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Wednesday. Happy wonderful Wednesday
Dinklehoppers, we are back with a new episode and it is top ten
week. And this top ten list I'm
actually not as nervous about really.
I know it's, I mean, it's one of those like it is what it is.
This is my list and I feel pretty good about it.
I think there's one that you're gonna hate in particular, but.
No, no, I'm proud of you though. Like that's progress, right?
That's that's new for you. I'm really, I'm really happy for
you. Thanks.
Look at that new year, new you. I mean, it's May, but well,
that's fine. That's fair.
Yeah. So we do have a really fun top
ten list that we're excited to share with you guys this week on
this episode. But before we get into that, we
wanted to share that we had a really special day today.
We did. We got to talk to one of our
listeners, our friend Christine from Holland.
This was so fun. It was so fun and she is such a
sweetheart and she's been listening to the podcast for
over a year now and she's followed us on Instagram and
she's always so good to share her thoughts and just
everything, but like, she's so freaking.
Cool, I know. And she's been to every single
Disney park. Yeah, all of them around the
world. Right goals, goals.
Yeah, goals. But no, she reached out to us
because she knew that we were getting ready to go to Tokyo.
Yeah. And she was sharing tips with us
and then we just kind of got off the rails talking just about
Disney in general. But like you guys, I don't know
it just she made a comment and she's like, you guys really are
as genuine as you sound on the episodes.
And that was so sweet. But we just want to say like
thank you for listening, Christine.
Thank you for reaching out to us.
Like this was truly a treat and a pleasure for us to talk to
you. And we have so many other
friends that we've made through this.
And just like y'all, if you need a friend, like we will be your
friends. We're just so happy to meet
amazing people and connect over Disney wherever you are in the
world. We set up a Zoom call and it was
just really, really fun. So Christine, thank you for
reaching out to us. Thank you for being a
Dinglehopper and just really making our day extra magical and
special today. Yeah, and I can't wait to, like,
debrief with her, say the right word, Yeah, on Tokyo.
Yeah, I know. She's like, OK, after you get
back, I want to know about this, this and this.
She gave us some homework and we're going to do it and it's
going to be awesome. Yeah, it's going to be great.
Yeah. Anytime you guys like this is
what we're here for. We enjoy this and we enjoy doing
it with you guys just as much as we enjoy doing this for
ourselves. So it was really awesome.
It was great. Yeah.
All right, let's get down to business.
I'm still not nervous. I'm really kind of waiting for
you to, like, go off the edge, but no, I'm really happy for you
because again, like, you just got to own it.
Yeah, you got to own it. Yep, What is the topic this
week? So we actually got this.
We've had this idea for a little bit, but after we did our top
ten queue lines, we mentioned in that episode where like we
should do pre shows. Yeah.
And there were several people that reached out and was like,
yes, absolutely do pre shows. Yeah.
So here we are, Top 10 Disney pre shows.
Which is really crazy because we went through every one of the
parks in the US, Disneyland and Disney World.
Correct. Yeah.
And we went through every ride. They're honestly not as many pre
shows as I thought there were. I know.
So I I feel like there is going to be repeat for sure, Yeah.
But where it lands on our list I think is really going to differ.
No, for sure. And and honestly we kind of live
in a new world of theme parks where pre shows are absolutely a
part of it and it is calculated part of the design.
And we'll talk about kind of our opinions on how that adds to the
experience for the ride itself. But I guess once we started
going through I was almost disappointed there weren't more
pre shows which I never thought I would ever hear myself say.
Yeah. And we said a pre show again,
it's not the queue line, it's not when you're walking through
the line, this is you go through the line, you stop, there is a
physical like show something that you see and then you
continue throughout the queue line and board the ride vehicle.
Yep, that's it. Yeah.
So with that, before we get into the top 10, do you have any
honorable mentions? So I I do have an honorable
mention. OK, this one didn't make my list
only because it's no longer it's extinct.
Wait, hold up. OK, One, if it's what I think it
is, well played. Two, I also have an honorable
mention that I put there because it is no longer in the parks.
OK. What's yours?
So mine's dinosaur. Nice, that's what I thought.
We can't. Well played.
Mine is actually Muppet Vision 3D.
OK. So tell us a little bit about.
