Unimpressive

[Original19]

Maybe it's because I'm nearly 30...

We just returned from Florida and it seems to me that Disney has lost it's creative touch!

The last time I was at Disney World I was 17. It was my sixth trip to the World and Disney Imagineering still seemed magical. Even the old Hydrolators from the Living Seas, even though I had long known about their secret, still put a smile on my face and made me think twice about going a few miles below the surface. They continued to amaze me this year as well; not because I really thought we were traveling underwater, but because my 7 year old did.

It's that type of forward thinking and imagination that the current Imagineers can't seem to grasp. It's no longer about making people, even adults, believe in Disney magic. To this new breed, it must be all about the show and not the experience. A perfect example of this is Mission: Space, which is billed as being an "experience" - not a ride. Naturally, I was thrilled and needed to ride it as soon as the gates opened. And I did.

The building has a very slick space age feel. Waiting in line has never been "waiting in line" at Disney, so nothing has changed there; the preshow was amazing. Standing just outside of the craft with the rest of my "team", each of us with our new titles and duties to preform aboard the rocket (professionally given to us by Gary Sinise). We had been preped, warned, confirmed, readied and warned again. I was ready. The doors opened and we four boarded our ship. Navigator, Pilot, Engineer and whoever the last guy was... ready for launch.

The final countdown echoed through the ship and at last we were off! Blazing off into space, pressed downward into our seats by the sheer force of the rockets. The G-Forces grew and grew. The ship shook with the power of the engines. One of my crew members reached for an air sick bag. When we felt like we could take it no longer we were suddenly weightless. Our trip to Mars had just begun.

And then it was over.

The ride only lasted about 2 minuets (which pales in comparison to the amazing pre-show which clocked in around 5 minuets), and we were left on Mars! The craft lands at one of the polar ice caps, the doors open and you are ushered out. Apparently we were going to walk back to Earth, and we pretty much could have with as long as it took to exit the ride. We walked, and walked, and walked, then took a corner and walked some more. We were finally dumped into an arcade which exited into a gift shop which exited to outside... Florida. What happened?! Didn't I just land on Mars? Where's the return trip, where's the photon beam that got me back to Earth, where's the Hydrolator?

Where's the magic?

That's what it's all about. Walt Disney once said that "when you were in the park I don't want you to be able to see the outside world, I want you to think you are somewhere else". When Mission: Space concluded it was a harsh reminder that the experience was over. I had just been on a ride.

 

[msteddom]

If you listen to the preshow carefully (it took me a few times to catch it) Gary does tell you that you are participating in simulator training to prepare you for a trip to Mars. Does that help you forgive my favorite ride?


Melissa

 

[Original19]

...maybe a little...

But I guess it was more than just Mission: Space. A lot of the newer attractions seem to be like this (Soarin' was a HUGE let down). On the other hand though, Test Track was a complete and total BLAST! I loved it. I thought it was a perfect replacement for the old World of Motion attraction.

 

[momxx5]

Well I for one - who did MS one time and will never do it again...I was very happy that we landed on Mars and the ride was over. It took all my bio-feedback controled breathing to not pass out or get sick. Once we landed on Mars I was stricken with the thought that we would have to do it all over again to get back to Earth. Thankfully the ride was over.

 

[Jakesmom504]

Why was Soarin a huge let down? Just curious, haven't ridden it yet.

 

[KittyKitty]

Funny how different prespectives can be. I thought Soarin' was the best ride Disney has come up with. Almost all ages can ride it. It's not a thrill ride, but a total experience using all senses..... ok, maybe not touch, but the others.

The audience stood up and applauded after the ride was over.


Different strokes for different folks!!

 

[Epcot82Guy]

One thing to keep in mind with M:S is just how little of the full attraction we have actually built. THe original concept did have you landing on Mars and exiting into a space station built there. This was to be a large area that took up almost the same size as the pods are is now. HOwever, that was not long lived, and so we got the "training" story to become what it is now.

I also would like to hear your take on Soarin'. I have not ridden it either, but from most reviews, it seemed this was a huge step in the right direction for modern Disney creations.

 

[pozey]

(Soarin' was a HUGE let down)

Really?!? May I ask why? Was it all about expectations? If you go in expecting a huge "thrill ride", then, yeah, maybe....

But I thought this was a fantastic addition to Epcot. Like KittyKitty said, it's all about the senses. Sometimes people forget that to get a full experience from attractions, you have to use all senses....

I also loved Mission Space. I thought Cinderellabration was great. We loved Lights, Motor, Action.

The only attraction that I was disappointed with was the Stitch attraction.

Oh, and by the way......I've already passed 30....

 

[GinaGrumpyDwarf]

Dh and I rode SOARIN' last week...we got the FAST PASS first, rode the ride, did the boat ride next to it then rode SOARIN' again...we LOVED it...you have to take it for what it's worth...yes, you can see the legs/feet of those above you but if you embrace the ride for just that...a ride...an experience, you'll love it.

 

[rayelias]

...maybe a little...

But I guess it was more than just Mission: Space. A lot of the newer attractions seem to be like this (Soarin' was a HUGE let down). On the other hand though, Test Track was a complete and total BLAST! I loved it. I thought it was a perfect replacement for the old World of Motion attraction.

