StormRider - Good or Bad Addition?

[Fantasia Fan]

Would StormRider (from Tokyo DisneySea) be a good or bad addition to Walt Disney World? If so, where do you think the best placement of such a ride would be?

The stronger rumor continues to be EPCOT but could it fit into Tomorrowland at MK just as easily?

The only negative for it going into EPCOT is that it is a simulator just like Body Wars, albeit a little bit more advanced on the technology scale. If done properly, with a Soarin' over <> ride in World Showcase, and a StormRider in a new weather pavilion, as well as the strong unknown potential that could be Mission:Space, EPCOT could get the bulk of the E-tickets for the rest of the decade.

 

[RobFL]

We can only hope so.

I'm a firm beleiver that if gateway attractions (like new E-tickets) are introduced at Epcot for the public with subtle educational messages, the public will expand their horizons and learn to appreciate Epcot as a whole.

-Rob

 

[JLW11Hi]

Originally posted by Fantasia Fan
Would StormRider (from Tokyo DisneySea) be a good or bad addition to Walt Disney World? If so, where do you think the best placement of such a ride would be?

The stronger rumor continues to be EPCOT but could it fit into Tomorrowland at MK just as easily?

The only negative for it going into EPCOT is that it is a simulator just like Body Wars, albeit a little bit more advanced on the technology scale. If done properly, with a Soarin' over <> ride in World Showcase, and a StormRider in a new weather pavilion, as well as the strong unknown potential that could be Mission:Space, EPCOT could get the bulk of the E-tickets for the rest of the decade.

Yes, it would be a good addition in Epcot!

Here are my ideas:
A weather pavillion would be great at Epcot. Focusing on the future technologies for learning about the weather and such. StormRider, of course, would be the main attraction.

One of the original ideas for the first version of Epcot was a giant dome so they could control the weather there. This was pretty ahead of its time, but it was a great example of how Epcot would show new ideas for weather control. Mabey the ride could be contained in a giant weather controlled environment such as that? (And I mean besides an air conditioned building Like having part of it outside.)

The other part of it could focus on improvements in equipment used to predict the weather.

Notice I havent mentioned the ride much? I would love to see this ride at Epcot, but as should be the same for every pavillion at Epcot, it should have informational meaning behind it to trully showcase future ideas, and not just a big fancy ride.

 

[Bairstow]

A weather pavillion would be a great idea, but if Disney wanted to save money (And they always do) it could also be thematically worked in at the Land, especially if the awful Kabaret replacement is put out of its misery.

For those who think Storm Rider is just another simulator ride like Body Wars, just wait until you get a chance to ride it. There's a few "suprises" in the attraction that make it quite.....unique? :drevil: Mmmahahahahaha....... Mmmahahahahaha....... Mmmahahahahaha....... Mmmahahahahaha....... Mmmahahahahaha....... Mmmahahahahaha....... Mmmahahahahaha....... Mmmahahahahaha....... Mmmahahahahaha....... Mmmahahahahaha....... hahaha.... haha...... whoo-hoo....

 

[wdwcrazy]

Another idea would be to add it to the living seas. Stormrider fits the theme of the seas and see the power that the ocean can bring. The living seas needs all of the help it can get right now, it's horrible.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Originally posted by wdwcrazy
Another idea would be to add it to the living seas. Stormrider fits the theme of the seas and see the power that the ocean can bring. The living seas needs all of the help it can get right now, it's horrible.

"IT rained and it rained and it rained... :lol: "

 

[Lord Alfred]

Originally posted by wdwcrazy
The living seas needs all of the help it can get right now, it's horrible.

What's the deal with all the TLS bashing around here? Sure, there's no exciting ride, but it's still as good or better than most of the aquariums I've been to over the years. Every time I've been to Epcot TLS is always filled with people and kids watching the animals.

I haven't been since 2000, has something happened since then? Did all the fish die? What!?

 

[RobFL]

The coral reef ride-through has been closed indefinately.

So, essentially it is jsut a big aquarium now, and in comparison to SeaWorld and the Florida Aquarium, it's not much to look at.

-Rob

 

[Lord Alfred]

Originally posted by RobFL
The coral reef ride-through has been closed indefinately.
So, essentially it is jsut a big aquarium now, and in comparison to SeaWorld and the Florida Aquarium, it's not much to look at.

The ride wasn't a big deal to start with, it was incredibly short and pointless. I'd also like to point out that many WDW visitors probably don't take an extra day (and extra money) to visit Sea World or the Florida Aquarium. The animals ARE the attraction. If looking at the animals bores you, I can see why you wouldn't like it. (or Animal Kingdom either, at this point) Like I said, it's always busy when I'm there and the kids seem to enjoy it. It's a matter of taste in entertainment, I guess. I'm not saying that it doesn't need improvement because it surely does, but hearing folks make blanket statements like "HORRIBLE" and "SUCKS" irritates me because it's not that bad, especially if you come from an interior state with a crappy/nonexistant aquarium.

