[Chat] Astro Blasters Need to Go

[greeeneyes17]

This is just my opinion, just wondering if anybody agrees.
When they opened this ride in '04, I think everybody was expecting a lot more than they got. Cool, a game where you can shoot things and get points, it's fun for awhile. But when toy story mania came along, this left me thinking "so now there's two of the same ride?"
With the addition of TSM and its immense popularity, I don't see why Astro Blasters is necessary.
I generally see a 5 minute wait for it, wheareas TsM has a consistent half hour or usually longer wait.
It may not be taking up very much space, and I realize it's only 8 years old and therefore we shouldn't get rid of it just yet (ahem, nemo...),
but imo it's in the park's best interest to nix this one when they revamp tomorrowland (if they do), along with the Submarines and Innoventions and Autopia.

I don't mean to be a downer, I really do enjoy Tomorrowland But I'm just trying to think about ways that could improve it.
Thoughts?

[Dirton]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

I freaking love Buzz, actually more than TSMM. It needs some tlc but other than that its super fun and eats up people like crazy. I've never been wild about it being in Tomorrowland but at least it's between TL and Fantasyland.

[DARTH MAUL]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

I don't really see a long future for the attraction, but it's more popular than you're giving it credit for. I generally see a much longer line for it, and I don't think it should be compared to Midway. At least this ride was actually built and not just filled with screens. I have to say though, this is the only ride of recent history I don't remember opening. I swear I just showed up to DL one day and it was there. Anyone else feel this way?

[Dirton]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

totally [face_rofl]

I swear one day it was just there...

[greeeneyes17]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

I don't really see a long future for the attraction, but it's more popular than you're giving it credit for. I generally see a much longer line for it, and I don't think it should be compared to Midway. At least this ride was actually built and not just filled with screens. I have to say though, this is the only ride of recent history I don't remember opening. I swear I just showed up to DL one day and it was there. Anyone else feel this way?

I agree, I don't remember it opening, I just arrived and it was there. Same with Ariel's new ride.

[DARTH MAUL]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

I've never been wild about it being in Tomorrowland but at least it's between TL and Fantasyland.

There's really no in between about it. It's passed the entrance sign. There's no Inbetweenland. It certainly wouldn't belong in Fantasyland with its storybook theme.

---------- Post added 06-28-2012 at 01:39 PM ----------

I agree, I don't remember it opening, I just arrived and it was there. Same with Ariel's new ride.

I remember Ariel, but that was 1, a year ago, and 2, PACKED. I mean packed! The line filled all of Paradise Park.

[Bronco21]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

The ride itself is fun, but the execution of the ride and the artistic direction of it is what makes it a sore thumb. Instead of basing it on Buzz Lightyear space ranger (the character that Buzz the toy was based off of in the movie), Disney based the ride on Buzz the toy. Buzz Lightyear the space ranger fits theme, buzz Lightyear the toy does not. It is currently the only dark ride in Tomorrowland though and it is still pretty popular. I don't see Iger and the marketeers at WDI removing a popular ride that sells toys like crazy! Would I prefer the whole building to be demolished and something else entirely new built in its place? Yes I would, but it's not gonna happen (unless Toy story suddenly becomes unpopular).

[ArchimedesWhatWhat]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

This is just my opinion, just wondering if anybody agrees.
When they opened this ride in '04, I think everybody was expecting a lot more than they got. Cool, a game where you can shoot things and get points, it's fun for awhile. But when toy story mania came along, this left me thinking "so now there's two of the same ride?"
With the addition of TSM and its immense popularity, I don't see why Astro Blasters is necessary.
I generally see a 5 minute wait for it, wheareas TsM has a consistent half hour or usually longer wait.
It may not be taking up very much space, and I realize it's only 8 years old and therefore we shouldn't get rid of it just yet (ahem, nemo...),
but imo it's in the park's best interest to nix this one when they revamp tomorrowland (if they do), along with the Submarines and Innoventions and Autopia.

I don't mean to be a downer, I really do enjoy Tomorrowland But I'm just trying to think about ways that could improve it.
Thoughts?

