MickeyD

Still..

Mike Celestino from Inside The Magic has provided the most detailed review of the new ride yet (about 16 minutes long). Over 2 days of Media previews he had the opportunity to stay on the ride and experience all sequence variations, taking 17 rides in total... LUCKY HIM! Like myself, his first experience of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror was decades earlier in Florida, years before DCA even existed. The Florida ToT remains in the top 5 experiences of all time for many Theme Park fans. Enter the California version of the ride and since then it has been compared by many as the brawny, shorter and all round inferior little brother to the Original. Despite this, Disney has long defended it as the benchmark model in terms of versatile design and capabilities, spawning versions for Paris and Tokyo since. In this case I think it's important to see what the right fit is for each version of the ride. For the Florida version, it will always be perfect as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and could only be enhanced with effects that compliment the eerie and unique nature of the ride. To me, the SoCal version has always fallen short in the eyes of it's big brother. It is quite a different experience and in it's TZ format, never had the chance to show off it's mad skills. As GOTG it can finally step out of it's big brother's shadow and come into it's own as something that is totally unique for West Coast Disney. It's not really an issue of losing appeal in 10 years time because they have already proven just how versatile this version of the ride's system can be. I agree with the ill felt sentiment that Disney is moving away from the 'generic' themes of the past (space mountain, haunted mansion etc) and that there is a genuine risk by going overboard with specific IPs of today (Guardians/Pandora). So long as they keep up on the quality of the experience, I can forgive Disney for a need to evolve using their current core brands (Marvel/Star Wars).

Dusty at Miceage has just reviewed the new ride and I found it well worth the read if anyone is interested. I pasted the summary below: Is this attraction perfect? No. But the attempts to dazzle with props, lighting and special effects goes a very long way in hiding the flaws. And the ride itself is high energy with fun music, beautiful digital animation, and a new set of drop sequences which will help keep guests engaged and wanting to return. The story is a simple one. The Guardians are trapped in cages by the Collector. Rocket has escaped and needs our help to free his friends. What could go wrong? Is this attraction better than Tower of Terror? That’s very hard for me to say, and I’m going to need to let some of the dazzle of this shiny new object wear off a bit before making a decision. But, whether it is better or not, it is fun. I REALLY enjoyed myself. They’ve managed to create an experience which is similar to the previous ride but with more energy, solid storytelling, and is relevant to a younger generation than the Twilight Zone. The ride opens to the public today and Disney is planning for epic lines (I heard they are prepared for 6 to 7 hour waits) OUCH!

There are some great videos on line showing off the ride's drive engines at the top of the tower. I am just really looking forward to experiencing the capabilities it has always had, until now not fully explored. It's a fascinating piece of engineering and having been on the original Twilight Zone one numerous times before I am really looking forward to the opportunity of falling in love with the ride all over again. Rocket looks incredible!

I get what you are saying Rappa and it feeling disjointed. I thought that was why so much more effort went into the preshow story because it's totally lost without it. I just don't see too many people feeling disappointed when they get off but it will be interesting to look at the reviews as they come in. Ultimately, the experience seems to be a lot of fun so it will be interesting to see how it's received. I’m happy so long as they leave the Florida one alone. My greatest concern for the ride in it's current state is how well it will age over time. As for star tours, well isn't that a strange one given no plans to relocate the ride once SWL opens.. It will indeed seem out of place in Tomorrowland. On the subject of simulators, I am expecting a SoCal version of the Iron man experience as part of the new Marvel area in California Adventure in coming years.. Maybe that could be a relocation and reimagined Star Tours ride?

I think people are going to be pretty divided on this one and sorry @djrappa but I am going to have to disagree with almost all of what you don't like about it. - the new preshow and internal queue is vastly more entertaining with tonnes to take in and one of the best AA figures ever done. - the ride system's capabilities are being maximised with a far greater variance in motion, it's fast paced from start to end and is randomized. - the show itself is randomized with 6 different offerings, making it highly repeatable. - the entire attraction is beautifully irreverent and with the music back ground it just feels so damn fun! Just like the movie! - the overall ride experience is longer and more thrilling from beginning to end. For those who want the original Twilight Zone experience, the original Florida tower always has been the better experience with the 5th dimension room. I agree that much of GOTG looks very Universal, tbh it's a theme that is meant to be cheesy and given how well it has been executed I believe the ride is going to be a huge hit for Disney. Personally I can't wait to ride it 😃

^ Ouch @Reanimated35

F A A A A A R K ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Ignore Parkz for a few hours enjoying leaked footage of the new GOTG ride, I take a break back to reality, only to find my whole entire Movie World has been turned upside down?!? It's ike jumping out of a Plane without a Parachute.. really😋

@joz any chance we can split this off so WWF refurb can get it's own thread?

