The Future of Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom

Donaldb112 · Nov 29, 2015

Recently, I've noticed how much valuable space Tomorrowland in MK has. On Google maps, there is a large area of land that behind Space Mountain, next to Fantasyland (to my knowledge) is unused. Also, I really can't see the Tomorrowland Speedway lasting too much longer.

I could see something along the lines of TRON or Iron Man themed attractions going back there if the speedway was to be demolished. Thoughts anyone?

DebbieB · Nov 29, 2015

Donaldb112 said:
Recently, I've noticed how much valuable space Tomorrowland in MK has. On Google maps, there is a large area of land that behind Space Mountain, next to Fantasyland (to my knowledge) is unused. Also, I really can't see the Tomorrowland Speedway lasting too much longer.

I could see something along the lines of TRON or Iron Man themed attractions going back there if the speedway was to be demolished. Thoughts anyone?

I saw a picture on facebook 3 or 4 weeks ago with a group of Disney execs including John Lasseter standing in the middle of Tomorrowland near Carousel of Progress, looking in the direction of Space Mountain/Indy. Didn't look like they were vacationing. They get John Lasseter involved, it could be big.

rteetz · Nov 29, 2015

Donaldb112 said:
Recently, I've noticed how much valuable space Tomorrowland in MK has. On Google maps, there is a large area of land that behind Space Mountain, next to Fantasyland (to my knowledge) is unused. Also, I really can't see the Tomorrowland Speedway lasting too much longer.

I could see something along the lines of TRON or Iron Man themed attractions going back there if the speedway was to be demolished. Thoughts anyone?

Iron man can't come to WDW and from was rumored before Shanghai got it.

rteetz · Nov 29, 2015

DebbieB said:
I saw a picture on facebook 3 or 4 weeks ago with a group of Disney execs including John Lasseter standing in the middle of Tomorrowland near Carousel of Progress, looking in the direction of Space Mountain/Indy. Didn't look like they were vacationing. They get John Lasseter involved, it could be big.

Interesting last time John was in Orlando he was spotted with what looked to be blueprints over by TSMM.

wallrock · Nov 29, 2015

Are we talking Anaheim or Orlando?

If Orlando, the suits in Burbank are done with the Magic Kingdom for now. The growth/updates, if it comes, will be in Hollywood Studios.

Irish_Mike · Nov 29, 2015

Are you talking about a large wooded area to the east of the railroad tracks?

minnie mum · Nov 29, 2015

Donaldb112 said:
Recently, I've noticed how much valuable space Tomorrowland in MK has. On Google maps, there is a large area of land that behind Space Mountain, next to Fantasyland (to my knowledge) is unused. Also, I really can't see the Tomorrowland Speedway lasting too much longer.

I could see something along the lines of TRON or Iron Man themed attractions going back there if the speedway was to be demolished. Thoughts anyone?

If you're referring to the large pond and the treed area between SM and World Drive, that area is on the other side of the railroad tracks, so access would be an issue. Plus, I don't think they would want to lose the visual barrier between the park and the road (and the back stage areas on the other side of the road.

I wouldn't mind seeing the Speedway updated to more modern (electric) vehicles, or even a new ride. But it won't be anything to do with the major Marvel characters due to contractual restrictions with Universal. And Tron isn't a big enough property to carry a major ride.

ErinTwinmom · Nov 29, 2015

I do not understand why they haven't retheamed the cars to suger rush, it would be cheaper and easier than the level of detail needed for CARS, and the videogame aspect makes it a good fit for tommorrowland.

Josh Hendy · Nov 29, 2015

Don't know if this is completely factual or not, but when the WTWToday podcast discussed Tomorrowland recently one of them said that there is a long standing rumor that rides such as CoP and Speedway, no matter how out of date they are, will never be removed or updated as long as the responsible managers can keep their annual operating/maintenance costs below a certain level.

Which would explain a lot. Not just about Tomorrowland, but about Imagination, Energy Adventure, and the entire Chester and Hester land.

rteetz · Nov 29, 2015

wallrock said:
Are we talking Anaheim or Orlando?

If Orlando, the suits in Burbank are done with the Magic Kingdom for now. The growth/updates, if it comes, will be in Hollywood Studios.

Well that may or may not be true...

rteetz · Nov 29, 2015

Josh Hendy said:
Don't know if this is completely factual or not, but when the WTWToday podcast discussed Tomorrowland recently one of them said that there is a long standing rumor that rides such as CoP and Speedway, no matter how out of date they are, will never be removed or updated as long as the responsible managers can keep their annual operating/maintenance costs below a certain level.

