The changes most certainly improve the ride greater than imagined tbh...
Whilst it still gets a mixed response (don't most rides?), the addition of the new video clips pre lift and the extended sequence before the drop just help tie a few bits together...
Other improvements include the metal detectors beeping, air cannons in the ride and the post lifts, and more intense ticklers which cannot be avoided with raised legs...
All in all, it's still not perfect, but it's certainly better...