Marathon Weekend 2025

SAFD:

When it comes to adding, subtracting, and/or changing attractions at Disney I have…ideas. Like, all of the ideas. Way too many of the ideas. Although I have many, I’ll just go with a couple that should be easy and relatively actionable.

The simplest idea, no subtractions. If something is so unpopular that it must close, replace it. Or at least have a plan for the area moving forward. Crowds need somewhere to go and taking away attractions puts greater strain on the rest of the park. They seem to be doing a little better job of this recently, but even removing something like Primeval Whirl and making Dinoland, USA a relative lame duck land for a couple years really hurts.

As for replacing something, Tomorrowland Speedway should have been changed 20 (30?) years ago to lower emission ride vehicles and better theming. They even had a recent perfect opportunity with Tron construction to make changes. Even considering my previous statement about not closing anything, I would have 0 issue if they just closed this ride. My preference would be for it to be replaced as Sugar Rush Speedway with modernized ride vehicles, but it’s the one attraction that straight up closing it is preferable to its current state. It would be more appropriately placed at a $20 roadside carnival (where you are happy to just escape with your life) not the $200 a day Most Magical Place on Earth. The marginal amount of crowd it diverts does not outweigh the assault on the senses it gives off.

ETA: My preference for Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island to be replaced by a larger Villains Land rather than CarsLand East was detailed in another thread. I understand the Cars series is catnip for small children and that they have a tremendous proof of concept with CarsLand at DL, but I would have loved to see them go all-in on the Villains concept and have the land be a 2 e-ticket attraction area at opening (and something much closer to a 5th gate).
 
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SAFD:
Honestly I am still trying to process the changes to come; specifically the Rivers of America. I have no doubt the eventual retheme of the space will be great. The Cars area at California Adventure is fantastic! I am just having a hard time imagining walking along Frontierland and not seeing the Mark Twain go by or simply the river itself. I am putting my faith in the Imagineers, but can’t hide I am anxious about this!

Something I would love to see added would be to extend the skyliner (like maybe between Animal Kingdom Lodge and the park) and to bring the trail between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness back.
 
SAFD: if the Moroccan partnership is done, for Pete’s sake do something with that space! I agree on a Greek pavilion, and bringing in Greek food would be a great addition.

I’ll add on to Monstropolis, and I posted this in a FB group: they need a restaurant called Harryhausen’s. I haven’t thought through what the cuisine should be or if it should be quick service, but I’ll say they need shade!
 

Something I would love to see added would be to extend the skyliner (like maybe between Animal Kingdom Lodge and the park) and to bring the trail between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness back.

I don’t know the topography well enough to design or suggest any specific routes, but give me SkyLiners literally everywhere it is logistically possible.
 
SAFD: I have way to many ideas... First keep Dinoland... just update it. Dinos are the one the big things almost all young kids love. Then just add the other new land to AK without take it way an old area. I agree with other speedway being turned into suger rush would soo cute. Better food in MK... if Disneyland can do it so can you MK... ohh and HS same. Every country in Epcot should have a ride. I have such a hard time keeping my son entertained in that part of Epcot. Also just more countries... I would be happy with anything extra at this point.. also more different characters like Disneyland does... that are updated with movies coming up...I would like them to do a Wakaknda land... I do not care what park they put it in... I want more Marvel representation in WDW (and I know there is the Universal Issue) Disney should be using every piece of marvel they can... Also do a real muppets land somewhere... it is IP that everyone loves, do more with it Disney. There is more but that is a good start.
 
Question for everyone - what's your go to dinner the night before the marathon? I've done plenty of half's at WDW, but this will be my first marathon - first Dopey! We will be at the new Poly Tower that weekend, so I'll have a kitchen. Not sure if I want to make my own dinner to have control, or if we should go out (I'd rather eat out.. prob at 4:30!)

I like a simple pasta dinner the night before a race. But there's no good pasta options on the monorail loop - do I really want Tony's Town Square at MK? Yikes.

I have done Kona Cafe several times... Pot Stickers, Airline Chicken or Turkey Banh Mi. Might have to do this one again :)
 
Question for everyone - what's your go to dinner the night before the marathon? I've done plenty of half's at WDW, but this will be my first marathon - first Dopey! We will be at the new Poly Tower that weekend, so I'll have a kitchen. Not sure if I want to make my own dinner to have control, or if we should go out (I'd rather eat out.. prob at 4:30!)

I like a simple pasta dinner the night before a race. But there's no good pasta options on the monorail loop - do I really want Tony's Town Square at MK? Yikes.

Not the marathon - but I had a surprisingly good pre-race meal before the Springtime Surprise 10-miler at the Narcoossee's bar - there are a couple of carby-ish dishes, eg, the shrimp bucatini, scallops & gnocchi, rice on the kids menu, and the warm bread they give you. The bartenders (at least the guys there that night) were great with letting me tinker with the menu as I really just wanted the bucatini and basic scallops. I got there right at 5 and was on my way not much after 6. Great atmosphere/service.

If I were you I'd still probably lean on self-prep in your (beautiful new) Island Tower room, but if you do want to venture out I wouldn't totally rule out places like Narcoossee's or Citricos (there's a kids Pasta with Marinara on the menu), also a quick walk to/from your room.
 
Question for everyone - what's your go to dinner the night before the marathon? I've done plenty of half's at WDW, but this will be my first marathon - first Dopey! We will be at the new Poly Tower that weekend, so I'll have a kitchen. Not sure if I want to make my own dinner to have control, or if we should go out (I'd rather eat out.. prob at 4:30!)

I like a simple pasta dinner the night before a race. But there's no good pasta options on the monorail loop - do I really want Tony's Town Square at MK? Yikes.
My go-to is Takumei-Tei. Simple carbs, simple protein. Sits better overnight for me than pasta.
 
SAFD: @Barca33Runner summed up my thoughts better than I can - Disney should update/improve existing things, and add new things in new places. Goodness knows there's more than enough room in Florida - Walt bought so much land for this very reason, after realizing the constraints at DL. Examples that make me sad - replacing the Great Movie Ride w/ MMRR and Splash becoming Tiana. I love MMRR and I think Tiana deserves an attraction, but they didn't have to replace such original and beloved attractions.
 
Yes! Why is there no Mary Poppins or Brave ride in the United Kingdom? Canada needs a Turning Red 4D adventure. OMG, a Luca Vespa ride in Italy would be SO FUN!!
YES to all these ride ideas... honestly I would just be happy with anything at this point... but using some of that new IP in the lands would be great a luca ride on Vespa such a great idea and I am huge fan of Turning Red anything!!
 
SAFD:

My idea would be for all of Harry Potter world to magically move to the WDW campus and then I would only have to visit one theme park.
This is what I wish for all the Nintendo stuff. My kid is super into Mario now (see what I did there?) and I know we're going to have to take him to Epic Universe when it opens, but I do NOT want to spend money to go to Universal. Bleh.
 












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