Is Toy Story Land really needed?

[quagmire0]

With the announcements of Star Wars, Toy Story,is Disney done with Single E tickets? Whats wrong with just making Single thrilling attractions? It will still draw guest and take a lot less time in construction. Does it really take 3-4 years to build a carnival like ride and an outdoor family coaster for Toy Story? No it doesn't but having it spread acres with themed gift shops and restaurants is the reason it takes such a long time. Star Wars/Avatar do however seem worth the time because they will be similar to Harry Potter and actually have E Ticket Attractions.

Just wanted to state my opinion

The joint Toy Story/Star Wars announcements make sense. If they just did Toy Story Land, then I'd say 'why is Disney adding MORE little kid attractions when their competitors are offering more and more older kid/adult attractions?' BUT, in committing to a Star Wars themed land, they are now treading more into that Universal Studios territory. And you can bet that a Marvel-themed land is next on their plate. Hollywood Studios is in dire need of a makeover. Ever since my first visit there in 2011, I've thought it was the most cramped and poorly laid out park at Disney. While some of the things there have their charms, others can be easily replaced.

Now, if you ask me, the more puzzling question is why an Avatar Land? It was a successful movie, but that was YEARS ago, and to me it doesn't really have any staying power. That could become the next generation's Captain EO, but on a grander scale.

 

[GPC0321]

It's a no-brainer, really. The Magic Kingdom appeals to people of all ages. Most of its rides are designed for families to be able to enjoy together. Magic Kingdom is also the most popular park in WDW. It may not be everyone here's personal favorite, but I doubt anyone would argue that it gets the most traffic of the four. Why? Because it's full of things people of all ages can do together.

DHS is hardly worth the price of admission or the time and effort to venture over there (if you're hopping) unless everyone in your group/family is able to/wants to ride ToT, RnR, and Star Tours. TSMM alone isn't worth it to me, though many DO make that effort, clearly, which shows how important FAMILY-FRIENDLY rides and attractions are to a park's success.

They'd be insane not to do Toy Story Land, IMO. It'll balance out Star Wars land, which I picture being geared more toward the older kids and Star Wars-loving adults (like me).

I just wish both of these lands were already there so I could have a reason to visit HS in March. It's hard to justify going there right now. I'd rather relax by the pool.

 

[lugnut33]

I'm all for anything new going into the parks, especially the studios which had pretty much been abandoned by Disney execs in California.

That said, I'm not using my 3 FP+ allotment on kiddie rides at TSland, which means I'll probably be unable to ever ride any of the new attractions. Don't scoff because those of you with young kids will be using your FP+ on those rides.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I would disagree, and this is probably where a lot of the "Disney should/shouldn't build thrill rides" arguments begin, a lack of common definition for what constitutes a thrill ride.

If one considers star tours a thrill ride, then heck, so is the toy story ride! And Muppet vision 3D! And mission space! The list goes on and on.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

If one considers star tours a thrill ride, then heck, so is the toy story ride! And Muppet vision 3D! And mission space! The list goes on and on.

Mission Space is a thrill ride...

As for the others you mentioned, they don't require seatbelts.

 

[Sparkly]

Sorry, but Star Tours is NOT a thrill ride.


You grew up with toy story? Lord, that shows how old I am.

I agree!

Indeed! I was a year old when it was released in 1995, and it was one of the first Disney VHSes I remember watching. Loved it.

 

[linzbear]

Having had to leave DHS on an EMH morning where TSM was down and they weren't letting anyone in, and there was literally nothing else in the park to bring my under 40" kids on because the shows don't start until 9:30 and it was 8:30. Yes, Toy Story Land is necessary. TSM has no line in California, but is hours long in DHS. That's because it's the only non scary ride in the park. 1 ride for little kids in an entire park is not enough.

 

[bbjunkie]

I go to Cedar Point and ride everything, so think again.

Your condescension makes you look bad, not the people that you scorn. When you have to resort to insults in a debate, you have lost.

Exactly. Me, too. Well, except for Top Thrill Dragster. Partiaally because I won't wait in line for an hour and a half for an 18 second ride. . But, I am a thrill seeker; LOVE roller coasters, but love Disney for a completely different reason.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

DHS desperately needs these lands. The only reason this park is even a half-day park for me is because I ride Star Tours multiple times in one day. I don't like big roller coasters, so RnRC and ToT are out for me, which leaves very little in the park for me to do.

Did I have fun when I went to Universal? Absolutely. Will I go back? Absolutely. The Harry Potter nerd in me needs to see Diagon Alley. However, at Universal I found myself sitting out a lot more, and it really did seem more like a park that I would go to with my friends rather than a vacation destination. Universal was fun, but it wasn't magic. Disney provides that magic that makes me plan week-long vacations, adding on a day or two at Universal every couple of years.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Mission Space is a thrill ride...

As for the others you mentioned, they don't require seatbelts.

So because they have seatbelts, they are considered a thrill ride?

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Disney is not about the extreme thrill ride. That is a 6 flags park.

The Magic and Pixie dust of Disney is the extreme theming, Attractions, whether A, B, C, D or E, that tell a story and not just a coaster with video screens. Even after all our visits, driving onto the WDW or DLR property is like a fog covering the car and us and we feel the magic. WDW has so much more then just parks. All of these together puts WDW and DL head and shoulders above all the others.

AKK

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

Star Tours is most definitely NOT a thrill ride. Mission Space Orange maybe.. but overall I don't find the ride enjoyable.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

So because they have seatbelts, they are considered a thrill ride?

I would be hard-pressed to classify anything that doesn't require some sort of safety restraint a thrill ride, but that doesn't mean that everything that has one is a thrill ride.

