Soarin' and Toy Story Mania expansion late 2016

[George4]

You notice something? How the years between E-Tickets is getting progressively smaller? Disney Parks aren't stagnating. It's true that Eisner ushered in a pretty bad culture that exists to this day. However as far as building new things current management has done a pretty great job.

You left out Mission:Space, Body Wars, Rocking Roller Coaster, EE. The problem with your chart is that those things are spread between 4 different parks, so some parks have gone much longer between e-ticket ride additions. Also, I am not asking for more E-ticket rides, I am asking for a variety of rides available for us. Again, I still enjoy the parks, my family has a blast. But, at half a billion dollars, I think way more could have been done to enhance the park experiences beyond 2 or 3 rides at AK and MK.

EDIT: I just realized you said Disneyland instead of WDW, and there is a big difference there, since about 1/3 of the rides you listed weren't added to WDW. The ones that were are spread between four different parks. Keep in mind Anaheim has 30-50,000 visitors per day, whereas WDW has closer to 100,000-150,000 per day. I'm not say DL didn't need the upgrades and changes, but WDW is in need of some serious love, and expanding 2 existing rides isn't the only love it needs.

 

[rteetz]

Hmm, you bring up an interesting point. I'm just not sure how valid it is. Complaining about massive new ride additions can take you down interesting paths. I think history will serve us well here.

E-Tickets of Disneyland Resort (this is as best as I can remember so be sure to remind me if I miss one)
1959-Matterhorn, The New Autopia, Disneyland Monorail System, and Submarines. Time since last E-ticket opening (TSLEO)=N/A

1967-Pirates of the Caribbean TSLEO=8

1969-Haunted Mansion TSLEO=2

1977-Space Mountain TSLEO =8

1979-Big Thunder Mountain TSLEO=2

1987- Star Tours (debatable) TSLEO= 8

1989-Splash Mountain=2

1995- Indiana Jones=6

2001- Grizzly River Run, California Screamin, Soarin TSLEO=6

2004- Tower of Terror TSLEO=3

2008- Toy Story Midway Mania= 4

2012= RSRs TSLEO=4

You notice something? How the years between E-Tickets is getting progressively smaller? Disney Parks aren't stagnating. It's true that Eisner ushered in a pretty bad culture that exists to this day. However as far as building new things current management has done a pretty great job.

Notes: I think it's worth mentioning things like Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, etc. I'm not sure that they're E-Tickets but still all the same pretty noteworthy. Walt was prolific. However reading a book about Disney history can be slightly confusing because they're condensing decades of history into a couple paragraphs.

The jungle cruise, country bear jamboree, and submarines were all e tickets. Only one of those three exist today in disneyland at least in its original form. I also think TSMM is debatable as an E.

 

[DDLand]

The jungle cruise, country bear jamboree, and submarines were all e tickets. Only one of those three exist today in disneyland at least in its original form. I also think TSMM is debatable as an E.

As I noted each of those meets the original criteria of E Ticket, I'm not comfortable saying that they are in a modern sense. Things like The access boats to Tom Sawyer's Island were technically E Ticket. Do they meet the standards set by Splash Mountain? That's why I'm not keeping them on the list. Of course up to interpretation.

Update: America Sings was once one too. I'm leaving it off the list...

 

[Jing]

I really don't consider Toy Story Mania an E Ticket; I think it is just so popular because of the lack of rides at Hollywood


I don't really think of Toy Story Mania as an E Ticket. I think the only reason it is so popular is the lack of other rides/attractions at Hollywood. When the park opened, the lines were just as long at the Great Movie Ride as they are at Toy Story Mania today. Again, it was a lack of rides and attractions that caused the lines.

My wife and I don't understand the popularity of Soarin' either. All you are doing is watching a movie; how is it so different than Star Tours or Mission Space. All three are simulator rides of one nature or the other.

I remember waiting well over an hour for GMR the first year MGM was open. Totally worth it. Then. A couple decades later and my tolerance for lines has declined to the point where amusement parks are ceasing to amuse. We are usually an every 2-3 year Disney visitor, so I am hoping 2017/8 has more cause for celebration then this.

 

[rteetz]

As I noted each of those meets the original criteria of E Ticket, I'm not comfortable saying that they are in a modern sense. Things like The access boats to Tom Sawyer's Island were technically E Ticket. Do they meet the standards set by Splash Mountain? That's why I'm not keeping them on the list. Of course up to interpretation.

