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

[furb & dez]

Compared to its Florida counterpart the Autopia is quite a little gem...

Putting lipstick on a pig does not change the fact it is a pig.

 

[BecBennett]

• New hotel and DVC in DTD

I missed that part...

TDA (Jedi hand-wave), these are the rides you're looking for.

Somehow, if Autopia were to be removed I have a feeling that the same type of ride would be built in Carsland on a smaller footprint. It just seems so perfect.

As for Marvel, I originally hated it. But after seeing concept art (not Disney) for a proposed park in Dubai, I think it could be quite interesting. Here’s the link

http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2010/09/now-that-dlp-ceo-revealed-that-dlp.html

That's a great thread. I think it could be done.

The Marvel park would be great, though, and Disney could make it everything that Magic Mountain wishes it were--clean, family-friendly, professional, better food, etc. I'm sure they will find some way to work Disney decor into the park and develop some hybrid character costumes like IronMickey or Thorfy.

I think Disney could do a great job combining both Marvel and high intensity rides into Disney's themeing. However I do have to agree with what someone wrote as a comment to the above link -

If you've ever been to Universal's Islands of Adventure you may agree that the Marvel area, despite being absolutely cool, has a threatening, unwelcoming and eerie feel woven into its comic-book setting. Yes the attractions are great, yes the characters are famous and imaginative, yes it is cool! But the innocence, the welcoming feel, and the warmth that radiates through most every Disney Park I fear will be lost and will have a negative impact

It will be hard to hold onto the "darkness" of marvel characters and comics, while still disneyfying the park...

I'm a little surprised that they are thinking of going with Marvel. Didn't people complain because DCA didn't have a "disney" feel? I don't think Marvel has that feel. I also don't think that Indiana Jones and Star Wars have a Disney feel either, but they go well with their respective lands. And Marvel would not fit in any existing land.

I guess you could have Marvel Land, or Comic Book Land, or Hero Land but it would stick out like a sore thumb at either park. Marvel could possibly fit in the Hollywood back lot, but since they revamped Hollywood land to look like the roaring 20s, it would stick out there. Plus the back-lot is already a hodge-podge with the muppets, Mad T and Monsters Inc. Unless they solidify a solid theme back there, it is going to become DLR's junk drawer.

Thus, concludes my dissertation on why a Marvel theme must have it's own park if Disney wishes to build it in California.

I agree that when you watch an Indiana Jones movie or a Star Wars Movie, you don't think of Disney, but still they've made those attractions fit, I think they could do a Super Hero Land/park and make it all tie in together really nicely.

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.

Completely agree, I would love to see more thrill rides at DLR, so long as they're themed and fit in with where they're placed then I can't see why anyone would be against them.

I would love to see Test Track and Mission: SPACE come to DL. Those were both big hits with my family.

I love Mission:Space, one of my favourite rides.

 

[HydroGuy]

I missed that part...

From http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al062612a.htm

The last thing that needs to slot into place before the third park gets underway is an expansion of Disney owned hotel rooms in Anaheim, with more DVC units attached to any new development. We’ve told you in the past about the solid proposals to build a new hotel and arrival complex in the East Esplanade shuttle bus loading area, as well as a fourth DVC tower at the Disneyland Hotel slotted for the vacant land just west of the ESPNZone.

 

[sammons70]

It would be sad to see Autopia and the subs go. Autopia has provided generations of children with their first driving experience. Sadly, they have revamped Tomorrow land before.
Many people in this thread have claimed they would be sad to see Innoventions go. Some of you will remember that the revolving theatre that is now Innoventions, originally housed a fun and musical attraction called America Sings. The majority of the animatronic animals that sang tributes to American music are now housed in Splash Mountain. As an 8 year old boy in the late 1970's, this attraction taught me a great deal about the music that shaped our country, and I'm still sad over the closure of that attraction.
Some one mentioned a Tron ride. Once upon a time, an attraction called the People Movers featured a Tron tunnel.
This past weekend while on vacation in Disneyland, I rode the Nemo subs. While I like the characters from Nemo, and many children on the attraction appeared to enjoy it, the experience left me longing for the original Submarine Voyage attraction.
At times, Disney has shown utter disregard for tradition as they have destroyed the opportunity for memories to be created by the young genrations of today and tomorrow by removing such attractions as the ones I have already mentioned in this reply, and others such as Bear Country. This past weekend as I literally walked right on to timeless classics such as the Jungle Cruise, the Haunted Mansion, and waited only 5 minutes for Pirates, I feared that if these wait times stay short, that could signify a loss of interest to the Disney execs, and those classics may also someday disappear. While I know that some change is necessary from time to time, Disney should add new attractions without taking away beloved classics. Innoventions and Winnie the Pooh which both replaced other classic attraction are essentially empty. Hey Disney, how are those changes working for you? Why don't you leave the new rides for DCA, and this rumored 3rd park.
I think it's great that Disney has the rights to Marvel and can utilize those characters. While I have often imagined how cool a Marvel land, or a Marvel attraction would be, I think an entire Marvel park would be tiresome. Maybe a 'Hero' themed park that incorporated Marvel, Incredibles, and some tributes to real life heroes like policeman and fireman would be more fitting.

