The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

chadwpalm

chadwpalm

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Rich T said:
Just rode Tron at MK, and one of the things that baffles me is the incredible waste of space there. The area under the canopy feels so empty and lifeless. Why not design that whole plaza as a lively gathering place full of live music, food and supporting attractions? Instead they’ve created an enormous, sterile-looking walkway/ waiting area that feels cold, dull and disconnected from the rest of TL. Looked good on paper, I guess.
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I just watched a video of the ride (never got around to doing it) and it looks like such wasted potential inside and out.

If you are supposed to be digitized into the world of Tron and be immersed in it, why do they immediately take you back outside into the real world and let you see the roller coaster track and the swamps of Florida? Makes no sense. Then the whole ride is going through 5 gates and then you see a random red lightcycle crash and that's it?

It should have been a dual coaster where cycles are racing or coming into near collisions or something, and maybe weave around a full size Recognizer a la the AT-AT's on RotR. It's crazy to imagine a fully immersive RotR and this un-immersive ride both came from WDI.

And seriously, if you took a drink anytime the word "user" is seen or heard you'd be smashed by the end of the ride.
 
Phroobar

Phroobar

Well-Known Member
chadwpalm said:
I just watched a video of the ride (never got around to doing it) and it looks like such wasted potential inside and out.

If you are supposed to be digitized into the world of Tron and be immersed in it, why do they immediately take you back outside into the real world and let you see the roller coaster track and the swamps of Florida? Makes no sense. Then the whole ride is going through 5 gates and then you see a random red lightcycle crash and that's it?

It should have been a dual coaster where cycles are racing or coming into near collisions or something, and maybe weave around a full size Recognizer a la the AT-AT's on RotR. It's crazy to imagine a fully immersive RotR and this un-immersive ride both came from WDI.

And seriously, if you took a drink anytime the word "user" is seen or heard you'd be smashed by the end of the ride.
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In many ways the World of Tron on the Peoplemover was better.

 
Rich T

Rich T

Well-Known Member
chadwpalm said:
I just watched a video of the ride (never got around to doing it) and it looks like such wasted potential inside and out.

If you are supposed to be digitized into the world of Tron and be immersed in it, why do they immediately take you back outside into the real world and let you see the roller coaster track and the swamps of Florida? Makes no sense. Then the whole ride is going through 5 gates and then you see a random red lightcycle crash and that's it?

It should have been a dual coaster where cycles are racing or coming into near collisions or something, and maybe weave around a full size Recognizer a la the AT-AT's on RotR. It's crazy to imagine a fully immersive RotR and this un-immersive ride both came from WDI.

And seriously, if you took a drink anytime the word "user" is seen or heard you'd be smashed by the end of the ride.
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I found Tron to be a mediocre, half-baked experience, for many of the reasons you mention. The outdoor track is the best part of the ride, and—like you said—it immediately destroys all the previous que/boarding attempts to immerse riders in the Grid. And then the indoor portion of the ride is very forgettable both as a coaster and as a themed experience. Underwhelming, and—despite the huge show building, it feels very cramped and small. The annoying stereotypical “computer voice” counting down the five gates (it only takes seconds) just draws attention to how short the ride is, and then you get a finale with the screeniest screens that ever screened.

The lockers were more impressive than the ride. For THIS they shut down the charming, iconic and much-needed park railroad for YEARS.
 
Chad Thundercaulk

Chad Thundercaulk

Member
Rich T said:
I found Tron to be a mediocre, half-baked experience, for many of the reasons you mention. The outdoor track is the best part of the ride, and—like you said—it immediately destroys all the previous que/boarding attempts to immerse riders in the Grid. And then the indoor portion of the ride is very forgettable both as a coaster and as a themed experience. Underwhelming, and—despite the huge show building, it feels very cramped and small. The annoying stereotypical “computer voice” counting down the five gates (it only takes seconds) just draws attention to how short the ride is, and then you get a finale with the screeniest screens that ever screened.

