That's hard for me to know because, as a TA, I mostly get to see students when they're confused or frustrated, up against a deadline. The fact that almost all our students are also enrolled in spring 251 with Luis von Ahn, and therefore incredibly overworked, doesn't help.

However, a reasonable proportion of students seem interested, and a handful are overtly enthusiastic about the course. If I had to guess I'd say it won't be an order-of-magnitude improvement over 212, but it will be significant one, if only because it will reach more students earlier in their undergraduate careers. However, only time will tell.

As for 212's reputation, you and I must run in different circles; I know plenty of FP enthusiasts who got their first taste in 212. I suspect a strong selection bias is at work here.