Alright.
I just got back from WDW, and I made it a point to expose myself to this audio-animatronic controversy that is SGE. I did my best to keep a detachment from Alien Encounter, but a few comparisons will worm their way into the Here are my observations:
1.) This is a very minor gripe, but since this is no longer the Intergalactic Convention Center, they might want to consider changing the name on the TTA recording.
2.) I'd really like to know what's written on that plaque by the door as you go into the briefing room. Not a gripe or anything, I'm just curious like that.
3.) The premise was a little cheesy, but as the one for AE was too I didn't mind it. I did like the way the Grand Councilwoman and Captain Gantu were worked into things (particularly Gantu). I don't know why, but I was half expecting to find more photorealistic interpretations of the characters -- maybe it's because I knew I would see a realistic Stitch during the course of the attraction.
4.) I have to admit, I will always miss S.I.R. with Tim Curry providing the "dripping-with-arrogance" voice (I can still hear him saying "Bon Voyage!" in an almost condescending tone). However, given the refit and different feel of the transporter room I doubt he'd have fit in well with it. Besides, even though 'Sarge' was a little over-the-top with hysterics he was okay.
5.) I was really glad to see Skippy had been spared the axe -- even though he was reduced to the status of a common criminal.
6.) The cannon arms had to be the smoothest, most impressive display of audio-animatronics I've ever seen. The only downside I saw to them is that the barrels did not light up as they 'fired' -- I don't know if they were supposed to or not, but would have been much better IMO if they did.
7.) Stitch was animated well, but would have liked to have seen his movements a bit quicker in nature (as they were in the movie and also in the 'shadow animations' in SGE). That may not have been possible given the limitations of current audio-anmatronics, so I don't feel that strongly about it.
8.) THE CHILI DOG SMELL -- YUCK! I like chili dogs... but I have to be honest, that only had the vaguest semblance to what IMO they usually smell like. It's a good thing I had already eaten lunch because I would have had NO appetite for anything afterwards. This is my sole major gripe with this attraction; they really need to improve the smell of the chili dogs. Yes I know it's supposed to be a little bit gross -- but it doesn't have to be THAT bad.
OVERALL -- Aside from the rancid smell I really can't understand most of the bad reviews SGE is getting. This may not be the greatest attraction WDW has ever seen (which would be hard anyway given some of the classic ones given us over the years), but there's no way it's the worst. As someone else here has said, it's GOOD but not GREAT (although changing the smell would certainly improve things).
AE caught lots of flack for being too intense for younger children, and it looks like SGE tries to be a bit more 'kid friendly' -- which it succeeds to a point. Given the loud noises and periods of total darkness (yes, and the breathing on your neck) I would still suggest that most children under 7 years old should avoid SGE.
Yes, I will miss the old Alien Encounter. I'm sure there were/are fans of the old Mission To The Moon attraction who were saddened when AE replaced it. However, even Walt himself knew that change was inevitable (his "
Disneyland will never be finished" quote illustrates that pretty well) and so I accept the knowledge that eventually every ride out there -- with the possible exception of Haunted Mansion and Pirates Of the Caribbean -- will at some point be replaced. This in and of itself should provide a silver lining of sorts to the the Stitch-haters out there: eventually even SGE will be replaced with something else.
FINAL NOTE: As with all personal opinions, this is just my own. your mileage may vary.
You have a point.... But IMHO .... Journey was not quite as bad.
Stitch, said it was aweful!!! She was pretty disappointed
I didn't care for it either and the harnesses hurt the shoulders too!
