New Attractions Targets the Young

[Myron]

Have you noticed that all of the new attractions are targetting the young visitors? Many of us old "fogies" cannot ride on "Expedition Everest", "Mission Space", "Test Track",etc. due to physical problems. I welcome these thrilling attractions but Disney is also dismantling rides that the older guests used to treasure, such as "World of Motion", "Horizons", "Submarine Voyage" and several others. I heard rumors that "Carousel of Progress", as well as "Spaceship Earth" are also in danger of closing. Disney should remember that it's the oldsters who pay the bills and decide where the family will spend their vacations!

 

[spiceycat]

believe me I agree.....

the new management at WDW thinks it needs to attract kids.

but if so it is better than US/IOA - there are so few things there for seniors - it is silly to buy tickets.

Mother was through in 2 hours....

 

[k-wa]

My dad (64) is really bummed that they are closing Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

 

[tmt martins]

Where as the Oldies spend the money. The TEENs are the most influenced when it comes to spending dollars.So thats where they have been going after. They are just finishing the Sea's ride ride for the tamer and they still have MANY rides that fit that catagory.

So I expect them to continue to go the trill ride route for some time because thats where the real money is.

 

[rigs32]

You can't just say "target kids" with regard to thrill rides. There are young kids who can only ride things w/o height restrictions and thrill seekers. DH and I are 28 and 32. We love that Disney has added a few more thrill rides as we are childfree and don't want everything childcentric.

I don't think it's fair to expect every ride and attraction to appeal to all groups. Unlike other theme parks, Disney actually has things for non-thrill seekers to participate in. The updated Living Seas attraction is not a thrill ride, neither is the new Nemo musical being developed.

Personally, I get sick and tired of the parents complaining that each and every attraction at Disney should be open to all cause it's *meant for children*.

 

[100 acre wood]

My dad might qualify as an "oldster' and on his last trip to the world he rode Tot and RNRC as well as Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and I know if he ever goes back, he will love Everest! I don't think it is quite fair to qualify the rides according to ages. My Dh is considerably younger than my dad and he will not ride the above mentioned rides. To each their own, but as with anything when broad generalizations are made, it never turns out very well, because , well, it just cannot be true of the entire "group" of the population.....Is that PC enough?

 

[PlutoLuvr]

I'm 34 and have suffered from motion sickness since I can remember. I've never been able to do thrill rides.

I don't think "all" of Disney's new rides are targeting thrill-seekers. Philharmagic and the new Pooh ride come to mind.

And while thrill rides aren't my cup of tea, I do think that Disney needed something a little crazy at Epcot. For years, a lot of friends and family that I travel with had no desire to go to Epcot because -- and I'm using my kid brother's terms -- "It's an old fart park." Now with the addition of M:S and Test Track, I think it's become a more enjoyable park for all.

And USO/IOA has done a wonderful job for us non-thrill-riders, IMO. I love both parks and have very full and fun days. At this point, USO/IOA are the only parks myself, my DH (34, too), my 54-year-old mother, my brother who's 22 and his 19-year-old girlfriend can all agree on since there's plenty for everyone's tastes.

 

[Hixski]

You can't just say "target kids" with regard to thrill rides. There are young kids who can only ride things w/o height restrictions and thrill seekers. DH and I are 28 and 32. We love that Disney has added a few more thrill rides as we are childfree and don't want everything childcentric.

I don't think it's fair to expect every ride and attraction to appeal to all groups. Unlike other theme parks, Disney actually has things for non-thrill seekers to participate in. The updated Living Seas attraction is not a thrill ride, neither is the new Nemo musical being developed.

Personally, I get sick and tired of the parents complaining that each and every attraction at Disney should be open to all cause it's *meant for children*.

Yes, I agree. My DH and I love the thrill rides also. We are 46 and 47. The people that want everything for children are not the only ones going. These people are also the ones that were fighting on the thread about having a couple of signature restaurants adult only. The special on the Travel channel said there are over 500 places to eat in WDW. And there were parents having a flipping cow that some wanted to have a couple adults only restaurants.