Dinosaur. So I think the reason again,
this one's honorable mention because it's extinct, it's not
in the parks anymore, so you can't see this pre show anymore.
And I think it was I mean at the time it was definitely like
outdated and I think everyone was like, yes, this one needs an
update, which again is a reason why it's just an honorable
mention. Is there are ones that are much
better but it's also like a classic.
Yeah, in a lot of ways it was and it kind of set the tone for
the whole ride experience. Like if you did not get the pre
show you would be like OK why am I driving through this prime
primordial world and. Exactly.
Who's what's Dino and. Yep, exactly.
Yeah, it was. It was kind of fun and it was a
fun premise. And like, the main dude who was
talking about it, like, I don't know, he was just kind of a
lovable goofball, you know? I don't know.
I kind of miss it now. Yeah.
I. Think a lot of people miss that
ride in general. I.
Know and again you guys Indiana Jones was way better than
dinosaur. I said what I said come at me, I
don't care. However I love dinosaurs.
I have since I was a little kid and I really want to know what
happened to all the fossils. Where are they?
Yeah, they should come over to Disneyland.
They should come over to my backyard.
Well, OK, I meant that would take up our entire backyard.
How? Cool would we be?
How much cooler? Sorry.
We are cool. You hear that kids?
Your parents are cool. Your face, we are cool.
No but seriously, they should take all of the dyno related
things, bring them over to Disneyland and put them in the
Disneyland Railroad. Like redo that entire section
between, what is it Tomorrowland and Main Street.
Like the tunnel? Yeah, redo that entire tunnel.
You say that you know people would riot.
Oh, I know. But it would be really cool just
to have like the actual fossils and like the animatronics and
everything. That would be sweet.
Anyway, got off on a tangent, so Muppets was your.
Vision through yeah listen we got some friends over in the
Disney verse who just love themselves some Muppets.
I honestly love that pre show like 1 you get inside out of the
heat. OK, you had me.
At AC true. But as you're waiting for that
show to start, it was really fun to see all those Muppet
characters and the chickens and Gonzo and Rizzo.
Like it was just fun. It was.
And I like, I don't know, there wasn't anything like
groundbreaking or super important to your experience in
Muppet Vision. It was just fun.
And also, I mean, this is more of the cue, but there were a lot
of little Easter eggs and things in that room.
And as you sat there, it was like no, like 1.
You get to sit in the AC2, you get a little pre show, like it
was cool. Miss it.
Yeah, now it's gone. Now it's gone.
So I don't know. Done.
Anyway, let's jump in. Let's do it.
Top ten. What is your number 10?
My number 10 is Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios.
Gotcha. And I think that and I get like
it's, it's the video, but it's also the room that the video the
pre show is in. So I kind of took that into
account is the video as well as what you're looking at while
you're watching the video. But that is another one where if
you don't see that video, you are not going to understand.
Yeah, the rest of the ride, which I feel like is a lot of
the pre show, I guess most pre shows.
I think so, and I think that's why pre shows were put into the
ride experience to be honest, is it gave you a chance to do some
additional storytelling and, and I think this is a good point to
mention like one ride that does not have a pre show that I wish
did is Big Thunder Mountain. Oh, that would be.
Legit, because there is this whole back story about, you
know, like digging too deep and you know, the cars like kind of
are possessed and stuff and like who the the Baron is and stuff.
Like it's really cool. But you unless you like, no, you
don't find that out. And we learned that when we were
watching the Imagineering story and beyond the attraction on
Disney Plus. And it was like, oh, I mean,
like, I know it's the wildest ride in the wilderness, but I
didn't know why. That's true.
So if there was a pre show, maybe you had the chance to tell
that back story. So I like I get why the pre
shows are a thing now and I know people are kind of like anti
screen and we love our old school animatronics.
So do we, but it does paint a picture for the writing explains
like OK, well why is that glass breaking or this ticking clock
or the random eyeball? Yeah, it's because it tells you
you're about to enter. Yeah, the twilight zone.
Yeah, so. All right, Yeah, that was my
#10. Nice, did not make my list.
OK. That was probably the first one
out. OK.
Womp womp. So I'm glad it made yours.
My number 10 is Smugglers Run. OK.
