Hey, Howdy, Hey! I finally got over to the Disney Hollywood Studios today to gon the new Toy Story Midway Mania attraction. I've never been a fan of the Buzz Lightyear game over in the Magic Kingdom. It was a very big disappointment to me when it opened and I've never gotten completely over it. Cardboard flats, most of which don't even move? In a place called Tomorrowland? Blecchh!
Universal's Men in Black ride used the same concept but, in my opinion, got it right, using full audio-animatronic characters.
Now comes Toy Story Midway Mania, using the same basic concept and I was pleasantly surprised to find this is my favorite of the three. The game is fast paced and a whole lot of fun. It's nice to see Disney creating innovative rides again. As well as continuing to take audio-animatronics to new heights. Somewhere along the line, Disney went from full figured audio-animatronics to having mannequins with moving heads (great movie ride) and it's wonderful to see them return to making great strides again using today's advanced tech.
The ride itself is by no means an elaborate, E-Ticket extravaganza, but it is a fun, interactive ride that demands to be ridden again.
Gift shop? Surprise! There isn't one. You get off the ride and your back on the street. No gift shop, no picture to view, just back out on the street. I really don't like the idea of dumping people in a gift shop at the end of a ride but if there ever was a ride that should have that, it's probably this one. However, they still have construction walls on the other side of the street and I'm guessing there will be some sort of merchandise available before too long. Heck, a whole line of toys could be created based on this attraction. An interactive carnival barker Mr Potato Head. Simple games based on the ride like a bean bag toss across game and a LGM ring toss game.
The arcade business man in me wants to see custom made plush crane machines at the ride exit where you could win a LMG. That's something Disney will probably never do but if there was ever a ride exit for it to be acceptable it would be this one.
So anyway, had a great time, want to ride it again, the most fun I've had on a Disney ride in a very very long time. 
No comments:
Post a Comment