For $2 Billion Disney could have built 16 major attractions instead of fast pass+

[Robo]

While I understand the joy of having something unique, I've never understood the hate for cloned attractions.

We had a favorite restaurant that was about 30 minutes from our house.

We'd drive there to eat at least once a week.
The place was packed, so we'd arrive as soon as they opened (11AM, CT) and got right in.

Within the last year they built another of those same restaurants in our town.
This one is just 5 minutes away tom our house.

We go there at least once a week.

It very soon became a very busy place, so we arrive as soon as they open (11AM, CT) and get right in.

Two identical experiences, both very popular, just at two different locations, about 30 minutes apart.

A good thing can be duplicated and enjoyed by more people more easily.

 

[Tonyz]

The Aladdin "ride' is a joke. That movies deserves a top notch attraction.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

It would cost far less to simply DUPLICATE the Cars Land attractions at WDW than it did to design a whole new set of attractions, environmental elements and themed buildings from scratch.
All of the technical R&D has been spent.

You might think this, but in reality, if they were to put the same attraction in WDW, it would require some major design work. Engineering doesn't work that way. Every location has unique characteristics (soil type, erosion, weather extremes, land elevation). You don't want anyone guessing/assuming that the erosion patterns or land elevations in FL are the same as in CA.

Then again, much of the ride design process is not done by Disney at all. The racers cars were made by a company called Dynamic Structures. (they also handled the Sapce Mtn, and BTMRR rebuilds, and are also called Empire Industries.)

But I take your point. They would not have re-imagine the attraction.

for my money, I think Florida would go very far if they simply revamped a few attractions. Like what happened to the post-Imagination ride area? It probably wouldn't cost much to add some fun post-ride activities to that area. I mean a few iPad-style Imagination activities would go far. They already have guests wearing Magicbands. they could probably do some fun things with that technology on the cheap.

I also don't imagine it would be all that hard to give attractions like the Muppets a few alternative shows. They used to do a CBJ overlay at the holidays. Would it really be so hard to take a similar approach year round? Some days would be classic CBJ, others could be a 'new' version.

And for goodness sake, Living with the Land could use some revamp. It would not be hard to add some new film footage to that attraction! I think a small investment could really change the attraction quite a bit. Install something like iPads on the vehicles and let each user create slightly custom audio -for a start. Maybe allow riders to ask questions about farming.

Surely Energy could also use a new overlay.

 

[Suvadoo]

You might think this, but in reality, if they were to put the same attraction in WDW, it would require some major design work. Engineering doesn't work that way. Every location has unique characteristics (soil type, erosion, weather extremes, land elevation). You don't want anyone guessing/assuming that the erosion patterns or land elevations in FL are the same as in CA.

Then again, much of the ride design process is not done by Disney at all. The racers cars were made by a company called Dynamic Structures. (they also handled the Sapce Mtn, and BTMRR rebuilds, and are also called Empire Industries.)

But I take your point. They would not have re-imagine the attraction.

for my money, I think Florida would go very far if they simply revamped a few attractions. Like what happened to the post-Imagination ride area? It probably wouldn't cost much to add some fun post-ride activities to that area. I mean a few iPad-style Imagination activities would go far. They already have guests wearing Magicbands. they could probably do some fun things with that technology on the cheap.

I also don't imagine it would be all that hard to give attractions like the Muppets a few alternative shows. They used to do a CBJ overlay at the holidays. Would it really be so hard to take a similar approach year round? Some days would be classic CBJ, others could be a 'new' version.

And for goodness sake, Living with the Land could use some revamp. It would not be hard to add some new film footage to that attraction! I think a small investment could really change the attraction quite a bit. Install something like iPads on the vehicles and let each user create slightly custom audio -for a start. Maybe allow riders to ask questions about farming.

Surely Energy could also use a new overlay.

Revamping would not add capacity and IMO that's what WDW needs more than anything.

 

[johde]

See inserts above and...
1995 and beyond:
Pocahontas -no ride. Two minutes of F!
Hunchback-Short-lived stage show (that I loved). No ride.
101 Dalmatians-No ride. Some retired treatment at Backlot tour.
Hercules-No ride. Lame parade at DHS
Mulan-nothing
Tarzan-retired stage show. No ride.
Emperor's New Groove-Never even acknowledged by Disney. Tell me that wouldn't make for a great water ride.
Atlantis-Nothing
Lilo and Stitch-a repurposed alien ride that rates as worst at WDW.
Brother Bear-nothing
The Incredibles-nothing
Narnia series-a stupid costume walk-through that is now gone.
Cars-nothing in WDW.
Meet The Robinsons-nothing...but do they deserve anything?
Ratatouille-nothing
Wall-E- Nothing
Bolt-Nothing
Up-nothing
Princess and the Frog-nothing
Tangled-A bathroom
Brave-Nothing
Wreck-It-Ralph-Nothing
.......which brings us to Frozen.

