How long do you think it wil be before they create a new park at WDW?

[BamaTigger]

I just wish they'd let me all the way up in the castle!!!!!!!!!!

 

[elastigirlfan]

Do you think that some of you guys are being a little hard on Disney? I know that they are not perfect. Some of the things that they have done have been annoying or perhaps seemingly not well thought out i.e. Stitch and the remake of Imagination several years ago. However, look at all of the really great stuff that has come about. Animal Kingdom is a beautiful park and they are expanding the number of attractions as we type. Mission:Space is a truely innovative ride that IS exactly what I would expect from Disney. Adding Sourin from Cali. Adv. seems like a good idea to me since it is the big hit from that park. They have EMH in the morning and at night, they are re-furbing the Land, etc.etc.etc. Perhaps I just have rose colored glasses........and I haven't been to WDW in the past year...........but I feel like most of the things that they are doing/changing are for the better. (Sorry, I guess I got off topic on my own thread )

I second that!!

 

[ganggreen4jc]

While I've never been to WDW (that will change this July - POFQ here we come!!!), I live in Long Beach, CA and about a decade ago, we were very close to getting the new "DisneySea" theme park until the city officials couldn't agree with Disney about who pays for what. Now Tokyo has the park we thought we might have.

How about this type of park for WDW? It may be a clone, but the possobilities are endless.

 

[kaabost]

While I've never been to WDW (that will change this July - POFQ here we come!!!), I live in Long Beach, CA and about a decade ago, we were very close to getting the new "DisneySea" theme park until the city officials couldn't agree with Disney about who pays for what. Now Tokyo has the park we thought we might have.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo. That would be really neat!!!!!

 

[Pedler]

Do you think that some of you guys are being a little hard on Disney? I know that they are not perfect. Some of the things that they have done have been annoying or perhaps seemingly not well thought out i.e. Stitch and the remake of Imagination several years ago. However, look at all of the really great stuff that has come about. Animal Kingdom is a beautiful park and they are expanding the number of attractions as we type. Mission:Space is a truely innovative ride that IS exactly what I would expect from Disney. Adding Sourin from Cali. Adv. seems like a good idea to me since it is the big hit from that park. They have EMH in the morning and at night, they are re-furbing the Land, etc.etc.etc. Perhaps I just have rose colored glasses........and I haven't been to WDW in the past year...........but I feel like most of the things that they are doing/changing are for the better. (Sorry, I guess I got off topic on my own thread )

I agree. We went there every other year back in the 70's and 80's when I was a kid. To us as kids it was amazing! Then there was just MK and later Epcot. Now its been about 10 years since I was last there and this year we are taking our kids 8 and 6 for the first time. 7 nights on site and I don't think we will be able to see all that we want to see. Despite all of the adult cynicism from the people that currently attend WDW frequently I have confidence that my kids will experience the same amazement that I did when I was there age. Disney World is just so different than any other place that they can not help but be amazed by it.

Sometimes I think the people here, while well intentioned, have an almost unrealisticly high expectation and rose colored glasses on the past. Who remembers when Epcot first opened and how few attractions it had and even then it was no where near the origional vision?

 

[PixiDust04]

Well, I am probably younger than most (or all) of the posters so far, but from my point of view, Disney was amazing the first time I went (in 4th grade), and it still amazes me every time I go (I am 19 years old)! Granted, I don't know what it was like years ago, but I really think Disney is still doing a great job. Every large corporation has to make some cuts and changes every once in a while, but its not the end of the world!

If people just take the time to enjoy the new and old of Disney, maybe people will see things differently (IMHO). Not everyone will like everything Disney decides to do (Stitch, etc.), but they really are trying to appeal to everyone - adults, teens, and children. That is why they haven't gotten rid of ALL of the old attractions: just remember, Spaceship Earth is still up, as well as Splash Mtn, BTMR, Space Mtn, Dumbo, etc. - the older rides. Even I can admit, I was upset when they got rid of Horizons, but they knew that more and more people were looking for a more thrilling ride, hence Mission: Space.

Of course, all of this is my own opinion, but to many of us (and in this, I am sure I'm not alone!), Disney will NEVER lose its magic!

 

[crazyj4488]

I think we should always and continue to expect a BALANCE from Disney Parks. This was Walt's vision. He wanted a park where both the adult and child could enjoy themselves hand in hand. Even the statue of him holding Mickey's hand in the park is a testament to that ideal. This is why Disney was and still is, to a point, short on thrill rides. Most thrill rides are too scary for kids and others have height restrictions. Dark rides, and the like, appeal to everyone when they are well scripted and uniquely creative.