So I honestly think the main reason this made my list because
in the grand scheme of things, did it really like do that much
for you? I mean, it did, but it didn't
because once you get on the ride, it kind of tells you the
purpose and about getting the coaxium and all that.
But it does introduce Hondo. And the thing that really stuck
out to me, though, is that animatronic was really legit.
Yeah. And I love that.
Again, like it, it pulls you through the queue, which is
really cool and all, But once you get in that room, like,
that's when your ride experience starts.
And I just think it's really fun.
And again, that animatronic is really great.
Yeah. So yeah.
Yeah. Smugglers run.
Nothing to write home about, but cool.
As a Star Wars fan, I'm like, all right, yeah, you piqued my
interest. That's.
True. Yeah, that one spoiler alert did
not make my list, but I've only ever been on Smugglers Run once.
Yeah, and I was like, never again.
One and done. One and done so.
You know, bless the children and that they have the opportunity
to pilot the Falcon, but those kids don't know how good they
have it. You should not be controlling
the Falcon. I would do much better, yeah, if
we did. Not try you're darn pilot.
Yeah, OK #9 my #9 is Tron. Oh wow, at 9:00.
Yeah. And I think the reason I put it
so low on the list is because I the, I remember the first time
going through that queue and you kind of turn the corner and
you're looking at this glass and you're like, what is this?
And then all of a sudden you're being digitized.
Yeah. And then the glass like becomes
clear and you can see the ride vehicle and it just like takes
off. Amazing, love it.
However, the last two Times Now again, we don't go to Disney
World all that often. So the last time we were there
was November. You weren't digitized like that
glass was clear the entire time. Like you didn't actually stop
there. Like the first time we were on
that ride, you stopped, saw it and then moved on.
Whereas at least the last, like I said, two or three times that
we went, it was just like, hey, it's already clear.
Like just keep walking through the queue.
I have thoughts and I have feelings that I will keep to
myself for now. Spoiler alert, you'll hear about
this again. But that's valid.
Like if they don't stop you and you don't get to experience
that, it is a missed opportunity.
Yeah. Like it is something that
doesn't really make or break your experience on the ride.
No, But it is something that is really, really cool.
But I would also argue without that it's not really like a pre
show. No it's fair because then you're
just continuing throughout like the entire queue.
You're not actually like, stopping to see anything.
I'm with you. I know I agree.
We'll come back to this OK? My #9 is a classic for sure.
It's Soren. At 9:00.
At 9:00 What? Listen, I love Patrick as much
as anybody. I always laugh whenever the dude
takes off his Mickey ears and I love that the little kid gives
him the thumbs up and the nice work pal.
But like, does it really do anything for your experience on
the ride at 9? At 9 it's classic.
It belongs in the top 10. It made it.
But there are just so many other cooler pre shows. 8 of them to
be exact for me. For me it's a classic.
But again, it's I don't know, it doesn't do much.
Like speechless right now. Wow, OK.
Yeah, sure. OK.
Well, I guess I'm sleeping out back tonight in the yard.
I shocked really. I mean, I didn't think you would
make like top three, but I thought at least top five for
you. I mean I like it and all it's
cool but it's just like funny haha.
But like, does it really? I don't know.
It's Patrick. I know that's why I said he's
classic, he's iconic, but I would argue that there are eight
other pre shows that are more important, more impactful and
more meaningful. OK.
I feel like we're going to talk about this again.
Oh yeah. OK, very well.
Moving on. Moving on. #8 #8 so my number 8
was Guardians mission breakout. That was my #8 as well.
See. OK guys, it's all right.
Hey, Mom and dad are OK. Yeah, we're OK.
It's OK, guys. Yeah, so I actually saw that pre
show for the very first time when we went in March.
Yeah, when we went March with the kids because I.
On a VIP tour, right? Flex because I just that's one
ride that for whatever reason, the time of day that we end up
doing it, I'm just like, I'm not in a mental state to be able to
do this right. So that was the first time that
I saw that pre show. It was so cute.
No, it's with. Rocket like that animatronic is
really cute. Well, and there's a lot that
goes into that too, because it's not that he just like pops out,
like he falls down through the vent, you see his tail and then
he pops up and he even grabs quills walking.
Gonna say Yep. Which is awesome.