Which would explain a lot. Not just about Tomorrowland, but about Imagination, Energy Adventure, and the entire Chester and Hester land.

Yes I have heard that about CoP for sure but not speedway.

newdeal · Nov 30, 2015

rteetz said:
Yes I have heard that about CoP for sure but not speedway.

If they got rid of CoP I would have a fit unless it was being replaced with the best ride imaginable and there was no other possible spot to put that ride on property

rteetz · Nov 30, 2015

newdeal said:
If they got rid of CoP I would have a fit unless it was being replaced with the best ride imaginable and there was no other possible spot to put that ride on property

Well there isn't talk about getting rid of it yet but they just don't seem like they want to pay to update it.

DDLand · Nov 30, 2015

wallrock said:
Are we talking Anaheim or Orlando?

If Orlando, the suits in Burbank are done with the Magic Kingdom for now. The growth/updates, if it comes, will be in Hollywood Studios.

I wouldn't be so sure.

MK has been receiving thoughtful expansions and upgrades to alleviate crowding and safety problems while expanding capacity. Projects like the Central Plaza Enhancement, the Main Street Bypass, and even New Fantasyland are all about targeting areas of weakness around the Magic Kingdom and solving the problems longterm. Continuing down this path seems like a logical progression.

Magic Kingdom has two areas which are at this time that are far from maximized in my view. Tomorrowland as the OP identified and Frontierland. Adventureland to an extent, but with Pirates doing better then ever it has ample foot traffic. Solving those two areas weaknesses or increasing draws seems like the next step.

Though I do think we've been looking at the parks situation a little wrong. If you take into consideration Disneyland, where they're adding a whole new land that could increase attendance significantly all while they're hitting attendance records, we should be scratching our heads as to why. According to the WDW logic everything is about spreading out the crowds. I don't think Disney wants to even out crowds. They want 20 million a year crowds at all the theme parks. So increasing draw to MK isn't a problem as long they're also doing it at the other three at the same time.

DDLand · Nov 30, 2015

DebbieB said:
I saw a picture on facebook 3 or 4 weeks ago with a group of Disney execs including John Lasseter standing in the middle of Tomorrowland near Carousel of Progress, looking in the direction of Space Mountain/Indy. Didn't look like they were vacationing. They get John Lasseter involved, it could be big.

Please no... Tell me he's just touring.

(Thanks for sharing that disturbing information, I hadn't seen that anywhere)

Ursula's Apprentice · Nov 30, 2015

rteetz said:
Well there isn't talk about getting rid of it yet but they just don't seem like they want to pay to update it

I would hope that if talk of removing CoP ever arose, there would be a mass uprising and rioting. Sadly, that probably wouldn't happen. I love CoP so much! It's the only thing in WDW that Walt actually was a part of and was physically in it. Be that as it may, the "future" scene could definitely use an update, and the whole thing in general just needs some love.

DebbieB · Nov 30, 2015

Ursula's Apprentice said:
I would hope that if talk of removing CoP ever arose, there would be a mass uprising and rioting. Sadly, that probably wouldn't happen. I love CoP so much! It's the only thing in WDW that Walt actually was a part of and was physically in it. Be that as it may, the "future" scene could definitely use an update, and the whole ting in general just needs some love.

There have been rumors for at least 10 or 15 years that it was going. At one point they only ran it during high seasons.

Ursula's Apprentice · Nov 30, 2015

DebbieB said:
There have been rumors for at least 10 or 15 years that it was going. At one point they only ran it during high seasons.

That just makes me sad. I don't normally go during the high seasons, so if I went and it was down, I'd be very bummed. I'd just end up sitting outside singing "Great, Big, Beautiful Tomorrow" to myself.

I swear, there's just no respect for Walt's vision nowadays.

saskdw · Nov 30, 2015

wallrock said:
If Orlando, the suits in Burbank are done with the Magic Kingdom for now. The growth/updates, if it comes, will be in Hollywood Studios.

You spoke to them and they told you that?

rteetz · Nov 30, 2015

Ursula's Apprentice said:
That just makes me sad. I don't normally go during the high seasons, so if I went and it was down, I'd be very bummed. I'd just end up sitting outside singing "Great, Big, Beautiful Tomorrow" to myself.

I swear, there's just no respect for Walt's vision nowadays.

I think it could really use an update. It's just not that popular in its current form.

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