 

[HydroGuy]

It would be sad to see Autopia and the subs go. Autopia has provided generations of children with their first driving experience. Sadly, they have revamped Tomorrow land before.
Many people in this thread have claimed they would be sad to see Innoventions go. Some of you will remember that the revolving theatre that is now Innoventions, originally housed a fun and musical attraction called America Sings. The majority of the animatronic animals that sang tributes to American music are now housed in Splash Mountain. As an 8 year old boy in the late 1970's, this attraction taught me a great deal about the music that shaped our country, and I'm still sad over the closure of that attraction.
Some one mentioned a Tron ride. Once upon a time, an attraction called the People Movers featured a Tron tunnel.
This past weekend while on vacation in Disneyland, I rode the Nemo subs. While I like the characters from Nemo, and many children on the attraction appeared to enjoy it, the experience left me longing for the original Submarine Voyage attraction.
At times, Disney has shown utter disregard for tradition as they have destroyed the opportunity for memories to be created by the young genrations of today and tomorrow by removing such attractions as the ones I have already mentioned in this reply, and others such as Bear Country. This past weekend as I literally walked right on to timeless classics such as the Jungle Cruise, the Haunted Mansion, and waited only 5 minutes for Pirates, I feared that if these wait times stay short, that could signify a loss of interest to the Disney execs, and those classics may also someday disappear. While I know that some change is necessary from time to time, Disney should add new attractions without taking away beloved classics. Innoventions and Winnie the Pooh which both replaced other classic attraction are essentially empty. Hey Disney, how are those changes working for you? Why don't you leave the new rides for DCA, and this rumored 3rd park.
I think it's great that Disney has the rights to Marvel and can utilize those characters. While I have often imagined how cool a Marvel land, or a Marvel attraction would be, I think an entire Marvel park would be tiresome. Maybe a 'Hero' themed park that incorporated Marvel, Incredibles, and some tributes to real life heroes like policeman and fireman would be more fitting.

Walt Disney intended DL to change over time and not turn into a museum. Some of the rides from the 60's and 70's just would not work today. DL does a nice mix of the nostalgic and the modern. Tomorrowland especially must remove rides because the vision of the future changes so much over the last 50+ years.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

OMG!! They better not close down that stuff. Anyway, thanks for the update.

 

[fctiger]

Walt Disney intended DL to change over time and not turn into a museum. Some of the rides from the 60's and 70's just would not work today. DL does a nice mix of the nostalgic and the modern. Tomorrowland especially must remove rides because the vision of the future changes so much over the last 50+ years.

THANK YOU!!!! I'm glad someone said it!

The problem in my mind is DL doesnt chance ENOUGH!!! It feels like its locked in a 50 year snow globe. When I think 80% of the rides were there before I was born, and I'm 38 now, kind of proves this park has stayed in a perpetual state for the most part.

And what I find funny is people CONSTANTLY complain DL doesnt add any big attractions anymore...but doesnt want anything removed at the same time. DL is 60 years old and has over 40 different ride attractions. The park has done ALL kinds of things to add new attractions and lands outside the berm like Splash Mountain, Indy, Toontown, etc. I mean there is only SO MUCH room this park has left before it runs out. They do their best to keep Disneyland as modern and relevant as possible without destroying the 'classic' rides and areas, but when people are arguing they dont want a stage removed over something new people can actually experience and enjoy, it makes you realize people want to keep this theme park as a museum when oddly Walt Disney wanted just the opposite to happen as he replaced and changed MANY things in the park in just the 10 years it was open.

If he was around today, I imagine a great deal of the park would look nothing like it does now.

