WDWMAGIC Space Mountain soft opening report and detailed overview

[Mansion Butler]

(BTW, I'm guilty multiple times in this message board of having the same tone I'm speaking out against in this thread. I just felt like being realistic today.)

 

[joel_maxwell]

Im not a financial expert, but I just cant see how it would have broken the bank to implemented on-board audio.

Hopefully one day. Like I said, it is a healthy debate.

AHHH, I do this all the time. When I typed "wouldn't" I miss the apostrophe sometimes and auto-correct makes it would.

I meant to say "wouldn't break the bank". So sorry for the confusion to my point I was making.

I respond to this in a separate post because it's an interesting concept I was thinking about today unrelated to whether or not Disney is obligated to spend more money than they have to.

The first is that I think we assume too much by saying the money could have been spent on Space Mountain. Perhaps it would have broken the bank. I don't know, I doubt it, but I don't know, so I'm not going to assume.

Or, perhaps the money is going to be spent elsewhere, instead of simply hoarded. And if this is true, I would see this as A REALLY GOOD THING. Just like the previous scenario, I don't know, so I wont' assume, but it's a likeable outcome. And I'm not talking about on-board audio, since I don't want that, but bear with me here. Let's say they had 100 million they could spend, and originally could have spent it on Space Mountain and planned on spending it on Space Mountain. Instead, what if they just did the refurb they got and put that money somewhere else on property. I personally felt Space was pretty close to perfect already, and if there's limited money, I'd rather it get spent on several hundred projects ahead of something that's already damn awesome anyway.

This is a tangent, but whatever. It's a hopeful one. If they decided to spend less on Space Mountain because they wanted to spend more on Journey into Imagination (random example), that's terrific. Space Mountain was awesome before the refurb, that can't be said of everything.

I doubt it too. See above....

Secondly, that was another point I was making. I have no idea of the numbers WDW brings in and what goes out. So, If they cut the SM budget until they have cash to complete things like on-board audio instead of borrowing it... so be it. Again, I cant speak that language since it is so far out of my league in $$$.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I respond to this in a separate post because it's an interesting concept I was thinking about today unrelated to whether or not Disney is obligated to spend more money than they have to.

The first is that I think we assume too much by saying the money could have been spent on Space Mountain. Perhaps it would have broken the bank. I don't know, I doubt it, but I don't know, so I'm not going to assume.

Or, perhaps the money is going to be spent elsewhere, instead of simply hoarded. And if this is true, I would see this as A REALLY GOOD THING. Just like the previous scenario, I don't know, so I wont' assume, but it's a likeable outcome. And I'm not talking about on-board audio, since I don't want that, but bear with me here. Let's say they had 100 million they could spend, and originally could have spent it on Space Mountain and planned on spending it on Space Mountain. Instead, what if they just did the refurb they got and put that money somewhere else on property. I personally felt Space was pretty close to perfect already, and if there's limited money, I'd rather it get spent on several hundred projects ahead of something that's already damn awesome anyway.

This is a tangent, but whatever. It's a hopeful one. If they decided to spend less on Space Mountain because they wanted to spend more on Journey into Imagination (random example), that's terrific. Space Mountain was awesome before the refurb, that can't be said of everything.

It's a good theory....but it's false. THey don't operate that way, to my understanding. It seems that all the money that they save is being used by them...for them.

 

[billybastion]

Exactly.


Hell, it's regular guests too. Had a very good talk today with a peer about Disney...and the public does see the quality slipping. It's not just us.

Why do they owe us, exactly?

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Why do they owe us, exactly?

Owe is a funny word. It's not really concurrent with it's meaning here, seeing that this is a buisness, and all....but, a shot.

They "owe" us the same quality and same "feeling" that got us hooked in the first place. We are drawn to them for a certain reason. For a certain feeling. For a certain type of connection that we've established with them.

We are the people that have stuck with the company for so many years, and for so many reasons. Why disturb that?