The lockers were more impressive than the ride. For THIS they shut down the charming, iconic and much-needed park railroad for YEARS.
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Was the queue as ugly and boring as it is in China? Went to the Grand Opening in Shanghai and pieces of concrete were crumbling off of 7 Dwarves, and the Tron queue wasn't even finished, did they at least do better in Florida? The best part of that whole ride is the launch, super cool, but it's all downhill from there.
 
mickEblu

mickEblu

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Them getting rid of the Mirage in Vegas is like them getting rid of Splash at DL. As a kid who went to Vegas and with his family fairly often from the late 80s to early 2000’s it holds a special place In my heart. Vegas in the 90s was a lot of fun for kids. Hoping certain elements like the atrium and aquarium in the lobby survive.
 
BuzzedPotatoHead89

BuzzedPotatoHead89

Well-Known Member
mickEblu said:
Them getting rid of the Mirage in Vegas is like them getting rid of Splash at DL. As a kid who went to Vegas and with his family fairly often from the late 80s to early 2000’s it holds a special place In my heart. Vegas in the 90s was a lot of fun for kids. Hoping certain elements like the atrium and aquarium in the lobby survive.
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It is ironic that both opened in 1989 which also is the year I was born. Sincerely hope this isn’t a bad omen. Lol.

The mirage was one of my favorite childhood hotels as well and I must confess the new plans for it feel very… uninspired. I hope it ends up better than MGM, Treasure Island, Luxor, all of which are shells of their old selves.
 
mickEblu

mickEblu

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
BuzzedPotatoHead89 said:
It is ironic that both opened in 1989 which also is the year I was born. Sincerely hope this isn’t a bad omen. Lol.

The mirage was one of my favorite childhood hotels as well and I must confess the new plans for it feel very… uninspired. I hope it ends up better than MGM, Treasure Island, Luxor, all of which are shells of their old selves.
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Whoa! I knew both opened in 1989 but somehow failed to make that connection.

I haven’t even looked at the plans but I know they re getting rid of the volcano. Yeah all shells of their former selves. Not sure why nothing is allowed to have character anymore. From McDonalds to Ralph Brennan’s to a Vegas Hotels.
 
BuzzedPotatoHead89

BuzzedPotatoHead89

Well-Known Member
mickEblu said:
Whoa! I knew both opened in 1989 but somehow failed to make that connection.

I haven’t even looked at the plans but I know they re getting rid of the volcano. Yeah all shells of their former selves. Not sure why nothing is allowed to have character anymore. From McDonalds to Ralph Brennan’s to a Vegas Hotels.
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I’ve always felt Americans have had an obsession with sterile/clean/modern architectural styles because there’s a general feeling/sense shedding themes evokes a more “elegant/upscale” clientele and sensibilities. Hence why it seems there’s a movement to de-emphasize thematic integrity/differences even in urban planning which is unfortunate given America is a melting pot.

It’s why most of our Downtown buildings and structures when cities are gentrified look like something out of a post-modern art book vs the more classical architectural styles still found in most of the rest of the world.
 
PiratesMansion

PiratesMansion

Well-Known Member
mickEblu said:
Them getting rid of the Mirage in Vegas is like them getting rid of Splash at DL. As a kid who went to Vegas and with his family fairly often from the late 80s to early 2000’s it holds a special place In my heart. Vegas in the 90s was a lot of fun for kids. Hoping certain elements like the atrium and aquarium in the lobby survive.
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I made it to the Mirage for the first time last year and actually thought it was a pretty nice and pleasant place, compared to a lot of the other casinos that were bigger and louder but ultimately less interesting.

While I might have missed something as a first-timer to the area, my impression wasn't exactly that Vegas was drowning in nice, interesting resorts. In fact, Vegas honestly kinda reminded me of WDW as a whole-big, loud, expensive, and with a vague sense that everything was better a decade ago. There's a lot of places I would choose to redo before the Mirage.

I mean, Treasure Island is right there just begging to be demo'd. I'm just saying.
 
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mickEblu

mickEblu

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
PiratesMansion said:
I made it to the Mirage for the first time last year and actually thought it was a pretty nice and pleasant place, compared to a lot of the other casinos that were bigger and louder but ultimately less interesting.