 

[GrandBob]

Many people in this thread have claimed they would be sad to see Innoventions go. Some of you will remember that the revolving theatre that is now Innoventions, originally housed a fun and musical attraction called America Sings. The majority of the animatronic animals that sang tributes to American music are now housed in Splash Mountain. As an 8 year old boy in the late 1970's, this attraction taught me a great deal about the music that shaped our country, and I'm still sad over the closure of that attraction.

No, originally it housed GE's Carousel of Progress. That later closed down and was replaced by America Sings. So if Disney had done as you suggest and leave the original rides alone, you would have never seen America Sings.

Funny, as much as I hate Innoventions and think it's a bore, the original Carousel of Progess was quite well done. Somehow, in creating Innoventions, they took away the creativity and animatronics, and just left behind the final afterthought of CoP, the demos and displays. Took all the life out of it.

I liked America Sings well enough, too. But Carousel of Progress was original and innovative.

And yeah, I agree, bring back the Country Bears!!!

-Bob

 

[revwog1974]

Some people say that that they can't imagine that a Marvel park or land would be "Disney" enough. Well, I've never been to WDW but I can't wrap my head around what's "Disney" about zoos, water parks and world expositions but people seem to like them a lot so maybe Marvel would work. Plus, I think a Joss Whedon designed ride would be a kick. (But that's a whole different board. )

The Marvel world is something with a breath and complexity you'd need to develop stories for a whole variety of rides and other experiences. Enough for a whole park? Maybe. Marvel is a big complicated world. In many ways it's a lot more complicated than the Disney world so it just might be. But I'm not sure that enough of the general population is familiar enough with the details of it to enjoy the minutia. Then again, my 6-year-old has never seen the Song of the South and her devotion to Splash Mountain is tremendous.

 

[DLR29]

Some people say that that they can't imagine that a Marvel park or land would be "Disney" enough. Well, I've never been to WDW but I can't wrap my head around what's "Disney" about zoos, water parks and world expositions but people seem to like them a lot so maybe Marvel would work. Plus, I think a Joss Whedon designed ride would be a kick. (But that's a whole different board. )

The Marvel world is something with a breath and complexity you'd need to develop stories for a whole variety of rides and other experiences. Enough for a whole park? Maybe. Marvel is a big complicated world. In many ways it's a lot more complicated than the Disney world so it just might be. But I'm not sure that enough of the general population is familiar enough with the details of it to enjoy the minutia. Then again, my 6-year-old has never seen the Song of the South and her devotion to Splash Mountain is tremendous.

My 1 problem with a Marvel theme park is that I don't think the settings are that unique, fun, or whimsical. What makes Animal Kingdom (naughtazu) "Disney" is that it transports guests to such amazing environments. Where else do you get to go on an African safari, climb Mt. Everest, go back in time to a dino-filled jungle, and bury underground a humongous tree in a day? Same with the water parks...they bring guests into fantasy-filled atmospheres. And clearly you haven't been to WDW because Epcot's World Showcase is far from a simple expo.

My concern is that the settings of Marvel characters are way too similar and...frankly not all that exciting. I'm positive that the attention to detail would be there, but I'm really not sure of the "magic" feel behind a whole park themed to urban cities.

I think a single attraction (like a stunt show!) or perhaps a themed land would work better...I just don't really see how the brand could stretch out an entire park.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i bet if disney made a mravle park it would be much like carsland (where ppl say it transported you to the movie)

I bet if any one could do it Disney could. transport us to each Land of each story. villens and superheros. Xmen land, (the fantastic four land, Metroples(sp) They could come up with so many ideas for more teeny adults , yes not as many for the kids under 10 but i think disney knows to stay up to date and with the in croud they need to adapt to thrill rides (not that i like costers) but other trill rides do work and I think Disney could make it and make LOTS of money at the same time. Sure money isnt what i wish theyed worrie about but if they cant keep guests coming back they lose money and ppl go to universal or six flags.

well what if in stead of sending them to those places. ppl said oh no go to the marvel park its much better.

Just my 2 cents night all

 

[revwog1974]

My 1 problem with a Marvel theme park is that I don't think the settings are that unique, fun, or whimsical. What makes Animal Kingdom (naughtazu) "Disney" is that it transports guests to such amazing environments. Where else do you get to go on an African safari, climb Mt. Everest, go back in time to a dino-filled jungle, and bury underground a humongous tree in a day? Same with the water parks...they bring guests into fantasy-filled atmospheres. And clearly you haven't been to WDW because Epcot's World Showcase is far from a simple expo.