So now the question becomes: what constitutes a thrill ride? Is there a common definition?

 

[amg35]

I would be hard-pressed to classify anything that doesn't require some sort of safety restraint a thrill ride, but that doesn't mean that everything that has one is a thrill ride.

So now the question becomes: what constitutes a thrill ride? Is there a common definition?

Either I'm going pretty fast or I'm pretty high up in the air - most likely both!

At WDW I would consider these thrill rides:

Everest
Space Mountain
Test Track? (that's a stretch)
RnR
ToT

Not thrill rides, but still fun:
Thunder Mountain
Splash Mountain
Mine Train
Dinosaur
Primevil Whirl (I like it )
Soarin
Mission Space (I really don't know, I never rode it)


And then everything else is tame but fun.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

Either I'm going pretty fast or I'm pretty high up in the air - most likely both!

At WDW I would consider these thrill rides:

Everest
Space Mountain
Test Track? (that's a stretch)
RnR
ToT

Not thrill rides, but still fun:
Thunder Mountain
Splash Mountain
Mine Train
Dinosaur
Primevil Whirl (I like it )
Soarin
Mission Space (I really don't know, I never rode it)


And then everything else is tame but fun.

That's interesting, since Big Thunder and Splash Mountain are both faster and taller than Space Mountain

For me, and perhaps I'm alone in this, but I have a wide range that I use to classify thrill rides. So sure, there are very mild ones, like Star Tours or Primeval Whirl and there are extreme ones, such as Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, but the existence of the extreme thrill rides don't keep the mild ones from still being thrill rides.

 

[mummabear]

I think yes DHS needs Toy Story land, as PPs have pointed out there is not a huge amount for the younger crowd at DHS. Toy Story is a proven popular series with another one due out, it is a real unisex appeal (more so than Carsland)so boys aren't loosing out to princesses. I personally would have preferred a Pixar place with a variety of movies represented but I can see how that could be hard to make a cohesive space.

As far as thrill rides I'm all for them, I think this "Disney is for families" argument seems to forget that you don't stop being a family when your kids are 8 or 13, I hate the idea that my kids will outgrow Disney but at 5 our oldest DD is already tall enough to ride just about everything.
To the posters that say that we could just go to cedar park- we don't want to (well I lie I want to go there too) I want awesome coasters with Disneys themeing. Personally I want a whole Villisns based area with more rides like TOT, I am not asking Disney to build the tallest fastest, biggest steapest drop in the world but something more exciting than more Soarins.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

DHS actually does need attractions that will especially appeal to young children. And they usually do a pretty good job of making them appeal to adults too. Maybe not those who want large coasters or thrilling rides that need a height requirement.

I love Toy Story - if you don't give a darn about Toy Story, of course there won't be much there to interest you.

 

[mummabear]

Magic Kingdom is also the most popular park in WDW. It may not be everyone here's personal favorite, but I doubt anyone would argue that it gets the most traffic of the four. Why? Because it's full of things people of all ages can do together

One could also argue there are other variables, it has the longest hours (significantly more so then AK or DHS) it is the only park currently with a parade, it has significantly more attractions and for most of the year it is the only park with a fireworks display ( I know illuminations has some fireworks but they are a minor part of an overall show)

 

[mummabear]

For me, and perhaps I'm alone in this, but I have a wide range that I use to classify thrill rides. So sure, there are very mild ones, like Star Tours or Primeval Whirl and there are extreme ones, such as Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, but the existence of the extreme thrill rides don't keep the mild ones from still being thrill rides.

No way is primeval whirl a thrill ride and RNRC while I would call a thrill ride would only be extreme to someone under 10.

 

[Quellman]

Maybe Disney could use more rides geared to older kids (i.e. "Thrill rides") but DHS actually needs more Family rides! The only ride there for younger kids is TSMM. There are some of the shows, but the other rides in the park are RnR, ToT, Star Tours, and Great Movie Ride, which has scary parts and isn't really a "kid's ride." If Slinky-Dog Coaster can be as good as 7DMT, also a "family friendly" coaster, then I'll be very pleased with it.

How do you figure? I have a 10 month old and a 3 year old. Two major expansions underway (Star Wars and avatar) will have little or nothing for us.

To be fair, they aren't paying admission (the 10 month old anyway) so they are stuck with general attractions and shows. (For referencea two year old).

Radiator Springs lends itself easily to day and night time illumination. Many people say that at night it is particularly wonderful and the Christmas overlay amazing. I am not creative enough, but I find this will be difficult to replicate in "Andy's backyard". It could be we end up with a lot more trees and other greens to make it a back yard than usable space. The land should not just be landscaping with static statues. Also, tt can't be just decorations, it has to be immersive and I have to believe I have been shrunken to the size of a toy.I think this is what Disney is hoping to achieve.

Currently there is not a SINGLE ride at HS for guests under 40". LMA, Muppets, BatB, Indy, Disney Jr, Mermaid, are all shows. Toy Story Mania is limited by age not height. It absolutely does very little for a 2 year old (who can ride) but cannot grasp the concept of the games and the use of the trigger. The Great Movie ride? No height requirement, but it is more inline with a show (the tour guides) through a museum of movies classic movies they have no idea about.

A family coaster with a 34"/36" limit will offer mild thrills for younger guests. The claw ride, if similar to Junkyard Jamboree style rides can accommodate guests 32" and up.

Based on the images it looks like an army parachute drop tower could be in place near the ride area of Slinky (based on the one at DLParis). Sure it would be a clone, but it would at least up the ride count.

I suspect that Star Wars will hit some balances with a bit older of a crowd. Just my thoughts.