Splash Mountain is almost a perfect example of Disney magic creating that BALANCE I speak of...Just about everyone can enjoy that ride...it has its portion of thrills but they aren't that intense. Rather, Disney only markets the drop at the end as an intense thrill to compete with other parks. The audio animatronics and general artful design of the ride truly shines from start to finish. These are the types of things we should all expect from Disney. And, NO, I don't think anyone is being too harsh. First, it costs and arm and a leg to vacation at WDW and if we weren't critical, we wouldn't have such a clean and well designed world to enjoy with our families and friends.

The "5 year plan" is being developed right now by the Imagineering department. Disney knows they must improve upon many aspects of what they already have and I believe they are dedicated to doing just that. They've, FINALLY, effectively split their departments up making each area accountable for their budgets and expenditures. In the past, every unit was tied together as a whole. Therefore, if animation was doing poorly, it would stifle the budgets of park development. Eisner effectively caused the downfall of park development by not making this happen sooner. Positive things are in the pipeline, I'm sure. It is the publics responsibility to make sure that this positive effort is guided in the right direction and with respect to the man who made all this magic possible in the first place...Walt.

The Journey into Your Imagination debacle is the perfect example of how the public can help guide Disney with staying on track.

BALANCE

-J

 

[Pedler]

I think we should always and continue to expect a BALANCE from Disney Parks. This was Walt's vision. He wanted a park where both the adult and child could enjoy themselves hand in hand. Even the statue of him holding Mickey's hand in the park is a testament to that ideal. This is why Disney was and still is, to a point, short on thrill rides. Most thrill rides are too scary for kids and others have height restrictions. Dark rides, and the like, appeal to everyone when they are well scripted and uniquely creative.

Splash Mountain is almost a perfect example of Disney magic creating that BALANCE I speak of...Just about everyone can enjoy that ride...it has its portion of thrills but they aren't that intense. Rather, Disney only markets the drop at the end as an intense thrill to compete with other parks. The audio animatronics and general artful design of the ride truly shines from start to finish.
-J

What are your thoughts on TOT, RNR and Mission Space? They would seem to more into the thrill ride mode.

 

[crazyj4488]

The best part of TOT IMHO is the short ride down the hallway and into the twilight zone...bar none some of the most wonderful special effects seen on any ride. The problem with the whole thing is that that part of the ride is about 20 to 30 seconds too short. Therefore, TOT gets really close to that balance but slightly abandon's it with the brief story line within the ride and the large drop. There are a lot of people who have a substantial fear of falling and the young children aren't going to get on it because of height restrictions or the constant screaming coming from the tower riders. It's still one of my favorite attractions at Disney because of the theming and I have no problem with that formula.

RNR is a great roller coaster and I was shocked when I first rode it. I just couldn't believe how much of a thrill ride it was....the experience to me, while quite fun, left me with a VERY un-disney like feel. First, I don't think the Aerosmith / rock band image fits. There is too much interjection of reality and the commercial nature of that industry doesn't lend a very good hand to inspirational thought or escapism. Rather you are thrown into that, "hey, lets be cool party people and hang out with rock stars" vibe which I could do without. To me, it's a really fun and unique roller coaster but it just really feels out of place.

As roller coasters, Space mountain and Big Thunder succeed with fantasy a lot better...who hasn't dreamt of or hasn't been inspired by space travel? BTM exceeds with the excellent theming all around you and fits perfectly into a place called, "Frontierland."

Mission: Space is a simulator ride. That is just about enuff said on that subject. No other type of ride ranks lower on the ability to remain timeless scale than simulators. Look at Body Wars...a mere wisp in the wind at the moment. Star Tours is only hanging in there because of its relation to such a popular movie franchise that has gained "cult" status. I just don't think it would be as popular or visited if it was unrelated to the movie. I have also noticed that the lines at Star Tours have SERIOUSLY dwindled over the years.

Simulators are unique because of the technology used in the ride vehicle. As with any technology, it dates itself rapidly...that's why that $1200 computer you bought 8 months ago just about looks like a dinosaur already. If they are going to use simulator technology, they should stick with rides like Indiana Jones in Cali and Dinosaur...at least you are actually taken on a journey through a physical space and set versus a journey through complete trickery of the mind and senses. That stuff just gets old.

I applaud Disney with trying to mix things up and offer different things. I just think they could do better as a whole as they have easily proved in the past. I have a feeling that Expedition Everest may succeed somewhat equally in thrill and theme. Journey into the Center of the Earth over at DisneySea gets rave reviews and I am almost certain EE is going to use the same ride vehicle system. It should be a memorable attraction...and boy does Animal Kingdom need one.