If you expand your view beyond FL and beyond Rides to Attractions
Pocahontas -Show at Animal Kingdom
Hunchback-Short-lived stage show (that I loved). No ride.
Hercules-Parade at DHS
Mulan-Parade at DHS
Tarzan-retired stage show. Tree House at DL
Lilo and Stitch-a repurposed alien ride
Narnia series-a stupid costume walk-through that is now gone.
Cars-nothing in WDW entire land at DL,
Ratatouille-Ride in Disney Studios Paris
Wall-E- Retired roaming creature at Disneyland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As7UQtKX00c
Tangled-A bathroom
Tron - Currently being build for Disneyland China

Emperor's New Groove
Brother Bear-nothing
The Incredibles-nothing
Meet The Robinsons-nothing
Atlantis-Nothing
Bolt-Nothing
Up-nothing
Princess and the Frog-nothing
Brave-Nothing
Wreck-It-Ralph-Nothing

So, of your list, half of them, at one time, at a "significant" theme park presence.

Not everything is going to get an major attraction. Looking pre-1995 at animated movies released under the "Walt Disney Pictures"

The Rescuers/ The Rescuers Down Under (First theatrical Disney Animated Sequel)
Oliver and Company
Great Mouse Detective
Black Cauldron
Fox and the Hound
Robin Hood
The Aristocats
Lady and the Tramp
Melody Time
Fun and Fancy Free
Make Mine Music
Victory through Airpower
None of these have rides, shows or even Bathrooms.

 

[Davey Jones II]

You might think this, but in reality, if they were to put the same attraction in WDW, it would require some major design work. Engineering doesn't work that way. Every location has unique characteristics (soil type, erosion, weather extremes, land elevation). You don't want anyone guessing/assuming that the erosion patterns or land elevations in FL are the same as in CA.

Then again, much of the ride design process is not done by Disney at all. The racers cars were made by a company called Dynamic Structures. (they also handled the Sapce Mtn, and BTMRR rebuilds, and are also called Empire Industries.)

But I take your point. They would not have re-imagine the attraction.

for my money, I think Florida would go very far if they simply revamped a few attractions. Like what happened to the post-Imagination ride area? It probably wouldn't cost much to add some fun post-ride activities to that area. I mean a few iPad-style Imagination activities would go far. They already have guests wearing Magicbands. they could probably do some fun things with that technology on the cheap.

I also don't imagine it would be all that hard to give attractions like the Muppets a few alternative shows. They used to do a CBJ overlay at the holidays. Would it really be so hard to take a similar approach year round? Some days would be classic CBJ, others could be a 'new' version.

And for goodness sake, Living with the Land could use some revamp. It would not be hard to add some new film footage to that attraction! I think a small investment could really change the attraction quite a bit. Install something like iPads on the vehicles and let each user create slightly custom audio -for a start. Maybe allow riders to ask questions about farming.

Surely Energy could also use a new overlay.

Speaking of revamps, Mermaid was recently plussed at DCA. Everyone says that the ride is now improved. Why can't WDW do the same for their version? I like the ride as it stands, but there's no excuse for leaving it as is when the other coast has shown how to improve it. It's the same company.

P.S.: At The Magic of Disney Animation, there's a short film about Mushu, the dragon from Mulan. There was also a Wreck It Ralph meet and greet when we were there.

 

[jade1]

All I can say is if adding all of these attractions allows us to "walk on" up to 3 of the top E attractions at each/any park arriving at 4PM to 6PM XMAS/Easter week-then I'm all for it. If not forget it.

I will take them as they come with FP+.

 

[Robo]

But I take your point. They would not have re-imagine the attraction.

Yes, that's my point.

 

[JimmyV]

If you expand your view beyond FL and beyond Rides to Attractions

So, of your list, half of them, at one time, at a "significant" theme park presence.

1. given that the original topic of this thread was spending 2 billion dollars on attractions in Florida, I see no reason to expand my scope beyond that.

2. we have a very different definition of significant.

 

[BrianL]

Speaking of revamps, Mermaid was recently plussed at DCA. Everyone says that the ride is now improved. Why can't WDW do the same for their version? I like the ride as it stands, but there's no excuse for leaving it as is when the other coast has shown how to improve it. It's the same company.

I saw the DCA upgrade of Little Mermaid and it is better, though really just a bit darker with better lighting. The big "Under the Sea" room doesn't feel like a warehouse anymore (like, it's dark enough that you can't see the ceiling, just the "water" swirl things that hang there). They did just do that upgrade very recently and I would think WDW will get it in the near future. I'm sure it has to do with the overall refurb schedule.

 

[pinkerbell]

I agree OP - it's not anti technology to dislike a system that turn your WDW trip into a Vegas style gamble - will it rain the day I have my FP for MK so I'd rather be at EPCOT or I booked my room and flight and have committed my dollars, but when the time comes will I get the FP='s I am hoping for or will someone get sick and I have to pay a $10 surcharge for a meal i already paid for with my Dining plan, and the best one yet, How many time will there be a system problem and I have to spend and hr at guest services and they give my kids (and not me) a freakin Mickey bar and think it's all better. WDW - the VEGAS for families

 

[MrInfinity]

For what reason would it be a bad idea to duplicate Cars Land at WDW?

