By 2017: 20 New Rides, Shops, Restaurants

[mom2cinderella]

2012 numbers. Obviously doesn't break down who went through the gates with what ticket type but still interesting.

1. Magic Kingdom: 17,536,000 (+2.3% change)
2. Disneyland Park: 15,963,000 (-1.1% )
3. Tokyo Disneyland: 14,847,000 (+8.5%)
4. Tokyo Disney Sea: 12,656,000 (+8.5%)
5. Disneyland Park, Disneyland Paris: 11,200,000 (+1.9%)
6. Epcot: 11,063,000 (+2.2%)
7. Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 9,998,000 (+2.2%)
8. Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9,912,000 (+2.2%)
9. Universal Studios Japan: 9,700,000 (+14.1%)
10. Islands of Adventure: 7,981,000 (+4%)
11. Disney California Adventure: 7,775,000 (+22.6%)
12. Ocean Park (Hong Kong): 7, 436,000 (+6.9%)
13. Everland (South Korea): 6,853,000 (+4.3%)p
14. Hong Kong Disneyland: 6,700,000 (+13.6%)
15. Lotte World (South Korea): 6,383,000 (10.4%)
16. Universal Studios Orlando: 6,195,000 (+2.5%)
17. Universal Studios Hollywood: 5,912,000 (+15%)
18. Nagashima Spa Land (Japan): 5,850,000 (+.5%)
19. Sea World Orlando: 5,358,000 (+3.0%)
20. Walt Disney Studios Park, Disneyland Paris: 4,800,000 (1.9%)
21. Europa Park (Germany): 4,600,000 (+2.2%)
22. Sea World California: 4,4000,000 (+3.5%)
23. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: 4,348,000 (+1.5%)
24. De Efteling (Netherlands): 4,200,000 (+1.8%)
25. Oct East (China): 4,196,000 (+7.9%)

Not on the list are either of the LEGOLAND theme parks in the US. The Merlin Entertainments Group, which owns the LEGOLAND parks, however is the 2nd largest theme park company in the world. So there’s potential there for sure.

 

[flicx]

The way the article is titled, it seems like its purpose is to tout all the big exciting things going on. But you are absolutely right that it really does just highlight how short they are falling.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I sadly don't think Epcot would draw without people purchasing multi day tickets and APs that they largely do because of MK. I love Epcot, but would not pay near $100 admission to shop, eat and wander in World Showcase after a ride or two in Future World. The atmosphere is great there, but not $100 per person great.

The decreasing cost per day of tickets is likely what gets most people through the gates of the non MK parks. I would be really interested to see what the breakdown is of one day tickets sold between the 4 parks.

Yes...that would be very telling! Can't imagine there are a whole lot of one-day tickets sold at DHS, AK...and yes...even EPCOT.

 

[hallie]

Royal Pacific is gorgeous and a truly deluxe hotel. You won't be disappointed.

Also keep in mind that pool hopping is allowed at the three deluxe hotels at Universal so if you want to check out the Hard Rock and it's pool(which is killer) then just head on over and do so.

Thanks, I'm so excited.

 

[Planogirl]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Four Seasons not really a project Disney is taking on, rather allowing it to be built on their property? How is that hotel and it's exclusive water park being included on this list? Especially the water park, as according to the article it will require a stay there. What good does that do for most people?

And how can you title an article 20 New Rides, Shops and Restaurants Coming to Walt Disney World by 2017 but have many of them be rumours and not confirmed? Pretty misleading, even ignoring that the title itself implies that it's not just a long list of stores and restaurants with some rides thrown in for good measure.

But anyways this list really highlights why so many of us are upset with the direction Disney has taken in the last few years. Expansion seems to have shifted from the days of opened two new parks within 9 (9, right?) years separating them to building hotels, restaurants and stores instead, with a few attractions thrown in. I'm not saying Disney should be opening a 5th gate, I don't think they should, but 3 out of 4 of their parks need some major love, and only one seems to be getting it. Sure, Downtown Disney needed it to, but as a guest I would have much rather seen the priority be Epcot, DHS and AK.

What it comes down to is what many of us speculated, Disney would much rather guests be in the park for shorter amounts of time instead spending additional money outside of the parks in places like DTD and the resorts. I mean, "the best part of a Walt Disney World vacation may be staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel" or whatever the commercial says? Hopefully that works out for them, and people don't start venturing offsite after their shortened park visits.

Personally I was OK with Downtown Disney just as it was. The Marketplace has always been crowded so I'm not real sure how many more people Disney wants to stuff into DD. A lot apparently. But just like anywhere else, the bigger the crowds the more miserable the experience.

