Best/Worst Rehab

[W.E.D.]

With all the various rehabs/refurbs going on, I was wondering what everyone thought was the best refurb and the worst.

Best: Haunted Mansion. This is my number one, most favorite ride at WDW. I was very concerned when I heard they would be working on it. Well, after my trip last December, I have to say I was amazed at what they had done. I really like the new queu. I think everything they did there was fantastic. I believe all the new additions to the ride itself were in keeping with the spirit of the original. And two thumbs up to the imagineers for the new hitchhiking ghosts! That really blew me away.

Worst: Imagination. This is a burned out shell of the original ride. The interim ride was just worthless. That was the first time, EVER, that I have gone up to the nearest CM to complain about what had been done to the ride. I was told I wasn't alone in my opinion and they encouraged me to visit GS and complain, which I promptly did. Why, why, why?? If you've experienced the original, you know what an experience it was. The various rooms were quite beautiful and the entire ride accomplished its intent: to make you use your imagination. IMHO, it was one of the best dark rides and they absolutely gutted it.

 

[Reddog1134]

With all the various rehabs/refurbs going on, I was wondering what everyone thought was the best refurb and the worst.

Best: Haunted Mansion. This is my number one, most favorite ride at WDW. I was very concerned when I heard they would be working on it. Well, after my trip last December, I have to say I was amazed at what they had done. I really like the new queu. I think everything they did there was fantastic. I believe all the new additions to the ride itself were in keeping with the spirit of the original. And two thumbs up to the imagineers for the new hitchhiking ghosts! That really blew me away.

Worst: Imagination. This is a burned out shell of the original ride. The interim ride was just worthless. That was the first time, EVER, that I have gone up to the nearest CM to complain about what had been done to the ride. I was told I wasn't alone in my opinion and they encouraged me to visit GS and complain, which I promptly did. Why, why, why?? If you've experienced the original, you know what an experience it was. The various rooms were quite beautiful and the entire ride accomplished its intent: to make you use your imagination. IMHO, it was one of the best dark rides and they absolutely gutted it.

I would probably have to agree with your choices.

Haunted Mansion has always been my favorite ride but the new additions have enhanced my enjoyment even more.

The last time I rode Imagination (which is the first time I rode it since the original in the 80's) felt like it was lacking imagination. Disney rides are usually very immersive but this one felt like a few props thrown into several rooms with an ominimover moving through it.

 

[RMulieri]

I agree with both of your choices as well.
IMAGINATION is so awful we don't even go near that pavilion anymore.Such a shame, it used to be great.

 

[princess124]

With all the various rehabs/refurbs going on, I was wondering what everyone thought was the best refurb and the worst.

Best: Haunted Mansion. This is my number one, most favorite ride at WDW. I was very concerned when I heard they would be working on it. Well, after my trip last December, I have to say I was amazed at what they had done. I really like the new queu. I think everything they did there was fantastic. I believe all the new additions to the ride itself were in keeping with the spirit of the original. And two thumbs up to the imagineers for the new hitchhiking ghosts! That really blew me away.

Worst: Imagination. This is a burned out shell of the original ride. The interim ride was just worthless. That was the first time, EVER, that I have gone up to the nearest CM to complain about what had been done to the ride. I was told I wasn't alone in my opinion and they encouraged me to visit GS and complain, which I promptly did. Why, why, why?? If you've experienced the original, you know what an experience it was. The various rooms were quite beautiful and the entire ride accomplished its intent: to make you use your imagination. IMHO, it was one of the best dark rides and they absolutely gutted it.

These two would definitely get my vote as well. JII was absolutely the worst refurb EVER. I bought a shirt with Figment and Dreamfinder on it during our last trip and had so many people asking where I had gotten it. I try to explain to my family how great the original one and how this version doesn't compare, and it wasn't until I showed them a video from YouTube that they finally saw what I was talking about (and that I wasn't the crazy Figment loving lady!).

ETA: I had forgotten how cool the original ImageWorks was until I saw that same YouTube video. Brought back so many memories! Like the OP said, even the pavilion, which was once full of energy and life, seems lifeless and a shell of what it used to be.

 

[Andtototoo]

Worst: The new Mexico ride with Donald. Unbelievably bad.

 

[OB1]

Good choices.

I will agree with Haunted as a great refurb.

Worst: Alien Encounter to Stitch.

 

[rgf207]

Good choices.

I will agree with Haunted as a great refurb.

Worst: Alien Encounter to Stitch.

^This

 

[Edgehopper]

Two old ones as my nominees for Worst: Monster Sound Show to Sounds Dangerous, and Superstar Television to, um, "Doug Live" (en route to the decent American Idol Live).

Best...I'd say Living Seas's transformation to The Seas With Nemo.

 

[JetsetJAK]

Definitely have to agree where Imagination is concerned. When I went to Disney in 2000 I got to experience the "Journey Into YOUR Imagination" version of the ride during it's brief existence before they closed it again in 2001 to make it into it's current version. I was really underwhelmed, and completely surprised that they almost completely eliminated Figment from the ride!!! This trip was to celebrate my high school graduation (My mom was a travel agent at the time and got great deals, so my sis & I both got a trip for our graduations. Sis choose Las Vegas, I choose Disney World ) and I remember at the time thinking that maybe I was just older now and that's why it seemed less "magical". But now thanks to YouTube and Martins Videos allowing me to relive the original attraction, I can see that "Journey Into YOUR Imagination" just wasn't very good.

