Ok look here is a list of my problems with M:S :
1) Convoluted Story: We are supposed to believe that when we enter the ISTC we are 20 years in the future and we are hear to ride a simulator to see what it feels like to go into space. Let me ask you this...what the hell is the point of this sloppy (not to mention unnecessary) story? I mean why try to make a story when your just telling people up front your just gonna spin around in a simulator? It seems like they originally had a plan to tell a story with this ride but then the budget got slashed up (thanks eisner) and they just took the basic outline and just threw something together. I mean whats the point of those fake pictures on the wall in the hallway that say things like "first family in space" and stuff..it just draws a ??? in peoples heads and irritates me to no end. half a$$ story.
2) poor ride video: Then once you finally get on this much hyped attraction you'll notice how terribly fake the ride film actually looks. It looks like Pixar's rough CG tests from the early 90s or something. Hell my Playstation 2 can generate much more realistic looking footage in real time!
3) End seats: I dont know if they toned this down yet but as far as I know its extremly uncomfortable to sit at the end seats because thoes little a/c fans keep blowing in your face which gets annoying after five seconds.
4) Where is the interactivity?: One of the early hyped features of the ride was that the ride would feature interactivity to appeal to the "<a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=24&k=video%20game" onmouseover="window.status='video game'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">video game</a>" generation. Well obviously any true interactivity was slashed out of the budget because I dont really see how I interact with the ride other then pretending to be space ranger and pushing the flashing button when it tells me to. Also, let me say something..I am part of this "video game" generation and I will say the reason Disney isnt interesting to people of my generation isnt because of lack of interaction..ITS BECAUSE THE IMMERSION AND QUALITY OF THE ATTRACTIONS ISNT THERE! There is a reason why rides like Indiana Jones and Haunted Mansion are so popular while rides like Stitch arent. Anyway getting back to interactivity. Remember at the end of Horizons you could pick what video ending you wanted (majority rules of course)? That was real interactivity.
5) Totally overblown Hype: this pretty much speaks for itself but it really annoys me when Eisner goes around saying this is an "F-ticket!" ride and that its lightyears above any other attraction in existence. I think part of the reason I dont like the ride as much is because of people like Eisner overhyping a ride that has had its budget slashed in half (and then half again) and was poorly put together.
6) Ending? Im sorry but I dont consider hanging off a cliff and then a bunch of people poping up on the screen saying "congradulations welcome to mars!" an ending.
Now that I cant think of any complaints about the ride at the moment I will say what I like about the ride:
1) The Building: Its such a fantastic design and I love looking at it because everytime I do I notice some new feature on it.
2) Upgradability: I think this is the real key here. The fact that they can reporgram the ride and give it a new film. I know there is a rumor on screamscape that they are planing to give M:S a new mission every few years which I think is very exciting if it turns out to be true.
3) Technology: The technology used in the ride is great and really gives good g-force sensations. Its just too bad it doesnt have the video/story to make it a complete immersive experience.
Also keep in mind my attentions are not to attack or fight with anyone on the board. I totally respect everyones opinions however I wanted to explain why I feel M:S, while an alright ride, should not be considered a true "e-ticket" attraction.
