Originally Posted By TDR_Fan <<Yeah, I'm with you guys there. POTC queue at DLP really out does itself .>> It kind of reminds me of the queue for Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland, albeit on a lesser scale and not as detailed. Still, it's beyond the queues for the other Pirates of the Caribbeans (Magic Kingdom's aside).
Originally Posted By barboy "the experience of any attraction begins at the entrance of the attraction. In the case of Journey to the Center of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the experience starts as soon as I enter Mysterious Island. The overall immersion and detail of the setting and attraction (entryway, queue, ride, exit area, etc) is what makes both Journey to the Center of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea my personal favorites." Absolutely! Mysterious Island with its stunning active volcano and that Jules Verne drilling machine positioned on the side of the mountain, volcanic eruptions and oceanic upwellings and vortexes is beyond the coolest thing I have ever seen in a themepark. The energy from Mysterious Island draws me all the way from California. Even the small Gyosa stand and water fountains pound-for-pound, inch-for-inch are themed out as good or better than anything in the US, HK or Paris.
Originally Posted By barboy "It(DLP's Pirates) is the best as it has the awesome treasure Isle outside, a spanish fort holds the queue, and the attraction is more akin to DL's with more advanced AA's." Right you are. The whole Paris Pirates attraction including the general area before the queue is a masterpiece plain and simple. From top to bottom Pirates amazes me leaving me ready to circle back around for a 3rd consecutive run because there is so much to take in and appreciate.
Originally Posted By barboy You know X from my readings there doesn't seem to be much love out there for Stormrider-- but I enjoyed it very much--- way better than Back To the Future and lightyears ahead of stinking, forgettable Body Wars but maybe not as good as Star Tours(after all I am a Star Wars addict). To add to the excitement on my very first run while in the holding chamber(queue)we had a nice earth shaker, leaving us quite unnerved and apprehensive. They shut the ride down for about 30 minutes so we just sat in the holding tank and waited it out. Stormrider was well worth that wait.
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan <<Absolutely! Mysterious Island with its stunning active volcano and that Jules Verne drilling machine positioned on the side of the mountain, volcanic eruptions and oceanic upwellings and vortexes is beyond the coolest thing I have ever seen in a themepark. The energy from Mysterious Island draws me all the way from California. Even the small Gyosa stand and water fountains pound-for-pound, inch-for-inch are themed out as good or better than anything in the US, HK or Paris. >> In my opinion, Mysterious Island is the most elaborate, fantastical, and awe-inspiring area ever created in a theme park. It is truly beyond spectacular; like stepping right into the imaginary world of Jules Verne and into Captain Nemo's secret base in the caldera of Mount Prometheus. It is definitely an extravagant and fanciful experience for any Jules Verne fan like me; almost like a wonderful dream.
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan <<You know X from my readings there doesn't seem to be much love out there for Stormrider-- but I enjoyed it very much--- way better than Back To the Future and lightyears ahead of stinking, forgettable Body Wars but maybe not as good as Star Tours(after all I am a Star Wars addict). To add to the excitement on my very first run while in the holding chamber(queue)we had a nice earth shaker, leaving us quite unnerved and apprehensive. They shut the ride down for about 30 minutes so we just sat in the holding tank and waited it out. Stormrider was well worth that wait.>> I enjoyed StormRider too. I thought it was better than Star Tours and great for a simulator attraction. I think it is definitely E-ticket quality. Great storytelling and preshow; the effects were quite stellar too, and I love the design of the cabin and the projections on the portholes.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara The big problem with Storm Rider is that it's a simulator, and the all-too-obvious seams in the screen greatly damage any sense of verisimilitude that it might otherwise achieve. You're supposed to be looking out a window: windows don't have seams.
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan <<The big problem with Storm Rider is that it's a simulator, and the all-too-obvious seams in the screen greatly damage any sense of verisimilitude that it might otherwise achieve. You're supposed to be looking out a window: windows don't have seams.>> I thought those seams were supposed to replicate the window in the observation deck. Windows are often divided into sections called panes, and that is what I've always thought they looked like.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara They don't replicate anything. There are similar seams in the screens at the the two Soarin' attractions, however they are not nearly as noticeable. In fact, it wasn't until after being so distracted by them on Storm Rider that I did notice them at California Adventure!
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan <<They don't replicate anything. There are similar seams in the screens at the the two Soarin' attractions, however they are not nearly as noticeable. In fact, it wasn't until after being so distracted by them on Storm Rider that I did notice them at California Adventure!>> Just pretend they are panes in the window then, though that doesn't work for Soarin's case. Better than breaking the illusion.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara YOU pretend they're window panes. I prefer to retain my ability to think and reason--which includes wondering why they screwed up that way.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara And that's why you have such unreserved praise for Tokyo DisneySea. It's a wonderful place, but it has faults and in discussion they should be recognized.
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan <<And that's why you have such unreserved praise for Tokyo DisneySea. It's a wonderful place, but it has faults and in discussion they should be recognized.>> Yes, I understand that. But I only give credit when due, and I do have issues with the place too. I have touched on some of the issues in the past. But in the context of StormRider, I honestly do not think the seams are as big a problem as some of the problems found in other attraction. It's certainly not as jarring as seeing someone's feet above you in Soarin'.
Originally Posted By barboy "seeing someone's feet above you in Soarin'" I have to agree about those dangling appendages--- what a distraction! Soarin' over Cali is good solid fun but 2 out of 3 riders are subjected to foot view.
Originally Posted By Mr X >>Stormrider-- but I enjoyed it very much--- way better than Back To the Future and lightyears ahead of stinking, forgettable Body Wars but maybe not as good as Star Tours(after all I am a Star Wars addict).<< That's pretty much exactly how I feel. Plus, BodyWars and Back to the Future made me extremely nauseous...Star Tours and Stormrider do not.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara I concur, Mr.X--I also felt icky after both Back to the Future and Body Wars, but have no problems on Star Tours or Stormrider. The vehicle in Storm Rider is so big, I can't imagine anyone feeling naseous from it. Have you ever done the simulator in the Star Trek Experience in Vegas? Kind of a cross between Back to the Future and Star Tours--and more like Star Tours 2 once it all gets revamped. Also gives you the icks if you're not careful.
Originally Posted By Mr X Yes, Trek was great (the experience was fantastic...expecially getting transported!)...me and SuperDry went there a couple of years ago. But yes, I do remember getting a touch sick...not as bad as those other two though iirc. BodyWars was the WORST...that forwards backwards forwards backwards effect was neat, beating heart and all, but MAN did it make me sick, sick, sick!! I never rode it unless I was with someone who was dying to check it out, at which times I suffered through it and they ran straight over to England for a beer to settle my stomach.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara Yes, being transported and realizing the entire room changed around you was great. That side of the attraction is still much better than the newer Borg 4D movie. The real problem, with both sides, is that it's too expensive for what you get. I can't understand how they've managed to stay open so long.
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan I'm very prone to motion sickness and could not stand Body Wars at all. Mission: Space was probably even worse and I felt sick for a good 6 hours after that. Forced me to return to my hotel room and call it a day. Even now, I'm still nervous about trying the Green Side. Though I know it's not nearly as bad as the original Orange side.
