The ride would work much better if Something There and the Ballroom were divided into two segments the approximate length of Be Our Guest and the Mob/Transformation sequence. By perhaps giving us a peek into the Library and seeing Sultan or Babette/Fifi/Featherduster, or passing by Belle's room just to see the Wardrobe before going outside, the Something There sequence would feel less like a "Luigi's/MMRR Dance Studio" Sequence and could have a small bit of that element, but become more of a tour of the castle, which is what the ride promises.
I also think there there is a missed opportunity in ceding Ballroom time for a Gaston animatronic grappling with Beast in a wrestle, their waists-down hidden by a balcony railing and rolling on a dolly track as Gaston is pushed over the edge by Beast. It could turn into shadow projection of Beast sparing Gaston, and then Gaston rearing back to stab Beast and falling to his demise. The projection could even go on a wall just by the Enchanted Rose and that "transforming painting' from BoG restaurant to add visual interest. Lightning could crash as we turn around to watch the transformation. Does anyone know if there is a rain/mister effect here in-vehicle? It seems they get away with being in the castle still while watching events transpire on a balcony, but being "outside" would increase immersion greatly (though might ruin the window conceit for the tech of the transformation).
Little "corridor scenes" that connect the big set pieces would have the effect of shortening the two too-long sequences of the attraction while adding movement and discovery. As this is a book report ride, the only way BatB works, focusing on the moments of high drama, like the battle sequence, could give the ride a lot more excitement and payoff much more properly. I find this to be the main problem with Under The Sea, too, it's missing an Ursula defeat moment and merges from one slow-moving scene to the next. If you're going to give us a book report, give us the REPORT, don't skim over the exciting parts. Splash doesn't, Snow White doesn't (rip), Pinnocchio and Alice don't in DL- even Winnie The Pooh doesn't, and these rides are largely considered overall successful.
I find that some of the most effective animatronic ride sequences in the world work so well because, indeed, we pass by them quickly in theatrical lighting. The monsters in both Journey to the Center of the Earth and Roaring Rapids are both excellent because they're fluid and we see them do everything they can do in a few seconds. Disney rides have almost always worked better when lighting is reduced and theatrical, and when the vehicles are clipping along at a speedier pace, allowing us to continue drinking in new scenery instead of focusing too long on one animatronic. The Tiki Room and HoP, for example, suffer in a modern lens for similar reasons as this attraction does: we're sitting in the room for too long and begin to think about the mechanics. Same thing with the Under The Sea room, not enough changes within the room to be exciting. There is also something to be said about detail vs. darkness, but then again this doesn't work in Na'vi because we don't have enough interesting set pieces to draw focus: everything is similarly 'just pretty'.
If this ride ever gets a clone in WDW or DL (DL more likely - being in the BoG Ballroom and then the ride Ballroom will inevitably cause whiplash), I imagine that something will be done to remedy the pacing problems.