So it appears that people go to WDW primarily for MK and Disney wants them to go for the resorts and dining and shopping with a few parks thrown in. There are amazing resorts in amazing locations all over the world. I don't see the logic in spending a lot of money to stay in decent hotels to eat average food (it varies) and shop. I've asked this many times but shop for what? I like to shop but there just isn't that much to look at except at World Showcase. Maybe Disney Springs will be different.

 

[thehogsters]

We are on our way home right now. We had a great time but it will be many uears before we return. We spent a week at WDw 3 years ago and nothing much has changed. I guess we dont have our magic Disney glasses on like most on this board. My 7 year old just wanted to ride the coasters. Why go to any of the 4 parks that only have a few coasters when we could go to Universal? Yes I know Disney does every thing better and we did have fun. We are not paying Disney prices to ride the same old stuff again. Sorry but they will have to build some nice coasters if we are ever to return.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

We are on our way home right now. We had a great time but it will be many uears before we return. We spent a week at WDw 3 years ago and nothing much has changed. I guess we dont have our magic Disney glasses on like most on this board. My 7 year old just wanted to ride the coasters. Why go to any of the 4 parks that only have a few coasters when we could go to Universal? Yes I know Disney does every thing better and we did have fun. We are not paying Disney prices to ride the same old stuff again. Sorry but they will have to build some nice coasters if we are ever to return.

Well, as you know, WDW has never really been a destination for "coaster enthusiasts". I don't even think Universal is, either. There are probably a number of parks all over the United States that blow the number of coasters that Universal has out of the water...and aren't nearly as expensive and are close enough to home that it doesn't even require an overnight stay.

 

[thehogsters]

Well, as you know, WDW has never really been a destination for "coaster enthusiasts". I don't even think Universal is, either. There are probably a number of parks all over the United States that blow the number of coasters that Universal has out of the water...and aren't nearly as expensive and are close enough to home that it doesn't even require an overnight stay.

I know but come on give me something here! This list of new things is garbage. One new thrill ride for the next 3 years. Thats all they are offering? AK is the only park that will be worth seeing for us. All the rest are the same old tired wore out attractions.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I know but come on give me something here! This list of new things is garbage. One new thrill ride for the next 3 years. Thats all they are offering? AK is the only park that will be worth seeing for us. All the rest are the same old tired wore out attractions.

I totally understand what you are saying. I'm just saying that if "thrill rides" are what you and your loved ones are looking for Universal may not give you the best bang for your buck.

Universal ain't exactly a bargain either.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

This article is a stretch. Half of the items in the list are rumors, two of the items are at the Four Seasons resort, and a large number of them in the list is stuff in Disney Springs.

Really, if you think about it, you've got the Mine Train, an eventual Avatar themed area of AK, a night-version of the safari, and a bunch of places to eat.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Really, if you think about it, you've got the Mine Train, an eventual Avatar themed area of AK, a night-version of the safari, and a bunch of places to eat.

I *do* think the AK stuff, turning it into a nighttime park is HUGE, though. The only problem is how long it's going to take to happen with nothing big happening in the meantime. DHS and EPCOT desperately need a boost.

 

[sonofanarchy]

I totally understand what you are saying. I'm just saying that if "thrill rides" are what you and your loved ones are looking for Universal may not give you the best bang for your buck.

Universal ain't exactly a bargain either.

Actually, I disagree. Universal is a tremendous bargain. AP renewals are about $180, compared to Disney's $600. You get AAA discounts on everything from food to souveniers. Resort discounts are fantastic. I just got back from Royal Pacific where I paid $184 per night. Plus, let's not forget, no lines to worry about with Express.

I'd say Universal is an incredible bargain.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Actually, I disagree. Universal is a tremendous bargain. AP renewals are about $180, compared to Disney's $600. You get AAA discounts on everything from food to souveniers. Resort discounts are fantastic. I just got back from Royal Pacific where I paid $184 per night. Plus, let's not forget, no lines to worry about with Express.

I'd say Universal is an incredible bargain.

@sonofanarchy

I misspoke. What I meant was in comparison to the many "thrill parks" peppered throughout the United States that are filled to the brim with "coasters". Compared to *those* parks Universal is an expensive proposition(especially if you live far from Orlando).

Compared to Disney prices? Sure...it's a bargain.

