The 5 Biggest Needs at Walt Disney World

[kmk1180]

This was posted at the Disney Blog and I thought it might be fun to discuss here.

http://thedisneyblog.com/2010/07/05/the-five-biggest-needs-at-walt-disney-world/

With all the new DVC Resorts, what does WDW need to do?

A few weeks ago during a quarterly results call Disney CEO Bob Iger seemed to imply that once the Magic Kingdom’s new Fantasyland is done and California Adventure’s remake is complete that will be the end of major projects for the parks, at least for a while. I’m not sure he’s taking into account the long list of work that needs to be done.

The list of small projects that could make a trip to Walt Disney World better for the guest is nearly endless. It ranges from little things that could be done better (parking guests at the back of the parking lot when whole sections closer to the gate are still open, bringing back the Country Bear Holiday Show) to large projects (building that bowling alley at ESPN WWOS, a new country or two at EPCOT). But I wanted to focus on the largest needs, those that would make the biggest difference in guest experience.

So follow me below the jump for five suggestions I think WDW should commit to:

1. Something to make guests want to stay in Disney’s Animal Kingdom after 4-5pm.


Many fans think Disney’s Animal Kingdom jumped the shark with Dinoland

This has always been a problem for DAK. They’ve made some in roads with Expedition Everest, but that ride has it’s own problems. SeaWorld (also an animal heavy park) manages to make it work at night. They do it mostly through the addition of some special night time shows. I believe that DAK is the most likely candidate for a water show that uses World of color technology, which would be one part of an answer. But I’d also like to see them add either Australia (a mini-SeaWorld with dolphins, killer whales, and shows) or a new themed land (whatever their replacement for Beastly Kingdom would be).

2. An answer to Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Forget about losing guests to Universal, this is just to show WDI is still the best team at theme park design. Right now that honor belongs to Universal in Central Florida with the WWoHP. Imagineering needs to show they can take a world that exists only in books or the movies and make it real for its fans. There is one obvious choice for this – Star Wars.

One of the most delicious rumors I’ve heard would be the addition of a Star Wars land to DHS. Indiana Jones Stunt show would get re-themed to Star Wars. Backlot Express would receive a Cantina makeover. Then the area behind the restaurant and Star Tours would get one or two new attractions (one themed to Speeder Bikes based on a design WDI did for Disneyland’s Tomorrowland). All this with the type of detail that makes guests actually believe they’re in the world of Star Wars that George Lucas created.

3. Help for back half of Disney’s Hollywood Studios


Help for marketing too apparently?

Excepting the twice a day showing of Lights, Motors, Action there is no reason to visit the back portion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The backlot tram is a pale shadow of its former self and the Premiere theatre sits empty most of the year. When LMA’s not running other than to walk the Streets of New York (pardon me) America, there is nothing to do for a full 1/3rd of the park. I think the rumored Star Wars Land is a great idea for DHS, but really that area would be served best by an expansion of Pixar Land. This all depends on how well the new Carsland is received at California Adventure.

4. A new vision for Tomorrowland, one that includes an actual vision of tomorrow.

Disney Imagineers have all but given up on the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. They’ve allowed the future to be invaded by cartoon characters and abandoned any attempt at a cohesive theme for the land. Truth is, this has been a continual challenge for WDI since the 1967 remake of Disneyland’s Tomorrowland. It’s not that they don’t have the talent to come up with a vision, it’s just that the future is always in flux, so the land has to change frequently to keep up with new realities.

It was actually a hard to choose between Tomorrowland and Adventureland, they’ve both suffered from neglect and injudicial application of cartoon characters. WDW might have an easier time breathing life back into Adventureland. Perhaps with that addition of a new thrill ride and upgrades to Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room, and some cultural elements.

For item number five it was another difficult decision. It came down to more affordable rooms versus better transportation options around the resort. Since they’ve announced the Art of Animation Resort (aka the Legendary Years), I’ll give transportation the win.

5. A transit system that inspires and works.

Three elements have conspired to make the roads of Walt Disney World busier than ever before. First, the last decade has seen a huge expansion in hotel rooms at Walt Disney World, mostly in the form of Disney Vacation club resorts. Second, the last few years Disney has also added the Disney’s Magical Express offering free shuttle service to and from Orlando International Airport. Third, the change in the economy has made Walt Disney World more of a ‘driving destination’ than ever before. One result of these three changes has meant that that there really is no slow season any more, just less busy times.

