If you were chief imagineer of Walt Disney World?

[VolcomPaul]

I'm not sure it's the Imagineers who have the authority to do what I'm thinking...All the parks need some serious revision. WDW has been milking the same things for WAY too long.

Have you all been on Living with the Land recently? It has photos from the 80's, and talks about 'innovations' in agriculture that are just as old. It is so outdated it's practically a joke. I can't help but to think the children in the images are now middle aged! I don't think it would take all that much effort to update that attraction and actually make it about the latest research in agriculture.

What about Energy? Miraculously, Ellen still looks about the same, but Bill Nye looks totally different. That ride is SO old! Yet sadly, what it says about renewables more or less holds true- we are STILL debating.

I think WDW seriously needs to add new attractions to every park- esp the 3 non-MK parks. they need to add not just mid-level attractions like LM, but real headliner attractions. Attractions of Spiderman and Mummy caliber.

Not so much in the sense of being big name characters, more in the sense that each park really needs more headliner attractions that appeal to all guests. More TSM's if you will.

In Epcot, that could take the form of more WS attractions, new countries. they could also make Imagination into a ride of that caliber.

In HS, they should junk the whole streets set and backlot areas. That park seems to have lots of vacant area.

WDW also needs to give Dinosaur, Muppets, ITtBaB, and others the Star Tours treatment- where there are multiple versions of the attraction.

Disney needs to add a deluxe level Art of Animation resort. A resort that combines the intense theming of AoA with the luxury of the deluxes.

There are also many other attractions where the featured actors/celebrities no longer look like they do in the attraction footage. Like RNRC. DINOSAUR.

I Really like your idea of having a Deluxe Art of Animation Resort!

 

[VolcomPaul]

Starwars land a must as well as improvements to transportation. Build out a people mover and have less buses.

Wow! I dont think ive ever heard that idea... But I liek it. Have a non-stop people mover type of transpertation to and from each park, and resorts. Instead of doing monorails to and from every resorts and park; which would be awesome, they could do the people mover type of transpertation inside.

 

[GillianP1301]

I would like to see DHS expand on the Pixar Place theme beyond just TSMM. You could do a really cool flying type ride themed to UP, put in Carsland a la DL version, a Monsters Inc. coaster and maybe a Ratatouille themed restaurant.

Epcot, I think just needs updating. I think the current attractions and ideas are good, but it's all so dated. Future World should be just that, future looking, not a history lesson. I also think a new pavillion or two in WS would be nice, especially if they could incorporate a new ride or two. I would love to see a South American/Rainforest type theme.

MK, I think is in pretty good shape now with new Fantasyland just about done. I actually like that this park is based on nostalgia and would not want to see much more of the classics disappear, in fact bring back Mr. Toad & Snow White and I'd be happy.

 

[GillianP1301]

I Really like your idea of having a Deluxe Art of Animation Resort!

Totally agree! I would've booked a deluxe for our upcoming trip, but really wanted the AoA type theming for my DS. So a deluxe AoA would get my money for sure!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

MK:
Tomorrowland Speedway: GONE!
Update Carousel of Progress
Move Monster's Inc Laugh Floor to DHS (see below)

AK:
Scrap Avatar land.
Add more rides to AK.

Epcot:
Reopen Wonders of Life Pavilion
Add more rides to World Showcase, including a coaster.

DHS:
Expand Pixar Place
Expand the Star Wars area
Refurb The Great Movie Ride and Backlot Tour.

Do everything in my power to get the rights to Marvel characters and add rides or possibly an entire new gate.

Remove tiers from FastPass+. Remove the 3 FastPass limit.

 

[bball15fan]

Magic Kingdom:

I guess just bring back Toon Town

Epcot:

More Countries (Israel, Caribbean Islands, New Zealand)
Another 4D movie
Add A parade

Hollywood Studios:
Don't take away anything...expand
Monsters Inc Ride.
Cars land
more Toy Story.
Make the Back Lot tour how it use to be with sets.

Animal Kingdom:
Australia with all the animals. (only reason why I didn't include it in Epcot)
Also some frozen rides...including OLAF!

