Really? Tower has a LOT of wow factor to me I'm suprised you don't think it does. I love Splash I'm by no means Splash for the record.
I love a lot about ToT, don't get me wrong. I love seeing from far away, I love the detail outside, I love the detail inside. It's great.
My lack of "WOW!" though comes from the fact that it had been around a few years before I rode it. Because of all I heard, I really was expecting something more like Splash Mountain - where the drop was at the end of a longer ride that built up to it. Whereas there is a brief show on the way up, a brief show at the top, then drop. So it was largely my own expectations - I love dark rides, they are my primary reason for visiting WDW, and I simply thought there would be more of it.
Everest is similar. If there were a show scene or two inside the mountain I'd be much less critical of it.
I don't post much but man AEfx has something against Disney. It's ok to say things have been stagnant lately, but to say Universal is kicking Disney's butt, no. I got to both parks when I go to Orlando. I love Harry Potter, but that doesn't make up for everything else at the park. Really, Storm Teacups? That's super innovative. Dr Doom fall, T2, Jimmy Neutron, and Shrek? Come on, I would prefer those rides over my local six flags, but at least be a little honest when making points. And so what if Universal is kicking Disney's butt, doesn't it make you the ultimate winner as a consumer? I bet your life is stressful.
Well, welcome occasional poster. And thank you for the insightful judgements on my experiences, integrity, and my life in general.
:hammer:
As others have pointed out, one does not need to "have something against Disney" to realize that when you compare, one for one, attraction to attraction, when it comes to the big stuff Universal has blown Disney out of the water since Spiderman opened.
Those attractions you list are minor. In fact, I haven't been on several of them - though I'd disagree, T2 is an amazing stage show, far better to me than, say, the Nemo show. And I have no particular affection to the Terminator franchise (I think the only one I have seen fully was T2 itself). But it's an action packed show with some really innovative effects, whereas Nemo is more a cheap copy of the Lion King broadway show.
But we aren't talking about the parks in general. I love WDW, or I wouldn't be an AP that lives over a thousand miles away. We are talking about in terms of the big new rides they have debuted. It's not just about technology, but application.
Truth be told, Disney would not DARE to build a ride like FJ. First they simply don't spend that kind of money anymore on ride sets, they would rather go fully with video whenever possible (or even on shows - like Monsters Inc Laff Floor? Inexcusable they are video screens and not animatronics). Second, they simply won't push that envelope - I've been fascinated with dark rides since I was a child, and I've always wondered what it would be like should someone actually exploit some of the exciting potential, as opposed to just viewing stuff from afar. Stuff gets in your face on FJ, it's actually scary - the closest Disney comes is Dinosaur (which is one of my all time favorite rides, in spite of the feelings some express that it is inferior).
Disney has rested on it's laurels since the 90's. The one really big thing they build, Everest, is an utter failure. While some disagree with me that the design itself was a problem (putting the Yeti where they did in the first place, where he should have been in the main chamber, etc.) but even those that disagree will mostly admit that yes, because of whatever failure (design, construction, etc.) the main selling point, the Yeti, does not work, yes, it's a tragic waste.
Instead, we get video screen attractions (MI:LF,Soarin', TSM), a billion dollars on "NEXT GEN" which seems to amount to a new way for them to get marketing data, and some junk thrown in queues so families don't have to face time together without distractions in line. The living character thing is cool - but it certainly isn't worth the billion.
They sort of get it over in CA. They are dumping loads of money into DCA and I can't wait to go back. But largely, when I go to WDW, I make the rounds of Pirates, HM, Splash, SSE, etc. The stuff I enjoy the most is the stuff back when someone at Disney cared a dang about being #1 - not just in $$, which they still are, but in creating fun, immersive experiences.
I don't think it's all gloom and doom. I'm very excited about TLM (and I think ours will be the best, if only for the exterior, even if the rumors of plusses over the CA version are not true). I'm really psyched about Mine Cars (though I'm going to miss my Snow White terribly!). I just hope Mine Cars has more show scenes than some have been implying lately. Avatar...well, we will have to see. I couldn't care less for the theme (I refuse to call it a franchise, it's not, at least yet), but if great "WOW" attractions come out of it, so be it. I'll be a happy guy.
If they do what Disney always does lately, we will see a Soarin' clone with the screen below you as well as in front, an elaborate meet'n'greet, and some stage show. I'd love to see something amazing, but at this point Disney hasn't really tried to be amazing in a decade in a half. Universal may not build a lot of new stuff, but when they do - generally it's amazing.
Consistently, the top theme park rides in the world are considered Spiderman and FJ. On those lists, you also see PotC, HM - all rides that are older than many of us. Even ToT is nearly 20 years old now. You won't see "Toy Story Mania" anywhere on a "best of" list unless it's "best things to do in MGM for families with kids who can't ride the big rides".
I don't hate Disney - I love them. But it's like loving someone who is wasting away because they have become complacent and just aren't willing to live life anymore. There is only so much you can do until you have to admit the truth - they still are the greatest theme parks in the world, but the greatest attractions are being made elsewhere. And the sad part is, Disney seems just fine with that, as long as people keep paying $35/head for character meals and buying $200 Princess makeovers.