With more cars and busses on the roads than ever before, this has put a stress on the WDW Transportation System resulting in longer waits and and longer drives before you reach your destination. Some even attribute the rash of accidents and incidents to these new stresses. The missing piece of the formula will be a High Speed Rail Station set to open between WWOS and Pop Century.

This creates a huge opportunity for WDW to re-think how transportation is done at the resort and to put some excitement back into the idea of mass transit and green technology solutions. There have been a ton of ideas on how this could be accomplished. Disney even has a taskforce dedicated to the challenges.

So those are my big five. Where Disney goes from here says a lot about how they want to be thought of in the future. Are they content as being seen as static by the general public and risk losing market share or do they want to continue to be the recognized leader in theme parks and retain that ‘must see’ status?

Am I missing any big needs? What else would you like to see on this list?

1. I might be nice for AK to stay open longer but to do so would mean adding lightning and that likely would destroy the natural feel of the park.

2. I think you assuming too much here. First, HP is an area, not a park.
It has only 1 new ride and 2 other renamed ones. (by reports the Disney version when they were negociating was far more elabrant and would have been far far better than the version at IoA.)
Ya HP will draw people for awhile But so far I've seen it's getting average reviews. Many of which say it's a half day thing at best. I think people need to wait and see if it will have staying power or end up like every other US project, with little to go back for later.
And don't underestimate the draw of the expanded Fantasyland. Plus remember it's called "phase 1". We haven't seen what "phase 2" is or if there's a phase 3 as well.

3. Agreed HS could use something else on the other half of the park.
Right now it's TSMM, ToT and RnR, all on the same half.
Maybe a marvel's area? Or Car'sland might work.

4. Couldn't disagree more. I love Tomorrowland. I don't see any major chances there for quite a while. Except maybe a new ride where Stitch is.
Remember Tomorrowland started out as what you describe and became dated quickly. Which is why we have the fun futuristic style we have now.
I like it as is.

5. Seem like their transportation system get's alot of rave reviews from critics so I don't expect much there.
But I always though it would be awesome if they moved the transportation center monorail to the where EPCOT drive meets, disney way? welcome way? (the road to MK.)
Put a parking lot there, and a transportation center so you can take a monorail to any theme park. Sure would help alot with park hopping.
Just hop on monorail, switch at center, and your at a new park very quickly.
Plus they still could charge their $12 park fee to pay for the exense of the more monorail.

 

[d1gitman]

along with most of the other posts, i will mentions something that pales in comparison to expansions, etc...

the bathrooms! beyond making them cleaner, make them more kid friendly! i know there are counters lowered, etc..but the faucets are still a long reach for the little guys and putting the soap dispensers out of reach is annoying as well. it would be nice for a parent and their 3,4,5,6 yr old child(ren) to be able to wash their own hands without the parent having to pick them up and put them on the counter which is usually disgusting.

for such a kid friendly place, the bathrooms are not.

 

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

We're in agreeance on most of the points that have been brought up by everyone in this topic. I never thought about it before, but if we didn't have hoppers, I don't know if we'd ever go to AK.

I also agree completely on the need for more Pixar interaction. It seems like the Pixar movies have been the bread and butter of the film side lately (Wall-E, Toy Story 3, etc) but there's little mention of them in the parks. We really enjoy the Monsters Inc ride at California Adventure..they need to bring it to WDW!

 

[kmk1180]

Promised myself I wasn't going to get into another monorail expansion thread but I can't stop myself.

If you have multiple routes does that mean that your AKL, All Star, Blizzard Beach, Coronado Springs, and AK route goes directly to the MK or Epcot or where? Everyone wants the monorail expanded to all the hotels but where will the other end be?

People have posted that this route could go to Epcot where you would transfer if you wanted to go to the MK. So you would have to transfer twice to go from AKL to the MK which could add 40 minutes to your trip. Getting to early morning ADR's would mean that you would have to leave not at 6:30 but 5:30.

And don't even think that you could switch lines like a train can.

Also how would you handle Downtown Disney and the hotels around them?

agreed, and what would happen when they open a resort?
It's not like a city subway. Subways have set stations and it doesn't matter what new is built. People go to the subay, not the subway to the hotel.
Here people propose the opposite. A monorail stop at each resort.
But once a new resort opens it would change the whole system to work it in. Too complex.
See above for my idea of expansion of monorail. I think that would be more simple.
And resort guests could still take a bus to anywhere or one central monorail transportation station.