But you know, like that, that pre show really does set the
tone for what you're doing because, again, especially where
they reimagine that ride, like if you don't have the pre show,
you'd be like, what is happening?
Yeah. And it does.
It tells you the story, like, and it plays to the characters
in the movie and the Marvel Universe perfectly.
Like they get captured logically.
Rocket escapes, and now we're going to help him free the
Guardians. Yeah, awesome.
But one thing again I took into consideration the like room
itself. So I also loved our VIP tour
guide pointed out in our room it was a hidden there is like a
legit hidden Mickey. In Oh yeah, no, it's cool.
Shout out to Haley. Yeah, 'cause that was awesome.
But no, there's like all sorts of cool stuff in there.
And I, I mean, again, I know that there are purists out there
who miss the Tower of Terror. I get you, I hear you.
But the way that they transform that it actually worked.
And a lot of the, the similar relics and things that were in
the Tower of Terror are still there.
But it's just, it's cool. Yeah, and I could post that
picture over on our Patreon page.
Yeah, you should. Yeah, of the little Mickey.
Come hang out with us on Patreon, by the way.
It's a cool place. There's a lot of cool stuff
there. Bonus content, it's free to
join, there's some exclusive stuff that you can pay for.
It's really rat. Yeah, we just actually recently
revamped our whole page too. We sure did, and it's awesome,
Yeah. Anyway.
Yeah, that was my #8 as well. And again, I just, I think it's
solid. And again, it, it really did.
I think that was what tied the reimagining altogether.
Was that pre show? They they nailed the pre show.
Yeah. It was awesome, yeah #7.
So I still stand by what I said. I'm not nervous.
This is my list. Is this the one?
It is what it is. I I'm going to get heat for this
one. I feel like I have guardians
cosmic rewind at 7 at 7:00. Holy smokes, what?
So again, it's a ride that I don't go on.
Sure. So again, I don't really have
that emotional connection to it. I've only been in through that
pre show once and that was actually back in November when
we went. That was the very first time I
went through that entire pre show.
OK, I mean you your face right now.
I'm just confused. I'm like, where are you going
with this? Because yeah, I, I mean, I'm
checking our Ring camera. Oh God, there are not.
Is that, is that a pitchforks? There's pitchforks.
Probably, but I mean I'm sure we will get your feelings later.
Yeah, I would imagine it's probably top three for you, if I
had to take a guess. Spoiler alert, it is top. 3 for
me I guess I just the reason it is so low is it again, it is a
great pre show awesome effects. Sure it's much more modern to
like the technology. It's not like an older pre show.
It's just not one that I. Honestly, it really just comes
down to I don't have that emotional connection with it
all. Right.
Well, I mean, there's no arguing that.
But that is, wow. I mean, that's low.
That's low even for you. No, I'm just kidding.
I'm kidding. All I can say is I'm sorry.
All right, all right. George McFly.
OK, my #7 I I'm, I get, I'm like, I get your reasoning.
I don't disagree with your reasoning.
I still think #8 though is really low for what that show
is. 7. Or seven.
Sorry, still low, still low. My #7 is flight of passage.
OK, here's why it's not. I mean, again, the queue is
fantastic on that ride and I do think like the pre show is
important because like, that's where they connect you with the
Banshee and like, it does set the tone for the ride and it is
cool. But I also think like it almost
takes too long. It almost feels like you're in
there forever, you know? And again, like it is really
neat. I will admit I'm not the biggest
Avatar fan in the world. Yeah, but I mean, it is cool.
It's not that I have any problem with it.
I think I wanted to have it higher, but when it really came
down to it, I think it's like, yeah, I mean, it's cool,
definitely important, but it's just, yeah, personal preference.
It landed at 7:00. OK, so flight of passage was my
number six. OK, awesome.
Yeah, so. Let us continue the.
Same, yeah, on the same kind of wavelength here.
So the reason that this one is I think higher than Cosmic Rewind
is just I think there's those more interactive elements to it
because you're being matched with your Banshee, you're
getting scanned. Yeah, you do get connected to
your avatar, correct? So that is cool.
I end up with a female avatar almost every time, which you
know what? I'm I'm all for the females so
sure, but it just feels a little weird sometimes.
I do agree that it is. It is definitely a longer pre
show. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
But I think there is a lot more to do.
