I’ve been optimistic and excited for this ride since its announcement. I thought it was time to give the ride a facelift, and I’m a huge Princess and the Frog fan. That said, I’d say this is a downgrade, which is not what I expected to say yesterday. I do love the new animatronic, and I am happy with the look of the exterior of the mountain. Unfortunately, the lift is done poorly, which destroys the climax of the ride. There is no excitement, no anxiety, no fear, and no reason to be going up there anyway. I will never understand not using Friends on the Other Side as it builds suspense and fun. I can’t believe how blank and wasted the space going up the hill feels. Choosing the lighter route could have worked if they made it more like an actual party. All it would have taken was bottles strung the entire way up, but they could have done so much more. Animatronics looking excited or anxious as they waved you to the party. Fireflies zipping over the edge. Something, anything! They route they chose is so bland. Also, the 3D characters on the screens are not as beautiful as their 2D counterparts, and I’m confused why they went that direction. I don’t hate the screens, but I do hate that they didn’t animate the characters as we recognize them.
Super disappointed.