Refurb current rides or add new ones?

[Amy]

Even if they didn't want to something they could have at least rigged up some small sparkling lights and make it look like the darkness is really a starscape.

Or bring back the fiber optic cityscape ~ that was an awesome scene to look at

[lonepalm]

Or bring back the fiber optic cityscape ~ that was an awesome scene to look at

Agreed!

[mindflipper]

What? No one finds it warm and fascinating to ride through the oblivious darkness of the abyss?

[Mr.ToadWildRider]

I don't know, I have a problem with Rip Del Tiempo and Nemo because they seem cheap and thrown together but I have no problem with the "black tunnel" of SSE. They added a video for a reason they aren't going to cater to repeat riders who have gone through ever single combination of finales by putting scenes up in the background and I don't think they should. I feel like if they had stuff going on in the tunnel it would be counter productive to what they're doing which is focus on the new video featuring the guest.

Does anyone actually remember what was in that tunnel before the new ending?? It was big screens with kids making a virtual dragonfly. I think personalized screens are more interesting than that. That tunnel has always been the "Forgotten" area of the ride, most likely due to size constraints. I can't even remember being ANYTHING there when it was the Walter Cronkite/Tomorrow's Child version other than them playing the lyrical portion of Tomorrow's Child in the darkness. Maybe I'm just forgetting but I thought it was the lights that led to the mini version of SSE off to the right. And don't they still have that before the new video plays? I can't remember.

In any event I'm happy w/ SSE because it seems like they actually put thought (and money to some extent) into it versus plastering overlays of Donald on the very same screens/video as the 1988 version of Rio Del Tiempo and saying it's been jazzed up. It hasn't.

In any event I think the answer to the question posted depends on the attraction. I feel like Disney can't really win on this issue. They can refurbish rides til the cows come home and ensure they are well maintained but then people, esp. casual guests, won't be as inclined to return. They can rennovate old attractions and while they do strike gold (new HM seemingly) they almost always instead draw criticism (JII, Tiki Room, aforementioned SSE/Living Seas/Rio Del Tiempo, etc.). Even at HM I've seen a lot of negativity about the new queue. So then they replace some attractions and again draw criticisms at least as often as they get praised.

The only solution that seems like it'd make the majority of people happy is park expansions. But Disney is a business. If they simply added new areas to the parks certainly guests would be very happy, why wouldn't they? New attractions, nothing old harmed in the process, more bang for your park ticket buck. Well, because then Disney's operating/maintenance costs would go up. To keep the parks open at all they'd be cutting back on improvements and upkeep. The money's gotta come from somewhere and without a new ticket gate to generate the money you're talking millions up front for the new rides and then years worth of CMs to service the new areas, years worth of paint and other supplues to upkeep it, etc.

I hate some of Disney's decisions with re-doing/replacing many attractions but I'm still happy with the place as is everyone on these boards. If we weren't we wouldn't go. It always amazes me how the most vocal opponents to Disney are the people who shell out for APs or DVC or stay on property at least once a year. If people are seriously unhappy, don't go. I'm not pointing out anyone in particular it's just generally these types of threads and message boards breed a lot of anti-Disney park change mentality whicH I understand but at the same time think is a tad silly.

[Len90]

I honestly think that it is best to upkeep what you already have. I would definitely like to see some things refurbed before I see new attractions, but new attractions do draw more repeat guests to come back. It is really a tough decision to make.

We can have refurbs that work well as seen with HM and Pirates, but there are also refurbs that go over horrendously like Nemo and Friends. Do I really have to make a decision?

[mindflipper]

I honestly think that it is best to upkeep what you already have. I would definitely like to see some things refurbed before I see new attractions, but new attractions do draw more repeat guests to come back. It is really a tough decision to make.

We can have refurbs that work well as seen with HM and Pirates, but there are also refurbs that go over horrendously like Nemo and Friends. Do I really have to make a decision?

From my past visits, I think more people probably watched the Living Seas film than the number of people who ride Nemo currently (which in my past visits has had no lines, no riders).

[Mr.ToadWildRider]

From my past visits, I think more people probably watched the Living Seas film than the number of people who ride Nemo currently (which in my past visits has had no lines, no riders).

I'm as likely to re-ride Nemo as I was to go back to Sea Base Alpha...0%. I always thought they Living Seas was kind of bad to begin with. Let the jeering commence. I did like the film a bit, but I had no desire to see either The Universe of Energy or The Living Seas...now at least I always stop in and see Ellen. More jeers certainly, but it's my honest opinion.

I'm actually rather surprised more people aren't visiting Nemo but that may just because they've hit critical mass with Nemo. The movie came out several years ago so the younger kids don't really care, the kids who did care probably don't care anymore, and anyone old enough to have any sentimental attraction to Nemo will probably enjoy the stage show more.

[lonepalm]

I would love to see Ellen's Energy Adventure (the movie parts) updated, but keep Ellen, just update the technology and such. I like the ride (even though it is very long). I tend to like the few educational rides that are still around, such as this one and Living with the Land (although I would also like the Boat Guide back...the recording is just boring!).

[Wizzard419]

Speaking of the Land, has anyone ever seen the dragonfruit plants there growing blossoms/fruit? I grow them at home, but I wonder if it's similar to many elements of the production greenhouse where stuff is grown to be shown and never really used.

[Amy]

Speaking of the Land, has anyone ever seen the dragonfruit plants there growing blossoms/fruit? I grow them at home, but I wonder if it's similar to many elements of the production greenhouse where stuff is grown to be shown and never really used.

I think they make a point of actually using what they grow in the greenhouse, as well as the fishies they raise in the tanks, in the restaurants in the Land.

[Mr.ToadWildRider]

Speaking of the Land, has anyone ever seen the dragonfruit plants there growing blossoms/fruit? I grow them at home, but I wonder if it's similar to many elements of the production greenhouse where stuff is grown to be shown and never really used.

Yea I thought they used the stuff not just show it off? At least that's what they say on the boat. I can't imagine why they wouldn't use the stuff other than maybe because they don't want bare trees for the boat ride...

[mindflipper]

Last time I was on the boats, they say what's grown is used in restaurants "throughout EPCOT" so it's not just the Land's restaurant.

[Wizzard419]

It's easy to say that and not do it, but other than the salad greens and tomatoes, I don't think they use the bulk of it. Have you ever been served any foods using anything other than the fix of a few of the greens? Or worn a shirt made from their cotton?

I don't know what they would even do with the cacao pods since it takes a lot of work and machines to turn it into chocolate.

[Polynesian Princess]

It's easy to say that and not do it, but other than the salad greens and tomatoes, I don't think they use the bulk of it. Have you ever been served any foods using anything other than the fix of a few of the greens? Or worn a shirt made from their cotton?

I don't know what they would even do with the cacao pods since it takes a lot of work and machines to turn it into chocolate.

Maybe they sell or have some sort of trade set up with the ingredients they aren't going to use?

[Wizzard419]

They might just take them home, but a lot of that stuff doesn't mesh with the american pallete.

The dragonfruit plant was probably kind of a stupid one for them to add and I can picture them doing this...

"We need exotic plants"

"How about a pitaya/dragonfruit?"
(this one is off of either alpha (white flesh) or beta (pink flesh), I also have a yellow flesh and a red flesh one.)


"That looks great! go plant them"

months roll by...

"Where the hell are the flowers?"
"Oh, they only show up at night and only last for a single day."