Episode 1017 - The Final Four

Authored by: frandog on Friday, April 06 2012 @ 10:16 AM CDT

Toy Story v. Illuminations-Illuminations because I find Toy Story overrated.
Splash v. Haunted Mansion-Splash Mountain because of the theming, music, thrill, and, most importantly, the fact I'd rather ride this than the Mansion.
Haunted Manion v Illuminations-Haunted Mansion. Unlike TSMM, I don't find HM overrated whatsoever-great effects, music-and I'll take a ride over a show

---
WE'RE TALKING DISNEY, GOING AT IT AS HARD AS WE CAN!

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: Cormac on Friday, April 06 2012 @ 10:17 AM CDT

Matt, I feel your pain. The dastardly Haunted Mansion took out two of my favorite rides as well (ToT and Splash). I do love Haunted Mansion, but c'mon!

Don't let Len bully you. Your picks were spot on!!!

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: TheGraceysButler on Friday, April 06 2012 @ 11:10 AM CDT

Am I the only one who has never had a problem following Illuminations during the globe scene?
And despite it being my favorite, I would have said Mansion should have lost to Splash.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: FigmentRules on Friday, April 06 2012 @ 11:37 AM CDT

Wow! This is the best series of episodes you guys have ever done, and is right up there with Sip, Snack and Sick. ;-)

As for Illuminations taking the big win, I couldn't not agree more. Not only have I booked hotels on Crescent Lake just to be closer, and planned dining for a whole trip just to make sure I see Illuminations at least half of the nights of every trip, but I have flown from NJ more than once just to make sure I can see Illuminations with the "Let There Be Peace On Earth!" holiday trailer.

I have watched the Illuminations show evolve since the park opened. Though the original score, performed by the Toronto Symphony, was seriously excellent, I now enjoy the whole experience from the pre-show/post-show tracks by Uttara-Kuru, the puff that blows out the torches, the water the fireworks, the flaming globe and the finale. I even like seeing Siemens laser-lit across Spaceship Earth! (I worked at Siemens down in Boca Raton when Epcot opened, so it sort of makes some sort of personal statement for me about how tales I have told around the fire.) Geezeee, I just teared up!

Thank you, Scopa, for a great idea and to Matt, Mike, Mike, and Len for sharing your thoughts and impressions. If anyone ever wants to understand what it means to "get it" when it comes to WDW--they should just listen to these four episodes and these four guys.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: Paul B on Friday, April 06 2012 @ 11:57 AM CDT

Although Splash is well themed, I could never vote for it because the ride vehicle is too uncomfortable. I am 6'5", and there is no leg room in the boat for me. I am pretty much in pain the entire ride (even with the trick a CM taught me, crossing my feet with knees apart and ankles touching (if that description is good enough). I never worry or anticipate the drop because I spend the whole ride worried that I won't be able to get out of the boat.

I've ridden it twice, several years apart. Probably won't ride it again unless they change the ride vehicles.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: TinkyBell on Friday, April 06 2012 @ 01:13 PM CDT

Oh man ... Haunted Mansion vs. Illuminations? That's just crazy! If it was Haunted Mansion vs. just about anything else, it would be Haunted Mansion hands down. I can't go to the Magic Kingdom without visiting the Haunted Mansion. But Illuminations always makes me all weepy, so I think I lean towards Illuminations. I haven't listened to the last part of the show yet, but I'm hoping they'll see it my way too! :)

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: Bigwig30 on Friday, April 06 2012 @ 02:10 PM CDT

Illuminations? Really? I knew you guys (Matt excluded) were afraid of most rides (especially thrill rides), but a light and fireworks show is the best attraction at Walt Disney World? The initial pyrotechnics and the finale of Illuminations are terrific, however the rest of the performance is pretty meh.

My SWEET 16 WDW attractions:

1. Tower of Terror (only Spider-Man and Forbidden Journey offer a more immersive experience than this masterpiece)
2. Splash Mountain (in serious need of some TLC if it wants to stay at #2)
3. Toy Story Midway Mania (best shooter anywhere - even better than Men In Black, imho)
4. Mission: Space - Orange (sorry Horizons fans)
5. Fantasmic (still wish WDW would get the DLR version)
6. Dinosaur (I just don't understand why Matt hates this experience?)
7. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (hard to beat that launch in the dark)
8. Space Mountain (still fun after all these years)
9. Haunted Mansion (a classic)
10. Test Track (looking forward to the upcoming redo)
11. Sum of All Thrills (a hidden gem)
12. Mickey’s Philharmagic (best 3D movie at any park)
13. Soarin' (a great family attraction)
14. Kilimanjaro Safaris (now that the Big Red story is gone this one may move up on my list)
15. Illuminations (a nice exclamation point after a great day at Epcot)
16. Festival of the Lion King (best live, non-fireworks show at WDW)

Honorable Mention:
Expedition Everest (if Disney ever fixes the Yeti, this broken ride will move back into my top five)
Pirates of the Caribbean (the WDW version is mediocre, but the DLR version is the best attraction Disney ever built)

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: kevdo on Friday, April 06 2012 @ 11:41 PM CDT

My reaction to Illuminations was far from "meh" but certainly didn't bring me to tears. But, if that's how you feel...