One poster said that they target the teens. Excuse me, but no 15 or 16 year old is going to WDW without the parents paying the way. And those people are most likely my age. I would not want to come to a park that only targets teens with there being nothing for me. We do not have children either and love WDW. Let's just hope they keep targeting adults also.

 

[tmt martins]

One poster said that they target the teens. Excuse me, but no 15 or 16 year old is going to WDW without the parents paying the way. And those people are most likely my age. I would not want to come to a park that only targets teens with there being nothing for me. We do not have children either and love WDW. Let's just hope they keep targeting adults also.

I'm in my 40's as well and all I was saying with the newer thrill rides is that they were being targeted at the teen's, not solely for the use of.

A pole was taken in the travel section of our papera few years ago and it stated that the problem with WDW was few thrill rides and given the choice ( as a parent I take my DD's opinion into account) they were choosing US/IOA because of the more thrill rides.

I do think they are and have been looking in that area but they also are very good and expanding across the board with new shows and other rides.

This is why we do choose Disney because there is something ( and some new) for everyone to enjoy a full day.

And as you said you don't have children thats why you don't understand that plans are made most of the time for the children when doing family stuff.Adults only trips are to do what we want only.So why yes the adults are paying the way the influence is being swayed.

 

[TravelinGal]

I'm confused about the OP. Are you really an 'oldster'? How do you define an 'oldster'? You say the new rides are too much for old people, but then you admit it's the 'oldsters' that pay for the family trip. Hence, by mentioning family trip, one would assume you mean 40 to 50ish age range. Being a 40 yr old married to a 48 yr old, we thoroughly enjoy ALL the new rides. We both have weight issues, so it's not like we're in tip top shape. We had no problems with anything at WDW theme parks.

If you're truly older, I don't know if that many grandparents pay for the family trip any longer.

Now, if you're simply bemoaning the loss of a loved memory ride, then I understand your point. I miss the submarine ride as well. I go on IASW on every trip for the nostalgia. But we must allow for updates, which include the new trend of thrill rides. If we left the park stuck in the mid 70's they would lose money because our families wouldn't want to go there. Mom and Dad's favorite vacation place would have become stale and boring. A wonderful trip down memory lane for us and a drag for the kids. (I hope that rambling makes sense.) And remember, they did just do a whole new update on IASW - that couldn't have been cheap. But they didn't take away a traditional ride there. (as far as Spaceship Earth goes, the last 3 times I've been on it it has stalled for 20-40 minutes inside as it broke down for various reasons - If not replaced by another ride, it certainly needs a MAJOR overhaul. That's a little TOO tame for me - sitting for 20+ minutes staring at the same diorama. And no, I'm not talking about a brief stall to let a person on/off that has mobility issues. We're seriously talking 20-40 minutes - the 40 minutes was this past may with our 18 month old infant...boy that was fun...NOT. He totally didn't understand why we were sitting in the dark not moving.)

Both my DH and I feel there are a nice mix of rides and attractions.

 

[AdventureGuru]

I understand that WDW has to keep up with an ever evolving industry...now a days its "keeping up with the Jones's" even in amusement park rides....
However, what happened to Walts vision?

I agree that there should be something for everyone-old fogies and Jones's alike-but-it breaks my heart to see them dismantle classic rides that started a mans dream. After all isnt Spaceship Earth to Epcot what Cinderella's Castle is to the Magic Kingdom?

We were in Epcot in 2004 and we are going back in Sept. 2006. There were many things that were educational-we even started talking to one family that said they took their kids out of school for 2 weeks b/c they learned so much at the parks that it was worth it! While I'm a huge fan of MS but enjoyed the educational side to that park as well. How many new rides can they say are educational? Everest is based on a legend...Mission Space is well just a ride...with minimal educational value (that I remember anyway). Test track...was probably the most educational of the 3.