They "owe" us, what we originally paid for, and in turn, the same type of Magic that they created.

 

[Figment632]

Why do they owe us, exactly?

For the thousands of dollars I spend every year in thier parks!

 

[_Scar]

Can't believe the ride still isn't smooth... when you think of BTMR you think out of control... when you think of space do you think bumpy? :shrug:


:fork:

grr

 

[Mansion Butler]

They "owe" us the same quality and same "feeling" that got us hooked in the first place.

I disagree. It would be nice, but they don't. They owe us common human decency, but that's not providing top-notch entertainment. They do owe us our money's worth, and if we're not getting our money's worth, we owe it to ourselves to spend it elsewhere.

We are the people that have stuck with the company for so many years, and for so many reasons. Why disturb that?

It's probably poor business to continue to disturb that, but, again, they don't owe it to anyone not to.

 

[Mansion Butler]

Can't believe the ride still isn't smooth... when you think of BTMR you think out of control... when you think of space do you think bumpy?

Maybe you don't, but I'll bet any astronaut will tell you you should.

 

[_Scar]

Maybe you don't, but I'll bet any astronaut will tell you you should.

How is space bumpy. Maybe if there were astroids... but no astroids in sight. Just darkness.

So, how does that explain bumpyness?

 

[Mansion Butler]

How is space bumpy. Maybe if there were astroids... but no astroids in sight. Just darkness.

So, how does that explain bumpyness?

Propulsion through space is not a steady thing, there's a lot of force being wildly expelled at once. Check out the simulator, as many have mentioned, at the Kennedy Space Center and you'll see what people mean when they have mentioned this same point in this same argument on this same board a thousand times. It's also why the moon rockets last year were outfitted with shock absorbers.

I would like a smoother ride, too, but space travel is, in fact, bumpy (with current technology).

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Propulsion through space is not a steady thing, there's a lot of force being wildly expelled at once. Check out the simulator, as many have mentioned, at the Kennedy Space Center and you'll see what people mean when they have mentioned this same point in this same argument on this same board a thousand times. It's also why the moon rockets last year were outfitted with shock absorbers.

I would like a smoother ride, too, but space travel is, in fact, bumpy (with current technology).

Ah, but there's the difference. SM is supposed to be based on the future, not the present, so while space travel with today's technology is bumpy, in the future, we've always been told and shown it to be smooth. Therefore, I believe, along with many others, that an attraction based on future space travel should be as smooth as possible with little to no bumpiness. :shrug:

 

[Mansion Butler]

Ah, but there's the difference. SM is supposed to be based on the future, not the present, so while space travel with today's technology is bumpy, in the future, we've always been told and shown it to be smooth. Therefore, I believe, along with many others, that an attraction based on future space travel should be as smooth as possible with little to no bumpiness. :shrug:

That seems like taking a possibility and turning it in to an assumption worth complaining about. I'm fine wanting a smoother ride, I'm not fine with labeling it inaccurate.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Why do they owe us, exactly?

They owe us for the level of entertainment we expect when purchasing our ticket. Otherwise we don't purchase the ticket.

If Disney becomes stagnant, falls into a total state of disrepair, and continues to up ticket prices they will see a drop off in attendance.

What has become frustrating is that the mentality lately has seemed to be what is the least we can do, while still maintaining attendance. The striving for more is lacking.

There was a time when they would have fired back at Universal after building Spiderman, not because it drew attendance away from Disney (because it really didn't), but because Disney should have the best attractions. Islands of Adventure was horrible for Disney's confidence, it made them cocky, and content with the status quo, as some of the attractions over there are far better than their Disney counterparts.

Part of the advantage Disney has had over the likes of Universal and it's other competitors, is that Disney has this amazing marketing machine that drives the company. I think had Disney been in charge of marketing Islands of Adventure it would have done much better from the start.