My concern is that the settings of Marvel characters are way too similar and...frankly not all that exciting. I'm positive that the attention to detail would be there, but I'm really not sure of the "magic" feel behind a whole park themed to urban cities.

I think a single attraction (like a stunt show!) or perhaps a themed land would work better...I just don't really see how the brand could stretch out an entire park.

Well, I did SAY I hadn't been there.

Disney is great at adding magic. Why couldn't they add magic to Marvel? My point was that when I hear "zoo" I don't think Disney magic. But from what I've heard, as I have not been there, Animal Kingdom is more than that. It's not a zoo, it's Disney magic. Why assume that a Marvel park would lack it?

 

[MrLincoln]

If Disney really wanted a Marvel-themed park, Disney Imagineering could make it work. I have no doubt about that.

That said, anyone conversant with the geography of Anaheim east of the Disneyland Resort understands the logistical difficulties in developing a third gate--Al Lutz barely scratched the surface of them in his piece, though some posters alluded to them in this thread.

1. Parking. Disney's waiting on a short sale of Anaheim GardenWalk before it adds any more parking anywhere. So that's the first holdup--acquiring that precious covered lot in the GardenWalk that won't cost Disney a cent.

2. Transportation. How, as a pedestrian, to cross two of Anaheim's busiest streets and travel almost a mile to reach this third park? The current limitation in this regard is one of the big knocks against DLR compared to Florida.

Pedestrian walkways across Katella and Harbor would be a good start, but to me would seem just too "Vegas" of an idea.

Trams? They'd disrupt the flow of traffic more than a funeral procession.

An added monorail route seems, then, to be the only solution that keeps park guests within that Disney "bubble." But that project, for reasons elucidated below, would be a HUGE undertaking.

3. Resort "flow." The seamless transition from Disneyland/DCA to the Grand Californian and Disneyland hotels that so many recent guests take for granted took nearly a decade and billions of dollars to integrate. The initial re-routing of the monorail alone involved a staggering timetable and number of players (city, Cal DOT, local landowners just to name three) coordinating and cooperating with Disney.

There is some unused monorail track from the original route that could be used to facilitate a Katella Ave. route, but this is no West Street that Disney can simply absorb into the rest of the resort: it would still be facing the challenge of criscrossing both Harbor Blvd. and Katella Ave. with resort-exclusive transportation--if not the monorail, then something else that resident taxpayers will have to subsidize just for the inconvenience of driving around.

All the Disney pixie dust in creation may not be able to sell already-overburdened CA taxpayers on that idea. By the time it would be finished, who would be able to afford the privilege of riding it? Been a long-standing knock against monorails in general.

4.If all that wasn't enough, there's all those pesky little hotels around that corner that either have to be bought out or bought off in order for Disney to use their land for resort transportation. It took a generation just for Disney to buy up all the land to make DTD monorail travel possible beforehand; how long would development, let alone integration, of a third park, require to accomplish the same ends?

I agree that a third DLR park is an exciting idea to think about--one that eventually will come to fruition. But it involves countless right-of-way issues that, in addition to the above issues, will take probably a good decade to settle.

Better to focus on the much-needed refurb of Tomorrowland and expansion of Frontierland before getting too deeply involved in any Marvel-themed park down Katella and Disney Way. Just my two cents, of course.

 

[BecBennett]

The last thing that needs to slot into place before the third park gets underway is an expansion of Disney owned hotel rooms in Anaheim, with more DVC units attached to any new development. We’ve told you in the past about the solid proposals to build a new hotel and arrival complex in the East Esplanade shuttle bus loading area, as well as a fourth DVC tower at the Disneyland Hotel slotted for the vacant land just west of the ESPNZone.

Thanks, missed that part

 

[skiingfast]

1. Frontierland expansion. Would it be great if RSR had to close for a couple hours each night? If they put any great E-tickets at the back of DL that is what will happen. The fireworks close Toontown and Fantasyland every time they are scheduled. They will effect any expansion to the north because they are fired from that area which means all of the areas will need to close in the evening for at least a long while.

There have been plans to build back there. Priorities just changed before they were finalized.

More pressing will be the Princess Fantasy Faire which wil be vacant after next Winter.

2. Before building anything that has the ability to raise attendance a problem already being faced will only become worse. Main Street doesn't have the capacity for crowds. DL had problems with crowds in thier first year and fixed these in other parks.