I totally agree with the OP...if you're going to start rolling out new rides think of everyone. Keep some of the oldies but goodies...look at improving them like they did with POTC. Give the Jones's what competition you need to-but remember those who truely are going to spend the money at the park. Every age group should have something...Whats next are they going to get ride of Its a Small World...
Sorry-I shouldn't give them any ideas....

Pls don't flame me...the is just my opinion...

 

[Laurajean1014]

I think you can be 30 and not ride the more thrilling rides and be 65 and ride all the thrilling rides..............

Also, what about Mickey's Philharmonic and Lights Stunts Spectacular? Aren't these attractions tame and amusing to all ages? I think that's what Disney main target is.... everyone. Mission Space, Test Track and EE are rides that attract families and keep WDW on the cutting edge of any so-called competition.

 

[TravelinGal]

After all isnt Spaceship Earth to Epcot what Cinderella's Castle is to the Magic Kingdom?

Yes and No.
Same = Spaceship Earth and Cinderella's Castle are both park icons.

Different = Cinderella's Castle does not have a ride inside it, Spaceship Earth does. I don't think they should remove the geo-sphere - that is a true part of EPCOT - but they should revamp the ride inside it because it breaks down so very often.

 

[AdventureGuru]

Yes and No.
Same = Spaceship Earth and Cinderella's Castle are both park icons.

Different = Cinderella's Castle does not have a ride inside it, Spaceship Earth does. I don't think they should remove the geo-sphere - that is a true part of EPCOT - but they should revamp the ride inside it because it breaks down so very often.

I can understand rehab-ing the ride...I was just under the impression that they would get rid of it like they are others.

I know that the castle doesnt have anything in it...but I guess like I said above-getting rid of something gave me the impression that it would disappear...So, I guess my point was-the castle is just an icon and so is spaceship earth...why get rid of it?


Does that make sense...if not-sorry...but it does in my happy little world....

 

[Laurajean1014]

Same = Spaceship Earth and Cinderella's Castle are both park icons.

Different = I don't think they should remove the geo-sphere - that is a true part of EPCOT

WDW has proven that even a WDW icon is not safe.......remember the Earfull Tower on lots of Disney stuff? No longer.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are empty nesters and 3 years ago we bought into DVC, so we fully expect to enjoy WDW well into the future.

We love Soarin and Mickey's Philharmagic. We differ on some of the other new rides/attractions like Lights..Action, but we're never at a loss of things to do. We both enjoy shows like Festival of the Lion King, and we're looking forward to seeing Nemo. We go in the spring to the Flower Festival and then we go to the Food and Wine and MNSSHP, we go in December for the Christmas festivities, including MVMCP. If we have points, the two of us to go in the summer for a relaxing resort vaction. We did the Mothers Day Brunch this year with my DM.

Now that our family thinks that the DGC are ready to go to WDW, I'm ready to go with them as much as we can. So, we have been happy with things as they are developing. Always, more and new thing will be coming along the pike, and it seems as a family, we're diverse enough that each attraction makes some of us happy.

Bobbi

 

[deltachi8]

Just off the top of my head...

Kilamanjaro Safari
Festival of the Lion King
Its Tough to be a Bug 3D
Jungle Trek
Pocohontis and her Forrest Friends
Indiana Jones
MuppetVision 3D
Great Movie RIde
Backlot Tour
Beauty and The Beast on Stage
Sounds Dangerous
Walt Disney - A Man....
Fantasmic
Buzz Lightyear
Pirates of the...
Jungle Cruise
Enchanted tikki Room
Country Bears
Riverboat
Philharmagic
Peter Pan
Its a Small World
Snow White
Pooh
Spaceship Earth
Living With the Land
Soarin
Thw World Showcase
Ellen's Energy Adventure

Just some of the non-thrill ride attractions I could think of. Not to mention the countless eateries and shows I failed to mention.

I personally like the mix disney provides. I like thrill rides and my DS (9) is staring to grow into some of those. But we both enjoy the classic disney attractions and look forward to new ones each time.