rides that will live forever?

[Epcot Girl]

I would say that any of the mountains--Space, Splash, Thunder--Should all be there in another 50 years or so. They are really a sign of the parks. You say " Thunder Mountain," everyone knows what you are talking about.

 

[jswalker1981]

I would have to say the three mountains will still be there, along with POTC, HM, and IASW. As for Snow White and Peter Pan, I wouldn't be surprised that in the next 50 years there will be more technology available to update those rides. I believe that 3-D will become more mainstream in dark rides. For instance, in IOA, the Spiderman ride incorporates 3-D in the ride, and it really makes it exciting, and the action is all around you. I wouldn't be surprised to see something like that incorporated in the dark rides, as they move away from animatronics. There is so much more possibilities with 3-D animation then animatronics. But this is just what I think, what do I know, I'm not an imagineer!

 

[Deb in IA]

The WDW Railroad.

 

[DayLight110]

Pirates and Haunted Mansion.. my two favorites, only get better with time.

 

[rejobako]

I wouldn't be surprised to see something like that incorporated in the dark rides, as they move away from animatronics. There is so much more possibilities with 3-D animation then animatronics. But this is just what I think, what do I know, I'm not an imagineer!

You may be right -- 3-D effects are more cost-effective, as well. I just read an article about the new Pirates 3-D movie/experience at Busch Gardens. The park management figured it was a lot cheaper to simply replace the old "Haunted Lighthouse" 3-D movie with another film, add some minor effects (water spritzes and air blowing onto your neck, etc.) than to develop a major new ride.

All that being said, I think there will always be a place for animatronics in the amusement park industry. 3-D effects are still just "effects", after all, and nothing quite duplicates a truly 3-dimensional figure.

 

[grimley1968]

I think attendance will determine what rides are still around in 50 years. If a ride, no matter how beloved it may have once been isn't drawing in the crowds, it isn't safe, no matter how much even Walt himself might have loved it.

This is true. 20,000 Leagues, Toad's Wild Ride, Skyway, etc. were all favorites of mine, but they were pretty much walk-on rides every time I rode them in their last few years of operation. They may be pretty popular on the DIS, etc. but they simply weren't drawing people into the park, so that made them a liability to Disney.

As much as I love CoP, I'm afraid it may be gone sometime soon if it is not dramatically refurbished. I just don't see many people in MK waiting in line for this anymore. But I can hardly blame people, because Disney is letting it fall apart. CoP needs some TLC like Small World got a couple years back. I don't mean just fixing the carpet and seat upholstery in CoP. I mean a total ride refurbishment, and maybe even an update to the storyline as well.

Based on what I've seen from Disney as far as keeping rides current, I'd say that HM, PotC, IASW and the Tiki Room (whether you hate the show's change or not, Disney showed interest in preserving this and spent lots of $$$ upgrading this show) will be around long after I've become the 1000th happy haunt in HM.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

At the risk of committing Dis Blasphemy, COP won't last the next 10 in its present form let alone the next 50. It's on the chopping block. Stitch's great escape will be dancing on its grave much to the chagrin of these boards.

 

[Pooh67_68]

HM
IASW
The Mountians
Tea Cups

And I hope they never get rid of COP

 

[jswalker1981]

You may be right -- 3-D effects are more cost-effective, as well. I just read an article about the new Pirates 3-D movie/experience at Busch Gardens. The park management figured it was a lot cheaper to simply replace the old "Haunted Lighthouse" 3-D movie with another film, add some minor effects (water spritzes and air blowing onto your neck, etc.) than to develop a major new ride.

All that being said, I think there will always be a place for animatronics in the amusement park industry. 3-D effects are still just "effects", after all, and nothing quite duplicates a truly 3-dimensional figure.

I'm not just talking about a theater type sitting, i.e. Muppets of Philarmagic. I mean a moving vehicle on a track that goes through rooms with 3-D screens. I love Pooh's ride, not because of Pooh (in fact, I really can't stand the bear), I love the ride for two reasons, it pays its respects to Toad, and the fact that the honey pot moves on the track. And what I mean is that it bounces and it rocks back and forth in the water. That shows me that they are making advances in regards to dark rides. Now, just imagine a storm scene where a lightning bolt strikes at what seems is only a few feet away from you. Or the rain is also 3-D and it seems as if it is all around you, as you actually get sprinkled by real water. Imagine the shock factor of the vehicle turning and all of a sudden a villian pops out before your eyes. I don't think that animatronics will be totally replaced, they are too much of a foundation on so many rides. But I would have to think that in the near future, 3-D will be looked at as a more reasonable option then animatronics. I think 3-D is the way to bring people "in" to a ride's movie. I love the classic rides, but I also love to keep an eye on the future, and how rides will become better then they were before.

 

[erin1715]

The Spiderman ride at Universal is kind of what you're talking about. You ride a car-like machine and wear 3-d glasses while Spiderman fights the bad guys and jumps on your car and you go racing through the buildings and feel like you're flying with him! It is one of the best rides I've ever been on and I could see Disney following in those footsteps...at least I hope cause it was awesome!

 

[JRawkSteady]

At the risk of committing Dis Blasphemy, COP won't last the next 10 in its present form let alone the next 50. It's on the chopping block. Stitch's great escape will be dancing on its grave much to the chagrin of these boards.

If they continue to update it like Walt had wanted them to, it wouldn't be operating "seasonally." This was one of Walt's originals...if they took CoP or Small World out - Disney fans around the world will riot. I'm surprised there wasn't so much reaction when they changed the Enchanted Tiki Room!

Stitch has been getting negative reviews from all the different guide books... It won't last that long. I guarantee it will be just like Imagination. They changed it to Journey Into Imagination and no one went because Figment wasn't in it. So, now as you can see...Journey Into Your Imagination With Figment is now incredible overloaded. They're going to have to close Stitch down eventually...whether it's for repairs or a new idea...I definitely forsee this in the near future.