To Queue or Not To Queue

Another problem with Preshow is that the nature of the ride's loading pattern comes into play. For example, A ride like pirates which is constantly loading would be a bad place for a preshow.

HM actually is hit or miss with that preshow, but it gives you a chance to get out of the light without taking up a lot of space. In it's case, the preshow and the themeing of the line combine very well.


As far as Forbidden mountain is concerned. A preshow would probably have limited utility as coaster trainset will be arriving fairly regularly.
 
Hardly any of Fantasyland has such a queue, yet much of Fantasyland is considered "classic".

Most Fantasyland attractions are based on well-known Disney animated movies and don't necessarily need to tell a lot of backstory. Although I think the attractions would be well-served by the atmosphere-setting transition that a themed queue provides. My experience is limited to WDW, so perhaps DL does a better job at this.

I do agree that preshows are more effective at providing specific information about the attraction as long as a direct preshow fits the overall attraction (ex. Test Track, Dinosaur, etc.). I've seen a lot of discussions on this board on the topic of "Show" vs. "Efficiency" though.... ;)

I have to disagree on the effectiveness of preshows regulating guest flow. In many attractions, you start in a line, enter the preshow area, then enter the final line before boarding (ex. Test Track, Dinosaur, RnR, TOT, etc.). Essentially, you're always in line, but the preshow area gives guests the opportunity to jockey for a better spot in line upon exiting the preshow area (c'mon, you know you've headed directly for the exit side of the preshow area :eek: ).

I guess it comes down to what purpose the queue/preshow is trying to serve. Themed queues help set atmosphere better than preshows, but the preshows convey information much more effectively (see TOT for a great example of both). But each has to fit the overall attraction.

Scoop, didn't mean to pick on your post. :)

YoHo, Test Track loads continuously like POTC does, but one has a preshow and the other doesn't. In TT, the preshow fits, in POTC, it doesn't. But both set atmosphere properly. I never thought of the stretching room in HM as a "preshow", but it does get you in the right frame-of-mind for what comes next.
 
I don't think you can quantify what makes something a classic. Disneyland does do a slightly better job in my mind of setting up the mood, but its still just a bunch of switchbacks in fantasyland. of course, Disneyland pioneered the switchback so in some ways that makes it classic. It also depends on the nature of the attraction. in terms of say Small World, the entire building (in DIsneyland, the interior queue in WDW) is themed very ornatly and extravagantly. Nothing more need be said.


I myself am a fan of preshows like The Great movie ride or Indiana Jones and the temple of the forbidden eye where the switchbacks snake in front of a movie screen.

Part of the beauty of the switchback is the sense of constant progress. Preshows CAN eliminate some of that.



Still, all in all, in some ways this discussion is meaningless, Preshows and themed queues are tools. the Magic is in choosing the right one for the situation. Not having it dictated by cost.
 











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