And again, even just the ride, the technology on that ride and
the technology in the pre show are just, I mean, they're top
notch. No, they are.
I mean, like, that is the one I struggled with more than
anything else on my list. And I I just really think it
came down to personal preference.
Yeah, you were absolutely right on all accounts.
Yeah, I just, for me, yeah. I'm just not the biggest Avatar
fan. No, I agree.
Yeah. Cool, awesome, right though?
Yeah. So that was my number six.
OK, my number six, which I feel like you might be surprised that
as well, but it's going to be Spider Man web slingers at six.
OK, I'm OK with it. OK, sweet.
Awesome. I will say that it is perfect in
the pre show. Like it does everything you need
a pre show to do. It brings an iconic character to
life. It tells you like lays the
groundwork for the ride itself. It builds the suspense and
excitement. You know exactly what you need
to do going into the ride or what to expect.
So in that way it's really perfect.
I mean, I just, I don't have any complaints about it other than
like, it's really cool. It doesn't have the wow factor
for me, but it's really cool and I love that.
Again, you are set to go on that ride.
You're hyped for it. It's everything a pre show
should be. Yeah, like no notes.
Yeah, I agree. OK, totally agree.
OK, it's my number six. All right.
What's your #5? Because we're in the top five.
We're in the top five. Is it?
What is it? Is it web slingers?
No. Wow.
It is Sauron. OK.
I just, I'm so I'm not upset, I'm just surprised.
That you're just disappointed I. Mean no, not disappointed, and
you do you. Understand why.
Though so I guess my it is just that is a classic.
Like it is just so like the classic lines.
There's T-shirts. Like that is everything that I
think a pre show could be. Listen, pause, pause really
quick. We're doing like an Uncle Bob's
reverse mailbox. I don't know, I guess it's still
a mailbox. We're just like we're sending a
very kind hearted light threat to cousin Josh and Uncle Bob.
Like don't ever change that video.
By the way, that's the never update it.
That is the thing and I remember I forget like they redid that
whole pre show for I forget what it was for but I remember seeing
a video it was like Patrick was updated.
They even brought the guy back that had the ears I.
Don't even remember that. Did I just block it from my
memory because it was awful? I forget why they filmed it if
it was for an anniversary or I'll find it OK and I'll show it
to you but they redid it and it's hilarious but like you
can't change the original I get. That and I do love it.
I'm just saying like, it's just when you stack it against the
other ones, there's just so many others that are cooler and
better. It doesn't mean it's not
important. It doesn't mean it's not iconic.
I still cherish it in my heart. Patrick is still my boy.
Yeah, nice work, pal. Yeah, but again, like I'm.
I'm see we balance things out. I'm glad that it's your number
5. It is all.
Right. OK.
Well, my number 5, you've already mentioned it, it is
Tron. OK.
And I will say that I think it it to all of the reasons you
said it is key. It is super important to the
story and everything there. But like, it is the wow factor,
the very first time we experienced that when we got
digitized. And then just that, I mean, that
transition, it's just immediate, like just in a blink of an eye,
all of a sudden the glass clears and you get to see the ride and
it's awesome. Yeah.
Like to the point that you're like, Oh my gosh, am I really
sure I want to go on this because it just.
Totally, Yeah. It just takes your breath away.
Yep, and that's why like when it's on it is the best and I
fully respect that. You're right.
If it's not on, especially like towards the end of the night
when they're just like running people through, they usually
don't have it on. But like that wow factor for me.
Pure magic. And I thought it was the perfect
way for this hyped up major attraction that took forever in
a day to finish in Walt Disney World.
Yeah. No.
Serious. It was the perfect thing to be
like, Oh my gosh, it's real. Well, because I remember the
first time, like I said, you round the corner and you're in
this little tiny room. And you're just, it's not very
big. You're in a freaking closet.
No. And we tried to go spoiler free.
So we're just like standing there and we're like, what?
What are we standing here for? Like what are we doing?
And then all of a sudden you hear the voice and you're like,
you're being digitized. And then it just appears.
And yeah, you have, I have that feeling you're like, oh, this
goes much faster than I thought it would.
Yeah, well, no, and it's like an audible gasp from everybody else
that's with you. Like, it is cool, guys.