@jcgoldcoast I believe the cold smoke effect that Disney uses on it's Big Thunder Coasters is also extremely expensive to maintain. I'm thinking mapping light effects that look like burning fuses travelling up the shaft, accompanied by some good subwoofer speakers to create a deep rumbling effect and swinging mine lights as riders assend the lift. Position 3 air cannons above the turntable and a number of strobe lights to complete the effect. The show finale of the ride needs to match the spectacle of the grand Mountain facade and it's huge drop. I hope that a few extra dollars are put aside for plussing the show this time around because this is one ride that could easily be made awesome with some enhancements.

It's such a beautiful attraction. The 'Mountain' is a world class 'weenie', as Disney would say and the very fact that it exists raises MW's all round profile. I am so glad the ride gets such an expansive refurb every year - it shows how much MW value it. I understand that most of the budget went into refreshing the facade last year and appreciate the little touches like whimsical signage etc were at least added. Hopefully this year we will see a focus on the 'show' scenes of the ride. It has always needed more kinetic energy going on around riders and the final scene in it's current form is a big let down. Mapping technology and a blast effect like Disney's Big Thunder would be great! I am sure you they could pull off an exciting finale using air cannons and flashing light without a need for smoke effects which are not an option.

The only ride I have ever greyed out on was DW's Enterprise ride, just before lift off and then the lights would begin to come back on for me as it lifted... disconcerting stuff and it happened almost every time I rode. Funny, I didn't have that issue with the Reef Diver. Maybe it didn't rotate on the ground as fast, not sure..

Gremlins was shit. Just saying😆

But it isn't/wasn't a permanent fixture as it was?

At least give it a crack when it opens? I reckon you might be pleasantly surprised!

Groundbreaking. Hair raising. Fast. Exhilarating. Smooth. Intense. Mind blowing. Terrifying. Thrilling. Just some words that come to mind with this. So Push, how can you possibly say this doesn't look.. fun?

My guess is the area is being improved. Maybe not so much improved, possibly something a little more permanent and versatile

The 'big' drop in the main room I am OK with, the one that follows has a very tight dip, making it jarring at speed. I agree that last little drop pressing onto brakes at what feels like high pressure is a bit of a whack to the knees! In an indoor coaster I doubt the track deteriorates a great deal however I am sure the trains themselves are the culprit. Despite an ongoing maintenance program (they never stop working on them) like anything, they will surely wear over time. I wonder how far each of these cars has actually traveled in it's lifetime? Fun thought.. how about some spinning cars for the end of the year as part of the ride's new lease on life?

I get that @Santa07. I have also ridden it more times than I care to remember, right back to when it very first opened. I have no problem with the jerkiness or jarring of the ride, the physical sensation on the last dip in the main room and sudden braking before unload on that last little dip, imo are showing their age. I don't think it would take too much to improve the comfort of these areas and knowing how talented many of the Fitters are in the MW Tech services department I wouldn't be surprised if it's something they have on their wishlist to address.

2 pages on and what does all this have to do with Scooby-Doo refurb? Ugh cmon ppl back on topic!! I rode SDSC last week and I must say I am really not enjoying those last two dips on the ride. Yes, I am getting on in the years but generally I don't have a problem with the ride's comfort. Is it just me or would others agree this part of the track could probably do with some tlc?

Thanks @themagician check the angle of that drop heading into the loop? What an absolute panty rippa!!!!

Say what? does Skeeta even work for VTP? So why the secrecy?

Care to share Skeet? Gee I really hope that stupid "tell and die" clause follows Mr Fisher out the door and kicks him up the arse on the way out! When John Menzies was the big cheese he would proudly share the future with Employees during monthly functions. We were never told to keep quiet on it and when you consider up the road already know exactly what is going on long before it's made public (and vice/versa) honestly, why does this continue to be such a big deal?

And plenty also said that it wouldn't be WW themed...

I agree that a family ride that has 'safe' GP appeal is a wise choice and given their recent trips to the USA I'm becoming more hopeful of a ' Soarin, Flying Theatre' style attraction. It's definitely an experience and one that stirs emotions/carries with you. When they refer to repurposing land for Attractions etc it is becoming clearer to me now that Vintage Cars will be relocated and cover a similar path to where TRRR stands today. This makes sense to build phase2 of Corroboree where the VC presently sit. Another big challenge is making all 3 of these rides safe and compliant in the eyes of Insurance companies and the Park's standards. The Mine ride has been reconfigured enough times now to be deemed "in-house' and it's safety restraints are an issue if you can unlock the seat belts (and stand up?) during the ride. With no current restraints in place, is the Log ride also a potential safety issue? Same goes for the VC's and even though it's very slow ride, I wouldn't expect DW to take any chances when it comes to safety.