Is Toy Story Land really needed?

[jenthern]

Plus - I have noticed Disney's focus turning almost 100% to families with kids who are not in school yet - they have a lot longer travel window - and the school year aged kids can only travel during times of the year where the park is already packed.

How do you figure? I have a 10 month old and a 3 year old. Two major expansions underway (Star Wars and avatar) will have little or nothing for us.

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

No one has asked them to. Whenever anyone even mentions the mere possibility of a thrill ride, people suddenly extrapolate that to mean a high-intensity, coaster-centric park like Magic Mountain or Cedar Point, despite no one ever suggesting this.

Yup it's mind boggling Josh. I have this sneaking suspicion that the folks so against a few extra thrill rides are the types of people who need a barf bag after riding Big Thunder.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Yes it's needed. DHS is the armpit of Disney World right now and it needs a complete makeover. That being said, while TS Land will likely add a facelift, I still think the end result will be an upscale playground for kids to run around and get squirted with water.

you have a way with words. I always crack up laughing at your posts.

Maybe Disney could use more rides geared to older kids (i.e. "Thrill rides") but DHS actually needs more Family rides! The only ride there for younger kids is TSMM. There are some of the shows, but the other rides in the park are RnR, Tot, Star Tours, and Great Movie Ride, which has scary parts and isn't really a "kid's ride." If Slinky-Dog Coaster can be as good as 7DMT, also a "family friendly" coaster, then I'll be very pleased with it.

I agree about family rides. Toy Story ride is a good example. I havent met a person who said they didnt like that ride. its a ride for all ages! very interactive, fun, and visually appealing.

I personally would prefer family rides over thrill rides....cause im not a thrill ride type of gal. But I do love the fact that people of all ages can go together on most of the rides at disney. You cant say the same for US though! On the flip side though, adding more thrill rides wouldnt be a bad idea at all. Something for everyone.

 

[Sparkly]

I will go with the opposite argument:
DHS DOES have thrill rides. TOT and the rock and roll coaster. Not to mention Star Tours. Why shouldn't small children have a few rides they can ride? That's why toy story mania always has a crazy line!

Even Universal's IOA, a park primarily based on thrills, has a childrens themed area. There is a place for both, and right now DHS does not have much for the little ones. I'm for Toy Story Land, and as a big fan of Toy Story growing up I will look forward to exploring it once it's finished.

 

[BradChristian]

This would be a major major mistake if Disney does this.

I don't think they will totally do this, but you can count on Magic Kingdom not adding anymore thrill rides for sure. More premium Disney exclusive experiences.

However - I do think if Disney did something extremely thrilling with their levels of immersion. I think that would help them compete against universal. We will see how thrilling the rides are in Star Wars Land... or if its just another Star Tours 3.0

 

[Mousemommy1]

I'm excited to see the new themed lands in DHS. That park has needed a makeover for quite some time, and luckily, those in my
family are HUGE Star Wars fans and love Toy Story, so I think we are going to love the new additions.

 

[BradChristian]

How do you figure? I have a 10 month old and a 3 year old. Two major expansions underway (Star Wars and avatar) will have little or nothing for us.

I think they figure many parents will want character photos with the Star Wars characters (look at how young the kids are for Jedi Training Academy) - may not be your things, but there are a TON of nerdy parents out there.

and the Pandora boat ride is going to be animal kingdom's 'its a small world' for young kids to sleep on while parents are holding them.

Who knows... The ride where you ride on the back on the banchee might also be tamer than we are all imagining.

 

[BigAlsGal]

They don't need to become Islands of Adventure or Six Flags but it sure would be nice to get 1 or 2 more thrill rides in. Like I've said in many other threads, it's not all about the kids folks.

I am a grown woman and I don't like thrill rides. I like fun immersive rides. If I wanted thrill I'll go to cedar point or kings island. I go to disney for disney. The way they do things is just perfect for me.

 

[kbelle8995]

Yes it is needed. TSM still has huge lines and guests eager to ride this attraction. DHS needs more family friendly rides for all ages.

 

[NicholasD]

The avatar ride, unless something has changed, is a redux of soarin, through the avatar environments...

