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Why Do People Prefer Indiana Jones to Dinosaur?
- Thread starter Poseidon Quest
- Start date
AdventureHasAName
Well-Known Member
For at least two generations (Baby Boomers and Gen X), Indiana Jones is an iconic character and Raiders of the Lost Ark is an all-time great film. The same is not true of Dinosaur (the film and the characters). It's like asking, "Why do people love Star Tours more than Body Wars?"
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Dinosaur is the same thing over and over. You’re shaking in the dark, you stop, the guy tells you what dinosaur you are looking at and then you do it again and again and again and again. It’s a contrived, repeated plot and there isn’t much to look at.
Indiana Jones Adventure is a series of different booby traps but each is different enough. There are show sets you can see around you, not just darkness, and what you are seeing isn’t dependent on stopping to be told.
Indiana Jones Adventure is a series of different booby traps but each is different enough. There are show sets you can see around you, not just darkness, and what you are seeing isn’t dependent on stopping to be told.
Weather_Lady
Well-Known Member
LOL, I've been equally disappointed by both of them! Dinosaur has literally _never_ had all its effects working when I've ridden it, and I find the ride overly jerky, while the annoying, textbook-style narration and slow-moving animatronics manage to turn a really exciting concept into something impossibly boring. Even the carnataurus encounters are telegraphed from so far away - presumably to keep from scaring little kids - that they're just ho-hum. I _want_ to be scared and thrilled by Dinosaur, but the only sense of danger derives from my worry that I'll be exiting with a mild case of whiplash.
As for Indiana Jones, I think I read too many rave reviews ahead of time, so my expectations were too high. While I think the ride itself is far more interesting than Dinosaur, and tells a cooler story, the fact that you can see the whole darn thing laid out in front of you from the moment you enter the temple interior kind of ruins any and all surprises. That first look is a giant spoiler: the rest of the ride is just you, riding through the effects and areas you just saw the other vehicles riding in and out of.
Sorry for the negativism. I still consider both attractions "not to be missed." I just think improvements could be made, and I do concur with those who think Indy is the better of the two.
As for Indiana Jones, I think I read too many rave reviews ahead of time, so my expectations were too high. While I think the ride itself is far more interesting than Dinosaur, and tells a cooler story, the fact that you can see the whole darn thing laid out in front of you from the moment you enter the temple interior kind of ruins any and all surprises. That first look is a giant spoiler: the rest of the ride is just you, riding through the effects and areas you just saw the other vehicles riding in and out of.
Sorry for the negativism. I still consider both attractions "not to be missed." I just think improvements could be made, and I do concur with those who think Indy is the better of the two.
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Vegas Disney Fan
Well-Known Member
Its too dark… that’s enough for me. I feel like I’m riding through a bumpy warehouse with the lights off half the time.
Every single time I get off Dinosaur I think “that COULD be so good” as I shake my head over how poorly executed it was.
Every single time I get off Dinosaur I think “that COULD be so good” as I shake my head over how poorly executed it was.
flynnibus
Premium Member
Sbk1234
Well-Known Member
My biggest complaints with Dinosaur are that it's too dark to see much, and they changed the original name. "Countdown to Extinction" was an exciting title which promised adventure, while not giving away too much. Renaming it Dinosaur (although it was renamed after the movie) feels like the most un-creative, patronizing title.
networkpro
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
This one has ridden both, but prefers the one not rooted in some obscure "Foreign land mysticism". If you're going to go for implausibility, reach for the stars!
Pepper's Ghost
Well-Known Member
Okay, just my opinion, so it can't be wrong. 
I've loved Dinosaur since first riding it as an adult in 2000. I found it by accident while exploring the parks. While fairly new, and in perfect working order, it was a thrill. That said, I rode Indy for the first time 10 mins ago on Youtube. Yes, I understand you can't experience and appreciate a ride on Youtube for any more than maybe 20% of what it really is, but that doesn't matter for my specific opinion...
I think these two rides, although very similar if not identical in the actual ride, are very different rides on how the stimulate your senses. It'd be like comparing Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion. I know the ride vehicles are completely different between SM and HM, but my point is that each ride stimulates different senses. HM like Indy stimulates your visual and audio senses more than anything. Imagine riding HM with your eyes closed. The experience is very different. That's the reason Dinosaur is such a bumpy ride. You're driving through a jungle at night, and the point of it being so dark is for the startle scares and getting your adrenaline going. Dino like SM is scary because you don't know when you're going to get yanked left, right, up, or down, and there's always the fear of having your hands chopped off at the wrists on SM. Indy is visually satisfying ride, like Haunted Mansion. It's all about the eye candy. I truly enjoy both of these types of rides, but couldn't compare the two to decide a favorite. I love both thrill rides, and the artistry of rides like Indy and HM.
To me this is like asking, do you prefer to drive a luxury vehicle, or a sports car? Each is fantastic in their own ways. It's why I own one of each. Some people prefer one or the other strictly. I prefer a little from column A, a little from column B.
