By 2017: 20 New Rides, Shops, Restaurants

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I've often wondered what the attendance at the other Disney parks would be like if they weren't lumped in with MK and to a lesser extent with Epcot. I like DHS and AK but the criticism I see here continually surprises me. At least this article makes it sound like AK is slated to improve a lot. Unfortunately still not much going on at DHS or Epcot.

Planogirl...I LOVE DHS and(especially) AK...that's the main reason I'm critical of them because I don't want them to fall behind into irrelevancy.

Take away the MK and DHS and AK had to compete with Universal/IOA on their own...I'm afraid they would really struggle. Same with EPCOT. It used to be a "draw" in and of itself...but I don't think that's the case any longer. It's attendance has generally been stagnant for a decade now and Disney uses the festivals to pump it up. They've really let Future World just rot...empty buildings...outdated attractions. Yikes. If it weren't for the popularity of the MK EPCOT would also be below Universal/IOA attendance as well.

I say this with sadness because I have always been a huge fan of ALL of WDW...all four parks...the water parks...the resorts.

 

[fairyprincess88]

The Royal Pacific Resort. I booked on Priceline, the regular booking not the bidding. we wanted Hard Rock but that was a lot more expensive.

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.

 

[Planogirl]

Planogirl...I LOVE DHS and(especially) AK...that's the main reason I'm critical of them because I don't want them to fall behind into irrelevancy.

Take away the MK and DHS and AK had to compete with Universal/IOA on their own...I'm afraid they would really struggle. Same with EPCOT. It used to be a "draw" in and of itself...but I don't think that's the case any longer. It's attendance has generally been stagnant for a decade now and Disney uses the festivals to pump it up. They've really let Future World just rot...empty buildings...outdated attractions. Yikes. If it weren't for the popularity of the MK EPCOT would also be below Universal/IOA attendance as well.

I say this with sadness because I have always been a huge fan of ALL of WDW...all four parks...the water parks...the resorts.

I think that Epcot could still draw on its own because of World Showcase. But maybe that's just wishful thinking because I agree that Future World is really pathetic. I used to be so excited to go to Epcot and could easily spend several days there. Now there just isn't that much.

 

[jimmysmom74]

Can we rename this article 20 things that I can't believe it takes Disney 3 years or more to build. Why do shops, restaurants, lights show take such a ridiculous amount of time to build. And Avatar land is already 3 years of talking and planning.

 

[luisov]

I bet something else will be announced at this year's D23 expo. Meanwhile, I have to admit that the lack of new releases at both Epcot and DHS over the last couple of decades is underwhelming.

At this point I just feel like most of their attention is going directly to Disneyland Shanghai and their other Asian resorts. Their best technology is being used in attractions for those parks while Disneyland CA and WDW are still using dated buildings and technology from the 70's for some of their rides.

As far as Universal goes... Well, I can't say I'm a huge fan. The continuous use of screens in their rides is a big let down for me. They have some really cool coasters, and it looks like they are doing a big effort to get better design-wise though.

 

[AthenaBolina]

Well that article was certainly underwhelming. Disappointing to say the least.

 

[marypoppins81]

What's an e ticket vs a c ticket ride? I saw both in the article.

Counting down to 14th May!

 

[sethschroeder]

Renting points can not be factored into the discussion. I rent points as well, but that has nothing to do with Disney. I've never paid rack rate at Disney or Universal and there's no contest...Universal is FAR less expensive.

That's like saying I want prime rib for dinner for christmas and I will only purchase it from Whole Foods for $20 a pound when the butcher has it's for $8.99 a pound.

Just because the money doesn't go to disney means nothing.....

 

[sonofanarchy]

That's like saying I want prime rib for dinner for christmas and I will only purchase it from Whole Foods for $20 a pound when the butcher has it's for $8.99 a pound.

Just because the money doesn't go to disney means nothing.....

Of course it does. Disney has literally nothing to do with point rentals. Your point seemed to be that Disney resort prices are on target with Universal. They aren't.

 

[mom2rtk]

Disney will continue to have another advantage in the form of Magical Express. Being able to hold people exclusively on property is a powerful way to increase attendance at the three stagnant parks. If it were not for DME, IOA may have already overtaken one of those spots from AK, DHS, or Epcot.

I agree that ME was an absolute stroke of genius! However, I also think that FP+ could possibly upset many of those gains made by Disney in keeping people onsite. I see report after report that people are doing their 3 FP+ rides, then looking around to see standby waits too long on everything.......... and leaving the park. At that point even the cheapskate that I am is going to say "Now what? I spent all this money to get to Orlando, what's another $100 to do US?"