 

[LMN]

A 5th gate: Villain's Land! With awesome villian-inspired rides, restaurants and a character meal. Plus villian meet and greets.

MK: wouldn't change anything here

EPCOT: Love the idea of adding Costa Rica to WS. Also would get rid of Captain EO and find exciting attractions/rides to fill up the empty buildings

AK: Scrap avatar land. Find another theme conducive to nightly rides/entertainment

HS: Star Wars land!! Star Wars themed rides and restaurants and meet and greets!

 

[Magpie]

But I do think Epcot needs something else, like a 4D attraction as proposed earlier or a better use of the ex-Wonders of Life pavilion.

I may have heard that they've been working on a new (digital!) movie to replace "Soarin'", but I can't confirm that.

 

[xie]

If I was in charge of Disney Imagineering, I would no doubt spend about half of my time frustrated by the suits' unwillingness to let me build all the amazing stuff that should be built. And the other half of my time would be spent trying to figure out how to build what I actually got permission to do with too little money, too few people, and too much interference.

If Disney operates like most companies when it comes to capital expenditures, the above is likely an accurate reflection of this poor guy/gal's time spent at work.

 

[bball15fan]

Magic Kingdom:

I guess just bring back Toon Town

Epcot:

More Countries (Israel, Caribbean Islands, New Zealand)
Another 4D movie
Add A parade

Hollywood Studios:
Don't take away anything...expand
Monsters Inc Ride.
Cars land
more Toy Story.
Make the Back Lot tour how it use to be with sets.

Animal Kingdom:
Australia with all the animals. (only reason why I didn't include it in Epcot)
Also some frozen rides...including OLAF!

 

[rn448698]

If I was in charge of Disney Imagineering, I would no doubt spend about half of my time frustrated by the suits' unwillingness to let me build all the amazing stuff that should be built. And the other half of my time would be spent trying to figure out how to build what I actually got permission to do with too little money, too few people, and too much interference.

If Disney operates like most companies when it comes to capital expenditures, the above is likely an accurate reflection of this poor guy/gal's time spent at work.

Exactly!

That said, I would scrap Avatar Land (like seriously, I can't for the life of me figure this one out... It's not like people are obsessed with Avatar like they are with Star Wars or Harry Potter.)

New Soarin with better "film"

Add a Frozen bobsled ride to MK or Norway (the movie has enough staying power to justify)

Add German boat ride and Dragon roller coaster (China)

Add Monsters Inc flying door ride

 

[bwang123]

Wow! I dont think ive ever heard that idea... But I liek it. Have a non-stop people mover type of transpertation to and from each park, and resorts. Instead of doing monorails to and from every resorts and park; which would be awesome, they could do the people mover type of transpertation inside.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Scrap Avatar, fast-track Star Wars.

I really don't care about Star Wars, and Avatarland could be really cool. But, your comment seems like a "no brainer". There are a handful of movies with a fanatical fan base, and none more so than Star Wars. Thinking of potential attractions that by themselves could bring people to Orlando, it's hard to imagine anything with more potential than Star Wars.



That said, I'd do major animal attractions and lands expansions at AK - not to include Avatarland.

 

[geminierin]

I'm surprised no one has said Greece for new Epcot countries. Can you imagine twirling your napkins and breaking plates while eating gyros and spanikopita (sp?) and baklava? Opa! Count me in!
I'd love to see a new deluxe hotel, themed in Its a small world, all abstract and pastel, representing the countries of the world. An iconic villain vs hero themed resort could be really fun too.

I'm dyyyying for Star Wars land! We need an Indiana Jones ride! Change the Speedway to Cars theme also! Skip Avatar land and make a Pirates Cove or Landing! I want all Pirates all the time!! Bring on the grog!
And in one of the parks, or DTD, could they pleeaaasee do a nail salon where we ladies could start our vacations off with incredible and intricate Disney themed manis and pedis!!! My nail lady doesn't know the first thing about Disney!!!!