I would have voted Toy Story over Illuminations and probably Splash over Mansion. Neither MK attractions is great for small kids and the water element in Florida is a plus.

My top 16 non-show attractions in WDW
1. Kilimanjaro Safaris
2. Star Tours
3. Everest
4. Soarin'
5. Maharaja Jungle Trek
6. Toy Story
7. Big Thunder
8. Tower of Terror
9. RnRoller Coaster
10. Splash
11. Test Track
12. Seas with Nemo (including exhibits / turtle talk)
13. Philharmagic
14. Haunted Mansion
15. Pangani Forest Trail
16. Maelstrom

---
Kevin Crossman
www.kevdo.com
Cohost of the That's What She Said Podcast - twsspodcast.com

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: Kfischler on Saturday, April 07 2012 @ 06:04 AM CDT

I have added an extra day to a ticket or purchased an extra day to our tickets just to go to Illuminations on our first night when we arrived earlier than I thiought at the start of a vacation. For $2 extra per ticket on an 8 or 9 day ticket, it seemed like a good investement for entertainment on our first night. I never considered buying an extra day for another attraction.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: Mike Newell on Saturday, April 07 2012 @ 07:58 AM CDT

I think it's safe to say that just putting a top 10 list together misses the point of these episodes. At the very beginning, 3/4 of us would have probably not said that Illuminations would win. It's easy to say that Everest or TOT is the best attraction at WDW, but when broken down into brackets and put up together against other attractions, it's easy to choose otherwise for various reasons.

I would love to see answers from listeners going by the brackets given in all 4 of these episodes. Make a list from the same attractions given to us, and see where your final four end up, and ultimately, your winner.

---
Mike
MouseWorld Radio
www.mouseworldradio.com

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: welchie on Saturday, April 07 2012 @ 07:59 PM CDT

I have to say that when I heard you had illuminations in the bracket I knew you guys would have the show finishing on top. I have a couple of comments regarding the series of shows. First I really enjoyed the bracket format, it allowed shows/attractions that might not be the most popular based on wait time to move through the bracket. Second I wonder if the results would have been different if each park was debated and then the winner of each park met in the final four. If it was done this way my final four would have been Slash, Illumination, Everest, and Toy Story (sorry Matt).

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: Betsy on Monday, April 09 2012 @ 01:42 PM CDT

What a fantastic series of episodes! Illuminations and Splash would have definitely been in my Final Four, and then most likely in my final two. Two thoughts -

1) Maybe it's because I only travel during busy seasons, but a huge negative to Toy Story Mania for me is how difficult it is to ride, and how rude and crazy people act in the morning during rope drop. The fact that it takes 8 cast members (I actually counted EIGHT at opening last time I was there) to hold back the rope and the masses is insane, and puts an overall sour taste in my mouth about the attraction. I still love it and rank it among the top 10 in WDW, but I couldn't put it in my personal Final Four because of this detail.

2) After visiting Islands of Adventure and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter last weekend for the first time, it pains me to admit that the Forbidden Journey would leave all attractions at WDW in the dust in a competition like this. It has every element that was discussed in these episodes that makes a great attraction and more. Can't wait for this technology to come to WDW!

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: mrmagicmph on Monday, April 09 2012 @ 07:55 PM CDT

Matt, hate to tell you, but you CAN hear Grim Grinning Ghosts not JUST at the Haunted Mansion. For Illuminations, you can hear it as you return to the USA. For G-G-G, just go to any performance of Weird Al Yankovic's Alpocalypse tour and wait for the Yoda Chant. G-G-G is now a part (very effective too, in my opinion) of the chant. If you haven't seen/heard it, may I refer you to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu0pj_VFcqw (around the 1:25 mark) or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1A24xU236Y (at approx. 5 min mark, specific for GGG that is). Enjoy!

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: Vernon1212 on Tuesday, April 10 2012 @ 03:46 PM CDT

Great series of podcasts... Now that you've done "The Final Four" you should do "The Bottom Four", the worst attractions in WDW!

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: JRawkSteady on Thursday, April 12 2012 @ 09:49 PM CDT

Illuminations deserved the win! The only thing I would have changed is that Splash Mountain should have destroyed Haunted Mansion. Let's put it this way...There is absolutely no need for Fastpass at Mansion...however, Splash Mountain STILL gets two hour wait times regularly! I may have chosen Splash over Illuminations had this have happened...but I am happy with the results!!! WE GO ON!!!!!!!!

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: Patty on Monday, April 16 2012 @ 11:32 AM CDT

Hi all! My family and I really loved this topic.We were voting along with you and wanted to tell you our final four and our winner.Our final four was:Splash Mountain vs. Haunted Mansion and Illuminations vs. Test Track. Our final two became Illuminations vs. Splash. And the winner was......
It was a tie! That's what happens when there are 4 people voting and they all have strong opinions! Anyway, thanks again for the great show! Listening to you makes the time between our vacations much more tolerable.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Authored by: Paul B on Monday, April 16 2012 @ 03:42 PM CDT

Quick comment, at the end Len said "best in the world".

As much as I love Illuminations, I think World of Color is better. I think WOC is the best nighttime show in any disney park.

Likewise, Haunted Mansion in DL gets a holiday overlay that is truly amazing. I would make a trip to Anaheim just to see the holiday overlay for Haunted Mansion.

[ Reply to This | # ]