Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I like both SSE and TGMR. But the neglect to TGMR is blantant. I look at it as... the attraction has been neglected and thus is not that popular. Thank goodness SSE got some LLC, and narration by Dame Judi Dench.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> I love SSE, but I wouldn't consider it a hugely popular ride either. << But would you say SSE is an E-ticket?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I read somewhere that SSE was not only Epcot's most ridden attraction, but WDW's as well. That the very visible structure and central location at the entrance to the park resulted in almost EVERYONE riding it. That it often didn't seem that crowded because of its massive capacity. Admittedly I read that some years ago and I realize things could have changed since then.
Originally Posted By 9oldmen >>I can remember when ever scene was working... shoot out in the gangster scene, bank blowing up, fire and shoot out in the western scene, << I remeber riding it in January of 1990, when it was less than a year old. I remebered getting EITHER the gangster shootout OR the bank blowing up, depending on where you sat, and who "hijacked" your vehicle. I don't think you ever were intended to get both on one ride.
Originally Posted By 9oldmen >>That the very visible structure and central location at the entrance to the park resulted in almost EVERYONE riding it.<< The lack of a height restriction doesn't hurt ridership either. I'm SO glad that they had to scuttle the plans to turn it into a thrill ride(Time Chasers? Time Racers? something like that.).
Originally Posted By Manfried The Great Movie Ride was developed during a time when people cared more about classic movies. Now all they want to care about are comic book movies. And if it is supposed to be about great movies, how come no Gone with the Wind or Star Wars? I think it is time to take that enormous plot of land and do something new.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>And if it is supposed to be about great movies, how come no Gone with the Wind or Star Wars?<< Because they weren't part of the MGM library. Disney now owns Star Wars, so that could be added (likely replacing Alien), but GWTW is still owned by other folks, so it would require additional negotiation. In the current version, GWTW is featured in the finale montage, including using the score for a minute or two over shots of famous romances. Since it's such an epic movie, I don't know what one iconic scene they would use for the ride; in my opinion, using the score does this much more effectively, though it's a shame it's relegated to the montage at the end.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>Yeah. There's no way this attraction is E-ticket popular.<< "E-Ticket" was not a designation for popular attractions, nor is it based on capacity. It was a designation for attractions of a particular scope, either in basic form or detail. Since there are no more E-tickets being issued, it is pure speculation as to what actually would be an E-ticket (Little Mermaid? Tower of Terror? Radiator Springs Racers?). But there is no doubt that in terms of scope (both form and detail), Great Movie Ride is an E-Ticket, even in its current state. And don't confuse the idea of defending an attraction with liking it. As far as I'm concerned, TGMR has seen its day. They need to either update or replace it. And it was always designed that guests would get either the gangster scene, or the western bandit scene. This allowed the attraction to carry double the capacity of seeing both with performers.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<The other two "classic" dark rides in Fantasyland are in a word, BORING.>> Then Mermaid fits in with them.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper GMR and SSE are both hugely popular attractions. GMR may not have lines for the majority of the year (though I have waited 40+ minutes for it through the past 3-4 years), but that's because it's got a huge capacity, and was designed at a time when the park had 3 rides.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "But would you say SSE is an E-ticket?" No. I can't imagine it would be an easy sell at E-ticket prices. But I could be wrong. It's location probably does draw them in. "'E-Ticket' was not a designation for popular attractions, nor is it based on capacity. It was a designation for attractions of a particular scope, either in basic form or detail." I'm sure that they felt that attractions of that particular scope, either in basic form or detail were worth the price of the E-ticket, meaning they would be popular attractions. If they didn't draw crowds, they'd be stupid to keep charging E-ticket prices. Bottom line is that they charged an E-ticket because they thought the public would be willing to pay that much. If they went back to the ticket system and tried to charge an E for the GMR, ridership would fall off a cliff (well, a low cliff). "that's because it's got a huge capacity" And seems to run on half capacity most of the time.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> No. I can't imagine it would be an easy sell at E-ticket prices. But I could be wrong. It's location probably does draw them in. << The geodesic sphere would be enough of a sell for most people. I guess I'm not clear what you think would theoretically warrant an E-ticket.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "The geodesic sphere would be enough of a sell for most people. I guess I'm not clear what you think would theoretically warrant an E-ticket." Anything a customer would be willing to be top dollar for. It's basic economics. Higher demand = higher prices.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper SSE is the most ridden attraction on property. I dunno how much higher demand you can get.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom There are a lot of things I enjoy about SSE. I also realize it is not everyone's favorite attraction.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "SSE is the most ridden attraction on property. I dunno how much higher demand you can get." But would it remain so if it cost an E-ticket? Maybe. Maybe not.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I think it would. Although Soarin' and Test Track may be mentioned more often as people's "favorites", I think when you combine length of wait, attraction duration and overall enjoyment Spaceship Earth would still attract large numbers... even at "E" ticket prices. I'll sometimes bypass Soarin' or TT if I arrive too late in the day to get a Fastpass and I don't want to deal with the standby wait. But I always ride SSE at least twice every visit to Epcot.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<As far as I'm concerned, TGMR has seen its day. They need to either update or replace it.>> It needs more energy. Much more. Two possible candidates for replacement: The Great Muppet Movie Ride (with updates). The theme of Gonzo directing a film with chaos aplenty would be the perfect family ride for that part of the park. Epic Mickey. Bring the game to life with full-sized AAs and physical sets designed to look like the game, with the action on 3-D video screens a la Spider-Man and Transformers. Ditch the current vehicles for smaller ones like the other 3-D rides. The show building is plenty big enough to do this.