 

[VolcomPaul]

Bahahahaha!!!!! Nice!!!!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Hollywood Studies has been my favorite park since my first visit back when I was 8. That said, I do feel it is undergoing a bit of an identity crisis and could really use some TLC. It needs more. More rides, more family fun, and more space. It is the first park I would attack and I would go at it full speed ahead. First, I'd change the name to simple "The Studios". Inside, it would have different areas themed after various studios.

First would be "Hollywood Studios. It would be all of Sunset Blvd and Hollywood Blvd including The Great Movie Ride/Chinese theater. I wouldn't change too much here, but I would move Mama Melrose to the area and re-theme it after Miceli's with singing waiters and watresses. Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster, and GMR would all stay. Starring Rolls, Brown Derby, 50's Prime Time and relocated Sci Fi and Mama's/Miceli's would be there. I would put up a giant facade behind Tower of Terror of the Hollywood Hills with the Hollywoodland sign.

Moving around, the next area would be Disney Studios. This would include Animation Courtyard on down to One Man's Dream. We would also expand back a bit. The giant blue hat would be relocated here. Along with keeping Animation Academy, I would add in a section where you can recreate your favorite scenes from a Disney movie with you as the star. For example, you and your SO could be photoshopped, so to speak, into the flying carpet scene in Aladdin in place of Aladdin and Jasmine. There would be a shop here to create your own Disney music CD with music from the parks, movies, and shows. You create your own CD and casing. We would bring in rides for this area, as well, so it would need to be expanded back over part of the offices and parking area. We would bring back rides like Snow White's Scare Adventures and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. I'd bring back Superstar Television, but with Disney shows. People could be in old Mickey Mouse Club episodes, Spin and Marty, Zoro, etc. or in newer ones like Wizards of Waverly Place or Good Luck Charlie. Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin could also have a nice home here.

Moving around, you would come to Pixar Studios. Toy Story Midway Mania is a big hit,but we need to add more! Mike and Sully to the Rescue is a fun ride at California Adventures that I would think would need to be brought in. Also, a ride similar to Jumpin' Jellyfish with an Up theme would be a lot of fun. Pizza Planet needs to get moved over here, as well. The area where they currently have Backlot Tour would be redone to have Radiator Springs Racers. That ride is a lot of fun (we all love it more than Test Track) and would help take some of the pressure off of TSMM, I think. Remy needs a restaurant here, as well. I would try to retheme Studio Catering Company to accomplish this. I really loved a lot of aspects of Carsland in DCA, so I would recommend bringing as much of that over as possible. It costs a lot less than coming up with new rides and shows and has proven to be a crowd pleaser

Next up is Muppets Studio. With Pizza Planet and Mama Melrose moved, those buildings are sitting empty. Since we can't have that, Mama's will be come Sweedish Chef's restaurant. Pizza Planet will become Gonzo and Rizzo's place with Rolf playing the piano, not dissimilar to Sonny Eclipse at Cosmic Ray's. Maybe Electric Mayhem instead of just Rolf, but definitely some "live" music fun. The Great Gonzo's Human Cannonball would be a roller coaster that starts out like California Screaming or Rock n Roller Coaster where you go really fast out of a cannon and then start the coaster. A ride similar to the tea cups where you are in a fish called Lew Zealand's Flying Fish would work for kids young and old. I would love to see a Muppet's Lab, sort of like what Wonder of Life was like before.

The final land you would have here would be Lucas Studios. It would feature Star Wars and Indiana Jones. I wouldn't change the shows or Star Tours, but I would bring in more. I would bring the Indiana Jones ride from Disneyland over. I'd retheme ABC Commissary after The Cantina. I think a kid's play area themed after an ancient temple could be a lot of fun. I think a smaller version of a mine train ride could work here with an ewok theme. With Sci Fi moving to Hollywood Studios across the park, I'd change that building into a character meal for Star Wars. It would start out fun with Luke, Leah, maybe Hans and Chewy, and some ewoks. Then, the music would start and out would come Darth Vader. Small children might should not dine here.


