What did you think of Toy Story Mania (during previews)?

[DisneyCane]

I though the ride was good. Not an "E" ticket but certainly a solid "D" ticket. The queue is very well done. My only problem with it is that since the whole maze is in the same room (Andy's room) you see everything from the moment you get in. Because of this, I don't think I'd want to wait in there very long. Even with a relatively fast moving line (we got real lucky and went over around 4:00 which must have been pretty soon after they reopened because we didn't even have to wait in the whole indoor maze) I heard a few repeats of Mr. Potatohead jokes. They also need to work on the camera system because he was confusing colors of shirt a few time (he thought pink was white and blue was purple).

As for the ride itself, it was fun. Basically a glorified (but cool) video game. The 3D adds to it especially if you cross paths of whatever you are shooting with your car mate. The downside is that it is too short to wait much longer than 1/2 hour for. I don't know why people complain that you can see the other vehicles. It is supposed to be a carnival midway so you would know there are other games nearby. The cars are very cool.

One thing that was great was that the ride stopped while we were on it but still in front of the game (basically it didn't advance to the next game). It left the game up (balloon dart game) but changed all the values to zero. So, you can still play during a stop and get all the effects but not rack up ten zillion points unfairly like during a buzz lightyear stop.

The only "bad" thing I'll complain about is the resolution of the graphics. You can clearly see the "screen door" pattern of the projectors. It might be a high definition picture but you are so close to the screen that it really needs to be higher definition. It would have taken some serious work and computing power but each screen should have been multiple HD projectors used together to create an ultra-high definition image (or they could have used one of sony or JVC's 4K projectors that have 4 times HD resolution). The graphics rendering would take A LOT more computer horsepower but it would have pushed the ride over the edge in quality.

This is definitely a good addition to the Studios but not something on the level of EE at Animal Kingdom that will drastically increase attendence. If they do Star Tours 2 and make it a true "blow you away" E-ticket, add a few more Pixar based solid D-Tickets and maybe add an Indy ride then the park will be worth a full day.

BTW, I haven't been to the studios in so long, when did they re-do RNR's queue so that standby waits mostly inside and the fastpass/standby merge happens at the "recording studio" loading area?

 

[Master Yoda]

I rode this attraction 4 times during the Saturday AP preview. The line was consistently in the 45-60 minute wait range all day. The queue is incredibly detailed and will make the time go by much quicker. The Mr Potato head animatronic was very good but once you have seen it several times it does loose its appeal. I am not sure if they were running him with a limited vocabulary but his act was pretty much the same on every trip through. The props are incredibly detailed. One thing I noticed is that no two crayons are identical except for a few "unused ones". All the rest have different wear patterns on the tip. The only criticism I could have and this is nitpicking was the Lincoln logs. They had a glass smooth finish with the only texture being the faux paint. The color also seems a bit off to me as well but that would depend on if you are looking at new Lincoln logs vs. the older ones. About the only thing that concerns me about the queue is that all the props are in easy reach of even the smallest guest and I wonder how long it will stay in pristine condition. I can see a lot of wear and tear on these touchable items once 10,000 guests a day start filling through the queue. Hopefully there is a cash of back-up playing cards and crayons so the worn once can be replaced during nightly maintenance.

We did see several cars not unlock the safety bars when they reached the unload and have to be manually unlocked. On the first ride our guns did not work so we were able to get into another car shortly after. The CM's also seemed a bit confused on how to effectively use the single riders line as I saw many vehicles go out with an empty seat. All of which was to be expected during a preview.

The 3D in this ride is simply incredible. There is none of the typically blur or double vision that you can see like on Muppet's. It looks like you are shooting into a 20' booth but when you lift up your glasses the screen is only a few feet from your face. The pull string cannons are much better than the guns on Buzz. With a little practice you will be able to find the sweet spot in the trigger and you will be able to rapid fire my simply clenching and unclench your fist. The guns location also adjusts relative to the lap bar restraint which allows riders of small stature the ability to comfortably reach the guns unlike Buzz where they are have to sit on the edge of their seat if they can reach at all.

If you are very sensitive to motion sickness this ride can get to you a little. It is nothing like the Tea cups or, or Primeval whirl, which kill me in one ride, but I was felling that twinge of motion sickness in my gut by ride number 4. It was not bad enough to stop me from riding over and over but there will be a select few that this could be an issue with.

I have heard a few reviews that have said this ride will have limited rerideability but I would respectfully disagree. If you have even the slightest bit of competitiveness in you the attraction will become as addictive as a video game. Even my wife who could care less about stuff like this wanted to go on it over and over again to try and improve her score.

 

[MousDad]

If you are very sensitive to motion sickness this ride can get to you a little. It is nothing like the Tea cups or, or Primeval whirl, which kill me in one ride, but I was felling that twinge of motion sickness in my gut by ride number 4. It was not bad enough to stop me from riding over and over but there will be a select few that this could be an issue with.

