When I started putting together this year's tournament, I thought it'd be neat to start by matching up rides and shows of the same type to crown the best in each of those categories, before setting them against each other in a head-to-head bracket. Best flume ride? Best animatronic show? Best simulator ride? It'll be fun!
But when I sorted through the Theme Park Insider reader ratings to select the attractions for each vote, I was reminded just how fuzzy the lines between various types of theme park experiences have come. Let's consider today's category, 3D movies, for example.
Pretty easy, huh? If you sit in a theater and wear 3D glasses while watching a movie, that's a 3D movie. But what about 4D attractions, where the seats jiggle and tickle? Okay, we'll make those a different category. But what about 3D movies with live actors, or animatronics? Should they be in with the 3D movies, or the 4D ones? And what about 3D movies where the seats don't move, but you still get stuff sprayed at you? 3D or 4D?
Multiply those decisions by the number of categories in the tournament, and you can see that I had to make more decisions that Judge Judy.
So for today's vote, we've got the top 3D movies that don't include seats that "jiggle or tickle," and that parks haven't labeled as "4D." Those will be in the Best 4D Show category next week. But we do include today a couple of 3D movies that include live actors and/or animatronics. As with all tournament contests, voting is open for 24 hours and campaigning via the comments, Facebook and Twitter is encouraged.
Captain EO - at Disneyland, Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris
Mickey's PhilharMagic - at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland
MuppetVision 3D - at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure
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Terminator 2: 3D - at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan
Tomorrow: We'll be voting to pick the best theme park stunt show.
I guess Robert's keeping Shrek for the Best 4D Movie category. Sorry, I couldn't resist! 8o)
I had to go with PhilharMagic on this one, it's my favourite 3D movie experience with the smell of the apple pie and the magic carpet flying sequence - almost feels like Soarin' (my favourite Disney ride - wish they'd clean-up those screens).
With that being said, despite being a fan of the original Shrek movie, Shrek as a 3D movie is a bit boring and the moving seats aren't that great. I skip the show every time I go to USH.
And I love the first two Terminator movies, but Terminator has an identity crisis. It's great with the live action show, but once it goes to the screens, why are we just watching? We start out as part of the show, then only as spectators, then back to part of the show? Because of that, Honey I Shrunk the Audience was better to me.
I love the Muppets and they still crack me up everytime I see them and the way they wreck the theater is wonderfull but my pick was Terminator. I love the lifeaction and 3D combination.
So, with ITTBAB out, I went with Muppetvision. I've heard that some of the effects haven't been working lately which is a shame if true. Nonetheless, I've always found the movie laugh out loud funny. It is also historical being Jim Henson's last major project before his death.
Phillarmagic is a nice movie but as Robert has said it is essentially a "greatest hits piece." I love the songs and they are undoubtedly classics but I think Disney could have been a little more creative with this one in general.
I was not really that impressed with Terminator for whatever reason. The live actors did not really do much for me.
Captain EO..I've never seen it but the original run at Epcot only lasted eight years (1986-1994)so I doubt it could be that great. In comparison, Muppetvision has run continuously at DHS for twenty years now.
So, since the Muppets are the best things ever, my vote goes to them.
Other than that, MP gets my vote.
Went with T2:3D just because it is so ambitious, but I love all things Muppets and in my heart PhilHarmagic is probably my favorite of the bunch even if my name wasn't in the title. Captain EO should be retired yet again.
While I like Muppet*Vision, it also feels a bit dated now, and could definitely use a freshening up. Still, strong second, mostly due to having the awesome Sweetums live in the theater. This is even more of a people eater.
Captain EO had earned its retirement, and if it had not been for the passing of Michael Jackson, I doubt that there would have been any call to bring the show back. While it isn't a bad show, it is terribly dated now, and the effects just don't stand up to current standards.
Haven't seen Terminator, but the consensus definitely seems to be that it is loud, dated, and hard to follow.
I'm still disappointed that Test Track won despite its lack luster theme and actual experience.
I can't believe the negative reviews of Terminator. It is thus far my favorite 3D movie. The live actors add a lot to the picture especially to bring the terminator experience into the theater. It felt more real than the other movies.
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