Originally Posted By leemac Thanks, MagicalNezumi! At least I know I'm not going mad now! (well, just on this one issue!)
Originally Posted By Mr X >>>Has Sinbad ever been anything but a walk-on?<<< Funny thing is, when I went several times during previews (before the grand opening, as a Urayasu resident and then again as a friend of a stockholder and then again as a friend of a cast member) I don't recall it being so dead. In fact, I THINK if I'm not mistaken that I actually saw that outdoor queue being used at least once. Of course, since grand opening though...dead city.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Hum, doesn't the elevator go up to the queue area? Either that or I'm losing my mind again (entirely possible). >>> If you re-read what I wrote, including the sentence after the one you quoted, you'll see that I was indeed saying that the load platform was above. My point was that I was fooled as a new rider by Imagineering into believing that it was below. It was a totally convincing effect until I figured out that it could be no other way but an overhead load platform.
Originally Posted By barboy Sinbad was A walk on the four days I toured TDS (sun.24-wed.27 in Oct '04) I very quickly started to compare it with POC. The ride boat and its speed were very similar coupled with multiple show scenes. Sinbad is a high quality attraction and deserves more notoriety. I don't hear any conversation about Sinbad back in the US even among Disney enthusiasts.
Originally Posted By aracuanbird Sindbad is a fine ride...nicely done details throughout, though the overall ride experience is pretty routine by now. Pirates and Small World have done it before, though without scaled down bellydancing AA's. I think Sindbad epitomizes my issues with TDS. Lots of ornamentation but essentially a rehash of the same old stuff. In terms of ride-based attractions, nothing fundamentally new is introduced, despite 3 Billion Dollars invested(!). Entertainment is top notch (maybe even beyond that). Still, when I consider the much maligned DCA--a park shorted in funding and created attention by most accounts--and contrast that underwhelming park with TDS, I realize that 4 times the budget will buy loads of makeup and flair, but, under it all, WDI is still WDI. Creativity and innovation have atrophied. TDS may be popular, but it is no innovator.
Originally Posted By barboy mstaft, you are $. Any 1 of the 7 "lands" (except American Waterfront) alone at TDS would demolish the entire DCA. And the Mira Costa hotel vs. the Grand Californian---LET'S NOT!(they would need a dna test to identify the loser if those two got in the ring) TDS is a masterpiece--Disney at its finest. As for DCA I'm embarrassed for those who are responsible.
Originally Posted By mstaft Even American Waterfront looks immersive and very impressive as is. This is without Tower of Terror yet. Once Tower arrives, I'll give you DCA for American Waterfront. Why? Detail. Vehicles on the streets, the Transit Railway, the SS Columbia, the theme of the shops, all the eleborate touches of the city and waterfront. And this is without anything but A ticket rides and theater shows as draws. The San Fransisco area of DCA should have been as good as American Waterfront. But, as we know, "on the cheap" won out. And it DOES show. I think the imagineers- the REAL imagineers- who worked on DCA had next to nothing to work with. The budgeteers above them tied their hands (and legs- if not cutting them off), making it spotty AT BEST with what could be achieved. Disney accomplished a masterpiece with New Orleans Square 40 years ago. San Fransisco should have been the showpiece of California elegance at its best in DCA. Instead "Bathroom Row"...
Originally Posted By jusjuice13 I saw TDS for the first time two weeks ago. I found the first half of JTTCOE great, but after the lava monster, it was a little anti-climatic. I mean, the drop was way better than anything Test Track has to offer, but why does it slow down so soon after that? Were the cars too loud to do a high-speed loop around Mysterious Island? (The second time we rode Journey, it broke down in the middle and we had to be escorted out. It's really funny because TDS is even really nice backstage. There were marble hallways!) The ride that impressed me most at TDS was Sinbad, since I had heard so little about it. I thought it was way better than any Small World! It would be great to hear it in English!! Hopefully, Raging Spirits will pull some crowds over there.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I agree with you ^^^ about Sindbad. It's one of Disney's most accomplished dark (boat) rides ever. A "MUST RIDE" attraction.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss ::I think Sindbad epitomizes my issues with TDS. Lots of ornamentation but essentially a rehash of the same old stuff.:: I'd have to disagree with this statement. Sure, no new technology is used, but as an attraction that _everyone_ can enjoy, I think it's fantastic. Sinbad is detailed, beautiful, lengthy, has a great storyline, and boasts wonderful and plentiful AA's.. It's something you want to ride over and over, just to capture every nuance. I think about the only thing Sinbad lacks, IMO, is a song that ties it all together. ::Creativity and innovation have atrophied.:: I'd say that's a very harsh assessment, especially about innovation, and most especially regarding imagineering a family, i.e. non-thrill attraction.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I think about the only thing Sinbad lacks, IMO, is a song that ties it all together. >>> I think some people would consider this a benefit!
Originally Posted By barboy In response to #26 "in terms of ride based attractions, nothing fundamentally new is introduced(at TDS)" I basically agree. JTTCE(Test Track), IJ(CTX and IJ), Stormrider(Star Tours), Sinbad(Small World, Pirates, Rio Del Tiempo), Flying Fish(Nuthouse coaster, barnstormer)prove your point. One could even argue that 20K's ride system is a grand version of Peter Pan or Universal's ET. But none of this "rehash" bothers me. TDS is still the greatest park ever built. It's noticeably better than Universal's Islands Of Adventure which is the 2nd best on the planet.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>TDS is still the greatest park ever built<< Thank you >>It's noticeably better than Universal's Islands Of Adventure which is the 2nd best on the planet<< 3rd best, because TDL and TDS are in virtual tie for 1st and 2nd World's Best.
Originally Posted By barboy Have you experienced IOA?--- eye candy everywhere and a very solid line-up of E rides. I have DL(assuming all attractions are operating) rated higher than TDL. TDL's strenghs are its versions of BTMRR, Splash Mnt and Pooh.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney Barboy, I'm assuming TDLFAN is rating EVERYTHING about the parks (rides, shows, cleanliness, service, etc) where as you are simply rating the attractions. But, I agree, I love BOTH TDS and IOA and hopefully will be back in one of those parks sometime next year .
Originally Posted By barboy My statement "eye candy everywhere" refers to IOA's architecture/facades and detailing of shops, rides, restaurants and walkways. I marvel at its waterways and vegitation too. Rides do factor in greatly when I assess the overall quality of a park but cleanliness, service, location and layout/design are also very important.