It's not like Flying Carpets at DQ is it? That one kills me.

 

[Master Yoda]

It's not like Flying Carpets at DQ is it? That one kills me.

I did not have any issue wit the Flying carpets at DQ so I would say no. I only get motion sickness when I am spinning and I can see that I am spinning. The tea cups and primeval whirl are a big no no for me. Rides like Dumbo and the Astro Orbiter will get to me just a little. I can do M:S all day long. TSMM got to me a little less than one of the Dumbo style rides.

 

[EpcotServo]

Glad you liked it Master Yoda!
:wave:

 

[speck76]

I did not have any issue wit the Flying carpets at DQ so I would say no. I only get motion sickness when I am spinning and I can see that I am spinning. The tea cups and primeval whirl are a big no no for me. Rides like Dumbo and the Astro Orbiter will get to me just a little. I can do M:S all day long. TSMM got to me a little less than one of the Dumbo style rides.

I saw your wife while in line on Saturday - assumed you were near but did not see you

 

[sknydave]

Anyone know if this is going to be open tomorrow? (or if it's been open every day lately)

 

[Master Yoda]

I saw your wife while in line on Saturday - assumed you were near but did not see you

You should have said hi. You are one of my Disney friends that she actually likes. I saw Photodave with his fiance. I was in a ride vehicle and he was in the queue. We said hi he introduced us and we were suddenly whisked away.

 

[speck76]

I was near the log cabin and I saw her on the way back from almost seeing Mr Potato Head -

I am sure I will see you both during Star Wars weekends

 

[PhotoDave219]

You should have said hi. You are one of my Disney friends that she actually likes. I saw Photodave with his fiance. I was in a ride vehicle and he was in the queue. We said hi he introduced us and we were suddenly whisked away.

Heh... well i saw you during load and tried to wave as we were in Single-riders line.

We ended up going off and meeting up with her parents and then going to see Block Party. Things are looking up at the studios.

 

[Master Yoda]

I was near the log cabin and I saw her on the way back from almost seeing Mr Potato Head -

I am sure I will see you both during Star Wars weekends

Unfortunately we will not be at SWW this year unless they lift the seasonal blackout.

 

[figment1988]

i went on the cast member previews and to be honest it was like if Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin were to be mixed with the quick madness of the Warioware series (for those who don't know, the warioware series involves Mario's former rival Wario who makes players go through mini-games that have to be completed in a ridiculously short amount of time).

 

[DisneyJunkie]

Ok, the more I think about it, the more I have to ask......why is it called "Toy Story MIDWAY Mania" as opposed to the simpler "Toy Story Mania"? What's the significance to "midway"?

 

[wdwmagic]

Ok, the more I think about it, the more I have to ask......why is it called "Toy Story MIDWAY Mania" as opposed to the simpler "Toy Story Mania"? What's the significance to "midway"?

Midway refers to the type of games that are played.

 

[speck76]

are you sure it is not because it is "midway" between the entrance and LMA?

:lookaroun

 

[Master Yoda]

Ok, the more I think about it, the more I have to ask......why is it called "Toy Story MIDWAY Mania" as opposed to the simpler "Toy Story Mania"? What's the significance to "midway"?

mid·way
–adverb, adjective 1. in the middle of the way or distance; halfway.
–noun 2. a place or part situated midway.
3. (often initial capital letter) the place or way, as at a fair or carnival, on or along which sideshows and similar amusements are located.
4. the amusements, concessions, etc., located on or around this place or way.

[Origin: bef. 900; ME midwei, OE midweg; see mid1, way1; def. 3 and 4 after the Midway Plaisance, the main thoroughfare of the World Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893]

 

[Disneygirl91395]

Not going till august guess im gona have to wait:shrug:



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[darthjohnny]

I just got back from a trip.

I loved it! Even after waiting 100 minutes on line. It was so fun. The effects were great and I thought the track set up was neat (those switch tracks were really innovative, especially for a dark ride).

Now I got to work on getting my score up and finding all the hidden easter eggs.

One thing that was odd was in the line with the 2 double exit doors. If you accidently open it, it opens all four doors. Why is this? Was this something left over from Millionaire?

 

[Hannah Montana]

We rode Tuesday and absolutely loved it. We had about a 30 minute wait when we got there at 9:30, and then got fast passes for a return at 11. I do wish I would have had more time at each station to play and take it all in, but by our second ride my husband had gotten a hang of it and scored over 500,000. We all loved the theming in the queue and on the ride, and while we love Buzz Lightyear at MK, found this a lot easier to play and enjoy. I think it is a ride you could ride over and over again and have a different experience every time.

 

[socalkdg]

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