 

[ucfknight]

Everyone asking for Disney to build more thrilling rides at Walt Disney World are unlikely to get their wish anytime soon. Disney has always been about "family thrills". The difference between Disney and Universal in this regard can be summed up in one single distinction:

Universal has no problem with building rides where you have to walk through metal detectors to make sure you don't have anything in your pockets which can fly out and injure bystanders.
Disney, on the other hand, does not build rides where you can't take your whole backpack on the ride with you.

 

[Crystal824]

Yes, it is needed. DHS is a mess right now. Toy Story land will help change its focus from the making of movies to being in the movies, which seems to be the theme it is headed towards Yes, an immersive land is necessary for that experience. I, for one, expect an immersive experience when at a theme park including restaurants and gift shops especially from Disney.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

Everyone asking for Disney to build more thrilling rides at Walt Disney World are unlikely to get their wish anytime soon. Disney has always been about "family thrills".

Don't confuse "more thrill rides" with "more thrilling rides." It's an important distinction to make. People asking for more attractions like Space Mountain or Star Tours =/= asking for 300 foot tall, record-breaking monstrosities.

As for your "anytime soon" comment, I tend to agree, as it will probably be at least four to five years until the Star Wars expansion is complete.

 

[THEDISNEYTHREE]

Absolutely!

 

[minnie mum]

With the announcements of Star Wars, Toy Story,is Disney done with Single E tickets? Whats wrong with just making Single thrilling attractions? It will still draw guest and take a lot less time in construction. Does it really take 3-4 years to build a carnival like ride and an outdoor family coaster for Toy Story? No it doesn't but having it spread acres with themed gift shops and restaurants is the reason it takes such a long time. Star Wars/Avatar do however seem worth the time because they will be similar to Harry Potter and actually have E Ticket Attractions.

Just wanted to state my opinion

A fully themed and immersive area that includes rides/shows, restaurants and stores is OK, in fact preferable, for Harry Potter, Star Tours and Avatar, but not for Toy Story? Not following the logic here. And I don't think a ride has to be a "thrill" ride to be considered an E ticket. I think TSMM qualifies, if the lines are any indication. Maybe it's a question of definition, but I've always considered an E ticket to mean one of the most popular rides, not necessarily the most adrenalin inducing.

I think Disney realized a long time ago that a fully integrated land holds more appeal than just having a string of disparate rides, one after another. Universal didn't really succeed with this concept until Harry Potter. And the world went wild for it. Take a look at Carsland in CA. Completely immersive. Fabulous theming. Family friendly. While I would have preferred a different approach than just Toy Story, I can see why Disney chose to go that route. If they can build the whole land in 2-3 years, that's great.

 

[Jennasis]

I would be okay if they would add more interesting rides that are technologically advanced that everybody can ride. Something along the lines of mystic Manor in Hong Kong. That to me is the type of rides at Disney should be adding. Stuff for everyone but stuff that is amazing and fascinating and groundbreaking. Not just another lame family coaster or spinning ride.

 

[Kathryn777]

I would be okay if they would add more interesting rides that are technologically advanced that everybody can ride. Something along the lines of mystic Manor in Hong Kong. That to me is the type of rides at Disney should be adding. Stuff for everyone but stuff that is amazing and fascinating and groundbreaking. Not just another lame family coaster or spinning ride.

The lines for 7dmt disagree with you

 

[lustergirl]

Disney isn't a thrill ride park. Do people expect that? I don't expect Disney to have the same kids of rides as Six Flags and vice versa. They're different.

Honestly, Carsland at DL is beautiful. It's just really REALLY well done. There's one thrill type ride (it certainly isn't a thrill ride by real definitions), a nice kiddie/family ride, two places to eat and a place or two to shop. It doesn't sound impressive, but it really is. We actually spent a decent amount of time there in the evening because it was so nice. Even my Disney-cynic husband really enjoyed it. It was like being IN the movie. I hope Toy Story is done similarly at DHS.

I agree. I don't think of Disney being a thrill ride park. I think it is more of an experience, themed park. If I wanted thrill rides I would go to my local Six Flags.

 

[Jennasis]

The lines for 7dmt disagree with you

I don't care?

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

I agree. I don't think of Disney being a thrill ride park. I think it is more of an experience, themed park. If I wanted thrill rides I would go to my local Six Flags.

Or they could go to Universal and get thrill in an "experience, themed park."