Unfortunately, Disney has seemingly learned that it's not always about quality, it's about the perception of quality.

 

[EpcotServo]

Launch is bumpy.

Space isn't bumpy. No Friction.


Unless you're being fired at by photon torpedoes.








Pew pew! Zap!

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I disagree. It would be nice, but they don't. They owe us common human decency, but that's not providing top-notch entertainment. They do owe us our money's worth, and if we're not getting our money's worth, we owe it to ourselves to spend it elsewhere.

Again...if they want to be the company that DISNEY made itself, they DO owe us this, because they DID at one point. They have to live up to what they have become, and that's a paramount entertainment company that, right now acting like it ISN'T.

How is space bumpy. Maybe if there were astroids... but no astroids in sight. Just darkness.

So, how does that explain bumpyness?

Go to the Kenedy Space Center and ride the Shuttle Experience. Or watch a video. Or read about it. Information. Good.:wave:


Of course, this is fantasy....So I don't know if we have SRB's on our SM Orbiter.

They owe us for the level of entertainment we expect when purchasing our ticket. Otherwise we don't purchase the ticket.

If Disney becomes stagnant, falls into a total state of disrepair, and continues to up ticket prices they will see a drop off in attendance.

What has become frustrating is that the mentality lately has seemed to be what is the least we can do, while still maintaining attendance. The striving for more is lacking.

There was a time when they would have fired back at Universal after building Spiderman, not because it drew attendance away from Disney (because it really didn't), but because Disney should have the best attractions. Islands of Adventure was horrible for Disney's confidence, it made them cocky, and content with the status quo, as some of the attractions over there are far better than their Disney counterparts.

Part of the advantage Disney has had over the likes of Universal and it's other competitors, is that Disney has this amazing marketing machine that drives the company. I think had Disney been in charge of marketing Islands of Adventure it would have done much better from the start.

Unfortunately, Disney has seemingly learned that it's not always about quality, it's about the perception of quality.

EXACTLY! Could not have said it better.

Launch is bumpy.

Space isn't bumpy. No Friction.


Unless you're being fired at by photon torpedoes.








Pew pew! Zap!

Winner. You were right about Kennedy.:lol:

 

[Skyway]

Let's say they had 100 million they could spend, and originally could have spent it on Space Mountain and planned on spending it on Space Mountain. Instead, what if they just did the refurb they got and put that money somewhere else on property.

This raises a question I'd like to pose to Martin or the others who know what SM "could have been".

Was the Skyway station removal and the rehab of the washrooms included in the original SM plans and budget (with all the other bells and whistles that were cut)?

Assuming the exterior renovations came from the final SM rehab budget (and not some other project or division budget), in theory, the on-board audio and other upgrades were cut at the expense of the massive demolition project outside.

Would it have been better to upgrade the ride, but leave the abandoned Skyway building and the unsightly, cramped, congested entrance plaza---saving those improvements for some future date?

Or was it better to improve the infrastructure now, and postpone the ride upgrades for a future date?

Assuming they couldn't/wouldn't do both simultaneously, it makes sense to improve the guest flow first, before upgrading the ride. The opposite scenario would have been to to create a newly upgraded "attraction", which would have been highly publicized, which would have drawn even larger crowds, which would cram the entry plaza even worse than when SM was still a dated, unkempt ride.

 

[billybastion]

They do owe us our money's worth, and if we're not getting our money's worth, we owe it to ourselves to spend it elsewhere.

I agree completely. They owe us our money's worth, nothing more. If they aren't meeting our expectations or ideals, it is our responsibility to go elsewhere. Instead of complaining fruitlessly, do something about it by taking your wallet somewhere else.

 

[Exprcoofto]

My thoughts from today's preview:

Queue- I like the changes they did do, though the first room needs more theming including them removing the ugly ball pit. The games weren't running, some screens said to continue and others were off. The game controls are touch sensitive, they are not physical buttons. They have a nice system for the loading area queue, but they are having issues with dividing the line into two loading spots, though there is a sign that says to use both sides.