-J

 

[2gether]

I still think that Disney has got the magic, and I am suprised with how many folks here have downgraded the new attractions. Look at the great attractions that have been put in in the last five years (not to mention AK)...

Test track
Mission Space
RNR
Philharmagic
Wishes
Improved Illuminations
Fantasmic

And I'm sure I missed some...not to mention the improved shows....I think Disney has done as good a job as can be expected during some relatively tough times for the tourism industry.

And I don't agree about Mission Space....it is drastically different than the other simulator rides in that it is an interactive immersion experience. I think you will be VERY suprised with how long it is around...with improvements, of course.

That said, I DO think they could add some more attractions to World Showcase and improve futureworld by replacing the Wonders of Life. I hear Living Seas is about to get a major renovation, also. To be honest, I am very encouraged and think the whole resort will continue to get better with time.

Just my opinion, though....

 

[Uncleromulus]

Lots of responses that didn't really answer the question--how long will it be before they open a new park??
And then--what sort of park??

 

[DisneyJen0504]

hopefully never they keep getting worse

I disagree as well. I think all the parks are well done~sure there are always room for improvements, but that is anywhere and anything. Animal Kingdom is amazing and thats the newest.
I would think that a new park would only open if tourism to WDW is on the rise. Building Disney theme parks is expensive!

 

[taximomfor4]

Id like to see WDW expand into using record breaking rides like Cedar Point. Giga and Strata coasters, drop coasters, the intense stuf.. Make WDW a first choice for coaster lovers as well as children and families looking for that magic.

Im not saying that the ride is more important than the story but sometimes the Disney ride falls short of the story and magic used to theme it.

I can understand this Point of View, sort of. Except that since I live near Cedar Point, I suppose I take it for granted a bit and don't seek the same coaster thrills when away from it.

Beth

 

[mmccoy]

I would rather Disney spend money keeping the parks up-to-date and fresh than build another park.

As others have said, it seems to me Epcot needs the most work. With the introduction of aquariums in most major cities, Living Seas has become - for me, anyway - something I could skip. It sorely needs updating. Another country in the WS would be nice - how about Australia, New Zealand, India or Russia?

I'm glad to see the stunt show being added to MGM. Also, it seems like I remember something about Disney reaching an agreement with the makers of the Harry Potter series about doing something. Another ride would be nice. It wouldn't have to necessarily be a thrill ride, but something fun. I've never been to Universal, so don't know what the ET ride is like, but I wonder if something along those lines - an adventure on a Qwitich (sp?) broom - would be pretty cool.

I love AK, and think EE will only make it even better.

Same with MK, although the Futureworld area could use some work. CoP needs to be updated.

One thing I think we tend to forget is that the purpose of each park is different. I hear complaints that AK is a glorified zoo. To those folks I say, "what's your point"? I love AK's theme. Epcot is intended to be an educational and cultural experience. MGM is an entertainment park, hence the plethora of shows. MK is an incredibly-themed amusement park. If you change your perspective each time you go to a different park, I think you'll enjoy the parks more. One of the real draws for WDW for me is, I can use a four day pass, and have four totally different experiences.

Now having rambled on quite a bit, IF they were to build a new park, I would like some kind of adventure park. I don't have a clue how they would do it, but I'd like a park that included rock climbing, rapelling, riding a zip line, stuff like that. Maybe they'd build several "paths" you could follow, kinda like a ski slope, and you'd take turns following each path. Of course, a park like that would cater to a smaller subset of visitors, have a lot of liability questions, etc...but, you asked!

 

[eeyore0062]

I do see it happening in the foreseeable future. They still have to finish filling out Animal Kingdom and could use some upgrades on Disney MGM Studios, as well. I think that a 5th park would be stretching things a bit too thin. They have plenty of space in the parks they have to expand from within.

 

[java]

You know about 3 years ago we were on the monorail and they were playing the recorded announcements and they had a statement about a new deluxe monorail resort. It was supposed to be going in between the contemporary and the Poly. Have not heard about it since then although one year we saw some trucks near where the resort was supposedly going.
about a park I hope not because my one week trips are so full already with stuff to do..Although I could see them adding a more aggressive ride kind of park- with wild rides to please the teen crowd (and the older rollercoaster lovers like myself)And as for a theme hey they built a whole park in CA just themed around the state.

 

[eeyore0062]

Originally there was supposed to be a resort between the Contemporary and the TTC. I believe it was going to be Oriental in theming. This was in the original drawings for Walt Disney World.