Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 "Agreed Hans, I would never spend that money. If anything I would be annoyed if the event was occurring when I was there as a guest, possibly being effected by reduced normal hours." Yeah - it would suck if every time you went to a theme park there was some upcharge event that cut regular theme park hours and saw you being ushered out like a peasant.........wait a minute!!!
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Agreed Hans, I would never spend that money. If anything I would be annoyed if the event was occurring when I was there as a guest, possibly being effected by reduced normal hours.>> I doubt hours will be reduced. IoA usually closes around 8 at that time of the year anyway. The Gala will be an after hours event.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>"And FJ is jaw dropping." It better be considering all the hype. << My feeling is that you will be let down if you believe all the hype. An excellent attraction, no doubt, but would approach it with level expectations.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>Yeah - it would suck if every time you went to a theme park there was some upcharge event that cut regular theme park hours and saw you being ushered out like a peasant.........wait a minute!!!<< NICE BOB!! I like!
Originally Posted By ChiMike >> doubt hours will be reduced. IoA usually closes around 8 at that time of the year anyway. The Gala will be an after hours event.<< Then it is a win-win. I am even tempted to purchase it for a loved one, although I wouldn't stay at offsite accomodations so I am not sure if a consideration is allowed.
Originally Posted By dshyates The advertised packages state "Starting at..." I am guessing that the on sites are available. Just more expensive.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<My feeling is that you will be let down if you believe all the hype. An excellent attraction, no doubt, but would approach it with level expectations.>> I'm only speaking for myself...but my very high expectations were completely blown away by Forbidden Journey. The visceral and VERY personal experience that the ride is amazed me. Most attractions you experience with at least on other person that you can interact with. On Forbidden Journey you're basically in your own little world. yes I know there are 3 people right next to you, but the way the car is set up completely cuts you off from them. That, and the fact that everything is so close to you, and the level of detail and fluidity of the motion, it really just takes my breath away every time I ride.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>Most attractions you experience with at least on other person that you can interact with. On Forbidden Journey you're basically in your own little world. yes I know there are 3 people right next to you, but the way the car is set up completely cuts you off from them. << Man Hokie, that is an excellent point! I certainly felt the strong feeling of isolation. That aspect is done phenomenally well. I think FJ is the best attraction in Orlando right now. The land itself is even stronger. Based on past conversations, I felt I needed to chime in with Hans to make sure that he wasn't expecting Jesus' interpretation of Western River Expedition. Us folks are certainly drooling fanboys, but I don't want to over play it for Hans.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I felt I needed to chime in with Hans to make sure that he wasn't expecting Jesus' interpretation of Western River Expedition. Us folks are certainly drooling fanboys, but I don't want to over play it for Hans.>> Very true. I mean I wouldn't go on the ride expecting it to be life changing haha. But go on expecting to experience something you've never seen before.
Originally Posted By dshyates Yeah, I'm in the the overall experience is AMAZING. The queue is amazing. The ride system is beyond amazing. And the ride itself is also amazing. But if you are looking for weaknesses there are things inside the ride to point at. Like if you can look past the giant whomping willow branch that is about to knock you into the next scene, you can see the ceiling. Or that Aragog should be an AA. I know you only see it for a second or 2, and that what is there is enough. But one could still easily say "it should have been..." nevermind that as is, it still REALLY freaks some people out to be shoved face to face with a car sized spitting spider. I didn't realize this because I am an old jaded dude, but my kids tell me FJ is a terrifying ride. Who knew?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>My feeling is that you will be let down if you believe all the hype. An excellent attraction, no doubt, but would approach it with level expectations.<<< Well, if you expect it to be something impossible, yes. But when you realize that it is the first of it's kind, it's highly detailed, and thrilling, and is set in one of the most amazingly refined environments, yes, it is worth the hype. I went, not expecting it to be that caliber. I had never been to Uni before. I thought it would be something "nice", but I was very, very wrong. It's in a world all it's own.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Like if you can look past the giant whomping willow branch that is about to knock you into the next scene, you can see the ceiling.>> I've still never noticed that... <<Or that Aragog should be an AA. I know you only see it for a second or 2, and that what is there is enough.>> I thought that the first time I rode it, but I think for the speed that you fly by him, it would have been a waste. It's not like the dragon where you basically stop in front of him so he can do his thing, or the dementors that you go by fairly slowly.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer You are going so fast at that point, that you can't even look, IMO.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>I thought that the first time I rode it, but I think for the speed that you fly by him, it would have been a waste. It's not like the dragon where you basically stop in front of him so he can do his thing, or the dementors that you go by fairly slowly.<< Hokie you echo my feelings on FJ very well. I felt the same at first, but came away quickly understanding why they chose what they chose.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>I went, not expecting it to be that caliber. I had never been to Uni before. I thought it would be something "nice", but I was very, very wrong. It's in a world all it's own.<< A great way to be introduced to something, for sure. Which is why it is better that people go to any ride, including FJ, not expecting the greatest thing known to man. I rather see great attractions, which FJ is, exceed expectations rather than disappoint because of hype. Exactly how I felt after riding Everest the first time. I was like, "Are you kidding??? This?""
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>A great way to be introduced to something, for sure. Which is why it is better that people go to any ride, including FJ, not expecting the greatest thing known to man. I rather see great attractions, which FJ is, exceed expectations rather than disappoint because of hype.<<<< True. But even, then, I had heard all the hype for a few months, and I was STILL blown away. LOL
Originally Posted By leobloom You can't overstate how neat the ride system is for FJ. I knew it would have a range of motion, but does it ever! I've been wanting to go back to IOA ever since I rode the thing.
Originally Posted By Christi22222 leo, I've been meaning to ask this but it never seems like a good time....how are the bathrooms at WWoHP?!
Originally Posted By leobloom I didn't visit Potter's restrooms. Can you believe it? Another reason to return to IOA!
Originally Posted By ReelJustice <<I didn't visit Potter's restrooms. Can you believe it? Another reason to return to IOA!>> Which is a shame since they have something even better than quail tiles!