Yeah. If you have an experience that
like, keep writing Tron until it comes back if you haven't had it
yet. But yeah, it is.
It is awesome. So when it's on, that's why.
I mean, wow factor for sure. It's top five for me.
Yeah #4. OK, my #4 I really wanted to put
this one top three, OK, but I felt peer pressure.
From who? You what?
Me. No.
So I put it at 4:00. What?
In my heart, I still think I would put it at 3, but I put it
at 4:00. What?
It's web. OK.
It's web slingers, OK. It's higher than I put it.
Yeah, and I mean, for all of the reasons you said, it's just got
the iconic character. It explains the ride so well.
It's just funny. It's a it's a pre show that like
for whatever reason I laugh every single time.
I can recite probably the entire pre show and I will never forget
when we went to Disneyland Paris to hear that entire pre show in
French was freaking hilarious. Like to hear the voice and it's
instead of Spider Man, it sounded like Spooterman and it
was hilarious. Like so.
Oh, that's awesome, so funny. No, that's good.
I think in my heart I wanted to put that one top three, but I
felt peer pressure by another ride that I couldn't OK quite
put that one top three. Interesting.
So it's 4. OK, so there is one ride that
you have not mentioned yet that I was very curious as to where
it landed and I hope it makes your top three.
Well I only have 3 left. I know.
So we'll see. OK.
My number 4 though, yeah, is runaway railway.
OK, that was probably one that I was like, oh, that could be top
three, but I'm I'm very happy with my top three with my
podium. Runaway Railway, though, like
the song, everybody sings it, you're all there.
And like without fail, there is always one person, one kid,
someone that when the surprise happens, you know, the screen
raises the smoke billows out it like somebody's excited, you
know, like seeing it for the first time and it is awesome.
I also love it as a little thing, but I love that the cast
member interacts with goofy. Yep.
And like that is the moment that it pulls you into the cartoon.
Totally. Masterfully done.
Totally awesome. Totally.
Yep, we'll talk about it. OK, no, but it is cool and I
also love that compared to all the other pre shows, this one
actually has more elements. It has smell, you know, sight,
the feel, the touch on your face when that smoke comes out.
Like it is really cool and it it it broke my heart to not put it
top three, but like that does not take away from how awesome
it is. Like they crushed it.
And again, that song, the freaking song.
Yeah, amazing. Yeah, KK top three.
Top three. So jumping ahead a little bit,
just in general, my number one, I didn't expect it to be my
number. One interesting.
But just making the list, I was like, yeah, that's it.
So anyway, just wanted to say that before I did this.
Don't hate me, OK? It podiumed.
All right. But my number 3 is rise.
Oh man. Of the resistance.
No, it's OK. It's OK.
It's all right. I really wanted to put it at
four, OK, But I felt peer pressure because I'm like, as
much as I have that emotional connection to web slingers, then
I do like Rise of the Resistance.
How can you deny that pre show? Oh, it's, it's incredible.
Like the line itself is incredible, but then, and I mean
you kind of have two separate ones almost because you have the
first one with Ray and BB8. Right.
And that was, I mean, that's great in itself.
And then you go out and you board the ship.
Yep. And then all of a sudden, yeah,
you go in one way and you're expecting to go out of the
vehicle the opposite way. And then you come out of that
vehicle and you're like, well, how did I end up here?
I know. So just, but that whole pre show
in itself is awesome too. And I remember going on that for
the first time, like I was afraid because I was like, oh,
is this too much of like a motion simulator?
Like am I going to be OK? But totally, totally gentle and
love it. And again, the story behind it,
that just keeps the story flowing and it's just, it's
awesome. It's incredible and we will talk
about it again. Oh, I know.
But yeah, no, it's, it's awesome.
It really is. And and I think whether or not
you are a Star Wars fan, there is an element of surprise,
suspense, just mind blowing effect that is really cool.
So yeah, my #3 you mentioned it already.
Guardians of the Galaxy, Cosmic Rewind.
I kind of figured that would, yeah.
OK, here's the thing guys, as much as I like it and I do like
it and I think it's really cool, this is not my favorite ride in
Disney World or anywhere. I again, I think it's great.
I know that there are some people, we have friends who
absolutely love it. Like it is a must do for them
every time they go. That's not me.