Planogirl...I LOVE DHS and(especially) AK...that's the main reason I'm critical of them because I don't want them to fall behind into irrelevancy.

Take away the MK and DHS and AK had to compete with Universal/IOA on their own...I'm afraid they would really struggle. Same with EPCOT. It used to be a "draw" in and of itself...but I don't think that's the case any longer. It's attendance has generally been stagnant for a decade now and Disney uses the festivals to pump it up. They've really let Future World just rot...empty buildings...outdated attractions. Yikes. If it weren't for the popularity of the MK EPCOT would also be below Universal/IOA attendance as well.

I say this with sadness because I have always been a huge fan of ALL of WDW...all four parks...the water parks...the resorts.

Well said.

 

[mom2rtk]

Not very exciting news to me. Our next trip we decided to stay at Universal. We get front of the line access for the whole week included with the room price. No fast pass times to make or plan which is awesome.

We're still going to MNSSHP twice and we have 1 day park hoppers to use, but the rest if the time we'll be at Universal and we have AP's there.

The resort we reserved is on the same scale as a Disney deluxe and it's literally 1/2 the price.

I love Disney and all but we've been priced out so we adjusted our plans. I'm still really excited cause I love Universal too.

I think this is a very smart strategy, one that could gain in popularity as people look for ways to find fun in Orlando while avoiding FP+.

I bet something else will be announced at this year's D23 expo. Meanwhile, I have to admit that the lack of new releases at both Epcot and DHS over the last couple of decades is underwhelming.

I guess that sort of depends on how things are going with MM+.

If people get past this change and decide to fully embrace it and profits go up, then I imagine you will see Carsland or Star Wars land of some sort announced for WDW.

If guests continue to balk at FP+ by waiting to schedule their next trip, or spending less time onsite (and therefore less money) then I could see a big dry spell on the horizon. Yes, I would consider it a dry spell, even with those 20 new things.

 

[morethananyonex]

That's like saying I want prime rib for dinner for christmas and I will only purchase it from Whole Foods for $20 a pound when the butcher has it's for $8.99 a pound. Just because the money doesn't go to disney means nothing.....

No it's like saying Whole Foods isn't more expensive than the butcher because someone who already purchased prime rib from Whole Foods for $20 a pound will sell it to you for $10 a pound. That has nothing to do with Whole Foods' prices, it just means you can get the product cheaper from a private seller (if you're comfortable with the risks).

 

[lustergirl]

I think that Epcot could still draw on its own because of World Showcase. But maybe that's just wishful thinking because I agree that Future World is really pathetic. I used to be so excited to go to Epcot and could easily spend several days there. Now there just isn't that much.

Have to agree here. I love going to the World Showcase and can spend hours there but Future World is mediocre to me.

 

[flicx]

Wow that's the big expansion? Hardly any new rides and a ton of restaurants and shops. Hooray!!! What's next are they gonna level part of epcot and put up a Disney mini mall? Earth to Bob Iger, more rides in all parks is what most patrons want!

 

[morethananyonex]

I think that Epcot could still draw on its own because of World Showcase. But maybe that's just wishful thinking because I agree that Future World is really pathetic. I used to be so excited to go to Epcot and could easily spend several days there. Now there just isn't that much.

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.

 

[momof2n2]

Thanks for the link OP. But the news is meh... I was hoping for more exciting rides and new land other than avatar.

Meh describes it well. Hard to get excited about any of this. I can eat and shop anywhere. I'm far more interested in attractions.

 

[clsteve]

I think that Epcot could still draw on its own because of World Showcase. But maybe that's just wishful thinking because I agree that Future World is really pathetic. I used to be so excited to go to Epcot and could easily spend several days there. Now there just isn't that much.

The lack of attention to EPCOT is the biggest head-scratcher at WDW. I mean, they have empty buildings with infrastructure already in place- how easier can it get to add "Something"...?

It makes you wonder if the steady increase in the emphasis on food/beverage/alcohol there is doing just enough to keep EPCOT profitability moving along at a nice clip that they don't feel like they need to do anything. That would be a bean counter view from the top, but, in light of everything else wouldn't be surprising...

 

[morethananyonex]

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.

 

[mom2rtk]

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.

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.

 

[prudence64]

It's just a blog. No reason to be critical of it like it came from disney or time magazine or something.