Based on how much everyone here seems to rave over Soarin', I didn't want to be the only one to express my disappointment.

It was alright, but nothing extraordinary or magical. Certainly not worth waiting in line 60+ minutes for. We actually got a fast pass (to go again right afterwards) while we waited in line for about 40 minutes (this was first thing in the morning). After the ride, we gave away our fastpasses. This is NOT on my "must do" list.

Actually, I have to agree. MOST of the newer attractions are not my favorites. Stitch? Nope. Mission Space? It's pretty cool, but not a favorite? Test track? It's alright once or twice. A couple exceptions would be Philarmagic and ToT.

On the other hand, you can't beat the experience and the theming behind some of the old favorites: Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, RnRC, HM, IaSM, HoP, Jungle Cruise, SE, etc.

 

[notnothin]

Funny how different prespectives can be. I thought Soarin' was the best ride Disney has come up with. Almost all ages can ride it. It's not a thrill ride, but a total experience using all senses..... ok, maybe not touch, but the others.

The audience stood up and applauded after the ride was over.


Different strokes for different folks!!

Agreed. Soarin' was one of the highlights of my trip in May. Truly a great ride enjoyable by all ages.

 

[kathyseb]

I would have to chime in and say I also was VERY thankful we did not return to Earth, but rather left up on Mars. I would have never made it back.
I would wonder if the OP is not more into Amusement Parks as opposed to Theme Parks.

Both myself and DH are well over 30 and we are like kids when we walk through the gates. We got a total of four weeks per year.

Currently we have two countdown calendars going. One is sitting at 70 days and the other is at 151.

The magic is still there for us.

 

[gjw007]

One of the great things about theme parks, including Disney, is the diversity of rides and activities. What one person likes, another may not. It doesn't make these activities good or bad; from Disney's or any other theme parks perspective, they want activities that more people like than don't like. IF not enough people like an activity, they will change it as has been seen by the changes that have occurred over the years. Personally, Epcot is not my favor theme park but I do go to Epcot for a few of the activities. Mission Space is one of them on my must do list, so is Living Seas. I haven't quite made up my mind about the changes to the Living Seas that seems to place more emphasis on the Finding Nemo character (such as the photo ares for small children). I went on Soarin' this past May and have added it to my list. I've been on Test Track; its okay. If I'm there and the lines not too long, it is worth taking the ride. If not, well, I've done it before and can skip it this time.

 

[DisneyDotty]

My family and I loved Soarin! We oooohed and ahhhhhhed throughout the ride. However, we used Fastpass and never waited more than 10 minutes. I wonder if the longer one waits in line for a ride, the greater the anticpation/higher the expectation?


Oh, I can just smell the orange groves now... Love that ride. Just love it.

 

[Original19]

Really?!? May I ask why? Was it all about expectations? If you go in expecting a huge "thrill ride", then, yeah, maybe....

Maybe it was about the expectations, or maybe it was all about the missing magic.

*** WARNING *** Spoilers ahead for those who have not been on Soarin'

The harsh scene breaks between all the different California locals is what failed to impress me. The music would swell and the scenery would abruptly change! First we were over the ocean, suddenly we were up in the mountains watching skiers, then we were in the middle of the desert avoiding test pilots. Akward at best.

Remember the Disney movie "Dinosaur"? Remember that opening scene where the bird takes the dinosaur egg and the camera follows it while the bird soars over miles of beautiful landscape? You'll never find that area anywhere in the world because it was a series of shots from about 9 different places seamlessly pieced together by Disney CG Animators. Why couldn't they do something like THAT with Soarin'?

 

[Disneys Billpayer]

Why was Soarin a huge let down? Just curious, haven't ridden it yet.

To each his own I guess. Ithought Soarin was a wonderful experience.

 

[J and R's mom]

I've never been on either ride (they opened since my last visit), but I agree with poster. Where's the Disney magic? Why would they cut corners and just empty folks out of a ride instead of continuing the experience (albeit into the now infamous gift shops)? At least Space Mountain still continues the experience beyond the ride itself...they should have done the same with M:S. Hopefully they will in the future.

 

[Tiziminchac]

*** WARNING *** Spoilers ahead for those who have not been on Soarin'

The harsh scene breaks between all the different California locals is what failed to impress me. The music would swell and the scenery would abruptly change! First we were over the ocean, suddenly we were up in the mountains watching skiers, then we were in the middle of the desert avoiding test pilots. Akward at best.

I completely agree with this. But I still like the ride. I hope that one day they will change it to Soarin' Over Florida. But until then I'll take it as it is.

 

[cantwait5]

Just back as well. My view on Soarin' is that the theater was imaginitive, and that the presentation will even improve with a new film featuring more (was it U.S. or the world?) than just California. We all enjoyed the feel, the sounds, the views and the scents - and for me, not getting motion sick (did have to close my eyes twice, though)! And everyone in our theater did applaud afterwards! Relaxing, innovative take on an Imax film!!

 

[LYNSUE]

Sometime when we mature we tend to be less in tune with child inside us. We fail to continue to see the pure wonderment of things. When I experience a new ride at WDW, I like to look beyond the surface and just appreciate the details. I hope you can once again find the magic at WDW. It is still there. If not as much in the newer attractions, certainly in the classics.