If it was like this when it re-opened at the end of January, I didn't notice...and I usually notice details. But then again, it had been over 2 years since I'd ridden it because we're often there during its annual refurb. We were there the day it re-opened this year, and I may have been more fixated on the lap bars than the scenes.
But at the same time, if the number of things listed in Post #1 were broken when I rode it, I would have noticed at least SOME of them. This serious decline must have happened in the past few months.
I don't understand how they can take a ride down for a month every year and not get it to work and look perfect. I know a few years ago, they repainted the entire mountain and replaced the lifts. I can only imagine they spent a few dollars on fixing the animated figures, or adjusting some lights. Of course, the lights could be getting mis-aimed when night maintenance workers are changing gels or bulbs.
I also remind myself when riding Splash Mountain that most of the characters are "animated figures" as opposed to actual Audio Animatronics. They're simple figures with small ranges of motion. The design of the scenes in SM are such that there is SO much going on, most people don't tend to fixate on individual figures. You can ride it a hundred times and still not see all the details (much like any Disney attraction).
But again, if the OP and Kevin aren't exaggerating, it's a darn shame.