That said, from what I hear Dinosaur could use some much needed TLC, and I'm all for that, but why do we have to force Dinosaur to be Indy? I personally like the dark ride through the jungle waiting for the jump scares. It could actually use one or two more jump scares IMO.
I've loved Dinosaur since first riding it as an adult in 2000. I found it by accident while exploring the parks. While fairly new, and in perfect working order, it was a thrill. That said, I rode Indy for the first time 10 mins ago on Youtube. Yes, I understand you can't experience and appreciate a ride on Youtube for any more than maybe 20% of what it really is, but that doesn't matter for my specific opinion...I think these two rides, although very similar if not identical in the actual ride, are very different rides on how the stimulate your senses. It'd be like comparing Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion. I know the ride vehicles are completely different between SM and HM, but my point is that each ride stimulates different senses. HM like Indy stimulates your visual and audio senses more than anything. Imagine riding HM with your eyes closed. The experience is very different. That's the reason Dinosaur is such a bumpy ride. You're driving through a jungle at night, and the point of it being so dark is for the startle scares and getting your adrenaline going. Dino like SM is scary because you don't know when you're going to get yanked left, right, up, or down, and there's always the fear of having your hands chopped off at the wrists on SM. Indy is visually satisfying ride, like Haunted Mansion. It's all about the eye candy. I truly enjoy both of these types of rides, but couldn't compare the two to decide a favorite. I love both thrill rides, and the artistry of rides like Indy and HM.
To me this is like asking, do you prefer to drive a luxury vehicle, or a sports car? Each is fantastic in their own ways. It's why I own one of each. Some people prefer one or the other strictly. I prefer a little from column A, a little from column B.
That said, from what I hear Dinosaur could use some much needed TLC, and I'm all for that, but why do we have to force Dinosaur to be Indy? I personally like the dark ride through the jungle waiting for the jump scares. It could actually use one or two more jump scares IMO.
Pepper's Ghost
Well-Known Member
If I had a nickle for every time.....
Sbk1234
Well-Known Member
Well stated. I've ridden both many times, and it wasn't until I read about it online that I even knew that the two attractions had the same track layout. It never even occurred to me. They are two completely different experiences, and other than the vehicle, I don't think I would have ever thought to make direct comparisons of them.Okay, just my opinion, so it can't be wrong.
I think these two rides, although very similar if not identical in the actual ride, are very different rides on how the stimulate your senses. It'd be like comparing Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion. I know the ride vehicles are completely different between SM and HM, but my point is that each ride stimulates different senses. HM like Indy stimulates your visual and audio senses more than anything. Imagine riding HM with your eyes closed. The experience is very different. That's the reason Dinosaur is such a bumpy ride. You're driving through a jungle at night, and the point of it being so dark is for the startle scares and getting your adrenaline going. Dino like SM is scary because you don't know when you're going to get yanked left, right, up, or down, and there's always the fear of having your hands chopped off at the wrists on SM. Indy is visually satisfying ride, like Haunted Mansion. It's all about the eye candy. I truly enjoy both of these types of rides, but couldn't compare the two to decide a favorite. I love both thrill rides, and the artistry of rides like Indy and HM.
To me this is like asking, do you prefer to drive a luxury vehicle, or a sports car? Each is fantastic in their own ways. It's why I own one of each. Some people prefer one or the other strictly. I prefer a little from column A, a little from column B.
That said, from what I hear Dinosaur could use some much needed TLC, and I'm all for that, but why do we have to force Dinosaur to be Indy? I personally like the dark ride through the jungle waiting for the jump scares. It could actually use one or two more jump scares IMO.
Chef Mickey
Well-Known Member
Disneyland isn't better than WDW overall.
Kamikaze
Well-Known Member
It absolutely is. Not even close.
correcaminos
Well-Known Member
Might have been the hype for Indiana Jones but once I finally rode it (had a long break in DL trips st one point), I was disappointed and realized I liked Dinosaur more. So I'm in the minority maybe.
Grew up doing both. It's a matter of opinion. Even Walt had issues with DL - many of which I totally agree eith.
Andrew M
Well-Known Member
The queue and pre-show absolutely blow Dinosaur out of the water.
Plus, if you're a fan of the movies, you already feel connected to the story. At Dinosaur it's some random guy you just met trying to steal a dinosaur you've likely never heard of. There's no emotional connection there like there is with Sallah in the pre-show and in-ride audio.
Also I'd agree the lighting is much too dark on dinosaur.
Plus, if you're a fan of the movies, you already feel connected to the story. At Dinosaur it's some random guy you just met trying to steal a dinosaur you've likely never heard of. There's no emotional connection there like there is with Sallah in the pre-show and in-ride audio.
Also I'd agree the lighting is much too dark on dinosaur.
Ginzuishou
Active Member
I rode dinosaur (countdown to extinction) soon after it opened. It was a really fun ride. I haven't been on it since, so I'm not sure how much has changed/worsened. I just remember being so scared the first time I rode it. was insane! I never rode Indy so I can't say anything about that