I think it needs to go also... I don't have a good reason for it to stay or go. But just personal opinion I think it should go. It's always felt like a temperary attraction to me. They could put something very cool and tomorrowland themed with that space.

It would be a shame to loose the Buzz AA. Maybe he could move to the inside of Toy Story Midway Mania.

[greeeneyes17]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

The ride itself is fun, but the execution of the ride and the artistic direction of it is what makes it a sore thumb. Instead of basing it on Buzz Lightyear space ranger (the character that Buzz the toy was based off of in the movie), Disney based the ride on Buzz the toy. Buzz Lightyear the space ranger fits theme, buzz Lightyear the toy does not. It is currently the only dark ride in Tomorrowland though and it is still pretty popular. I don't see Iger and the marketeers at WDI removing a popular ride that sells toys like crazy! Would I prefer the whole building to be demolished and something else entirely new built in its place? Yes I would, but it's not gonna happen (unless Toy story suddenly becomes unpopular).

that's a good point. And while I don't see it happening, like you said, I wish it would. I don't expect it to change within the next ten years.

[JerrodDRagon]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

Keep it there now as a filler...like Monsters Inc or Pooh....because other area's need to get fixed before even these "weaker" attractions

[Wreckless Abrandon]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

Personally, I prefer it over TSMM because it's physically there and not 100% screens. But the execution of the shooting gallery aspect needs to be fixed. Flashing lights to signify you hit something isn't exactly great. But I will always choose physical AA's over screens as I can play the game at home for TSMM.

[MarkILIS]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

It would be a shame to loose the Buzz AA.

Hence part of the problem. The most impressive/memorable aspect of the attraction is in the queue.

[socalkdg]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

I'd rather lose any of the FL rides over Buzz. One of the very few interactive rides at the resort, we don't need to lose one. It is completely different then TSMM, thus we should keep both.

[explodingboy]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

I've never been a fan, to be honest. Could care less either way whether it goes or stays.

[CSei2011]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

I love buzz! My husband and I are very competitive and hey always does well on TSMM and I on buzz (I think it's because he's used to playing video games on the screens where as I have no real aim at a screen)
So thats my vote. Keep it. Plus TSMM will always have a long line...it's the way the ride was built. Buzz shouldnt really have too long of a line because it's an omnimover (how ever it's spelled) like HM, or Ariel .. they are made to eat up guests

I'm not a theme police kinda person... and if I was the Nemo subs would be of more concern to me than Buzz....

[greeeneyes17]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

I love buzz! My husband and I are very competitive and hey always does well on TSMM and I on buzz (I think it's because he's used to playing video games on the screens where as I have no real aim at a screen)
So thats my vote. Keep it. Plus TSMM will always have a long line...it's the way the ride was built. Buzz shouldnt really have too long of a line because it's an omnimover (how ever it's spelled) like HM, or Ariel .. they are made to eat up guests

I'm not a theme police kinda person... and if I was the Nemo subs would be of more concern to me than Buzz....

good point about the omnimover, I guess that does contribute to the line moving faster, didn't realize that. Maybe they could make Toy Story with one.

[Rex Dopey24]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

i love that ride its so much fun to shoot at the targets and easy too. good ride

[Quentin]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

TSMM and Buzz are not the same ride!!! I hate when people say "they have two of the same ride." Completely different, I like TSMM more, but Buzz is really fun as well. As far as a longer line goes I don't think you can say TSMM is more popular because the line is longer. They are different ride systems that have different capacity. Although I would agree TSMM does seam to be more popular that does not make Buzz obsolete.

[Matty30]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

I remember Ariel, but that was 1, a year ago, and 2, PACKED. I mean packed! The line filled all of Paradise Park.

you're right, it was PACKED. My wife and I were there the first few days it opened. Lines were enormous. The day we went to DCA when the park opened, Ariel was our first ride which seems so odd! Smart that we did head straight there as the line was jammed again as soon we got off the ride and stayed like that all day.

[Grin Without a Cat]

Re: Astro Blasters Need to Go

Speaking of the Buzz AA, the last 2 times I've been there, there has been a curtain around him, and he's not working (this is on visits a month apart). Has he been down that whole time, or did I just have bad luck and showed up at two different down times?