 

[dennikoon]

As far as comparison with Body Wars, Stormrider would embarrass the Body Pavilion simulator (as it does Star Tours) and would force the issue of a Body Pavillion re-hab.

As far as the educational angle, this would have to be tweaked from its current incarnation if it is to fit into EPCOT; the story is that you are going to fire a missle into the storm and make it go away because it is dangerous. Not very good science. If that were the case, it could replace the Transportarium in MK (another attraction borrowed from Tokyo). May be the right way to go as Circle Vision attractions are not in vogue anymore.

 

[wdwcrazy]

but hearing folks make blanket statements like "HORRIBLE" and "SUCKS" irritates me because it's not that bad, especially if you come from an interior state with a crappy/nonexistant aquarium

I'm entitled to my opintion, and the living seas sucks. It is a very nice aquarium, but I didn't pay $50 to get into to see your run of the mill aquarium. The Living Seas needs a new attraction in it. Why do you think they close it early now? Beause attendance is down, especially at the living seas. At peak season in July the place was pratically deserted around dinnertime. :lookaroun

 

[bearboysnc]

What's the deal with all the TLS bashing around here? Sure, there's no exciting ride, but it's still as good or better than most of the aquariums I've been to over the years.

UHHHH, then you must visit some pretty crappy Aquariums. It was above average when it opened. But aquarium technology has improved over the years, and TLS hasn't. It's actually pretty pathetic.

especially if you come from an interior state with a crappy/nonexistant aquarium

Chattanooga TN (an interior state) has an incredible Aquarium, that puts TLS to shame.

 

[Lord Alfred]

Originally posted by wdwcrazy
I'm entitled to my opintion, and the living seas sucks. It is a very nice aquarium, but I didn't pay $50 to get into to see your run of the mill aquarium.

At peak season in July the place was pratically deserted around dinnertime.

I never said you weren't entitled to your opinion. I just wish people would state their opinions as such and not great truths that apply for everyone. Secondly, you paid $50 to get into Epcot, which features a decent aquarium as one of its many attractions. I wouldn't pay $5 to get into TLS (or any single attraction at Epcot, for that matter), but as a whole it is a nice bonus.

Also, on most days, ALL of future world is deserted around dinnertime except for TestTrack. No big surprise there.

But let's get positive here. I agree that a new attraction at TLS would be nice, but in all honesty, what could be done to "fix" the pavillion? It's not like you can just shut the aquarium down and drain the tank. Where are you going to stash the animals? Would rehabbing the tank area even help? They're pretty much stuck with what they have. If they were going to drain and re-do the whole thing, they should just move all the animals to AK, where it truly belongs, and build a new pavillion in TLS's spot.

 

[stingrock23]

I think Stormrider would be a great addition to Epcot. I also think TLS needs to be updated somehow. Now what could be done? I'm not sure exactly, but i'm sure Disney could think of something. Man, i realize change is good and will happen, but i really miss Epcot of the 80's early 90's. Epcot's really just a shell of what it used to be.

 

[DisneyCane]

I don't think that stormrider would be a good addition to epcot (another park maybe). If people think that stormrider would make body wars look like crap don't you think that Mission:Space will make them both look like crap. How many simulator rides can they have at Epcot. A Soarin' over would be ok because that's not meant to be thrilling, it's just supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable. They should add another good dark ride to future world and then add a roller coaster to world showcase. Maybe they can use the stormrider ride system to rehab body wars.

They do need to add something. As an AP holder, the only park in WDW that is an all day park is MK. I can do the good stuff at AK, MGM and Epcot all in one day (with good timing). They need more rides at all three of those (not all E-tickets, a few E-tickets with good dark rides mixed in would be fine) so that people like me would need to spend a week every time I go to WDW instead of a weekend. That's how they can make more money per customer.

 

[RobFL]

While capitalizing on your time is a goal, the fact that you even wander into the other parks is considered an accomplishment.

They figure every time you go into a park, for any reason, you're going to spend money on something.

Well, a lot of times, for most people, this is true. Drinks, food, some cute souvenier that catches your eye. Thus, their theory works.

They would like all the parks to be full-day destinations though, for all guests - not jsut those new to the parks.

I think the area needing the most work is still AK for obvious reasons. As a passholder (before i was an employee) I am never tempted to venture into the park. It just doesn't have anything I haven't already seen.

I recall in the other parks, seeing many USF (a tampa college) shirts over various holidays and weekends. I never recall seeing one at AK, most likely because Tampa has its own animal park.

So.. it needs something original..

Enough rambling

-Rob

 

[DisneyCane]

I know that wandering is a good thing but the problem is that I spend 3 days at WDW instead of 7. If I had to spend 7, I'd spend a lot more money even though admission and parking is free.