And does Horizons being torn down and replaced with Mission: Space count as a rehab? 'Cause that would probably be the worst for me. On that same trip in 2000, I was there right after they finished completely tearing the building down, and I still remember going to Epcot and walking over to ride Horizons....and finding an empty lot.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Going with Haunted Mansion. These recent updates are spectacular! As for worst, I'm going with the Peoplemover. The new voice is annoying.

 

[sara_serendipity88]

Basically everything everyone is saying in this thread I am completely agreeing with.

Journey into Imagination was one of my absolute favorite rides as a little girl, so you can imagine my nine year old self's disappointment when Figment was almost nowhere to be found and all the pretty rooms were gone when Journey into YOUR Imagination came around. Oh my Ga-and ImageWorks. They butchered it. Remember when you were able to use a machine to shoot different colors of paint onto paintings on the wall? Now THAT was fun!

And a million times yes on The Haunted Mansion refurb! That has been my favorite ride in Magic Kingdom since always, so when I heard about the refurb I was constantly checking its progress. After the Figment incident, I was SO worried they were going to ruin THM too; but they didn't and it's even better than before!

PS: The second worst refurb, IMO, is the new voice on Spaceship Earth and the change of ending. I'm sorry, but when did Jeremy Irons' voice stop being awesome? And where did that beautiful music at the end go? I would rather hear this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THz6oysRtdc then stare at a tiny screen for the finale.

 

[OneLittleSpark7]

Based on my Dis name you can probably tell I have an affinity for the little purple dragon so it should come as no surprise that I am in total agreement with the posters on this thread. The new ride just breaks my heart!

When I was little we rode Figment every single night of a trip. I loved it that much.

The best analogy I've heard was that the original Figment documented the birth of Figment. He was young, naive, and encouraged everyone to use their imagination. Right now? He's a teenager. Mischievous and sophomoric. Hopefully someday this ride will go away and we'll be introduced to a new Figment. The adult Figment. Mature and enlightened. But still completely capable of using his imagination

 

[klacey1]

Best: I LOVE the new Star Tours. I think it's much smoother and I love the new story lines.

Worst: Not sure I have one! I never experienced the old Imagination, and I love both Alien Encounter & Stitch's Great Escape for different reasons.

 

[disney1990]

Worse - Mexico Donald Duck, Alien to Stitch, and Imagination

Best - Haunted Mansion - Love Test Track, but miss the Original

 

[kmacht]

No mention of Captain EO? Granted, honey I shrunk the audience wasn't a great show but it was at least better than the Captain EO that replaced it.

Tiki room was another one that seem to pull people one way or the other. Either you hated the original show and and were ok with the "new management" or you loved it and like the fact that they brought it back.

Keith

 

[LuvClarice]

I have to agree with HM and Imagination as candidates for best and worst. I can't put Gran Fiesta in there simply because I don't think the original was any better. I would also consider TOT with it's upgrades from the original one drop to three and then on to random. This was to a ride that I was amazed could be improved because it was so great to start with! I like the addition of Nemo & Friends to the Seas. I didn't really care for Mission to Space, so I liked the rehab to Alien Encounter, did not like the rehab to Stitch. I find Captain EO and Honey I Shrunk the Audience good to interchange periodically. You can get tired of either after a while. I love the live NEMO show, but I really miss Tarzan. Wish they could keep both of those. Like the Stars Tours rehab as it was getting a little old too.

Kathy

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Agree that Haunted Mansion has been the best refurbishment. I know Walt would be proud.


Also agree that they killed Journey Into Imagination when they ditched both Figment and Dreamfinder. Then, they brought back Figment, but Dr. Nigel Channing is nothing close to Dreamfinder. Plus, how does that ride have anything to do with imagination (until the very end, of course)? Bring back the Dreamfinder!


And to the person who said that Horizons to Mission Space was a bad refurbishment: here here! Let's take something that Walt would have loved - something that was the Epcot version, the sequel, if you will, to his beloved Carousel of Progress - and turn it into a ride with more "protein spills" than all the other rides combined. Brilliant plan! [/sarcasm]

 

[hookedonears]

Where to start?
Captain EO
Stitch
The Mexico ride
Journey to Imagination (This one was bad before and after)

Off topic:
Rides that haven't been rehabbed, but need it:
1) Buzz: Love the ride, but the technology is outdated (black light). It's extremely difficult to see what you're shooting at. Would love to see, not a copy, but technology similar to TSM.

2) The Speedway: Many people hate this attraction, but kids love it, expecially small ones. It just needs a major upgrade in quality.

 

[shyjade]

I agree with both of your choices as well.
IMAGINATION is so awful we don't even go near that pavilion anymore.Such a shame, it used to be great.

Agree 100%! I had such great memories of IMAGINATION from our vacation in the 80's. My draw dropped in shock when I rode it a few years ago with my daughter for the first time after the refurb. When planning for our upcoming trip my DD14 said "no way!"

 

[OldsDr]

I am one who is dilikes change a lot of times

I agree with the original two in this thread.

I like the way the did POTC adding movie elements but keeping a lot of original stuff, I did not like when the did POTC to bow to the PC police.

I miss the retro Que to SM. and the non-original last spiel on people mover.

When the refurbed Germanys restaurant and many it a buffet it went down hill

When they refurbed the tickets and went from length of Stays to MTW that was not good.