I will say though that the way they did it because this pre
show was tricky one. How do you fit Guardians of the
Galaxy into Epcot? Oh, for sure, yeah.
And I think that the pre show is what was pivotal to making that
work and where they talk about, hey, you're Terrans, we're going
to take you off planet. And you know, just the whole
thing with Terry Crews, the comedy to it, you know,
Epcotians and you know, all this people of Epcot is really funny.
And I also like there's multiple rooms to that pre show, which is
cool. And so again, if someone has not
been on Cosmic Rewind, just skip ahead 30 seconds.
But when you go into that second room, this is the kicker for me
why it's top three. Yeah.
You walk in, you are completely surrounded.
And then when the lights go out, those walls shoot up so quickly.
Yeah, that you have no idea what happened.
It feels like you were transport.
Literally a ship, yeah. And it is unbelievable.
You're in the same room, but you feel like you're in a completely
different room. Yeah, Yep, I agree.
It is awesome and again, I love that you get to see the
Guardians that they paint the storyline and it just sets the
tone for what you're doing. But no, it's it's that effect.
Yeah, and maybe it's just me being a fan of like I want
something mind blowing and wow factor, but yeah, it's cool.
And in that part alone, I can see why people love it.
I know it's because it's a thrill ride, but that that
effect awesome. Yeah, and and it works cuz I was
very skeptical. How do you justify Guardians of
the Galaxy being an Epcot? And I think they crushed it and
it's all thanks to the pre show. Yeah.
No, that's a great point. So I love that.
OK, let's go one more. What do you got top 2 now?
#2 My number 2 is runaway railway.
Oh, nice. OK.
And I remember the first time we were on Runaway Railway, it was
still technically like COVID, right?
So they didn't have the pre show.
So you just walked right through the room.
I know. So it was, it was much, much
later, I think until we actually experienced the pre show for the
first time. And I can't remember, it was
probably Hollywood studios. I think it was probably the
first time still, but yet like the first time you hear that
song and then you just sing it the rest of the day.
Like it is awesome. And I mean, to all the points
that you had. And I do love the cast member
interaction. And I think everybody can agree
that like some cast members are, you know, more interactive than
others. But like just the fact that you
have that element in there. And I've even seen videos where
sometimes the pre show isn't working.
So then the cast member like in the middle of it, it breaks down
or whatever. So the cast member just
interacted like that entire or re enacted that entire pre show,
just like singing the song. Yeah.
So just the fact that you can do that, I, I love it.
No, it's phenomenal. It really, it really is great.
And I love that there's an additional meaning to it, like I
said, like it sucks you into the cartoon because that is an
important transformation that you don't really think about.
Yeah, but that's how they get you into the story and.
Poor and poor Pluto. Like I feel so bad.
For I know justice for our boy, the good boy, Pluto, Like he he
has a rough go of it. I know.
Poor fella. I know, man.
Yeah. All right.
My number 2. And this is the classic of all
classics. It is Haunted Mansion.
OK. And it's the Disneyland version.
I know it's the same, but it is not because the Disneyland
version actually takes you down. Yeah, to a whole other level.
But guys, like, I don't know. And any credit to Justin from
Foolish Mortals and Happy Haunts for helping us, like, take a
whole other level of admiration and appreciation for this
attraction. Yeah.
But like, just when you look at it for what it is, like the
first time you write it, it's like, what is happening?
They just put me in this room. The doors closed behind me.
And like, you don't really think about it until the voice tells
you the narrator's like, there's no windows and no doors.
And then you're like, hold up, we're moving, aren't we?
And then like the pictures that expand the portraits and then
you see like what's hidden beneath on the bottom side of
the portrait and then the ceiling effect.
And I it just, it is the original, that whole ride, just
the way that they made it with all those, you know, extra
effects. And it's just, it blows my mind.
And I mean, it's just, again, it's iconic.
Like the people who love Haunted Mansion.
Yeah. Like, that is gospel for them.
And I, I get it now. Yep.
It is really cool. Yeah, really cool.
You have a smile on your face. Is this your number one?
Honda Mansion is my #1 which I I totally did not expect like when
I thought about it, I was like, oh, runaway railway.
I love that one sure. And that was my number one queue
line. Yep.
