Initial beta experience

So here’s my initial entrance into the beta.

After a few issues with getting my account linked up and my password correct, I logged in.

I was presented with the original interface that WoW came with (plus a few additions) because almost NONE of my addons work.
Meh, I can deal. I didn’t use addons the first year of playing WoW. I’m okay.
My rogue is just as I left him, hovering over the entrance to the Scryers bank.
Kind of anti-climactic. I proceeded to take in the new interface options, play with my spec, and crap like that. it’s all on the website really, so I won’t bore you with it.

After getting some very polite and helpful people to assist me, I make my way to the NEW zepplin tower outside the Undercity.
I had chosen the UC zep because the Undead race is my absolute favorite.

After anxiously waiting a few moments the new zep arrived. I boarded and was trying to imagine what new world I would be stepping into.
Would it live up to the hype? Would it fizzle? Would it even load?

After the loading screen disappeared I was presented with this ominous looking area dedicated to creating a new undead plague, and the foothold for the assault on Arthas and the Scourge.
The sound effects were amazing, the music had an eerie mood, but the graphics were stunning.
Such detail went into each building and each texture.
I had never seen WoW with such detail before. When the game rolled into retail in late 2004, the graphics were actually disappointing. However Blizzard had a choice, go all out, or make it possible for lots of people to play. They made the latter. It didn’t look awesome, but it was the right choice.

After walking down the tower, stopping at each chance to take in the scenery, I decided to mount up and explore the area. The creatures I saw and the places I explored were making me feel like I just started playing for the first time.
New mobs models, actually taking a decent beating, new areas getting explored on my map, XP!
I was excited when TBC came out, but this is MUCH better.

This is gonna be awesome.