New Al Lutz: DCA Attendance Records, Removal of Nemo Subs?, New 3rd Marvel Park?

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for posting the concise version Skiingfast. I never know if I want to read Lutz's ramblings until I read your bullet points.

I do ski pretty fast but I am not the one and only Skiingfast.

 

[HydroGuy]

It is interesting that California Adventure was originally advertised to be more of a thrill-ride park for older guests, but as we all know, it wasn't very successful until they added a ton of Disney and Pixar to it. Could they be repeating history by trying to get into that market again?

That was my first thought. Wrong demographic for Disney.

However, there is a reason Disney bought Marvel. And maybe this fits their strategic plan in ways we do not yet know about.

 

[4th Gen Disney Fan]

However, there is a reason Disney bought Marvel. And maybe this fits their strategic plan in ways we do not yet know about.

Yeah - the reason is because they are content providers. The company has a long history of purchasing media companies with huge fanbases solely to own the rights to the Intelectual Property. Just look at Power Rangers. It was by far the most popular kids show in existence at the time Disney acquired it. Soley to push content, content, content. When the demand started to slip they sold it.

This leads me to the agreement with James Cameron about Avatar. I'm extremely concerned that this will lead them to create an AvatarLand that has absolutely NOTHING to do with the Disney Experience.

There are also rumors that George Lucas is this close to selling the entire Star Wars license to Disney. This also concerns me......

 

[SpaceMan5]

I agree that it would be nice to have this area of the park revamped but I sure would miss Autopia. This is the first ride we hit when we get into DL and have some great video of the kids from over the years, from when they couldnt even see over the steering wheel to now almost being able to drive a real car.

 

[HeyItsNickCA]

Unfortunately, if they did anything with Marvel, it would almost HAVE to be its own park. It wouldn't fit in either park right now theme-wise. The other bad thing though is I feel like they would struggle to make an entire park based around it.

Nah, they wouldn't. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of marvel characters.

 

[Cielei]

I think Marvel could be tied in better than expected. I will freely admit that the Spiderman attraction at Islands of Adventure is one of the best rides I've been on. If done right, and Disney almost always does stuff right, it could be wonderful. You have the Incredibles which could also slide seamlessly into the superhero or hero land. I think adding a land themed to that would be better than a 3rd park. Just expand the existing parks without adding a 3rd.

I would suspect that the rides removes will be replaced with something from Avatar. Considering they are supposedly adding a world in WDW, it would make sense that they would be developing a ride that could be used at both parks. I could see Tommorrowland being updated to include that and other things centered around space travel.

 

[DLR29]

I do ski pretty fast but I am not the one and only Skiingfast.

Interesting article. I'm so glad to see DCA doing so well. I think it would be a shame to put the Nemo Subs under so soon, but looking at a Google Earth image, the space that Nemo and Autopia takes up (as well as Innoventions) is HUGE!

I wish they could take out Autopia and not the Subs, but from what I understand, the Subs are too close underground to have any large support structures on top, thus Autopia works great for that location.

As for Marvel, I think it's great for merchandise that Disney bought them, but I am skeptical about how they will be able to create several family adventures (or a whole park) out of the brand. I think that one thing that Disney does amazingly is transporting guests to different worlds and environments through their incredible theming. These Marvel movies are not really set in unique or whimsical locations. They involve real human characters also, which Indy and Star Tours do also but I think the settings of both of those film series' are definitely more magical than transporting me to New York for a Spiderman or Captain America ride???

 

[azdoughboy]

How about they revamp it as a Tron themed light-motorcycle race ride?

Was thinking the EXACT same thing...this could be VERY cool.



BC

 

[closetmickey]

Save the subs!!! Please??

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

Was thinking the EXACT same thing...this could be VERY cool.



BC

Actually, Tron would fit nicely in the building of Innovations I bet. By doing it indoors, you can more easily set up the feeling of being transported into a computer with neon/black light against a pitch black background.

