Grizzly Airfield

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

Boring soaring Dalmatians.

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

>>I'm not sure where the idea came from that every classic attraction at the park has to have an "experience" while you wait in line.<<

I don't think that it really needs to be a full "experience" like Indiana Jones or Roger Rabbit, but it would be nice to make it as pleasant as possible. Because Soarin's queue moves so slowly, the simple outdoor switchbacks (with no noteworthy scenery) are pretty dull; once you get into the main hall, there are those great photos and info plaques but the text is too small to read from the queue. If you're going to be standing still for long periods, it would be nice to have some pleasant diversions, whether it be interesting architecture (Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion), people watching (Pirates), or lots of details to soak in (Jungle Cruise)

WDW's queue is even worse because for some unknown reason they made the walkway about 10' wide, so you're constantly jockeying for position to make sure you don't get passed. I've never been there when the "interactive" "games" are working, so it's just a big empty corridor with very little going on. It feels like a passageway to an inter-terminal train at an airport; hardly an inspiring space

>>He wanted to add experiences to them and Soarin' was the test bed for that engagement before it was cranked up for those awful interactive queues at MK.<<

Given that the Soarin' games rarely seem to work, I'm surprised that they were good enough to get approval for the other interactive queues. Even when they were brand new it seemed like they were 50/50-at-best

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

>>I was also thinking that it could be kind of jarring if the exterior now looks "woodsy" and the interior is the same sort of corrugated metal look.<<

The concept art looks like the outside will also be the same corrugated metal look, just painted in woodsy colors. I guess it will look more like a Quonset hut than an aircraft hangar, but it's the same general idea

 

Originally Posted By Dabob2

I guess. But just the green blending-in-with-the-trees thing (plus the new smoke-jumper tower, the trees themselves, the national park-like signage, and the "woodier" light posts etc. etc.) would make the current interior jar for me.

Maybe at least they'll give the interior a paint job? More earth tone?

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

I'd hope for a new paint job, at the very least in the same colors. That queue seems to get more wear and tear than most, and often looks kind of shabby. Maybe it's because paint doesn't stick to metal as well as wood, lots of surfaces are within guest reach, and the queue often stops for long periods which gives folks plenty of time to touch things

 

Originally Posted By Dabob2

If they're going to give it a paint job, they might as well try to make it match the exterior better. It would also say to regulars/AP's (and DL certainly knows they have plenty of them): "Hey, this isn't Condor Flats any more. It's part of Grizzly Peak now."

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

That would certainly make a lot of sense, especially since the attraction is closed for long enough to do it properly; it's just as easy to use brown and green paint as it would be to use blue and grey. But I can't overlook the façade rebuilds on the Paradise Pier shops that left the original interiors intact, so I'm trying to temper my expectations of this project

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

Maybe I don't mind the queue so much because I've never waited more than 15 minutes for Soarin'. I either get a FP or go when it isn't busy.

 

Originally Posted By Dabob2

<But I can't overlook the façade rebuilds on the Paradise Pier shops that left the original interiors intact, so I'm trying to temper my expectations of this project>

I hear you.

 

Originally Posted By Yookeroo

"I would rather wait outdoors than inside a slow moving warehouse."

Have you ever tried to move a warehouse? They're heavy and hard to move fast.

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

I'd rather be inside where the stupid sun can't touch me.

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

^^that's what I was thinking.

Two of the worst DLR queues that I can think of (besides the Subs) are the Matterhorn and California Screamin. It's like they purposely decided to create lines that would bore you to death. The Monorail is pretty bad too. Does anyone still line up for it?

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

I can't imagine anything worse than standing in line for The Monorail standing right out in the blazing sun with no protection at all.

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

I've stood in line for it before years ago when it required an E ticket to ride. Believe it or not there were times in the summer when the line stretched all the way to near the Fantasyland Autopia boarding area across from the Matterhorn.

 

Originally Posted By EighthDwarf

"Two of the worst DLR queues that I can think of (besides the Subs) are the Matterhorn and California Screamin."

I don't mind the Matterhorn queue but Screamin' is pretty dreadful. The worst for me by far though is Midway Mania. Peter Pan is a close second.

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

The Matterhorn's tiny boarding shed is themed, but the majority of the queue extends around and behind the mountain along a shoulder of a pathway. It's actually pretty bad.

Peter Pan and Alice are the only two FL dark rides that didn't get major upgrades to their queues during the New FL remodel back in the 80s. Pan got a new facade, but the switchbacks and platform are basically the same. It'll be interesting to see if the queue gets some enhancements when the current rehab is done.

 

Originally Posted By familyguy

The Matterhorn queue gets a pass because you are LOOKING AT THE MATTERHORN. It's a piece of beauty to behold in itself. plus, depending on what side you are on, you can gaze at the lagoon, or some of Fantasyland. I don't know...for me sometimes park views aren't bad for a queue. The fact that there aren't any switchbacks, till the very end, is also a plus for me.

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

I think the Matterhorn queue is OK. It is the ride I don't like. Tied with WDW's Space Mountain for the roughest ride in the Disney universe.

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

"The worst for me by far though is Midway Mania."

I never mind the Midway Mania queue, it seems to move constantly so that's always a plus, but every dang time we're in that line, one of my kids has to pee bad from about midpoint on! And I'm not getting out of line after waiting all that time!

 

Originally Posted By Dabob2

I agree with familyguy. You can look at either the caterpillars going in and out of Alice, plus the Mad Tea Party, or the subs gliding through the lagoon (depending on the side), and the monorail gliding by on either side. And the Matterhorn itself for a while, and then the bobsleds as you get closer.

I can think of several queues deadlier than the Matterhorn.