Villain-Con Minion Blast (General Discussion)

[Clive]

Sometimes there's a mismatch of preshow length / enjoyability and ride system. Guardians comes to mind. The primary appeal of the attraction is not theming, but the fun that comes from spinning, the thrill and speed. It's kinda annoying to have to sit through 8 minutes of repetitive prelude whenever I just want to reride the fun spinny coaster.

It was brought up for lift hills in another thread, but I feel that way about certain preshows, where I wish there was a "Skip Cutscene button"; some door or path around them haha.

In contrast, Tower of Terror's preshow is perfect. Far, far shorter and doesn't rely on humor or exposition in the way GOTG or FoP do, so I enjoy it far more. Rise's preshows barely even feel like they count under that terminology to me, that's just Act 1 of the greater ride experience imo. But the appeal with Rise is scope, theming, and breaking standard theme park conventions, so it naturally fits better.

I think you nailed it.

I suspect people don't generally mind a preshow, singular, when it comes to rerides, especially if it's entertaining and brief. It's when you have multiple preshows that the experience of seeking a reride becomes an exercise in frustration. As you said, Rise of the Resistance gets away with it because it's actively breaking conventions, offering a variety of essential Star Wars settings (Resistance base! Spaceship! Star Destroyer!), and incorporating plenty of entertaining and exciting tech and show elements.

I'd argue a super headliner harmed by its excessive preshows is, unfortunately, Escape from Gringotts. I think the first preshow has really underrated writing, and in isolation it isn't an issue... but there are actually three preshows you have to get through, plus an additional wait, to actually get on the ride. (Bill's Office > Antechamber Before Elevators > Elevator.) Only one of those, the elevator, is especially exciting to experience. Even cutting out the antechamber spiel would help, but the flow unfortunately wasn't designed for that, and it's where Universal sticks the requisite warnings about the true nature of the ride.

 

[FBarnhill]

Can't hate this. Since a South Park attraction will never happen, this is the only way Trey Parker can be in theme parks.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I think you nailed it.

I suspect people don't generally mind a preshow, singular, when it comes to rerides, especially if it's entertaining and brief. It's when you have multiple preshows that the experience of seeking a reride becomes an exercise in frustration. As you said, Rise of the Resistance gets away with it because it's actively breaking conventions, offering a variety of essential Star Wars settings (Resistance base! Spaceship! Star Destroyer!), and incorporating plenty of entertaining and exciting tech and show elements.

I'd argue a super headliner harmed by its excessive preshows is, unfortunately, Escape from Gringotts. I think the first preshow has really underrated writing, and in isolation it isn't an issue... but there are actually three preshows you have to get through, plus an additional wait, to actually get on the ride. (Bill's Office > Antechamber Before Elevators > Elevator.) Only one of those, the elevator, is especially exciting to experience. Even cutting out the antechamber spiel would help, but the flow unfortunately wasn't designed for that, and it's where Universal sticks the requisite warnings about the true nature of the ride.

Gringotts... I can see it. I do feel I want to geto out of the Rise in the Rey room and it feels like i'm kept waiting there a bit too much. But no one has a worse case of preshow-itis than Cosmic Rewind. Ultimately a preshow shouldn't make you feel like you're being held back, it should feel like a natural progression through the space. Bad ones feel too long, too boring, and make you want to leave.