Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get to WDW in about 8 years and I recently watched video of Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom, taken after the big refurbishment. Video:
To be honest, I was pretty horrified. Whilst I'm sure some positive things were updated with some of the effects, lighting, sound etc, the more fundamental qualities of the ride have definitely been changed for the worse.
I've no doubt they were done to make the ride more family friendly (always disappointing) as the most noticeable thing is that the scenes with the Carnotaurus are far less intense. In the final head-on encounter he no longer roars loudly and there's no smoke or alert sound effects. The penultimate Carnoutaurs scene - where he roars right next to the car, was the best and most iconic part of the ride, but has now been replaced by him being much further away and barely making a noise at all.
Now, there is absolutely no doubt that this makes the ride less thrilling, or more boring if you like. I'm sure some will say they aren't bothered, or that it's more important to be suitable for young children, but I fervently disagree. Not EVERY ride needs to revolve around young children, there are so many teenagers and adults that keep coming back to the Disney parks throughout their lives without kids, and it's quite off putting when attractions are dilluted. Dinosaur was always a favourite and with these changes it won't be quite the same if we get to ride it in the future.
Anyway, this got me thinking of other rides that aren't as good as they used to be. I always thought some of the changes to Pirates of the Caribbean were rather messy (the mermaid voices and shoehorning characters from the film in....even though the film was made on the back of the ride's great success and iconic reputation), and I know this isn't a Universal forum but when the theming to Dueling Dragons became Harry Potter-ised.
I didn't really start this thread so people can tell me to grow up, move with the times and consider those poor corporate directors who might be desperately out of pocket without these completely necessary changes - though I can't stop you from doing that either
I started this thread because I'm sure there are some refurbishments that other guests have been similarly dissatisfied with (no one likes change....right?). I don't mean rides that have been replaced, which is another controversial subject that must have many threads - but updates to attractions, areas or even something like a restaurant.
So, what have been the worst changes that were made to your most beloved parts of Disney?
To be honest, I was pretty horrified. Whilst I'm sure some positive things were updated with some of the effects, lighting, sound etc, the more fundamental qualities of the ride have definitely been changed for the worse.
I've no doubt they were done to make the ride more family friendly (always disappointing) as the most noticeable thing is that the scenes with the Carnotaurus are far less intense. In the final head-on encounter he no longer roars loudly and there's no smoke or alert sound effects. The penultimate Carnoutaurs scene - where he roars right next to the car, was the best and most iconic part of the ride, but has now been replaced by him being much further away and barely making a noise at all.
Now, there is absolutely no doubt that this makes the ride less thrilling, or more boring if you like. I'm sure some will say they aren't bothered, or that it's more important to be suitable for young children, but I fervently disagree. Not EVERY ride needs to revolve around young children, there are so many teenagers and adults that keep coming back to the Disney parks throughout their lives without kids, and it's quite off putting when attractions are dilluted. Dinosaur was always a favourite and with these changes it won't be quite the same if we get to ride it in the future.
Anyway, this got me thinking of other rides that aren't as good as they used to be. I always thought some of the changes to Pirates of the Caribbean were rather messy (the mermaid voices and shoehorning characters from the film in....even though the film was made on the back of the ride's great success and iconic reputation), and I know this isn't a Universal forum but when the theming to Dueling Dragons became Harry Potter-ised.
I didn't really start this thread so people can tell me to grow up, move with the times and consider those poor corporate directors who might be desperately out of pocket without these completely necessary changes - though I can't stop you from doing that either
I started this thread because I'm sure there are some refurbishments that other guests have been similarly dissatisfied with (no one likes change....right?). I don't mean rides that have been replaced, which is another controversial subject that must have many threads - but updates to attractions, areas or even something like a restaurant.
So, what have been the worst changes that were made to your most beloved parts of Disney?