 

[seashoreCM]

Do they really have guests park far out in the parking lots when areas closer in are empty?

Now the following makes sense. Fill up the inner halves (closer to the trams) of each parking lot section first and fill up the outer halves later as needed.

For example, subsections labeled

AB CD
EF GH
JK LM
park entrance

Fill up sections in order K, L, F, G, B, C, J, M, E, H, A, D

There should be some transportation system, for example an elevated railway, through Downtown Disney and terminating at some point to the west (perhaps the old West Side bus stop) where guests transfer to the regular resort buses. The purpose is to provide an alternative to Buena Vista Drive.

 

[pickles]

2. Enough with characters on screens. El Rio del Tiempo turned into riding past characters on screens. Nemo opens up and we're riding past characters on screens. I can watch characters on screens at home.

.

I am so with you on this!! I hate Fantasmic because it is a huge video screen on misty water.
Nemos ride..only cool part of that is the jelly fish
while to story ride has grown on me, it is nothing more than a glorified video game on wheels.

I dont want to watch tvs and videos at Disney. I want to see "real" stuff, different experiences.
I know everyonbe picks on Drew Careys attraction, but personally, I think that is creative and unique and I would love to experience more creative stuff while at disney.
The Bugs life attraction, what an excellent creative show..maybe a bit too much for young kids, but hey they have the dumbo ride. This attraction uses all your senses, and imagination..its great

the star wars idea is perfect. How cool would it be to take 1/2 DHS and just turn it into different lands of star wars..like the snow planet, and the swamp of yoda etc..you could go into the movie and walk the whole scenes and then maybe particpate in rides that are related to the scenes
This could answer people's cry that disney has nothing for boys. DHS is a lame, lame park..think, my local fair is more exciting

I dont need ak open later if they are helping animals, but at the same time. that park needs help. it is HOT, , maybe a train or tram ride around the animal habitats for those of us not willing to trudge thru the lanes staring at the animals . The safari ride is neat, but the tram ride could be slower paced, educational as you go along.


disneys biggest boat they are missing? DVC souvenirs. C'mon guys can we not get at least some decent quality tshirts for our different DVC we can own?
and could we make the souvenirs in the USA? if i am going to pay three times as much for a toy at disney as I would at walmart can we at least make it made in the USA so, I can feel my money was well spent.
last time I was at disney every thing I picked up was made somewhere other than USA(and I am not talking about the world showcase stuff) I refused to buy anything at all that trip.

 

[cwestbrook]

As someone who has only been twice in 16 years, I wasn't all that impressed either time. I grew up going to the original Six Flags in DFW and feel it is just as good as MK. Both times I kept looking for what was supposed to be soooo much better that I would fly halfway across the country to see it.

I had a good time and I'm glad I went but I doubt I'll go back anytime soon, if ever. I know that isn't what die hard Disney lovers on this board like to hear but it's an honest opinion and I doubt I'm the only one.

I visited Universal Studios 16 years ago and really enjoyed it--it was something totally different from anything at Six Flats or WDW. I thought Disney would have done more of that by now.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

1) I would say finish Pop Century, but I know that will be the Art of Animation resort, so that's taken care of.

2) Bring back the old TTA narrative.

3) Do something with the River Country water park area, I saw pictures of it about a year ago, and it's just a waste of space.

4) Do the Beastly Kingdom section of AK that was always rumored, I think it would be cool.

5) Do villians / Pixar / fairies character meals.

 

[wendydarling826]

I agree with what has been said about AK and DHS, although I'm not a big Star Wars fan. I'd like to see more varied attractions added there.
I also think there is a need for some nightlife for grownups. I really miss the Adventurers club, and the only place now for some adult fun of the drinks, music/entertainment and dancing variety is on the Boardwalk. Many adults without children vacation in WDW and many with children enjoy a night out too. Once PI was taken away, nothing seemed to be in the works to replace it, and I do think there is a need.

 

[Donut23]

along with most of the other posts, i will mentions something that pales in comparison to expansions, etc...

the bathrooms! beyond making them cleaner, make them more kid friendly! i know there are counters lowered, etc..but the faucets are still a long reach for the little guys and putting the soap dispensers out of reach is annoying as well. it would be nice for a parent and their 3,4,5,6 yr old child(ren) to be able to wash their own hands without the parent having to pick them up and put them on the counter which is usually disgusting.

for such a kid friendly place, the bathrooms are not.

