Marathon Weekend 2018

[DOOM1001]

Illuminations is my all time favorite,I must have seen it 100 times or possibly much,much more,the music and finale are incredible.With that said at some point I realized that there are some slower moments in the show(the fountains and the globe coming out)that probably some people find boring,I can't see how anyone dislikes the rest of the show as its amazing

 

[Barca33Runner]

Either Illuminations and Tomorrowland Speedway desperately need updates or there was a good amount of groupthink going on here. Maybe a little of both.

 

[Barca33Runner]

I love Space Mountain but the outdated areas when you're in line (and leaving) slay me. I wish they would change that around, so much more interesting things to add to that!

When I first visited WDW in the early 90's Space Mountain was "the ride" that you had to do. When I went on it during my last visit with my 7-year-old nephew he enjoyed it, but I don't think it would have cracked his top-5 attractions. That was a little disappointing.

I'm all for nostalgia and would have no problem with them leaving it the way it is, but I think it could be really cool if they did a full revamp and modernized the whole experience. Maybe it's my own nostalgia getting the better of me, but I think it would be cool if Space Mountain was "the ride" again rather than just one of them.

 

[bcarey2k]

I have a hard time with 'my' nostalgia and my children's (and theirs soon) wants.

I don't envy Disney this quandary. Let's review where the $ are, but let's also review where the $ will be. It's tough.

 

[rteetz]

I have a hard time with 'my' nostalgia and my children's (and theirs soon) wants.

I don't envy Disney this quandary. Let's review where the $ are, but let's also review where the $ will be. It's tough.

It is tough because rides and shows don't directly make money. Disney makes their money from the parks in food, merchandise and ticket sales. That said Illuminations is nearing 20 years of age. Space Mountain was supposed to get a major renovation around 2009 that never happened, and tomorrowland speedway has basically remained the same since MK opened.

As your resident rumors and news expert Illuminations is supposed to be replaced by 2019. Tomorrowland is and has been getting upgrades leading up until the WDW 50th.

 

[bcarey2k]

It is tough because rides and shows don't directly make money. Disney makes their money from the parks in food, merchandise and ticket sales. That said Illuminations is nearing 20 years of age. Space Mountain was supposed to get a major renovation around 2009 that never happened, and tomorrowland speedway has basically remained the same since MK opened.

As your resident rumors and news expert Illuminations is supposed to be replaced by 2019. Tomorrowland is and has been getting upgrades leading up until the WDW 50th.

And that *could* mean that that the 49th year would have an abundance of closings. (See Disney Paris for a comparison)

 

[croach]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned(at least I don't think anyone did) Carousel of Progress. I mean they've been burning that damn turkey forever. I don't want to see it go as it's part of Disney history but seems like they could make the last scene more relevant.

 

[rteetz]

And that *could* mean that that the 49th year would have an abundance of closings. (See Disney Paris for a comparison)

Yes but likely not as long. A better comparison would be what Disneyland did with the 60th. Refreshing a bunch of attractions.

 

[rteetz]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned(at least I don't think anyone did) Carousel of Progress. I mean they've been burning that damn turkey forever. I don't want to see it go as it's part of Disney history but seems like they could make the last scene more relevant.

The last scene is said to be updated within the next year or so.

 

[bryana]

Illuminations is my favorite as well, but it could definitely use a little bit of a fresh.

I think the Tron-ish Test Track refresh would have been better suited to Space Mountain.

I can't think of much else that I would update - I'm drawing a massive blank right now on anything else that I'm not very stoked on.

 

[Nole95]

Tomorrowland Speedway is probably one attraction that can go. That's a good amount of wasted real estate that could be used to add one or more attractions. Not sure why or how it has lasted all these years.

 

[rteetz]

Tomorrowland Speedway is probably one attraction that can go. That's a good amount of wasted real estate that could be used to add one or more attractions. Not sure why or how it has lasted all these years.

Likely because it's incredibly popular with kids and it's a Disneyland original.

 

[gjramsey]

Dang, so many want to update Illuminations. It is my favorite by far, and I absolutely enjoy it as is.

Dinosaur needs something. It just isn't a fun ride, just there to shake your entire body multiple directions, and give you fake scares.

 

[rteetz]

Dang, some many want to update Illuminations. It is my favorite by far, and I absolutely enjoy it as is.

Dinosaur needs something. It just isn't a fun ride, just there to shake your entire body multiple directions, and give you fake scares.

Dinosaur actually just was refurbed and added a few new affects and fixed broken ones.

 

[acefields23]

Hi all - does anyone know if there's a way to register for the race retreat if we've already registered for the race?

 

[PCFriar80]

Hi all - does anyone know if there's a way to register for the race retreat if we've already registered for the race?

Log in to your active.com account. Select "my events" and there will an option under the race you registered to "purchase additional merchandise" This will bring you to the page where you can select race retreat or anything else you may want to purchase.

 

[drummerwife]

Hi all - does anyone know if there's a way to register for the race retreat if we've already registered for the race?

Log into your Active account, click on "my events" which should bring up the races you've registered for. Click additional purchases (I think) and the race retreat will be there.
Hope this helps.

 

[rteetz]

301 days until Marathon weekend!

 

[Anisum]

Honestly I'm surprised with how many people have said illuminations here. It's my favorite show at WDW. Yes it could be updated but in terms of a fireworks show it's one of the best Disney has ever done.

I like the fireworks part. That being said, I first saw Illuminations over 17 years ago (16 years ago? I saw it right after it came out) and I think the show that goes with the fireworks is somewhat outdated. To be fair though, I'm not that huge on any of the night time shows in WDW or DL other than World of Color. Illuminations in particular sticks out for me I think because I have a short attention span and Fantasmic and Wishes generally move faster and have more to look at in my opinion.

 

[rteetz]

I like the fireworks part. That being said, I first saw Illuminations over 17 years ago (16 years ago? I saw it right after it came out) and I think the show that goes with the fireworks is somewhat outdated. To be fair though, I'm not that huge on any of the night time shows in WDW or DL other than World of Color. Illuminations in particular sticks out for me I think because I have a short attention span and Fantasmic and Wishes generally move faster and have more to look at in my opinion.

There have been several versions of Illuminations over the years but I believe the current one Reflections of Earth is 16-17 years old. I am surprised you like Fantasmic better as that is the longest show of any at over 20 minutes. Illuminations and Wishes both come in around 12-13 minutes. If you find Illuminations on the boring side I don't think you would like Rivers of Light, no fireworks and its quite conceptual.