My group of DLR-goers thought this through: you would have a seat with shoulder restraints like a roller coaster. The seat gets leaned forward into a more or less motorcycle riding position like you are getting on a light-cycle from Tron, probably not lean all the way horizontal. The rider is in an enclosed "box" of sorts, and you project the Grid around the rider (in 3D). The "motorcycle" is on a movement system like Star Tours - the enclosure can move in all directional planes in short distances. This way the motorcycles can lean while turning, go off of jumps, bump other motorcycles etc.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

id love a marvle park, and the star wars land but they cant take space or star tours away or matthorn its the only three rides my fam likes in tl

 

[furb & dez]

Can't wait for Innoboring, Autolame, and ScreamingNemoEndlessly to be removed. I might even dance about it.

 

[Lorinda]

Think about it. Mr Disney had vision tomorrow land was just that at the time...a vision of tomorrow. If he were here today I am sure he would realize tomorrowland is mostly yesterday! I think the imagineers should team up with silocon valley and the great minds of science and come up wirh some visiions of a 100 yr future.....

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

Can't wait for Innoboring, Autolame, and ScreamingNemoEndlessly to be removed. I might even dance about it.

My friends and I like to call it NeNO.

 

[BeccaG]

I am surprised that there was not much mention of RSR's downtime. I think they will get it worked out, but if they don't it could be a problem.

Nemo on the chopping block doesn't really surprise me, if this is a five year plan we are talking about, it could be a 10 year old attraction by then.

I think I am most surprised about Autopia, and wonder if they could relocate it back to the second Autopia area that was across the way from the Matterhorn entrance.

 

[tiggerluvr]

I think a Marvel or "hero" themed park could work well. Right now DL & DCA is largely marketed towards younger kids. There are some rides that are interesting for teens & adults, but *most* of the rides skew young. In DL, even the "E-ticket" aren't all that scary - no loops or anything like that. I think something with more modern thrill rides, but still having the Disney "feel" (attention to detail in theming), would be a huge draw for older kids and adults.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I'd love some sort of Tron ride! That could be amazing.

I know! How about a ride where you feel like you get smaller and smaller and go in to a microscope....

TL used to have a more "science-y" feel to it. They could do more of that. Look at the cutting edge science out right now and go from there. Nano-technology, (There I go back to Inner Space again! ) building a colony on the moon or an underwater city. I miss the science "edutainment" mixed with fantasy.

DLR29 made the point I was thinking. A Marvel backdrop for a park or land is not very interesting- a big city. He's right. That doesn't transport you anywhere like SW or IJ. I get worried they will plop in some coasters (which I do love to ride) with all the themeing and thought they put into Screamin. I love Screamin, but the line is so boring. They could put in a red and black coaster, call it Spiderman", and it could be really fun. But if there is no imagination put into the ride, I'm not all that interested. There is a reason Disney has imagnineers and other theme parks don't. I just hope they don't forget to use them.

 

[sheetz]

One thing they could do with Marvel is bring the Stark Expo to life.

http://www.starkexpo2010.com/

It would be kind of like Westcot, but with a Marvel overlay.

 

[isisisme]

My husband would love a Tron ride. I told about how the PeopleMover had a Tron portion and he wished he had seen it.
We rarely spend much time in TL. it is so congested between ST, stroller parking, and Buzz. That area in question has needed some work. the Nemo ride I was hopeful for, but it ended up a disappointment.
I actually hope they keep all the plantings around TL. I love that they are all edible or produce edibles.

On Marvel, we have been waiting for more Marvel in our DLR. DH will want to see if, but he is not all about thrill rides.

 

[PinkBudgie]

One thing they could do with Marvel is bring the Stark Expo to life.

http://www.starkexpo2010.com/

It would be kind of like Westcot, but with a Marvel overlay.

Now that idea I like! I would be interested in that.