DL Main Street is too narrow. MK wider MS. Still not enough. They build the next Disneyland in Tokyo with a forked Main Street so it doesn't just funnel crowds in from the hub. Next Disneyland in Paris is built with MS and two parallel side streets called "Arcades". These go, behind the shops on each side of MS. They are interior and it's like walking through a mall. Paris never got the crowds and they built the next Disneyland in Hong Kong, meant to be smaller like the original, it's like they never learned a thing and built a small Main Street.

Currently about 5 times a year Main Street overflows to routes back stage. It will take major work, but DL in Anahiem is likely to get something like Paris. Enclosing the backstage areas behind the shops.

3. Parking. There are plans that Disney has made to cover this. Pumba to the east on Disney Way is likely the next garage to be built. There is a lot of land there and it could be the size of two Mickey and Friends garages. It's just waiting now, but as we see how attendance continues through the year, by this time next Summer they may be pouring concrete. This parking area would serve DL, DCA and the 3rd gate built at the Toy Story Lot.

There is another spot for a garage that Disney has eyed. Just north of the Mickey and Friends Garage. It owns a big piece of land there which is the Ball Cast Member Parking Lot. This would be to serve DL and DCA, leaving more of the Pumba Garage to serve the 3rd park.

4. Transportation ideas have really changed to get people from the garages to the gates and from DL and DCA to the 3rd park. Anaheim was going to build a fixed rail system to the Pumba Garage, called the DLR Tranportation Center, from the proposd ARTIC station next to the Angels Stadium. Now that the ARTIC station has been scaled back and possibly canceled, it left this idea up in the air.

From the DLR Transportation Center would be moving sidewalks that take you down the power line right of way and over Harbor to the Esplanade. A moving sidewalk was also at one time planned to take you from Mickey and Friends to the Esplanade.

From this Tranportation Center you could cut through Garden Walk to the 3rd gate. Of course at the time Disney was going to build two hotels at Gardenwalk. They may still, it's possible they have a contract to buy the place after the auction was canceled with no apparent reason.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...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.....

Neither does Star Wars --- and, well, Star Tours. I hate that it's in DL, as it has NOTHING to do with Disney. Alas, there it is. And people LOVE it because they love Star Wars. They seem not to care that it has nothing to do with Disney.

...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.

There is an entire hands-on exhibit area inside Innoventions that is all about Nanotechnology.

Had a feeling once Carsland opened Autopia would be mentioned often in rumours about its demise. I would hate to see it go being it is an original but it is very dated. As for Finding Nemo we will not miss it if it goes.

Here's my thought on Autopia: If they were planning on getting rid of it, wouldn't it make sense to put a "drive yourself" experience in Cars Land? While adults don't see the allure of Autopia, kids LOVE it. I just don't see it going any time soon -- or later for that matter.

As for the subs, everyone keeps saying they want "future" stuff. I don't know about any of you, but the last time I had the real-life opportunity to ride in a submarine was, oh yeah, never. Submarine rides / underwater worlds are still a concept of the future for the "everyday" person.

um I would just like to go on record saying I said this earlier. I mentioned that a CM told me there was going to be a big remodel in TOmorroland after DCA that involved heavily around Autotopia. Not everyone believed it. Hopefully this is more sound proof, towards what I said.

Umm.. Al is not a news source or a Disney source. I never quite understand why we here on DIS give him so much focus. He is a blogger who runs a message board site who sniffs out Disney rumors and writes about them. I would not call ANYTHING Al writes about to be "sound proof."

Yeah...I figured that.

As far as coming up with new rides, it seems that it takes so long to plan/build them that anything "futuristic" will be outdated by the time it's finally implemented.

Again, riding in a submarine is an old concept, but for the "every man," it is an experience most will never have. For kids, driving is future. Rockets? Okay, yes there has been space exploration, but again, the "every man" cannot just fly around town.

Now, Captain EO? Well, it came back as a tribute/money lure (yes, my opinion) and really has no reason to be there. There is nothing nothing futuristic about 3D movies.

...As for Tomorrowland, I was THRILLED to hear this is in the talking stage right now. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see them get rid of innovations....

Have you been inside Innoventions in a long while? There are some pretty cool things in there. I think it is one of those attractions that you either "get" and enjoy or don't "get" and can't see the purpose of its existence.

Also, I would not count on it disappearing anytime soon. There is some serious corporate dollars being made by Disney in that building -- and in the Innoventions in WDW. It's a money source for Disney and there are some cool offerings inside.

no not just frontier land according to the cm on lilly bell in may yes they are adding to FL in DL the back part isnt used and they can add alot more to it.

