Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Overall, EE is a cut above BTMRR, non-looping Space Mountain versions and the Matterhorn<< I do not agree that EE is a cut above BTMRR, for the simple reason that BTMRR is better themed. During EE, the whole experience goes out the window for me when you go into the "dark" tunnel, just to see you are riding thru a fake mountain where the inner mesh can clearly be seen thru huge opening cracks alongside the track. At BTMRR this problem does not exist, and if it does, it's not as obvious. >>As a young 49er,I found that the going backwards made me dizzy and disoriented.I feel much more comfortable being launched and going upside down on RnRC.<< I agree with this. >> Are there other parks where EE would be a good fit?<< Yes, at TDSea. I have always felt that a revision of the theme here, could actually work in Lost River Delta, as an icy train trip thru the Andes in So. America.
Originally Posted By sun-n-fun I can see where AK would be hard with a wheelchair. Even though there are no stairs and not a lot of hills, I remember it being bumpy. The themeing of the walkways is rocky and the treks (is that the right word?) would be tough. Not too mention it's so big.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN If you think DAK is hard on a chair, try rolling it at TDS, where the entire park is built on hills and ramps. Then again, the japanese guests of all ages *walk*. What a novelty!!!
Originally Posted By kpwdwfan I really enjoy EE and think it's a great addition to the park but I have to agree with TDL in that having those big open holes exposing in the inner structure is somewhat of a let down. The little things do make a difference and this is what used to set Disney way above the rest. In my opinion the ride itself was very well done because it allows families with small childern to ride while it still gives a thrill to those who are looking for a little more excitement.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I find pushing a wheelchair in AK is very difficult in comparison to other parks. The bridges are very inclined and the flat areas aren't smooth - it's beautiful to look at it, but it gives you a workout. TDLFAN knows that not everyone who rents a wheelchair does so just because they don't like to walk.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Of course I know that you silly!! They rent them because they know they can cut to the front of the line with their entire parties!!
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> They rent them because they know they can cut to the front of the line with their entire parties!! << You know -- you can kind of think of this as a form of FastPass that you pay for.....
Originally Posted By TDLFAN You means the same way Disney should add the FP benefit as a Magic Your Way *pay* option? Pay to cut in line should be the future of FP.
Originally Posted By beamerdog >>The bridges are very inclined<< I thought that zooming down the slope of the bridge was supposed to be a ride -- Wheeee!!
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> You mean the same way Disney should add the FP benefit as a Magic Your Way *pay* option? Pay to cut in line should be the future of FP. << I appreciate your logic in this, but I myself would still prefer some solution that keeps FP and the Standby line entirely separate. Either physically, or by time. -------------- My comment about people who may rent wheelchairs just to get ahead of the line -- an observation about what some classless people might actually do to "beat the system."
Originally Posted By WDWs Future Just as a side note...even when you do have a wheelchair in your party, you usually are made to wait in the lines with everyone else. The majority of the attractions are wheelchair accessible, while others do make you use a separate entrance. Even then, you have to wait for a CM to transfer you. Not to take away from the fact that it is sad and unfortunate when guests try to "beat the system".
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I can't say we've ever gotten to cut straight to the front of the line just because my mom is in a wheelchair. We have to go through the majority of the line, at the very least, if not the whole line, before we hit the handicapped entrance. A few of the rides in Fantasyland and the Haunted Mansion are the exceptions I can think of at this moment.
Originally Posted By Friar Tuck and Roll Other than the Fantasyland attractions I believe we had to wait in the normal lines. There was one other exception and that was Spaceship Earth. There we actually waited longer than the normal line because they stopped to turntable to allow those with handicaps more time to board. (It was a complete walkon without a wheelchair).
Originally Posted By CMM1 >>During EE, the whole experience goes out the window for me when you go into the "dark" tunnel, just to see you are riding thru a fake mountain where the inner mesh can clearly be seen thru huge opening cracks alongside the track. At BTMRR this problem does not exist, and if it does, it's not as obvious.<< I rode on EE twice in August and don't recall seeing any openings or wire mesh - but I did ride during the daytime when I would suppose that the transition between light and darkness would make it tougher to see things in the dark part of the ride. I thought EE was more intense by far than any BTMRR at DLR, WDW or DLP, except for maybe DLP's long and dark tunnel at the end.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>3. Speaking of the issue of only being themed on 3 sides - isn't the "show building" stark backside visible from the far reaches of the AK parking lot? Does that obvious "show building rather than actual mountain" effect detract at all from the attraction?<< Absolutely. It violates so much of what John Hench and others established. It's one thing for Splash to not be completely themed, it's another for a ride that is exposed from public areas. It's all about the illusion and once you see that the illusion is ruined pretty badly. The very reason why guests weren't supposed to be backstage. >>At TOT in Anaheim, they at least themed the backside facing the corner of Harbor and Katella so that the Tower building does appear to be a real hotel (rather than leaving it as a stark and bare monolith)<< See I think they did what they thought was the bare minimum on the back of DCA's ToT. I don't think it was enough. A huge building with no windows on one side? Not much of a hotel. Nowhere near as bad as Everest, but when I first saw the Harbor facing side of ToT I was less then impressed. >>4. Where does EE fit in the "thematic" presentation category? With the elaborate queue and the terrific placement of the attraction across the big lake and seemingly rising in the distance as one arrives by the path from the Africa section of the park, it seems like Disney Imagineering did a great job on the presentation and placement of the attraction.<< I would agree 100%, A very good placement. It's too bad that some of the little things mentioned above, like the inner cracks, weren't better addressed.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I don't really have that big of a problem with TOT in DCA, since we know that there are elevators on the other side of the wall. The only hotles I've seen with windows around elevators have glass elevators, which the Hollywood Tower Hotel did not have. Sure, there could be a window or two between each shaft, but for the most part, it seems logical that there wouldn't be anything there.
Originally Posted By ChiMike But the thing is that most hotels aren't designed like that. I think the Orlando version does a much better job of making it look like a hotel from all angles. It wouldn't have taken much more paint to add some sort of definition to the backside of ToT. Most people looking from Harbor don't realize how the shafts are arranged within the building. Have just a solid wall going up 13 stories shouldn't be the "best" way of doing it. So, yes, Ferret, it is logical and I have no problem with others having no problem, but it bugs me as one of those things that were done cheaply.