 

[Mandy91]

Not too much on that list that's super exciting. Like everyone else I would prefer more attractions vs. shops and restaurants. My biggest thing is Epcot, which has always been my favorite park. I don't see it getting upgrades anytime in the near future, that includes Captain EO which was originally supposed to be a 1-2 year thing from my understanding. I would love for them to do something with the Wonders of Life building besides using it as a festival center. Or the upstairs portion of Journey into Imagination where the rainbow tunnel is. Epcot used to have a lot of fun, interactive, and educational things that weren't necessarily rides but still entertaining. I would say DHS needs some love too but most likely they'll end up with a Star Wars expansion or Carsland sometime soon.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Actually, I disagree. Universal is a tremendous bargain. AP renewals are about $180, compared to Disney's $600. You get AAA discounts on everything from food to souveniers. Resort discounts are fantastic. I just got back from Royal Pacific where I paid $184 per night. Plus, let's not forget, no lines to worry about with Express.

I'd say Universal is an incredible bargain.

I was responding to the poster "the hogsters" where she said her seven yr old just wanted to ride coasters. Your average Six Flags is better than Universal for that...or Kings Island/Dominion... or Busch Gardens...or Cedar Point(especially).

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Not too much on that list that's super exciting. Like everyone else I would prefer more attractions vs. shops and restaurants. My biggest thing is Epcot, which has always been my favorite park. I don't see it getting upgrades anytime in the near future, that includes Captain EO which was originally supposed to be a 1-2 year thing from my understanding. I would love for them to do something with the Wonders of Life building besides using it as a festival center. Or the upstairs portion of Journey into Imagination where the rainbow tunnel is. Epcot used to have a lot of fun, interactive, and educational things that weren't necessarily rides but still entertaining. I would say DHS needs some love too but most likely they'll end up with a Star Wars expansion or Carsland sometime soon.

Mandy91...I hear 'ya! I've always had mad love for Epcot(and still do). At one time it definitely *was* my favorite park. But with the deterioration of Future World it's hard for me to honestly say that *currently*. But yes...the wide open layout is wonderful...and World Showcase is still a must with every visit.

I also still LOVE Spaceship Earth. I enjoy it every bit as much as The Haunted Mansion or Pirates Of The Carribean!

 

[Planogirl]

Mandy91...I hear 'ya! I've always had mad love for Epcot(and still do). At one time it definitely *was* my favorite park. But with the deterioration of Future World it's hard for me to honestly say that *currently*. But yes...the wide open layout is wonderful...and World Showcase is still a must with every visit.

I also still LOVE Spaceship Earth. I enjoy it every bit as much as The Haunted Mansion or Pirates Of The Carribean!

I love Spaceship Earth too even if they did make the downward portion less interesting. It's still a great ride and definitely a survivor from "the good old days".

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I love Spaceship Earth too even if they did make the downward portion less interesting. It's still a great ride and definitely a survivor from "the good old days".

True...the downward portion isn't as good but the first 3/4 of the ride has remained essentially the same. Love it, love it, love it. I hope it's popular(kind of hard to tell) because I'll really be sad if they ever get rid of it.

For *me*, Spaceship Earth is Future World's best ride.

 

[Planogirl]

True...the downward portion isn't as good but the first 3/4 of the ride has remained essentially the same. Love it, love it, love it. I hope it's popular(kind of hard to tell) because I'll really be sad if they ever get rid of it.

For *me*, Spaceship Earth is Future World's best ride.

Spaceship Earth is Epcot's best ride and easily in my top 10 in all of WDW. I can't see them ever getting rid of it but worry that they could turn it into something bizarre like that downward portion.

 

[mare1203]

Disney hasn't publicly come out and said it (at least I don't recall), but last I had heard from CM's is that they have decided to not build any rides with a height requirement above 48". Disney is not a destination for the coaster and thrill ride enthusiast, nor will it be at any time in the foreseeable future. Management sees Disney as a family destination (re: the closing of Pleasure Island) and the thought is that rides above 48" will take away from that goal. I know a lot of people (myself included) that would love a Disney Villains coaster park or something similar.

I must say, though, I am looking forward to the addition of Pandora and the nighttime stuff at DAK. Bioluminesence fascinates me, so I have high hopes for that addition, even though I've never seen Avatar. Future World is definitely disappointing, but I do love Food & Wine, their New Years Eve party, and would go to Flower and Garden if it weren't during Spring Break. I wish that Epcot would/could find a way to better incorporate Future World into their current plan of embracing the love of the World Showcase.

I can't say much about Universal/IOA, but they are certainly making some marked improvements. Though I still think Universal leans heavily on Halloween Horror Nights for their largest attendance, they are bringing in more and more guests each year.