I'm sorry, I'm not understanding your post. Are they adding to Fantasyland or Frontierland, according to the CM you spoke with on the Lily Belle?

...Tomorrowland especially must remove rides because the vision of the future changes so much over the last 50+ years.

While I agree that TL must change to stay "future," I believe that a lot of attractions in TL that have been there a long time, many are still "future" for the "every person." Most of us cannot ride in a submarine or fly an airplane/rocket. And kids LOVE the idea of being able to drive. They are experiences that still have value in 2012. Now, a 3D theatre is an idea that has become commonplace and there is really nothing "Tomorrow" about it to anyone anymore.

...Funny, as much as I hate Innoventions and think it's a bore, the original Carousel of Progess was quite well done. Somehow, in creating Innoventions, they took away the creativity and animatronics, and just left behind the final afterthought of CoP, the demos and displays. Took all the life out of it....

Hmmm, I think that ASIMO is pretty amazing. I LOVE the Peter Pan story in Innoventions. The kitchen is pretty fun. And although I could do without it, people seem to LOVE being able to play with the various Xbox Kinect games in there. They are always being used. There's some fun stuff in that spinning building, imo.

And yeah, I agree, bring back the Country Bears!!!

Now THAT is something we definitely agree on! BRING BACK THE BEARS!!!

...My point was that when I hear "zoo" I don't think Disney magic. But from what I've heard, as I have not been there, Animal Kingdom is more than that. It's not a zoo, it's Disney magic.

Oh, it's nothing like a zoo, it's amazing and wonderful and you must find a way to go visit. In fact, I cringe at the thought that it would even be called a zoo. It's soooo not. We LOVE the AK. So much so... we bought DVC there.

- Dreams

 

[nunzia]

No, originally it housed GE's Carousel of Progress. That later closed down and was replaced by America Sings. So if Disney had done as you suggest and leave the original rides alone, you would have never seen America Sings.

Funny, as much as I hate Innoventions and think it's a bore, the original Carousel of Progess was quite well done. Somehow, in creating Innoventions, they took away the creativity and animatronics, and just left behind the final afterthought of CoP, the demos and displays. Took all the life out of it.

I liked America Sings well enough, too. But Carousel of Progress was original and innovative.

And yeah, I agree, bring back the Country Bears!!!

-Bob

Thanks for beating me to pointing this out. I loved Carousel of Progress..and Inner Space..and Monsanto House of the Future.
I thought Innoventions really sucked and what a huge chunk of space that takes up. I'd hate to see the Subs go..it is really not just a ride but a part of the landscape...and Autopia..that ride is still always packed, so I don't think it's going anywhere soon.
I have to disagree with you on Country Bears though..I never liked that one at all

 

[Zbugz]

No, originally it housed GE's Carousel of Progress. That later closed down and was replaced by America Sings. So if Disney had done as you suggest and leave the original rides alone, you would have never seen America Sings.

Funny, as much as I hate Innoventions and think it's a bore, the original Carousel of Progess was quite well done. Somehow, in creating Innoventions, they took away the creativity and animatronics, and just left behind the final afterthought of CoP, the demos and displays. Took all the life out of it.

I liked America Sings well enough, too. But Carousel of Progress was original and innovative.

And yeah, I agree, bring back the Country Bears!!!

-Bob

I loved America Sings. I wish they'd bring it back but know that isn't going to happen since all the critters have immigrated to other lands. I recently showed my kids some youtube videos of it and enjoyed the trip down memory lane.

I finally got to see Carousel of Progress at WDW. It was good, but definitely in need of updating.

I really liked the Country Bears as a kid and was eager to have my kids experience them at WDW, but honestly I was shocked at how slow, dusty, and deserted the show was. However, I would welcome a freshened-up version at DL. I think there is plenty of appeal left in them, and Critter Country could stand to have another attraction.

 

[bakerudall]

bring back the Country Bears!!!

I really liked the Country Bears as a kid and was eager to have my kids experience them at WDW, but honestly I was shocked at how slow, dusty, and deserted the show was. However, I would welcome a freshened-up version at DL. I think there is plenty of appeal left in them, and Critter Country could stand to have another attraction.

Country Bears 3000--Hillbillies of the Future!

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Country Bears 3000--Hillbillies of the Future!

lol!

I think that would be a great idea - as long as it doesn't end up as "Country Bears - Under New Management".

Since it's all automated, maybe create a show randomizer where the music, jokes, and actions vary by performance? Have them do interpretations of modern CW hits and throw in Big Al's "Blood on the Saddle" as a wild card.