DH and I have no children so I am ashamed to say, I never thought of this. What a VERY GOOD idea!

On the cruise ships, in the children's sections, they have the most adorable little "low to the ground" bathrooms for the children. I know they can do it!

 

[Riverhill]

Epcot needs the items in each country for sale to be from those countries. It is so sad to buy something in France that is stamped Made in China. Each country should have unique items that can only be purchased there. I can buy Twinnings tea at my local grocery store.

 

[Markstudy]

They need to do a retro Tomorrowland... the 50's and 60's sci-fi movies are so funny and so much fun. Its a perfect theme, they could even move the Sci-Fi Dine In to MK. Tomorrowland needs some work and investment, but it cold be turned back into a really cute park, with minimum investment. The buildings already have the right look.

Expanding Disney studios sounds good! Star Wars Lands and a new Star Wars restaurant (at the old Sci-Fi Dine in location) would be a great idea.

Disney's biggest problem is the way they keep trying to out source the work. Someone would have to help fill in all the details.... but the baby strollers come to mind, and the shops and restaurants at Down Town Disney. I wouldn't be surprised if the bathrooms aren't as clean anymore in the park because Disney is no longer using their own employees and has outsourced the work?

What I miss the most is the shopping. Disney use to stock stores with unique merchandise. My last few trips have been shopping let-downs. Nothing new to buy.

 

[tarrbear]

I personally very upset that Universal won Harry Potter rights, not Disney. I did not visit yet but according to what I saw it is really a different world, exactly Disney principal. I do not understand why some people here try to make WOHP look like not a big deal, it is huge and they did a great job. I absolutely agree that Disney needs to answer this call.

I'll be honest with you. If Disney won the right to Harry Potter I'd probably cry. I don't think Disney would do what Universal has. Universal is able to produce those thrill rides that are scary, I've heard the movement on The Forbidden Journey is tame but the elements and zones they throw you in are quite frightening, I don't think Disney could make something along those lines, Disney would tone it alllll down.

With the purchase of Marvel Comics, it would be nice to see Disney use that somewhere in the parks also maybe Hollywood Studios? I know with the current contract with Universal that Disney is unable to use the characters that Universal is using but they could use other Marvel characters and the contract with Universal has to end someday doesn't it?

From my understanding of the contract Universal contains the rights to these Marvel characters in the parks as long as they maintain the rides and areas. So as long as Universal keeps this island up and going, they can keep the rights.

 

[d1gitman]

...It seems like the Pixar movies have been the bread and butter of the film side lately (Wall-E, Toy Story 3, etc) but there's little mention of them in the parks. We really enjoy the Monsters Inc ride at California Adventure..they need to bring it to WDW!

Actually, Toy Story does get quite a bit of attention...
MK: Buzz Lightyear
MK: Monsters Inc Laugh Floor
MK: Pizza Planet at Entrance to Space Mountain
DHS: Toy Story Mania
DHS: Characters in the parade
DHS: Little Green Army Men

DL: Buzz Lightyear
DL: Pizza Planet at Entrance to Space Mountain
CA: Monsters Inc Ride
CA: Little Green Army Men

so in retrospect, Toy Story gets a ton of exposure. I do think Wall-E is due for something big and probably will in time. Remember, Toy Story came out in 1995, so they have had many years to develop TS Attractions and theming.

Carsland is going in at DCA, so i think saying that Pixar doesn't get enough attention is a weak argument. Fact is, Pixar takes up a lot of real estate at the various parks.

 

[d1gitman]

i agree that Tomorrowland hardly reflects a futuristic theme. Stitch should be blown up and replaced with anything. I love Buzz and Monster's Inc., but they don't really make me think of the land of tomorrow. I think they would be well served to put in totally new creations that are unique to the park, reflecting futuristic ideas. I don't believe that every new attraction has to be directly tied to a movie. The imagineers should come up with some totally unique attractions.

Indy cars should be completely updated. that would be easy to make futuristic.

 

[KellyNY]

Epcot needs the items in each country for sale to be from those countries. It is so sad to buy something in France that is stamped Made in China. Each country should have unique items that can only be purchased there. I can buy Twinnings tea at my local grocery store.

England, Royal Dulton
France, parfumes, not London/Paris/New York ones, you can buy anywhere but same parfume "Made in France", there is a huge difference.
Japan, all the toys, clothes, Mikimoto(SP?)
Mexico, silver, toys, clothes
China, well, everything

Those just few I can think of on a spot and personally bought. Sure in our country we can find everything from every country if not in stores then on line, but Epcot stores have real things from those countries and in many cases are unique and rare.

