Kind of disapointed in MK

[cheerleadingmom]

Ok, no flames please, but took my twins to MK on Friday..they or hubby have never been, I was there last when I was 16..I must say..we were all disappointed that there were not more rides geared toward pre teens and up. A lot of the rides are very "dated" and I realized that it is because it is the old Disney charm..however to keep up with places like Universal and Busch Gardens, you would think they would put in some more "thrill" type rides. My kids wanted to go back to MGM to ride their roller coaster again. Anyone out there agree that MK needs some updating to their rides, or am I just being fickle? Again, please no flames, we still had a fabulous time!

 

[civileng68]

Ok, no flames please, but took my twins to MK on Friday..they or hubby have never been, I was there last when I was 16..I must say..we were all disappointed that there were not more rides geared toward pre teens and up. A lot of the rides are very "dated" and I realized that it is because it is the old Disney charm..however to keep up with places like Universal and Busch Gardens, you would think they would put in some more "thrill" type rides. My kids wanted to go back to MGM to ride their roller coaster again. Anyone out there agree that MK needs some updating to their rides, or am I just being fickle? Again, please no flames, we still had a fabulous time!

There's a BIG difference in Universal and BG from parks like the MK. The MK is about history. More of the thrill rides are at the other parks. The MK is sort of a "vintage" park. I dont have a problem with the amount of thrill attractions. I like the park because of it's "magical" atmosphere that the other parks do not have.

The only thing I get disappointed in with the MK is that certain attractions are not maintained well enough. COP is REALLY looking bad (the carpet and seating, I was told carpet was being replaced but was there last week (we go monthly) and it really looked bad).

I also have a big problem lately with how they have avoided creating new attractions in areas and instead placed Meet and Greets. There was no excuse that the 20K Leagues attraction was not replaced with another premier attraction considering that the space it covers is large compared to real-estate in the park.

I am also dissappointed that they have done nothing with the skyway stations. The one in Fantasyland looks like part of the theming, but the one in Tomorrowland really looks bad. It has aluminum covering most of it, the fans still turn and the lights are still on inside of it at night. The stairway is still there and it just doesn't fit in, in the way that it is now. At least open it up and put tables up there to go sit and relax with some food and overlook the park.

I see your point and opinion but, I dont personally desire thrill rides in the MK, and I dont expect things to be removed (this is the only park I like to keep rides forever) but, they do need to do better to replace removed attractions.

 

[cleo]

I also understand your point but I'm afraid I agree with keeping Magic Kingdom a more low-key, family-oriented park. By that I mean any family with children of any age can enjoy (nearly) every attraction. Coasters and thrill rides tend to have height requirements, therefore excluding the youngest guests.

That's why we visit all the parks, not just the Disney parks. We love the thrill rides and as our boys get older we find they like the high energy rides as much as the gentler rides. Magic Kingdom isn't enough for them, but it's also a wonderful family day in conjunction with the more teen-oriented parks.

If they put a coaster into MK I wouldn't complain. But I'm happy to visit MGM, Epcot, Universal, IoA, SeaWorld, Busch, etc, too.

 

[bicker]

However, this dichotomy, between the OP's perception and that of the other two posters points out the quandary Disney faces. They have to find a balance between ensuring that they're providing enough of what new customers want, without replacing too much, too quickly, of what nostalgic customers want.

 

[civileng68]

However, this dichotomy, between the OP's perception and that of the other two posters points out the quandary Disney faces. They have to find a balance between ensuring that they're providing enough of what new customers want, without replacing too much, too quickly, of what nostalgic customers want.

I see your point but I dont think they have much of a quandry because of the extremely unique situation they have that no other park has......land and numbers.

Disney (orlando) has 4 parks. They obviously are putting their thrill rides in AK, Epcot, and MGM, as seen with MIssion Space, TOT, RnRc, and Expedition Everest.

I think with those options there is no need to place thrill rides in the MK.