It is so outstandingly popular that it would even make sense to duplicate it again at DCA
to handle the load (yes, I know there's no room to do that.)

Because WDW is meant to induce people to vacation there, including those ppl local to DL. By keeping the rides and experiences different, there's more of a reason to go.

 

[Money82]

Because WDW is meant to induce people to vacation there, including those ppl local to DL. By keeping the rides and experiences different, there's more of a reason to go.

If a DL local wants to visit Disney World, they're not not going to go just because WDW also happens to have Cars Land. That's crazy talk.

 

[MrInfinity]

And, to bring it back to the original theme of this thread, I still really like my MBs and FP+. I also want new, exciting experiences. Call me ridiculously optimistic, but I'm not so sure that we won't get both.

Agree! We're seeing tons of new development across the world! I love what they did w the EF, Frozen coming to EC, TT refurbed in 2012, Soarin in 2014, revitalizing AK with Pandora, and Star Wars to HS next just in Florida. That's all 4 parks getting major new stuff from ride refurbishments to entire lands in like a 5 year period, all while at the same time rolling out a technological FP and Magic Band system, adding hotels, refurbishing others. It's a good time to be going to WDW.

Just look at how amazingly much will have changed between 2012 and 2017.

 

[Robo]

Because WDW is meant to induce people to vacation there, including those ppl local to DL. By keeping the rides and experiences different, there's more of a reason to go.

Our opinions widely differ on this.
And, based on so very many duplicated atractions at both DLR and WDW,
and the fact that neither sets of parks are suffering from reduced attendance,
I don't see the looming negatives.

 

[MrInfinity]

Our opinions widely differ on this.
And, based on so very many duplicated atractions at both DLR and WDW,
and the fact that neither sets of parks are suffering from reduced attendance,
I don't see the looking negatives.

So you're saying if you were in charge, you'd make DL, WDW, Tokyo, HK, Euro, and Shanghai Disney's all identical? Yes you'd leverage developing a ride once... but you have to differentiate.

I'm really interested to go to some of these other parks some day to see what's different there. Who knows if I'll be able to make that happen or not.

A few attractions are "iconic". Like Space Mtn, Small World. So you replicate them to create an initial solid base, but then you differentiate too. You need a balance.

 

[Money82]

Agree! We're seeing tons of new development across the world! I love what they did w the EF, Frozen coming to EC, TT refurbed in 2012, Soarin in 2014, revitalizing AK with Pandora, and Star Wars to HS next just in Florida. That's all 4 parks getting major new stuff from ride refurbishments to entire lands in like a 5 year period, all while at the same time rolling out a technological FP and Magic Band system, adding hotels, refurbishing others. It's a good time to be going to WDW.

Just look at how amazingly much will have changed between 2012 and 2017.

Do you work for Disney? That's a serious question.

The theming of Fantasyland was nice but the rides were a disappointment. Little Mermaid could have been so much more. A lot of people expected more from the 7D mine train (I don't think its a bad ride but it could have been more).

What expectations do you have that Frozen at Norway will be a fun ride? Frankly, I'd be surprised if its nothing more than a boat ride with some frozen characters dancing around the screen (similar to the boat ride in Mexico).

Test Track refurb was a massive disappointment. I like the car design but the ride itself just has some neon signs. Nothing changed.

What do you mean "Soarin 2014." I have no idea what that means.

Avatarland - Remains to be seen

Star Wars Land - So far away not even worth discussing right now

 

[Money82]

So you're saying if you were in charge, you'd make DL, WDW, Tokyo, HK, Euro, and Shanghai Disney's all identical? Yes you'd leverage developing a ride once... but you have to differentiate.

I'm really interested to go to some of these other parks some day to see what's different there. Who knows if I'll be able to make that happen or not.

A few attractions are "iconic". Like Space Mtn, Small World. So you replicate them to create an initial solid base, but then you differentiate too. You need a balance.

So I guess it was a bad idea to replicate Toy Story Mania at DCA? People stopped going to Disney World because now they can go to DCA to do it right? lol

 

[Robo]

If a DL local wants to visit Disney World, they're not not going to go just because WDW also happens to have Cars Land. That's crazy talk.

They MIGHT actually get to ride RSRacers at WDW.

 

[HulkBuster]

So you're saying if you were in charge, you'd make DL, WDW, Tokyo, HK, Euro, and Shanghai Disney's all identical? Yes you'd leverage developing a ride once... but you have to differentiate. I'm really interested to go to some of these other parks some day to see what's different there. Who knows if I'll be able to make that happen or not. A few attractions are "iconic". Like Space Mtn, Small World. So you replicate them to create an initial solid base, but then you differentiate too. You need a balance.

yes that's exactly what he said your not fuzzy logic your just illogical