Originally Posted By leobloom >> I would think that it's pretty darn close...It's just doesn't have that *umph* or charm that so many other attractions have. << It's missing a few AAs and needs a couple of more show scenes. (And a fully-functioning Yeti would help!)
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^ Agreed. It was originally planned to have a few more Yetis in there.
Originally Posted By dshyates I know that I am going to get slammed for this, but I think the Kilimanjaro Safari to some extent and Everest are examples of what is wrong with WDI these days. I think they are far to impressed with themselves and their use of techno. All I heard about KS when it opened was how amazing their invisible fences were. Then I rode it and realized the storytelling was a thin shallacking. The same with everest even though I do think the storytelling is slightly better than KS, it is still obvious that we are supposed to wet our Mickey briefs over how impressive the one AA is (shame even that uberWOW 10th of a sec. Is impotent). And I imagine WDI spies riding HPATFJ and pointing and laughing saying it sucks because the is no pull string dart gun.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^ I agree to some extent, but I have to say that they ARE very different experiences.... And the story of Killo. is there just because a strong story really isn't needed for that kind of ride. The beauty of the "savannah" is the draw.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: I was never a fan of Michael Jackson, myself--and I don't think Orddu or Orgoch cared much for him either. I mean, how can you admire someone who grabs their crotch for a living? Anyway, we most likely won't bother seeing this big step backwards...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<However to some of us it just seems like yeterday. Time is only relative to the persons age. It goes by slowly in your youth, and seems to start speeding up along the way.>> Ain't that the truth. I can tell you exactly what I was doing a year ago at this very moment ... because a year goes by so much faster after a certain point. For me, it was age 27 ... everything seemed to suddenly go twice as fast as what I had expected before. Although time seems to slow down when I'm far, far away!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<You can leave the charm to the classic attractions. Take Kilimanjaro Safari for instance. You can't say it has charm, but it is one of the best done, well thought out attractions for it's setting in WDW. There was definetly a lot of vision, and scope involved with the design (if they would quit tweaking it, trying to make it PC), but it certainly has a different feel than say IASW. Two totally different attractions with a totally different feel about them, but both distinctly Disney.>> Great point (for once!), Pierce. Many folks say the last great WDW attraction was ToT in 1994, but I'd say it was really KS in 1998. Forget the concept of 'story', which KS tackles to obviously a degree of success that can be debated, but what it succeeds at is taking guests far away to another place, has thrills (in this case up close and personal views of wildlife in a natural setting), is LONG and can be enjoyed equally by those guests who are 7, 37 or 77. There are some very enjoyable attractions that have opened since (Soarin, Mission Space, Forbidden Mountain, PhilharMagic, TSMM), but I'd have a hard time placing any of them into that classic Disney E-Ticket level ... EE comes closest, but also is a show quality wreck and because of that can't be considered more than an average coaster with a kewl queue.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>All I heard about KS when it opened was how amazing their invisible fences were. Then I rode it and realized the storytelling was a thin shallacking<<< Well to me, Disney is best when you can fully suspend belief and think you are in another place and or time. And just as I would rather be in Epcot's Paris (having been to the real one many times), I have also been to Africa a couple of times, and KS is a much better experience. Perfection. One of the the very few things Disney has done in the last 20 years that has been worth getting in a plane for. EE - sadly it is like a hot looking woman in a wig and girdle, once you get beneath the surface, it does not deliver what you hoped for.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^ Hah! Understood. And it sounds like one of Spirit's "MK/Hub/Tree/MSUSA illusions...
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I know that I am going to get slammed for this, but I think the Kilimanjaro Safari to some extent and Everest are examples of what is wrong with WDI these days. I think they are far to impressed with themselves and their use of techno. All I heard about KS when it opened was how amazing their invisible fences were. Then I rode it and realized the storytelling was a thin shallacking. The same with everest even though I do think the storytelling is slightly better than KS, << Come on Dave! You're just disgruntled because it's taking so long for the coloring with the Princess attraction to open! I think they did a fair job with the storyline on KS. It fits in with the image Disney is trying to throw out there of itself, with concern for the enviroment, and the animals. Plus it has the thrill factor with the harrowing ride through the jungle in pursuit of the poachers. Plus the thrill of the poachers jeep racing along side, shooting at you. Capped off with the heart warming return of Little Red, and we finally get to see Warden Wilson Matua after he's entertained us for so long on our 2 week safari into the wilds. Now if the dilapidated Bridge would shake all the time when you drove over it. If the poachers jeep would still work, if they had a CM with a gun in the final scene, if the planes prop still rotated, and if we actually saw the Wardens smiling face as he waved to us, I think it would still be top notch. There is no excuse for the Yeti being broken for as long as it has in a major draw in DAK. I've heard rumors that it could take over 2 years to repair him as the refuse to shut the ride down, and do it right.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Great point (for once!), Pierce. << If you throw enough BS around you're bound to attract at least one fly.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Although time seems to slow down when I'm far, far away! << Being locked up in a Chinese prison does have that effect.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> There are some very enjoyable attractions that have opened since (Soarin, Mission Space, Forbidden Mountain, PhilharMagic, TSMM), but I'd have a hard time placing any of them into that classic Disney E-Ticket level ... EE comes closest, but also is a show quality wreck and because of that can't be considered more than an average coaster with a kewl queue. << I definetly agree. They have added several very nice attractions since 1998. However I don't think anything that could possible measure up or even come close to KS. That's including Expedition Everest. If they would just get everything working, put up some blackout curtains, and it's a strong E, in my opinion. The queue can make or break an attraction, and EE's is one of the best. EE is stunning, and a visual enhancement to the entire park. That's Expedition Everest, not our own EE. Though I'm sure he does enhance the Park with his presense. That is when he takes the time to show up!)
Originally Posted By MPierce >> EE - sadly it is like a hot looking woman in a wig and girdle, once you get beneath the surface, it does not deliver what you hoped for. << That's why the Irish invented whiskey. It makes up for some of the short comings of both Disney attractions, and women.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> And it sounds like one of Spirit's "MK/Hub/Tree/MSUSA illusions... << SAVE THE TREES!
Originally Posted By leemac <<All I heard about KS when it opened was how amazing their invisible fences were. Then I rode it and realized the storytelling was a thin shallacking. The same with everest even though I do think the storytelling is slightly better than KS, >> There deliberately is minimal story. The scenery and the wildlife are the story - the DAK team wanted something that had a relevant sub-message - that of ecology and sustainability - and it works perfectly. I can't even begin to comprehend why someone would not think that KS is a flawless attraction - it brings African wildlife to a central Florida setting with all of the headaches that come with it (climate, horticultural differences etc.) but it works perfectly. You could be in Kruger or any other game park - and in fact probably can see more wildlife than on a real game drive.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>That's Expedition Everest, not our own EE. Though I'm sure he does enhance the Park with his presense. That is when he takes the time to show up!)<<< Might be there in December. For the record 3rd time. I love the theme, I love the detail, but it needs so much more. Honestly, it's hard to justify going to that park when two of the others have so much more. *dodges flying fruit*
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I love the theme, I love the detail, but it needs so much more. Honestly, it's hard to justify going to that park when two of the others have so much more. << Just use your eyes. Take it all in. You don't even need to ride anything. Although it's impossible for me to go by KS without going in.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Just use your eyes. Take it all in. You don't even need to ride anything. Although it's impossible for me to go by KS without going in.<<<< I know. I do that. But after about half a day, you want to ride a few more things. Same with WS... Love it to death, I have spent all day there (EPCOT only trips are amazing.) but when in a theme park, I want to ride more than 3 rides. Good thing FW is there.