I wouldn't mind thrill rides in the MK, if they were small in size. The last thing I want to see in the MK is something huge that sticks out heavily.

One of my fascinations with WDW is Walt Disney himself. When I go to the MK I see Walt and Walt's visions everywhere. When I go to the other parks, I see competition with B.G. and Universal. MK is a place like no other park with impecable theming and untouched vision.

 

[Glass Slipper]

I'm all about thrill rides and the classic Disney. To me, the MK just has such charm and magic. I'm 27, and I love reliving the moments on the same rides that I did when I was little with my family. Yep, I've been on the same rides time and time again, but each time brings back a great family memory and almost takes me back to that time. Universal is great, but to me many of the rides as far as theming don't have the staying power that rides at the MK do. The Disney rides that go along with the movies are just so classic and go back much farther than things themed at Universal. It really is true about the magic of Disney, Universal is very cool...but like one of their own commercials say...you've got to go somewhere else for the Pixie Dust! So have fun with the thrill...then go for the classic magic touch at the MK

 

[bicker]

The first WDW thrill ride went into the Magic Kingdom, and there are now two or three, depending on how you count them. I don't think that's the issue. I personally am hoping for them to add Disneyland's excellent Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom attraction to Adventureland, replacing Jungle Cruise. (Pipe dream, I know, but I can hope, can't I?) It would fit there too, and there are a lot of us who think Jungle Cruise is a big waste of space, despite its history. However, there are a lot of folks for whom that history is valuable, and Disney's got to balance their preferences with that of folks like me.

 

[civileng68]

The first WDW thrill ride went into the Magic Kingdom, and there are now two or three, depending on how you count them. I don't think that's the issue. I personally am hoping for them to add Disneyland's excellent Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom attraction to Adventureland, replacing Jungle Cruise. (Pipe dream, I know, but I can hope, can't I?) It would fit there too, and there are a lot of us who think Jungle Cruise is a big waste of space, despite its history. However, there are a lot of folks for whom that history is valuable, and Disney's got to balance their preferences with that of folks like me.

I totally see your point. I wouldn't mind having Indy's ride as well, but I have to say, as much as I dont think Jungle Cruise is exciting, it won't be removed. There is a reason that COP, Tiki Room (even changed), POTC and J.C. are still there, among others.

J.C. is a true original and classic. I think we'll see a major overhaul and new technology included in J.C. before we see it demolished. Not to mention most of us Disney purists would really have a problem with it.

Now, the true quandary Disney does have is that is has fans unlike any other park. Universal has it's fans but I have a feeling their loyalty is not nearly as deep as a Disney purist's loyalty.

Disney has to be very very careful what they do with the MK, which is why you DONT see extreme changes to classic attractions. Most Disney fans feel very protective over the MK and because it's been there so long untouched, many of us also feel loyal to it. As the previous poster who was 27, I am 26 and remember riding those same attractions when I was 5 years old, in the same way.

I can't wait to be able to take my children there one day and them do the same thing. The MK transcends generations, unlike any other park.

While most of us are really not too concerned about what Disney does to AK, MGM, and Epcot (though we're protective of parts of epcot) MK is to be left to the classics and the magic.

 

[peter11435]

COP is REALLY looking bad (the carpet and seating, I was told carpet was being replaced but was there last week (we go monthly) and it really looked bad).

Just to let you know they are in the process of replacing the carpet and seating in the COP. This has been ongoing for a while now. Remember there are 6 theaters in the COP. You must have been in one that has not yet been worked on.

 

[bicker]

There is a reason that COP, Tiki Room (even changed), POTC and J.C. are still there, among others.

However, remember Mr. Toad's Wild Ride has been replaced by Pooh. There is some hope that someday, again, someone will see the light and give us something really great to replace JC, just like they did with Toad.

I wouldn't count on CoP being there too much longer, at least not in its current form. I'm willing to go out on a limb here: Mark my words -- Ten years from now, there will be something else in that spot (yes, even despite its recent "rehab").