Update: America Sings was once one too. I'm leaving it off the list...

Ok I understand. I'd also like to point out this crazy fact, it's been 20 years since a new e ticket at walts park...

 

[George4]

Ok I understand. I'd also like to point out this crazy fact, it's been 20 years since a new e ticket at walts park...

Wow, that hurts to read.

 

[rteetz]

Wow, that hurts to read.

Now here's the next question how long since last e ticket at MK?

Splash mountain 23 years ago...

 

[DDLand]

You left out Mission:Space, Body Wars, Rocking Roller Coaster, EE. The problem with your chart is that those things are spread between 4 different parks, so some parks have gone much longer between e-ticket ride additions. Also, I am not asking for more E-ticket rides, I am asking for a variety of rides available for us. Again, I still enjoy the parks, my family has a blast. But, at half a billion dollars, I think way more could have been done to enhance the park experiences beyond 2 or 3 rides at AK and MK.

EDIT: I just realized you said Disneyland instead of WDW, and there is a big difference there, since about 1/3 of the rides you listed weren't added to WDW. The ones that were are spread between four different parks. Keep in mind Anaheim has 30-50,000 visitors per day, whereas WDW has closer to 100,000-150,000 per day. I'm not say DL didn't need the upgrades and changes, but WDW is in need of some serious love, and expanding 2 existing rides isn't the only love it needs.

Indeed, Soarin', TSMM, Test Track, Dinosaur, and probably Kali too! Great Movie Ride was one once I believe from popularity standpoint.

Though as you said that's not your point. We can look at more recent Walt Disney World additions using that list from above as perspective.

2003-Mission Space-TSLEO N/A

2005- Soarin' TSLEO 2

2006- Expedition Everest TSLEO 1

2008- TSMM TSLEO 2

2011-Star Tours the Adventures Continue (debatable)

2016-Avatar Attraction TSLEO 8

So here's the interesting thing. Walt Disney World went through one of the most aggressive expansion, and build ups ever in Disney Parks history since 2000. Honestly this massive build up has supported enormous growth. Disney realizes in order to drive increased attendance growth they must build attractions. That doesn't mean that they're hurting either. You're much too worried about expansion. They'll do it when they're ready. The product has improved drastically over the last few years. There's no denying that.

One other interesting note. You notice an 8 then 2 progression at Disneyland throughout its history. Assuming we see start seeing Hollywood Studios movement we could easily get a true E Ticket by 2018. Think about that. Avatar TSLEO 8 then TBD Attraction TSLEO 2.

Weird unplanned happening. Pretty cool there's a pattern though.

 

[George4]

There's no denying that.

I am denying that. I would argue that in the past six years, the WDW parks haven't changed at all until the fantasyland expansion this year (we don't go until July this year), that is other than removing 6 rides. Star Tours may have been improved, but it wasn't an additional experience.

 

[rteetz]

Indeed, Soarin', TSMM, Test Track, Dinosaur, and probably Kali too! Great Movie Ride was one once I believe from popularity standpoint.

Though as you said that's not your point. We can look at more recent Walt Disney World additions using that list from above as perspective.

2003-Mission Space-TSLEO N/A

2005- Soarin' TSLEO 2

2006- Expedition Everest TSLEO 1

2008- TSMM TSLEO 2

2011-Star Tours the Adventures Continue (debatable)

2016-Avatar Attraction TSLEO 8

So here's the interesting thing. Walt Disney World went through one of the most aggressive expansion, and build ups ever in Disney Parks history since 2000. Honestly this massive build up has supported enormous growth. Disney realizes in order to drive increased attendance growth they must build attractions. That doesn't mean that they're hurting either. You're much too worried about expansion. They'll do it when they're ready. The product has improved drastically over the last few years. There's no denying that.

One other interesting note. You notice an 8 then 2 progression at Disneyland throughout its history. Assuming we see start seeing Hollywood Studios movement we could easily get a true E Ticket by 2018. Think about that. Avatar TSLEO 8 then TBD Attraction TSLEO 2.

Weird unplanned happening. Pretty cool there's a pattern though.

And think we could've had two e tickets with avatar.

 

[DDLand]

Ok I understand. I'd also like to point out this crazy fact, it's been 20 years since a new e ticket at walts park...