The goal would be for you to feel like you are entering a studio when you are on the grounds of the park but actually in the movies and television shows when you are on a ride, watching a show, or dining in a restaurant. With each of the themed areas, people would hopefully not be as confused by what this park is supposed to be.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

My ideas of Epcot aren't quite as expansive as DHS.

I really do miss Horizons and think it needs to come back. That's the first thing I would do. I'd also work on Innoventions and making it more interesting. For Innoventions East, I'd really focus on energy. For example, I might have a house set. You can pick out how you want the house's electricity powered (coal, solar, wind, etc.) and then pick out other things. For example, you choose what kind of light fixture you want in the living room and what kind of bulbs. It then lights up as much as it would be lit on a typical day. Then, you can change the windows if you want. It would then tell you how much energy you would save or add by changing the size of the window. That sort of thing. Another area could have stationary bikes hooked up to light bulbs and other electronics. You pedal the bike to power the electronic or turn on the bulb. It will give people and idea of how much energy it takes for each of these things.

I really think Wonders of Life needs to be brought back. Update Cranium Command and some other videos, but bring them back. Body Wars was a big attraction and I think it is really missed (it made me sick, but my husband loved it).

For Future World West, I'd do something kind of interesting with The Land. I'd allow people to sponsor a plant. They choose the specific plant (roses, daisies, strawberries, cucumbers, etc.). Then they choose the soil, the water schedule, if you want a specific fertilizer, and everything else. They get this number so that they can go home and check on how their plant is progressing and, if they so desire, change things like the amount of sunlight, water schedule, or other things. They can also ask the experts their recommendations for the plant.

I'd change Imagination. I miss Dreamfinder and the little lab section needs more fun stuff. I'd add in a paint section using "Figment's Pigment" and change up the music section so that you could actually conduct an orchestra - add in percussion, strings, horns, woodwinds at your command. Andoptica illusion area could also be fun for the kids. As for the ride, I think it needs to go back to focusing on science, literature, arts, etc.

Then, Captain EO would be history. I'd do a 4D video with Merlin traveling through time. He would talk about the importance of imagination and all that was accomplished. We would be shrunk down so as to avoid getting spotted and visit Alexander Graham Bell on the day he invented the telephone, go kite flying with Benjamin Franklin, paint with Van Gogh, you get the idea. Each time, we might get spotted which leads to us having to adios out of there and head to the next time period. We could get splattered with disappearing paint in the Van Gogh scene (don't want to ruin anyone's clothes), get rained on and see bright flashes in the Benjamin Franklin scene, and shake with the loud sounds of the telephone. I really don't know all the details,but I'd love something with Merlin showing us imagination throughout history.

Kitchen Kabaret needs to come back to The Land. How about putting it in place of The Circle of Life?

I would also love to see skywalks in Epcot. A monorail or two throughout the park that takes you from one side of Future World to the next would be neat, as well.

Why is The Odyssey sitting empty? That's not okay to me. The way I figure it, we have a land restaurant and a sea restaurant. What's left? Space, of course! Let's do this. It can be similar to a planetarium with the entire ceiling being a screen with shots of space. Periodically, a person comes over the speaker and tells us that if we look here or there, we will see Venus... or Cassiopia... or whatever. The food can have space themes like The Rings of Saturn which would be onion rings, pineapple rings, things like that. Justin who won Food Network Star a few seasons back would be excellent at helping develop a menu here.

I'm not opposed to a new country in World Showcase. I've always wanted Israel, myself.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

I just saw Frozen and my family loved it. I think in Norway they should renovate Maelstrom or take it apart and build a Frozen ride. The problem is, Frozen is doing really well now, but how long will the novelty last? I think Avatar is a perfect example! Sure, Anna and Elsa are the biggest draw in DW right now, but for how long?

That brings me to my next point..

We saw Toy Story do REALLY well and it was further solidified by its sequels. As a result, it is represented by two rides and Pixar Land. I think the next movie that is popular that could really do well is Monsters Inc. The Laugh Floor at MK is great, but I think DW could have really capitalized on Monsters University and Monsters Inc.