But the more I thought about it, I was like it's the, it's the
freaking stretching room. Like how can you beat?
I mean I know what your number one is, I'm sure, but like in my
mind, like how can you beat the stretching room?
And I think to your point, absolutely agree that I'm sure
they are identical pre shows, but in Disneyland, it is
actually an elevator. So you actually go down.
And we actually learned that because again, during COVID when
we went to Disney World and they weren't doing the pre shows, we
walked right through the stretching room.
So that one, yeah, does not move.
But it's just, yeah, the portraits, it's just so, I mean,
and even the cast members get involved, move to the dead
center of the room. Cast member interaction, you
guys. We mentioned it with Runaway
Railway, but it was already in play at Human Mansion.
And the other thing, again, not the biggest fan of Nightmare
before Christmas, but in Disneyland, even that pre show,
I think they did a fantastic job with because you're like, how
are you going to have these portraits?
Like how are you going to incorporate Nightmare before
Christmas? And even still, they did a great
they. Did it?
Yeah. No, it's I don't know it just I
again, thank you to Justin for helping us understand and
appreciate it even better. But like, the more you go on
that ride, the more you realize what a masterpiece that it is.
No, I'm here for it like I'm a Haunted Mansion fan.
Yeah. Well, it's not.
At first I was like, I don't get it 100% get it now.
I totally get it now. Better late than never, but
we're here for it. But yeah, it is, it is cool.
And I mean, again, are we saying that that is the original pre
show? Is there any?
Is there anything that predated it because it might be like the
original pre show? I'm a Google it.
We're going to have to do some research.
Maybe that would make a fun after hours event on Patreon to
talk about. Like, I really think this might
be the first pre show. Yeah, it's cool.
OK. All right, my number one, I'm
not it's, it's Rise of the Resistance.
And you know, again, I fully acknowledge that I am a Star
Wars fan. I'm a Star Wars kid.
And that part was an experience, like an emotional experience to
be able to go in and have Galaxy's Edge come to life and
then to be able to experience that.
And but like, when you look at the magic behind it, I know that
there are creators out there who go through and talk to you a
little bit about how they make these effects work.
You know, the Peppers ghost effect in Haunted Mansion and,
and some of these others. There are videos out there that
talk to you about what happens on Rise of the Resistance when
you board the shuttle. Yeah.
I refuse to watch it because I do not want to understand it.
I just want it to be magical for me every time.
But yeah, you know, 1, you get to start out with the hologram
of Ray and you know, again, we know that Peter Parker is on the
screen at Webslingers. But in Rise of the Resistance it
works because it's like the holographic message.
You know, you get to see BB8, which is super rad.
You walk out and I get this is Q, but you get to see the X wing
info. But then when you board that
shuttle, the transport shuttle, like there is so much to see you
guys. Like you have to go on it
multiple times. You have to look a different
direction every time. So one everyone looks at you
know, the fish dude up front and you know, nom nom and he's going
to like tell you everything that's happening to the front
and you get to see the screen that way.
But if you look back out the back windows, there's more
things to see. If you look at the ceiling when
you get pulled inside the Star destroyer, you actually see the
light like transform and change. So, like, it is completely
immersive. Yeah.
You have no idea where you were taken because, again, clearly
you're pulled somewhere else. Physically.
It's a new room, Yep. But you have no idea if you went
up, down, sideways. Yeah.
You don't? Yeah.
You were outside, now you're inside a ship in outer space.
Yep. And I know this is technically
cute, but when those doors open, just seeing, Oh yeah, the inside
and seeing all of those stormtroopers, nothing like it.
Like just having that experience for the first time absolutely
blew my mind. And I don't know that anything
will ever top it. So amazing, amazing again.
Like I know that there are purists who don't like the
screens that have been added to modern Disney attractions, but
you guys like the pre show element is so pivotal.
And I love doing this episode. We've wanted to do it for a long
time because like, I have a whole new level of appreciation
for the pre shows. It's really awesome.
So as always, let us know what you think.
Tell us what we missed. Tell us what was too high, too
low. And again, there are several
others that did not make our list at all.
So we want to hear from you if you think that there's something
else that we missed. But yeah, love it, love.
It that's it for this week's episode, Don't forget to rate
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wonderful Wednesday, TTFN.