While I might have missed something as a first-timer to the area, my impression wasn't exactly that Vegas was drowning in nice, interesting resorts. It honestly kinda reminded me of WDW as a whole-big, loud, and expensive, and with a vague sense that everything was better a decade ago. There's a lot of places I would choose to redo before the Mirage.

I mean, Treasure Island is right there just begging to be demo'd. I'm just saying.
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It was even more interesting before they “modernized” it in the 2010’s. With that said they were able to keep most of the old school charm. Still miss my Caribe Cafe where we used to get breakfast and play Keno but those types of places have disappeared all over the strip in favor of more bars or trendy restaurants.
 
mickEblu

mickEblu

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
PiratesMansion said:
I made it to the Mirage for the first time last year and actually thought it was a pretty nice and pleasant place, compared to a lot of the other casinos that were bigger and louder but ultimately less interesting.

While I might have missed something as a first-timer to the area, my impression wasn't exactly that Vegas was drowning in nice, interesting resorts. It honestly kinda reminded me of WDW as a whole-big, loud, and expensive, and with a vague sense that everything was better a decade ago. There's a lot of places I would choose to redo before the Mirage.

I mean, Treasure Island is right there just begging to be demo'd. I'm just saying.
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I know right? Knock yourself out with TI next door. Although I did always enjoying taking the PeopleMover over there from the Mirage to play at the arcade or watch the pirate show in front of the hotel.

And your comparison to WDW is good. I definitely prefer the Vegas of my youth which happens to be the time period that they decided to make Vegas more family friendly. Always loved the Tropical theme of the Mirage. From the coconut scent they pumped in the lobby with the long aquarium behind the front desk to the atrium, White Tigers, Dolphins and Volcano show out front. Then of course the Mirage Pool to a kid in the 80s/ 90s was a sight to behold with the waterfalls, palm trees and a water slide. Now pools like that are more common but back then it was special even by adult standards. To this day, (or at least up until it closed) the Mirage had a certain charm that wasn’t replicated by newer resorts. As a young adult I grew fond of their sports book too and watched many a game their rooting for whatever team or horse I bet on.

In a way what they re doing to DTD is exactly what they ve done to Vegas. Erasing the character and charm that differentiated the resorts in favor of cleaner / sterile/ modern. Most people may not care and the food is probably better but fans of themed entertainment probably will miss the old stuff.

Of course my Dads generation talks about laments the loss of the “old” Vegas from the 60s and 70s the same way I lament the loss of 90s Vegas.
 
mickEblu

mickEblu

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
BuzzedPotatoHead89 said:
I’ve always felt Americans have had an obsession with sterile/clean/modern architectural styles because there’s a general feeling/sense shedding themes evokes a more “elegant/upscale” clientele and sensibilities. Hence why it seems there’s a movement to de-emphasize thematic integrity/differences even in urban planning which is unfortunate given America is a melting pot.

It’s why most of our Downtown buildings and structures when cities are gentrified look like something out of a post-modern art book vs the more classical architectural styles still found in most of the rest of the world.
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I will say I do love Mid Century Modern design when they go all in. But whatever is going on right now is just ugly/ sterile/ boxy and devoid of color.
 
chadwpalm

chadwpalm

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
The Mirage was bought out by Hard Rock. The concept is to make a giant guitar-shaped hotel out front:

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1683932094983.png
 
Rich T

Rich T

Well-Known Member
PiratesMansion said:
As much as the WDW Railroad being down for as long as it was was ridiculous, I don't know if the WDW Railroad brings enough to the table to be either of those things.
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Charming because it’s a beautiful real steam train with a fun conductor narration.

Iconic because the sight of it pulling into Main St. Station, accompanied by its wonderful whistle, represents MK better than anything that isn’t Cinderella Castle.

Also, MK guests really do need it as a transportation option. It’s absence was a big downgrade.

Of course, compared to the DL railroad, it’s a snooze fest. But a charming snooze fest. 😃
 

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