Expansion officially announced for Soarin and Toy Story Mania!

[JZCubed]

Agreed. Soarin' CMs already told that theaters will be designated FP+ or SB. Imagine the same will hold for TSMM. This would be why they had those test days of FP+ only.

Makes sense to me.

And once Toy Story expands, few people will care that H'Studios is being renovated (I'm anxiously awaiting that announcement too).

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I don't get the Toy Story Mania hype...but soarin is amazing!

 

[HopperFan]

I don't get the Toy Story Mania hype...but soarin is amazing!

Haha, I don't get either one of them. But lots of folks love them so adding capacity is good.

TSMM is a virtual reality game on a track. Not exactly new technology and half our rides anymore the screens or guns aren't working. It's cute ... and fun but not worth those waits. If I don't have FP+ I walk right on by.

Soarin' is super old technology. I saw these movies in the 70's so Disney put it on a modified ferris wheel that tilts. In the 70's we rocked and leaned too, but on our own because watching those kind of movies just make you do that. Six Flags over Georgia had one called the Chevy Show. DD explains it to scared kids really well - you are going to watch a movie while in a rocking chair, then she rocks the glider.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Haha, I don't get either one of them. But lots of folks love them so adding capacity is good.

TSMM is a virtual reality game on a track. Not exactly new technology and half our rides anymore the screens or guns aren't working. It's cute ... and fun but not worth those waits. If I don't have FP+ I walk right on by.

Soarin' is super old technology. I saw these movies in the 70's so Disney put it on a modified ferris wheel that tilts. In the 70's we rocked and leaned too, but on our own because watching those kind of movies just make you do that. Six Flags over Georgia had one called the Chevy Show. DD explains it to scared kids really well - you are going to watch a movie while in a rocking chair, then she rocks the glider.

Six Flags Mid America had the same Chevy Show - suspect they all did. Honestly, I felt that attraction made you feel like you were moving much more than Soarin' does.

 

[LaurenT]

You're right. I assume they'll have to close for enhancements to existing screens. If we're lucky,they'll install the new theater first, then close the older ones for upgrade and minimize the closure somewhat.

This is what I would assume they'd do. They must realize that closing Soarin for any real duration would turn epcot into a mess. They can avoid that by having the new screen ready to go before updating the existing ones - and then if they make sure the new frozen ride is up and running it'll really help with the lack of rides...

 

[disndatworld]

2 Dumbos, 3 Soarin' (theaters) 2 Toy Story Mania's (tracks)

I guess it's no different than 2 Space Mountain tracks, but the Dumbo/Soarin'/TSM are reactionary changes to bring additional capacity. I'm sure it's much less cost than creating a new attraction. I can't help but think I would prefer 2 attractions at a lower ride capacity than 1 at a higher.

But maybe this is their answer to growing park attendance in general: fewer attractions, but find targeted 'wins' and increase capacity? At least people aren't complaining as frequently about waits or inability to get FP+. Very interesting.

 

[julbri]

Does anyone know when the Avatar section opens in Animal Kingdom?

 

[ModernArtist]

Does anyone know when the Avatar section opens in Animal Kingdom?

Sometime in 2017

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't get the Toy Story Mania hype...but soarin is amazing!

For us, aside from GMR, it is the only ride without a height restriction in DHS. I also like the game better than Buzz.

Based on reports from DL, it is a fun family ride that is popular due to lack of capacity in other attractions. DCA has lots of rides so crowds are better dispersed.

I think if DHS had more family friendly rides (aka no height restriction), it likely would not be as popular.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

2 Dumbos, 3 Soarin' (theaters) 2 Toy Story Mania's (tracks)

I guess it's no different than 2 Space Mountain tracks, but the Dumbo/Soarin'/TSM are reactionary changes to bring additional capacity. I'm sure it's much less cost than creating a new attraction. I can't help but think I would prefer 2 attractions at a lower ride capacity than 1 at a higher.

But maybe this is their answer to growing park attendance in general: fewer attractions, but find targeted 'wins' and increase capacity? At least people aren't complaining as frequently about waits or inability to get FP+. Very interesting.

Dumbo suffered terribly with very long lines and no FP option. Oddly--we have not found a line at that ride, yet. We have had to ask/tell the CM the kids wanted to play. Not sure what happened other than additional rides arrived? Or maybe hiding it in the back of the park put it out of site out of mind.

 

[momof2n2]

More capacity! Now there's an idea!!!

Now for more variety!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Or maybe hiding it in the back of the park put it out of site out of mind

I think that is a big factor.

 

[smbowtie]

This will be good.

http://attractionsmagazine.com/disney-expand-soarin-toy-story-mania-attractions/

 

[rwdavis2]

We may make postponing next year's November trip for that. We only go every 4 years so waiting until 2017 may be worth it.

 

[DisneyFive]

Much needed for both, and has been for a LONG time. Glad they are getting on it. I would LOVE to see this get rid of tiering.

Dan

 

[TLCdisneyfan]

The press release didn't mention a new film for Soarin. Does anyone know if WDW will get one? Is it a bad sign that the press release left it out?

 

[grimley1968]

This is good news to me. I'd like to see capacity expanded for existing popular attractions and park capacity expanded by adding more new attractions. At least they're doing the former for now and hopefully will pick up the pace for the latter soon.

 

[The Rovang 5]

I don't get the Toy Story Mania hype...

The hype for us is that when mommy beats gamer daddy, there is major street cred to be had....and I use it!!

 

[mesaboy2]

The press release didn't mention a new film for Soarin. Does anyone know if WDW will get one? Is it a bad sign that the press release left it out?

A new film is rumored to be in the works, but there is no official word that I know of.