PoTC should still be there. It's still a great attraction, a true classic in every way, and exactly the thing that Disney should hang its hat on (along with Haunted Mansion), with regard to the nostalgia aspect of the park.

 

[ujpest_doza]

Splash,Space and Thunder Mountains are all coasters and all at MK.

US and IOA are always empty so perhaps Disney is doing something right.

 

[civileng68]

However, remember Mr. Toad's Wild Ride has been replaced. There is some hope that someday, again, someone will see the light and give us something really great to replace JC, just like that did with Toad.

I wouldn't count on CoP being there too much longer, at least not in its current form. I'm willing to go out on a limb here: Mark my words -- Ten years from now, there will be something else in that spot (yes, even despite its recent "rehab").

PoTC should still be there. It's still a great attraction, a true classic in every way, and exactly the thing that Disney should hang its hat on (along with Haunted Mansion), with regard to the nostalgia aspect of the park.

I would agree that there is a possibility within 10 years that COp will not be there.

However, now is not the time. I think when my kid's generation (Im 27) becomes older, because they are so technologically advanced, they will not be satisfied at all by it, and they will not see the "history" in Disney as many of us 20 and older do.

However, now is not the time. Also note that while there are not "official" releases about this, I think Disney wanted to close COP last year for good, but a group got together and had a very large online petition to save the attraction and suddenly Disney backed away from it's closing rumors and they dont seem to have surfaced seriously since. Not to mention I think the flop of Stitch hasn't helped them.

 

[civileng68]

Splash,Space and Thunder Mountains are all coasters and all at MK.

US and IOA are always empty so perhaps Disney is doing something right.

Because most of the people visiting there are on a Disney vacation and venture out to other local parks during their stay.

 

[peter11435]

Splash,Space and Thunder Mountains are all coasters and all at MK.

Splash is not a coaster.

 

[ujpest_doza]

Splash is not a coaster.

Mmm, i suppose it isn't a traditional coaster but it is a fast thrill ride with a height restriction.

 

[peter11435]

Mmm, i suppose it isn't a traditional coaster but it is a fast thrill ride with a height restriction.

Its certainly a thrill ride. I was just saying it is not a coaster.

 

[pezpam]

I totally see your point. I wouldn't mind having Indy's ride as well, but I have to say, as much as I dont think Jungle Cruise is exciting, it won't be removed.

I thought that the AK's Dinosaur! was the same ride as Indy, just with different theming??

Not that I've tried both, but we're finally getting back to DL in Feb, so I'll hopefully get to check it out then.

 

[MareSINY]

I guess it depends on what you call a thrill ride. I scream like a baby on Goofy's Barnstormer. LOL Seriously, I do! LOL

 

[peter11435]

I thought that the AK's Dinosaur! was the same ride as Indy, just with different theming??

Not that I've tried both, but we're finally getting back to DL in Feb, so I'll hopefully get to check it out then.

It is. But that doesn't change the fact that is would be nice to have. There are many rides at WDW that are the same except for themeing.

 

[peter pan217]

Ok, no flames please, but took my twins to MK on Friday..they or hubby have never been, I was there last when I was 16..I must say..we were all disappointed that there were not more rides geared toward pre teens and up. A lot of the rides are very "dated" and I realized that it is because it is the old Disney charm..however to keep up with places like Universal and Busch Gardens, you would think they would put in some more "thrill" type rides. My kids wanted to go back to MGM to ride their roller coaster again. Anyone out there agree that MK needs some updating to their rides, or am I just being fickle? Again, please no flames, we still had a fabulous time!

it is all about the magic at MK i am a pre teen and love MK i love all the rides in fantasyland heck i even have to ride dumbo because it is traditioni love MK and it is my favorite park and i like it better than a universal,six flags, or bush gardens because it is magical you have to have the disney magic to enjoy MK