Ride- I like the new effect in the launch tunnel. The place of the camera is weird and OMEGA side camera was not lining up correctly. The cars themselves seem to be higher off the track and the seats have better back padding. Alpha seemed much more smooth compared to Omega which was quite the "ball busting" ride. It's a shame it wasn't smooth with new effects, on board audio, silent lifts, and new rentry tunnel. Oh yeah, on the tip of the X-1 ship at the top of the hill, it says H-NCH. The entire side of the ship seems to include new says and lights.

Post show- Unload area looks better, but not great. The show scenes are really nice. But the end of the walk back is way to bright and does not match the other changes, hoping it's still being worked on.

Entrance area- I like it open. Seems like some of the plants were dying. Hope once it grows in it will look better. The bathrooms are nice inside, but it looks like a backstage restroom, not an on stage one. Oh, there is no star tunnel in SM while on the TTA. The pardon our space dust is gone with a normal announcement. The narration is horrible, certainly going to see guest relations over it.

Posted from my iPhone.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

This raises a question I'd like to pose to Martin or the others who know what SM "could have been".

Was the Skyway station removal and the rehab of the washrooms included in the original SM plans and budget (with all the other bells and whistles that were cut)?

Assuming the exterior renovations came from the final SM rehab budget (and not some other project or division budget), in theory, the on-board audio and other upgrades were cut at the expense of the massive demolition project outside.

Would it have been better to upgrade the ride, but leave the abandoned Skyway building and the unsightly, cramped, congested entrance plaza---saving those improvements for some future date?

Or was it better to improve the infrastructure now, and postpone the ride upgrades for a future date?

Assuming they couldn't/wouldn't do both simultaneously, it makes sense to improve the guest flow first, before upgrading the ride. The opposite scenario would have been to to create a newly upgraded "attraction", which would have been highly publicized, which would have drawn even larger crowds, which would cram the entry plaza even worse than when SM was still a dated, unkempt ride.

The thing is....it ALL could, and should have been done. If this was the WDC of 10-12 years ago, everything would have been accounted for.

I agree completely. They owe us our money's worth, nothing more. If they aren't meeting our expectations or ideals, it is our responsibility to go elsewhere. Instead of complaining fruitlessly, do something about it by taking your wallet somewhere else.

I'm certainly doing that....:wave::lol:

My thoughts from today's preview:

Queue- I like the changes they did do, though the first room needs more theming including them removing the ugly ball pit. The games weren't running, some screens said to continue and others were off. The game controls are touch sensitive, they are not physical buttons. They have a nice system for the loading area queue, but they are having issues with dividing the line into two loading spots, though there is a sign that says to use both sides.

Ride- I like the new effect in the launch tunnel. The place of the camera is weird and OMEGA side camera was not lining up correctly. The cars themselves seem to be higher off the track and the seats have better back padding. Alpha seemed much more smooth compared to Omega which was quite the "ball busting" ride. It's a shame it wasn't smooth with new effects, on board audio, silent lifts, and new rentry tunnel. Oh yeah, on the tip of the X-1 ship at the top of the hill, it says H-NCH. The entire side of the ship seems to include new says and lights.

Post show- Unload area looks better, but not great. The show scenes are really nice. But the end of the walk back is way to bright and does not match the other changes, hoping it's still being worked on.

Entrance area- I like it open. Seems like some of the plants were dying. Hope once it grows in it will look better. The bathrooms are nice inside, but it looks like a backstage restroom, not an on stage one. Oh, there is no star tunnel in SM while on the TTA. The pardon our space dust is gone with a normal announcement. The narration is horrible, certainly going to see guest relations over it.

Posted from my iPhone.

Good thoughts, glad you liked it.


However, the bolded....Is there a new line for SM? Whose voice does it use?


Also...loving the Tweets. :wave: