Originally Posted By mstaft We spent one full day here and part of one afternoon. It was as I remembered it and expected it to be... In our opinion, Stitch was a very poor replacement for Alien Encounter. Space Mountain was extremely rough to ride and needs a DL-like makeover. But it is still part of a wonderful Tomorrowland compared to its west coast older sister. Just having the transit authority to ride was great fun. Philharmagic sparkled- and Small World looks and sounds better than I ever remember it- and we ride it every visit. My wife and I love its happy and upbeat message. Did nothing else in Fantasyland and did not seen Toontown Fair. The "Sparrowization" of Pirates is not nearly as good as in DL- but my wife was very impressed with the Sparrow animatronics- especially the last one. (I do think that ending works better than DL's shoehorned addition.) Loved the Swiss Family Treehouse... Jungle Cruise needs something- anything- and Tiki needs to be torn down. We still love Liberty Square but Haunted Mansion was in terrible shape. Hall of Presidents was only slightly better. (No politics here, please.) Splash and Thunder were great as usual- especially at night. Both are much better than the DL versions but nearly as well taken care of. Frontierland had alot of atmosphere this time compared to last. Wanted to see the bears, but they were out of commission. Main Street looked pretty good but not great. The castle is enchanting- and I think the paint job will make it even better. Great fireworks and parades- good food to be found too, surprisingly... A wonderful time was had by all.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Big Thunder better than DL's version? I don't think so... Last time I rode DL's, it was much better overall in shape and special effects. >>A wonderful time was had by all.<< You are using a TDLFAN trademark line!!! >>Did nothing else in Fantasyland<< Too bad.. since everything else in Fantasyland is in very bad shape and would have loved to read your opinion on the condition of classic C-tickets such as Pan, Snow and ... well, everything.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <and Tiki needs to be torn down. < only part I really disagree with -- return it to it's glory yes, but tear it down - no. First I really like the original Tiki show...and second, we can't afford to lost any more classic attractions. One only has to look over in Fantasyland for what happens even 12 years after a classic closes.
Originally Posted By mstaft Some additional thoughts- Fantasyland (castle aside) pales compared to DL. We did not want to wait an hour for Peter Pan or Pooh (seeing that once was enough.) OK- fresh perspective on Tiki- how about replacing it to its original show or better yet, use new or classic music instead of contemporary which ages it instantly. And get rid of Iago! Annoying in the film and twice as annoying in the attraction. I think the track layouts and scenery of both Splash and Thunder are much better at WDW. I do not like how close they are together, however. But differing opinions are what makes these boards interesting!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>only part I really disagree with -- return it to it's glory yes, but tear it down - no. First I really like the original Tiki show...and second, we can't afford to lost any more classic attractions.<< True. They could have done the "Get the Fever" show from TDL's Tiki Birds, which is an update take on the classic show, and maintains that classic feel to it without sacrificing quality or going into cheesy territory as "Under New Management" does.
Originally Posted By danyoung >Big Thunder better than DL's version? I don't think so... Last time I rode DL's, it was much better overall in shape and special effects.< Really? I always thought WDW's flooded mining town gave it the edge.
Originally Posted By pitapan16 Yes the Magic Kingdom overall is in nowhere as great of shape as Disneyland in CA or from what I always hear, Tokyo Disneyland.
Originally Posted By tonyanton TDLFAN...I agree about the Tiki Birds in Tokyo, except for the pre-show...almost as bad as the screaming match "agents" in Florida.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Anyone remember the last year the MK truly felt fresh? I'd say '95 or '96, but I'm curious what others think.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I always thought WDW's flooded mining town gave it the edge.<< The flooded scene in WDW's BTM does not cut it for me... as you go thru it too fast to enjoy it. Furthermore, I find the drop into the Coyote Canyon cave to be more thrilling than the silly flooded town. Even more of a disgrace is how the special effects and falling rocks inside the cave (during the last lift) have been permanently deleted and replaced with a projection of "shadows" of falling rocks, when all of the other 3 BTM versions feature the falling rock props and fiber optic lighting to simulate gold dust. WDW's BTM is a real embarrasment when compared to the DL, TDL and especially DLP's versions. Thumbs down.
Originally Posted By brotherdave I'd have to agree with you about when the Magic Kingdom last felt 'fresh'. It was when the new Tomorrowland was finished, Splash Mountain was still relatively new, and there was hope that something big might go where the sub lagoon was while it was still there. Still, there have been some nice 'changes' to the Magic Kingdom such as the addition of Mickey's Philarmagic (which I thought was one of the best 3-D movies I've seen yet) and the changeover of Dreamflight to Buzz Lightyear. Alien Encounter just never really fit into the Magic Kingdom, and should have been built at the Studios. If it had been built there instead, I'm sure it would still be thrilling guests today. I found the addition of Stitch not to my liking, but, my 8 year old son LOVED it. (We had to see it THREE TIMES! Ugh!) So, I guess it's a hit with it's target audience - kids. At least the AA of Stitch was rather impressive. Oh, and the Tiki Room needs to go back to it's roots. I don't find the new show to be as bad as everyone else makes it out to be, but, I still prefer the old show over it anytime! The pre-show with Don Rickles and the late Phil Hartman was just horrible, worse than Iago could ever do inside! But, my kid loved the new Tiki Room (he actually likes Iago!). I wonder if it ever changes again in about 10 years or so, if today's generation might gripe about bringing back the "New Management" show like we do about the original? I guess it's a matter of what era you were born into to what becomes 'nostalgia' for that generation. Anyway, I hope some new big things are on the horizon for the Magic Kingdom soon, especially in the old 20,000 Leagues area!
Originally Posted By brotherdave Oh, I forgot about that 'wondrous E-Ticket attraction', TDLFAN! I know it's one of vbdad's 'favorite' ones as well!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Besides the Mickey wrapper found in the DVC resort bathrooms I guess... LOL!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I find that DL's Big Thunder is the best of all of them (Paris included). Since it has such a small physical footprint for the lenght and speed of the ride, instead of creating a layout that could be disorienting and feels like you are out of control, the designers were forced to cram it all in a tiny space, which really throws you off. Only after riding it about 10 times in the past month and a half have I been able to begin to get a bearing of where everything is in that ride. Since it is supposed to be a run away train, the chaotic feel in DL really can't be matched by any other BTMRR, IMO.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Oh, I forgot about that 'wondrous E-Ticket attraction', TDLFAN! I know it's one of vbdad's 'favorite' ones as well! < hard to believe I was not the one who started the other Pohh playground thread isn't it ?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Besides the Mickey wrapper found in the DVC resort bathrooms I guess... LOL!< <^^Soap bar wrappers that is...< if it would have been a wrapper 'left' by me instead of found, it would have been from a premium ice cream bar last trip.....it ate waaaay too many of those, but it did motivateme to get back into the gym onmy return home.