 

[Shreggor]

Interesting thread... here are my thoughts on 5 things:

1. Enough with the riding through tv screens. I second whoever said this before me. I love the Nemo ride and I find the 3 Amigos ride mildly amusing after I've had a few shots of tequila but enough is enough. It is time for Disney to get back to their roots and bring back epic, animatronic rides like they had back in the day. Mission Space was no replacement for Horizons. Test Track was no replacement for World of Motion. These are fun rides, sure. But a sim ride and a mid level thrill ride? Really, Disney? You can do better than this. Don't even start me on how sick I am of 3d movies. There are better ways to use 3D. Look at Spider Man etc. at IoA.


2. Tomorrowland. With the concept of Steampunk being is popular as it is now, the ideas should be flowing through their heads. Retro Sci Fi is huge right now. They could take some ideas from Disney Sea and make this whole area a lot more visually appealing and full of things that are classic sci fi. Jules Verne stories, rocket ships, retro robots. Mix them in with Wall-E, the TS Aliens, and maybe a few new rides.

3. DHS needs a fix. There is not much to do outside of the main "street" and the area where ToT and RnRC are. The shows are dated. The stunt show, while neat, is a horrible hassle to get in and out of. If I didn't love ToT and Fantasmic so much, I'd seriously skip this park. I like the idea of a Star Wars land. I also like the idea of them updating the movie ride to reflect some films that became popular after 1992.

4. Add some new rides to the WS. Maelstrom hasn't been impressive since 1994 and those circlevision movies never have anyone watching them. I agree with the previous poster who mentioned only selling goods made in those countries. Also, how about we not throw princesses in your face in the WS too. Does every WS country need a pin cart? Probably not.

5. Pixar gets plenty of attention. So do the princesses. How about some of the older, classic Disney characters? They're timeless. Bring them back. Also, and this would be fantastic not only in HS, or Epcot's Japan pavilion, but Disney distributes Hayao Miyzaki's films. These aren't household names in the USA yet. But they really could be if they were marketed as such. This would give a whole new set of characters and worlds to work with.

 

[carrie1626]

A few things I think they should get a move on with are:

UPDATING THE PRE-SHOWS. Sorry Disney but after 3/4 years they need to be RE-DONE

Bring back THE ADVENTUERS CLUB and THE COMEDY WAREHOUSE shows to DD. They were both Family Friendly- what a shame they closed!!!

Do something for the BOYS. Start with Two or Three Character Meals. Enough said!

Change the entertainment in The World Showcase. ex: UK- there is endless great music from groups other than the Beatles SING IT so we can HEAR IT!!
ok, you updated the movie in Canada but what about China and France? Am I going to see the same old/same old again this year
What about the USA auditorium... could we have another form of entertainment inside?

 

[mentul77]

3. Skipping ahead to transportation: If major cities can have rail-based transportation systems, why not WDW? You probably can't build a subway in the marshland, but could the monorail (assuming it's safe) can be expanded to the rest of the resort, with multiple routes and stops? But would you take a monorail to AKL if it stopped at the All Star resorts, Blizzard Beach, Coronado Springs, and AK on the way? One the one hand, it sounds nuts. But on the other hand, you can get from one end of Manhattan to the other fairly quickly with many stops.

We were talking to a CM on the monorail when we were there in June and he said that a couple of years ago when gas prices went up they actually started working on the infrastructure to expand the monorail system. He said that they had laid some of the electrical lines for it. Then gas prices went back down and it was put on the back burner again. Apparently it is something that is feasible anyway.

 

[FluffedMojo]

As someone who has only been twice in 16 years, I wasn't all that impressed either time. I grew up going to the original Six Flags in DFW and feel it is just as good as MK. Both times I kept looking for what was supposed to be soooo much better that I would fly halfway across the country to see it.

I had a good time and I'm glad I went but I doubt I'll go back anytime soon, if ever. I know that isn't what die hard Disney lovers on this board like to hear but it's an honest opinion and I doubt I'm the only one.

I visited Universal Studios 16 years ago and really enjoyed it--it was something totally different from anything at Six Flats or WDW. I thought Disney would have done more of that by now.

I want you to know I mean no disrespect at all. But just sheer curiosity. If you aren't a Disney fan, why do you post on this board? Not offended by what you said, not trying to be rude. Just wondering.