I would love to see Pixar Land in DHS expanded to include a part of Cars Land and some Monsters Inc. rides. Imagine the car ride from DL and a few Monsters Inc. rides. We could replace the backstage tour with an interactive tour of the Monsters Inc. scare floor - or a ride similar to TSMM that has multiple games that resemble the scare games in Monsters U. Maybe there could be a ride that is similar to the door scene in Monsters Inc. Maybe a tour of Monsters Inc. by riding a door! It would be similar to Peter Pan, in which you are suspended on a track and ride through.

Aside from the parks, they REALLY need to do something with the Boardwalk. I get that it's a resort first and destination second, but they could really turn it into something. I love going to Boardwalk Bakery for lunch and sitting outside on a beautiful day. You have the Northeast and East Coast highlighted with lobster rolls and Beaches and Cream (similar to Dumsers in Jersey Shore.) Why not add a Venice-beach style place or an outdoor bar/restaurant. I love eating outside at DTD. Imagine a nice outdoor food truck area with seating or a nice outdoor food court similar to one you would see on a boardwalk?

That's all I could think of for now..

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Hey, want to know my idea with Animal Kingdom? If not, stop reading here.

I'm really not sure about this Avatarland thing, but do know it won't fit with my vision for Animal Kingdom. I'd scrap that. We need to retheme some lands. Rafiki's Planet Watch will now become The Americas. It will cover both North and South America. There will be a petting zoo and you can still see the medical procedures here. We will have a roller coaster ride similar to that of Everest but with Big Foot and going through the forests of the north. A canoe ride would also be a great fit here.

Camp Minnie Mickey would become Antarctica. With Disney owning Club Penguin, this would be a great place to showcase them. A bobsled ride is a must here. There also needs to be a seal and sea lion show. I would also love to see a giant ice cream sundae buffet here. Can you imagine? Think of the Pecos Bill's toppings bar but with ice cream toppings. Oh yeah.

Between Antarctica and Africa I would create Australia. This is where Finding Nemo the Musical belongs. I would also do an EAC ride here where you get in a ride that looks like turtle shells. You cruise along rather leisurely until you hit the EAC. Then, it would go very fast and be like a water roller coaster ride. You could have a section with Aborigines and learning to throw boomerangs and more about their culture. I would also want to see a zipline style ride over the Australian rain forest. We did that in Cairns a few years back and it was awesome. I love everything that Australians put on their burgers so I would desperately want a table service restaurant here that showcases some of the great things they serve down under. Koalas and Kangaroos are a must!

I would want Dinoland USA to be renamed Pangaea and be a bit more educational. Tell us more about the dinosaurs and what we think might have happened. Keep everything else, though.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Well, I've thrown out Epcot ideas before, but if I got to change up all the lands...

The 1st thing I would do is close all of Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom. Buzz Lightyear and the Monster Inc Floor would get kicked over to a new DHS Pixar Land. Space Mountain would stay with new theming. Everything else would get chopped.

And what would I do with the now incredibly empty space? As it backs up to Fantasy Land and New Fantasy Land and yet is an "edge" of the park, what better place for the new Villains land? Good could literally "stage"fight evil on the edges between the lands every day (yes, I would have a open area stage show and/or parade daily through these areas - this is the #1 thing for the land - Disney has always done the live entertainment well and people come for that)...

And for rides? A 4D movie experience (ala Shrek at Universal) would fit in nicely in the old Stitch area - I'd expect it to be darkly funny, just like they pull off there. An escape from the villains coaster (Space Mountain upgraded) and a true thrill ride coaster (ala Rock N Roller type) would fit in the area. I would also have a dark constant moving "haunted" house type ride of villains - maybe seeing them create their new plans (which get fought out at the stage show). And if there's any room left, another C ticket ride for the non thrill seekers and another stage show.

Pulling out Tomorrowland from MK, since it's theme makes no sense anymore, and only focusing on future in EPCOT (and actually doing that), would make it easier to actually keep things state of the art and futuristic...

And it would be great for MK to have a land for "tweens/teens" and not just a spare ride or two all over the park.

I have more to say, but that will be a future post...