We saw 'Stitch's Great Escape'....

[empkuzco]

We were in MK on Oct 11 (Monday) at about 8pm and saw a few people standing in front of the Great Escape (I think this is what it is called). It is difficult to see the entrance because Disney has a temporary 'hedge' built around it. I thought this was a 'annual passholder's only' event, but walked around to where people were getting in just to see (I'm not an annual pass holder). They said they were holding a 'screening' of the show and would let us in, but NO CAMERAS allowed in the show. My daughter and I went to see it while my wife keeped the camera (and other stuff).

We were the second audience of 80 each to see it. I think the other one saw it a little earlier that night.

Just wondered it anyone else has seen it since then....

Also, anyone interested in a 'review'???

 

[mapmakerj]

Yes, please give us a review! Did you catch the height restriction? Alot of us with little ones are dying to know if they will be able to see the attraction.

 

[Cindy'sCastle]

Yes, Review please.

Cindy

 

[empkuzco]

Just saw the other thread. Looks like someone else saw the same show.

As for a review...
First of all, I have never seen the 'Alien Encounter'. However, I would guess that this show has made alot of use of the old AE parts.

The show is broken down into three parts.
1) Pre-show/Introduction - this is down via monitors and you simply stand there and get an 'introduction' from the galactic federation ruler (can't remember her name).
2) This is also something you simply 'view' while standing. It is held in another section from the first part of the show. It consists of an animatronic (?) 'robot' who talks about and demonstrates the process of 'transporting' in criminals. This prepares you for the final stage where Stitch will be transported in.
3) This part takes place in what I am guessing is the old AE part of the show. You sit in seats arranged in concentric circles around the transportation 'pod'. The top of the set comes down and fits snugly on top of your shoulders. Once Stitch 'beams' in, he, of course, gets loose and the 'seat' provides the special effects to make you think he is running around the room (which is then totally dark). I would guess these are the same type of effects which were used in AE. However, nothing in the Stitch show is intended to scare anyone. Eventually Stitch gets back in the pod and beams himself somewhere (I can't tell everything!!).

All in all I thought the show was OK. My daughter (11) enjoyed it probably more than I did. My major issue was that the show lacked any 'climax'. It built you up to the point where Stitch gets loose, but then he simply 'plays' around in the room for awhile. I would guess it is pretty much the old AE show without anything scary (which I am guessing doesn't leave much). I think the young kids will enjoy the show very much. Older kids and adults might find it comes up a little short (I did).

Hope that gives you a little insight.

 

[Cindy'sCastle]

Thanks for the review. My DS (9) will probably love it. We watch Lilo & Stitch all the time on the Disney Channel.

Cindy

 

[HollyJoy]

THanks for the review!

 

[pamluvsdisney]

My husband and daughter, age 9, also saw it Monday, OCt 11th. They were in the earlier screening that had 40 people in it. The Disney imagineer that introduced the ride to them said that they were the first test group. About 9 imagineers followed with them through the ride to observe their reactions...then they asked them for responses when the ride was over.

My husband agrees that the Stitch experience (not a ride) leaves something to be desired. Anti-climatic. He expected more. My nine year old daughter loved it though. My husband said that he thought the target audience that would like it would be kids age 6 to about 12 yrs old. Familiarity with the movie helps.

Height requirement is 44". My DD5 just made the height requirement but they warned us that it was very loud and dark. She didn't want to go.

Their opinion is cool plasma cannons and great for movie loving kids. It you want ride details..PM me so I don't give anything away to those who don't want to know.

Based on scene 2, Stitch's Escape, on the DVD.

 

[Chicago262]

Thanks for the reviews!

Do you think the ride will "officially" open earlier. I read that it opens on 11/16 which is the last day of our vacation, however, we leave for the airport at 9 am and won't be able to make it to the park. My kids love the movie and would really enjoy the ride. We've heard that Disney sometimes has a "soft opening" of the rides. Any thoughts?

 

[danny1649]

Seeing it on our December trip,thank you for reviews.

 

[Poohbeck]

I posted this before and still don't know, what is a soft opening???

And, if it's not open yet how do they pick people to ride/try it out like some of you did. How did you get picked???

We will be there Nov. 6 -13th, just curious if we have a shot.

Thanks.

 

[betterlatethannever]

Originally posted by Poohbeck
I posted this before and still don't know, what is a soft opening???

And, if it's not open yet how do they pick people to ride/try it out like some of you did. How did you get picked???

We will be there Nov. 6 -13th, just curious if we have a shot.

Thanks.

Typically, a new ride attraction first goes through CM testing. They allow the CMs to ride first. After making modifications, they will allow the public to ride as a test. Typically, it will be open for only 1-2 hours during the test day. If you are walking by when they are testing,you can ride. Its as easy or lucky as that. They probably will only test 1-2 days per week this month.

The ride will be open to only AP holders 11/5-8. If they need to make changes ther may be additional soft openings during your stay. They are never officially announced.

Ed

 

[CatLady]

Originally posted by Poohbeck
I posted this before and still don't know, what is a soft opening???

Think of "soft" as "unofficial and not guaranteed". Prior to the big media event where they announce "Yeeeehaw, we've got a new ride!", they have to try it out, get audience reaction, refine things, make sure CMs know their roles, etc. One of the neat things about a soft opening is that you sometimes see an attraction in a different form than he final result. For instance, my sister went on the Twister attraction at Universal and talks about getting soaked because they were still working out the rain effects.

Anyhow, you can't expect that an attraction will be open during soft opening because they're still tweaking it... but it's always worth checking!

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Thanks for the details---I still haven't decided if we give this one a try or not.

I know DS #1 will love it; I'm not sure about DS #2 . . .

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Thanks for the review. I guess my dd won't be able to go in after all, since she's too short. That's probably for the best anyway, since she's not a huge fan of the dark OR loud noises.

Thanks again!

 

[MelessaG]

Oh no! My four year-old will be broken-hearted about the height restriction. I haven't mentioned the ride to him because I suspected this would be the case. Maybe I can distract him with Buzz's Space Ranger Spin and he won't notice.

 

[empkuzco]

With Stitch being a 'show' and not a ride, the height restrictions are not so much for safety as they probably are for insuring the seat fits well enough to provide the special effects.

 

[jazstar87]

do you think i will be able to see it during 3-8 of nov. and not being a passholder? Since i heard it going to open til' middle nov.

 

[erikthewise]

Don't panic re height restriction. In another thread someone posted that they are running tests with families with young children to see how well the restraints work with various heights. Nothing is certain yet.