Originally Posted By Mr X So today I got to check out Monsters Inc, officially my 2nd and 3rd rides on that particular attraction (still *ridiculously* popular, which is nice as it takes some of the heat off Pooh and Buzz if you're willing to skip it lol)... I must say that I am substantially more impressed with it now that I was the first time. And the reason is mostly because I dropped that stupid flashlight for the most part (yes I did shine it here or there, but I decided right off the bat not to pay much attention to it). I noticed a lot more of the storyline this time around, and I liked it. I loved the way that Mike knocked Randall into the compactor, which I caught the first time but this time I thought it was a lot funnier for some reason. I noticed a lot more of that stupid character they created in order to market, that was a negative point for me. But for the most part, I realized this time the ride is a solid D+ ticket. If they got rid of the meaningless flashlights in favor of a few more great effects (like the door into Boo's room, and the Monster who disappears behind a poll...how do they DO that!? THAT is DIsney magic and I LOVE it!), I would rate it a true E ticket.
Originally Posted By Christi22222 Is this a ride that is anywhere else in a Disney park? It sounds very cool, and I find the Monsters Inc ride at DCA so very pathetic I can't stand it. But I can never tell how much of it has to do with my limited appreciation of that movie. Have you been on the one at DCA to compare?
Originally Posted By SuperDry I've been on both. Even Disney said that the one at DCA was intended to be a "solid C ticket." It's clear that the one in Tokyo is supposed to be an E. Mr X called it a D+. I might call it an E-. I really like it, especially with the recent changes. It's in a whole different league than the one at DCA, and it's not currently anywhere else other than TDL.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Mr. X, your thread prompted me to seek out some of these attractions via YouTube, and while it's hard to tell exactly, both Monsters, Inc. and Pooh look very nice. One of the things that amazes me is the behavior of the guests in the queue area. In the 'Pooh' ride, there are all these detailed sets, and not one person even so much as even thought about touching them. In the states, most of those same sets would have to be very far away, and even then, would be damaged and dinged and chipped from every American lunkhead touching it. Amazing...
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< One of the things that amazes me is the behavior of the guests in the queue area. In the 'Pooh' ride, there are all these detailed sets, and not one person even so much as even thought about touching them. In the states, most of those same sets would have to be very far away, and even then, would be damaged and dinged and chipped from every American lunkhead touching it. >>> You see that constantly in the Tokyo parks - things that are within reach that probably would not last a day in the US parks before being destroyed by guests. Also, I've noticed other design elements that could never be done the same way in the US for liability reasons - that's not to say that things are build in a dangerous or unsafe manner in Tokyo, but just that every last thing isn't built defensively so as to prevent someone that is doing something they know they shouldn't be from getting hurt. Since it's all designed by WDI, I wonder sometimes how difficult it is for them to switch mindsets on those two key aspects.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Mr. X, your thread prompted me to seek out some of these attractions via YouTube, and while it's hard to tell exactly, both Monsters, Inc. and Pooh look very nice*** They definitely are. While I like Monsters, Pooh is absolutely amazing...it's in my top 5 theme park attractions ever, and the only one without any thrill element whatsoever.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I noticed a lot more of that stupid character they created in order to market, that was a negative point for me.>> How dare you call my little fuzzball "stupid". Rocky rocks. And he wasn't created for marketing or merchandise reasons - he was created to encourage repeatability - he is a tricky guy to find.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I loved the way that Mike knocked Randall into the compactor, which I caught the first time but this time I thought it was a lot funnier for some reason.>> You aren't the only one. I don't think even the most rabid TDL fan truly appreciates the complexity of that scene. It is probably the most technically complex scene ever created - trying to get it personal for each service vehicle is incredibly hard. It looks phenomenal though.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***It is probably the most technically complex scene ever created - trying to get it personal for each service vehicle is incredibly hard. It looks phenomenal though*** Agreed.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I loved Monsters. It easily is an E-Ticket. Not sure whether I liked Pooh better or not. They both just impressed the heck out of me and all I could think about is the rubes who visit the MK and ride Pooh and SW etc and think that's the best Disney can do with toon/family rides. I liked the flashlight deal, but I also felt like I just wanted to be enveloped in the world WDI had created too. And that Randall in the compactor scene was amazing ... but many were. I still couldn't help but think that parts of the attraction seemed very derivative of MiB at UNI ... but that's not a knock. Pooh impressed differently. From a wonderful and immersive queue to real AAs and high-tech effects to the amazing ride system. I rode HKDL's Pooh Tuesday and boy, what a come down ... just so basic (although at least their version is clean and in top show quality too). As to this point: <<< One of the things that amazes me is the behavior of the guests in the queue area. In the 'Pooh' ride, there are all these detailed sets, and not one person even so much as even thought about touching them. In the states, most of those same sets would have to be very far away, and even then, would be damaged and dinged and chipped from every American lunkhead touching it. >>> I was thinking that constantly. From Sinbad at TDS to PoC at TDL, from ToT at TDS to Small World at TDL ... so many things are so close (you could walk into Captain Jack's lap if you were so inclined) yet it isn't a concern. People seem to respect things. And that has to be cultural because Americans and Europeans remind me of toddlers when they discover it's fun to touch certain 'parts' ... they never want to stop grabbing and pulling and touching until everything gets destroyed. And it isn't just children either. Pooh's queue is a great example because you have all that detailed country stuff before you walk thru the storybook pages and no one bothers it. The one time I saw anything 'American' was when some young women were attempting to touch the cobwebs in Mansion as they were waiting for the Doombuggies. But it certainly is a whole different world from what I see at WDW and DLP.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara Monster's Inc. is so greatly improved since it's opening that while I wasn't blown away my first ride, subsequent rides have made it one of my favorites in the park. I can't imagine how anyone can say it's not an E-Ticket attraction. If it's not, then neither is Pirates or the Haunted Mansion.
