Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 After stating for the past two years that DCA's ToT was just as good as MGM's, I've changed my mind. I spent the better part of a day at the Studios this week and with a very empty park rode ToT 6-7 times in a row with basically 5-minute waits. I also closely examined the queue, the gardens and the hotel itself. I left with the unmistakable feeling that I was indeed wrong. That DCA's version was a Barry Braverman special. Sure, it's OK. But Florida's version is WDI's best (or close to it) effort in every way. So I was wrong and am putting it on the record here. Guess I just hadn't spent enough time at the Studios since I detest the mess they've made of it and can't look at the BAH without thinking 'Did they even think about this?' ~the Spirit knows~
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Hmmm... I wonder what you would think of TDS' since it was cut from the same cloth Barry's Tower of Power came from... with some upgraded architecture of course...
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 It can be so hard to admit that you are wrong and you did it so well. I'm glad that you are happy with ToT at Disney Studios. I get to try it later this year.
Originally Posted By Clotho I totally agree, Spirit. I was completely wowed and amazed by the themeing and extra 5th dimension to WDW over the lackluster DCA. We went on the WDW one first, and rode it about 5 times in a row that day, and then several more times during our 10 day trip. When we went to DLR the next year, we made a point to finally ride it, since it was so great in Florida. We went on it once, walked off disappointed and bewildered and haven't ridden it again. No, it is not THAT bad, but not something we would go out of our way to ride again and again as we would at WDW.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Hmmm... I wonder what you would think of TDS' since it was cut from the same cloth Barry's Tower of Power came from... with some upgraded architecture of course...>> We'll find out soon, won't we?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I totally agree, Spirit. I was completely wowed and amazed by the themeing and extra 5th dimension to WDW over the lackluster DCA.>> I think I may have taken MGM's for granted a bit as I don't tend to visit that park nearly as much as I once did. Therefore, I downplayed a lot of the DCA's obvious flaws (and there are plenty). Like I said, one represents some of WDI's finest work, while another is really just a stripped down, cheaper version. Still nice, but a far cry from the original.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros While I try not to be a DCA aplolgist, I really don't think that the Tower there is that bad. My biggest problem with it is that the area around it just has a plain wall, all the way around. You really don't feel like you are in a hotel, because you don't feel like you are in a city, because you are just contained within this little space by a wall. I know people have problems with the number of facades in HPB, but I think that area would greatly benefit from having some. But at the same time, I don't really like how MGM's TOT has really really extensive gardens as the only way to get to the realistic hotel. I also don't like how the HTH sign is hanging over the area that was supposedly taken off by the storm, where in DCA, it is much more obvious what was taken off, and what it originally looked like. As for the actual attractions, I think that each has good differences. The 5th dimension room is great, but could use some updating (lose the video of people falling that is projected on the eye). I really like how the use of a single shaft allows for the drops to be mixed into the show scenes better, which could definately be used in the future. It also adds more to the suspense of when you're going to drop. Each has its flaws and it good points, so I really think they're about equal.
Originally Posted By Shadow wolf When it comes to DCA's and MGM's Tower, everyone has their own opinions. There are a bunch of people who think DCA's is the far better version. To me MGM's still beats DCA's hands down. When it comes to 5th dimentions, MGM's gives a much better effect while DCA's is pretty dull. I've also heard one reason why they never made MGM's format again is due to the 5th dimention the ride is a mechanical nightmare. I've been on ToT many times and I've never even considered it a mechanical nightmare like Test Track.
Originally Posted By basas I also agree with the supporters of MGM's ToT. While DL's ToT was a good-enough ride, the entire experience felt much 'less complete' than MGM's. I think some of it may be because of the poor (IMO) queue, the lobby, and the lack of a nicely themed Sunset Blvd leading into MGM's ToT gardens, but the ride also seemed too short and not moving off the vertical path made the ride seem much more like a cheaply-made drop-ride, instead of a much deeper ride.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>While DL's ToT was a good-enough ride, the entire experience felt much 'less complete' than MGM's.<< If the DCA version appears less complete, how come they have had to reprogram the MGM version to drop you a gazillion times, concidering the overhyped 5th dimension room has been there since Day 1??? Personally, I fond both versions apar and not one is better than the other... really.
