Originally Posted By jkayjs Yes I did see it...in fact I ended up seeing it three times. Ok I won't charge you even a penny for my thoughts. Let's start with the queue. I didn't remember reading that you had a choice to experience the changes or not. That alone takes away the controversy for me. Go to the right if you are in more of a hurry or a purest or just not interested. Go to the left if you want to have some good hearted fun & it is fun. Not fall down hilarious but fun non-the-less. I found the effects well done for items that are meant to withstand the elements & countless pairs of big & little hands. In fact I see this as an opportunity to ease kids on the cusp into the ride by introducing them to some of the elements of the story. The only fault I can come up with & it's a quick fix is this, there is nothing to introduce you to this option. CM alone are not the answer. I went three times. First time the CM just stood there & said nothing except "go right or left". The second time the CM did try to alert us to the difference but let's face it with all the noise in any queue it's not realistic to use this as the answer. The third time no CM anywhere. Maybe something as simple as road signs that are consistent with the theming one pointing to the right one to the left. One could say 'Short Cut to Gracey Mansion" the other maybe something tongue in cheek like 'Long Cut to Gracey Mansion via The Gracey Gardens & Graveyard'. Anyway you get the point. OK on to the end. Tech portion very well done. The effects are fun & in keeping with the spirit of the ride & no I'm not refering to you right now my dear 'Spirit'! As mentioned ad nauseum this is a fun/silly attraction with a touch of spooky. They definitely took the theme song to the next level. A 'silly spook' does sit by your side(as he always did)& he does 'pretend to terrorize'. Now if they'ld just do something about the heads that pop up from behind the tombstones. Make the material longer or something I don't like seeing the poles they're mounted on. So...yes I enjoyed it, no I didn't think it ruined the attraction & yes I think it enhances the experience. Oh & so there is no lack of things to disagree with me on I don't even mind the 'green hand' at the end!
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Nice review! Glad you enjoyed it. And I have to wonder what the idea was with making the new queue optional. Doesn't make much sense to me.
Originally Posted By jkayjs Maybe they were anticipating the controversy who knows. BTW I didn't wait more that 10 min any of the 3 times I went. It was a great time to be in the parks!
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Maybe they were anticipating the controversy who knows.>> Yea...but to me if you're going to make a controversial decision, and you're scared of it, maybe it isn't the right decision. Have faith in your product. Plus, the set up is just weird, IMO.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper I mean, I'm not a fan of the new queue, but I'm a believer of the "Go big or go home" mentality. The escape queue just doesn't fly with that.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer I'm perfectly fine with that monstrosity being optional. I like my HM grim, thanks. Interesting thread, nonetheless.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I believe they made it optional not because they felt it was controversial - I am sure the desginers are proud of it. But they know some portion of the audience there will look at anything thatadds 5 minutes to their experience as more than they can bear..so really somewhat similar to fastpass- for those who want to bypass a queue//here's your chance
Originally Posted By sjhym333 I was there this week and was also surprised about the choice. It made no sense to me. If your going to build and extended queue then they should probably send everyone that way. Having said that...the reason they probably offer the choice is that the new queue seemed to slow down the line to a crawl as people were looking at things and my guess is they were loading half full stretch rooms.
Originally Posted By jkayjs I'm not sure how they've been doing it but the three times I went the stretch room was full.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt If you're a regular visitor to the parks like many people here are I would think that having the option to bypass the interactive segment of the queue (and the mobs of tourist families with it) would be appreciated.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Yes... not having young children to entertain, I would bypass the interactive queue and get straight to the main event. I will certainly try it once though to see what everyone is talking about!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<The effects are fun & in keeping with the spirit of the ride & no I'm not refering to you right now my dear 'Spirit'! >> Ah, my dear J ..., The Spirit is always with you, especially when you ride his favorite attraction! <<As mentioned ad nauseum this is a fun/silly attraction with a touch of spooky.>> Yes, but some of us just wonder if the queue was needed at all ... and if it does Walmart the experience a bit. I don't want to judge it yet, but it just seems rather unneeded ... and when you have CMs just standing there telling guests they can go either way without 'splaining why, my response would then me 'why even have it then?'
Originally Posted By LadyandtheTramp We saw the new queue on Saturday, and there was a cast member at the split explaining: Go right for the fast, go right for the fun. Thought this was appropriate and helpful. Did not get to see the new ending - the ride broke down just as we were approaching the entry doors, and was still down 30 minutes later when we left Harbour House.
Originally Posted By Manfried Classic APers sound like all they want to do is speed through the rides. Why don't y'all slow down and check out the queues and smell the roses once in a while.
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL >>>Classic APers sound like all they want to do is speed through the rides. Why don't y'all slow down and check out the queues and smell the roses once in a while.<<< Judging by video and pics alone, If the queue was razed and rebuilt as possibly an indoor family mausoleum type of experience with these interactive elements, then cool! (That could even explain why you enter the attraction under the house and NOT thru the front door like here in Disneyland....like it should be) But as it is now, it looks terrible and nowhere near a cohesive or immersive experience. Just gags with no other reason for being there except to pacify.
