Oh believe me, it is all that and more. Darker, but with `comical` interludes so as to make it not too scary (comical as in the singing busts, not in the one liners of dear departed AE) - it can be taken on so many levels by kids and adults. The main impression I got from fellow guests (and I admit myself on my first ride) was one of shear awe, being so used to the WDW version. I`m hoping (but won`t bank on it) some of the Paris ideas make it over to the MK (same as my hopes for SM, but thats OT) - `feautre` A-100 AAs, full colour ballroom dancers (the right way round of course!), visual effects that still look state of the art 15 years later, a great lighting scheme as opposed to variations of orange or blue... a wish list I know, but hey!
And it never occured to me the major show scene change I heard muttered could be the staircase. I had other ideas, but yes - there is scope (and space) for it.