The thing about those parks is just how close they are. They honestly feel almost like the same park in proximity. I'd say most Disneyland Annual Passholders would say (correct me if I'm wrong) they like all the work that has been done at DCA over the period. Giving a true second gate was an important (and at sometimes painful) part of Disneyland Resort history. Disneyland Park isn't all of Disneyland anymore. It's got to share the love with its sibling. With that said we should be seeing action shortly...

 

[rteetz]

The thing about those parks is just how close they are. They honestly feel almost like the same park in proximity. I'd say most Disneyland Annual Passholders would say (correct me if I'm wrong) they like all the work that has been done at DCA over the period. Giving a true second gate was an important (and at sometimes painful) part of Disneyland Resort history. Disneyland Park isn't all of Disneyland anymore. It's got to share the love with its sibling. With that said we should be seeing action shortly...

I understand that DCA got what it needed. But to think that disneyland didn't get anything for 20 years and likely won't get anything for another 4-5 or whenever Star Wars opens. They have gone through the 50th and now the 60th anniversary without a new e ticket.

 

[DDLand]

And think we could've had two e tickets with avatar.

Hey, if that meant using up the Hollywood Studios budget on more Avatar call me okay with that.

I'm still not a big fan of that IP.

Even if it does look beautiful.

 

[George4]

I would agree that DCA needed help, and it definitely has gotten it. DL needs some upgrades and updates as well, but so does WDW. reteetz makes a good point that maybe DL needs it more. That hurts because DHS and EPCOT need help as well.

 

[rteetz]

Hey, if that meant using up the Hollywood Studios budget on more Avatar call me okay with that.

I'm still not a big fan of that IP.

Even if it does look beautiful.

I agree to an extent. Avatar was set in stone before DHS even had a budget. The avatar budget was likely cut before DHS also had a budget. The DHS budget has a lot to do with the Lucas acquisition. The IP is a stunning visual one, the story not so much but I am quite excited to see the theming. Disney never fails when it comes to rock work or course,

 

[DDLand]

I am denying that. I would argue that in the past six years, the WDW parks haven't changed at all until the fantasyland expansion this year (we don't go until July this year), that is other than removing 6 rides. Star Tours may have been improved, but it wasn't an additional experience.

With improvements such as Star Tours, New Fantasyland, and My Magic I think it's impossible that the product hasn't improved. Now your personnel value of the Theme Parks is something different. The price to product may not be worth it to you. That's different.

 

[rteetz]

I would agree that DCA needed help, and it definitely has gotten it. DL needs some upgrades and updates as well, but so does WDW. reteetz makes a good point that maybe DL needs it more. That hurts because DHS and EPCOT need help as well.

And I said that MK has been without one even longer. And with that I think disneyland gets a new e ticket before MK gets one.

 

[rteetz]

With improvements such as Star Tours, New Fantasyland, and My Magic I think it's impossible that the product hasn't improved. Now your personnel value of the Theme Parks is something different. The price to product may not be worth it to you. That's different.

I'd take star tours out of that equation. Yes it was updated but nothing drastic. It will likely be updated again when the new movies come out but that won't change my impression of it because it will just be a new film or characters in it. Many would say mymagic+ wasn't an improvement, to me I was fine without it and I'm fine with it.

 

[DDLand]

I agree to an extent. Avatar was set in stone before DHS even had a budget. The avatar budget was likely cut before DHS also had a budget. The DHS budget has a lot to do with the Lucas acquisition. The IP is a stunning visual one, the story not so much but I am quite excited to see the theming. Disney never fails when it comes to rock work or course,

Yeah, that's definitely right to an extent. Though forgive me if I see some accountants looking at the Imagineers proposal and saying:

This looks really cool. Think about it for a second though. We just gave 100s millions $ to spend on Avatar. Sorry you'll have to make it cheaper, smaller, or shelve it.

That's why I'm okay with a smaller Avatar.

 

[George4]

With improvements such as Star Tours, New Fantasyland, and My Magic I think it's impossible that the product hasn't improved. Now your personnel value of the Theme Parks is something different. The price to product may not be worth it to you. That's different.

I admit I haven't been since Fantasyland opened, I will see that this summer, so I do admit that will be a change. But my magic doesn't really change my experience or the attractions that I visit, so I really don't count that as a new ride/attraction. I guess it is as you said, we have our own value of the park experience and ours appears to be different. To each our own.