which would probably spark some interest/ curiosity from the listener and set up the expectation that this is an innovative ride system and not anything like a traditional Coaster. I honestly think it's just a play to get some thrill seekers that may think Potter is too cute to buy USH tickets.

 

[TP2000]

The latest taken Tuesday by She's In Los Angeles. Lots of work happening all over the place here.

 

[Kman101]

Thanks @JediMasterMatt for sharing what you can! The ride sounds AMAZING.

And no you aren't alone @mickEblu in not loving Forbidden Journey. I personally loved Gringotts more, which seems to be knocked a lot for whatever reason. I was much more impressed by it. I think a lot of the love Forbidden Journey gets is from the true fans of Potter who eat up being able to experience it. But both queues are amazing.

 

[Incomudro]

I forgot to mention in my last post ... the laundry list of things WDI is throwing at this attraction sound great. I just hope they all integrate seamlessly and that the sum ( ride experience) is greater than all its parts.

I think that internationally, WDI has already responded to Potter with Shanghais POTC. Not that I feel like they needed to though. Am i the only one that thinks Forbidden Journey is overrated? Maybe I had just heard too much praise for it to live up to the hype by the time I finally rode it at USH. Maybe it was the fact that the 3D sucked and the screens were so blurry but I was a little underwhelmed. I have rode it again since they removed the 3D And while better it's still kind of blurry. The physical sets are cool (especially the whomping Willow and that bridge) but being so close to the rubber spiders and dementors on sticks kind of kills it. Queue is great but being that i am not a huge Potter fan I guess I can't appreciate it the way others can. I don't get off the ride feeling like I was transported somewhere in the way that even Soarin Over California did for me. ( Not Soarin Around the World).

Anyway to your point, combining all the fancy new technology with the Star Wars IP stateside should blow folks away.

I too agree that Forbidden Journey is overrated.
Perhaps I was expecting too much? I don't know, because I actually knew nothing about the ride at all ahead of time - just heard and imagined it was going to be amazing.
I did not get that feeling that Everest gave me, Dinosaur, or Mission Space.
No real wow factor, and no one in the family had any desire to ride it again.

 

[Incomudro]

I hope that the Battle Escape takes that title as well. And yes! Years of folks calling it the "best ride in the world" probably didn't help at all. Now that you bring them up, I never thought about the story issues. But your right, what did we do that was brilliant? Lol. I guess not get killed. That's something. Story wise, it's kind of like Star Tours 2.0 in a way. With that said the story doesn't bother me to be honest with you. At the end of the day I just found it mildly fun and way overhyped.

One place where Star Tours still wins in my opinion, is that it's fun.
Perhaps that's helped in part by the fact that it's experienced at once by a large group.
The end result is that it wraps up with the group laughing.
Disney seems to have a knack of creating a story where chaos builds up; Muppets, Tough to be a Bug, Star Tours and the group exits laughing.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

One place where Star Tours still wins in my opinion, is that it's fun.
Perhaps that's helped in part by the fact that it's experienced at once by a large group.
The end result is that it wraps up with the group laughing.
Disney seems to have a knack of creating a story where chaos builds up; Muppets, Tough to be a Bug, Star Tours and the group exits laughing.

Like most theme parks Universal's rides have always lacked heart to me, which is why I've always preferred Disney.