The 5 Biggest Needs at Walt Disney World

[KellyNY]

They would have a 20 year old transpiration system and no where to go and no one to ride.

Oh and still be bankrupt.

Hotels make money, monorails cost money and you can't say if they built it 20 years ago that more people would have come or stayed longer because of it because thats the only way to justify the 100's of million dollars, way north of 500, its would have taken even then.

Sorry buses are the cheapest (even 20 years ago) most flexible way to move people from from multiple points to multiple other points.

And when people not happy with Disney bus system they rent cars, and when people rent cars they start staying off site, taking money from Disney hotels.

 

[chartle]

isn't the monorail they have now like 30+ years old?
I know they are the cheapest, but there once was a time when Disney did stuff for the joy magic and innovation ....not just to make a buck.

Disney is not a charity its a business. A business that knows how to make people happy so they keep coming back. If they don't make a buck everyone loses because their stock will go down and a company who doesn't care about ANYTHING but making a buck will buy it it up like Comcast. They may even split it up and sell off divisions.

http://news.cnet.com/Comcast-offers-66-billion-for-Disney/2100-1026_3-5157087.html

Innovation costs money so they have to put that money into things that will keep people coming back so they can make more money so they can do it all over again.

A transportation that would either require multiple lines terminating at each location (point to point) or multiple transfers (multiple hubs and spoke) isn't going to make them any money and cost more than the GNP of most third world countries.

More people aren't going to flock to WDW or stay longer because of a cumbersome new transportation system.

Yes it would be great to have some sort of semi personal transportation system like in the Minority Report, but there is no money for it.

 

[hmschlmomof2]

AK - I think is in need of another land (the mythical creatures/beastly kingdom) with more rides (instead of shows). This is such a big part of imagination, play and books with young children - dragons, unicorns, centaurs, etc.

Need for character meals with "boy" characters - Monsters, inc., Toy Story, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, etc.

DHS - They are missing the boat by not adding attractions from Pixar (Wall-E, Cars, Monsters, inc.) Also, what about Phineaus and Ferb and the other cartoons on disney xd channel.
Would love to see Star Wars attraction here. Instead of the Indiana Jones show, how about a killer roller-coaster (different from the one at DL)??

Tomorrowland - I love the "retro-mod" feel of the land, but agree it needs something more....what about Meet The Robinsons (robots, spaceships), or the old-school Escape/Return from Witch Mountain, The Cat From Outer Space, etc.

Just my 2cents

 

[jkstewart1800]

if they built the system while they were expanding, then charged non-site stayers a fee .... whatever......

this is a wish list thread, and this is my wish.

Disney probably won't do ANY of the stuff we've listed here...

 

[WDWFWfan]

While I love thrill rides as much as the next person, I wish that Disney would create more of the immersive "slow" rides that they are used to be so good at. Where are the modern day versions of Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Horizons (anybody remember that one?), etc.

It seems that the focus in the past few years has been thrill rides, video screens (as others have mentioned), and branding existing rides with characters, i.e. Nemo, Stitch, Jack Sparrow, Aladdin, etc.

Where's the imagination that originally created audio-animatronics?

Mission Space is a perfect example. Horizons was a thoroughly imaginative, thought-provoking journey that was engaging and enjoyable, and it lasted more than a couple of minutes.

Mission Space (sorry to those who enjoy it) is a glorified "spin-n-puke" like seen at any local county fair. Sure it's got video screens, joy-sticks and barf bags, but where's the creativity?

 

[d1gitman]

...Where are the modern day versions of Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Horizons ...great point.


It seems that the focus in the past few years has been thrill rides, video screens (as others have mentioned), and branding existing rides with characters, i.e. Nemo, Stitch, Jack Sparrow, Aladdin, etc.

Where's the imagination that originally created audio-animatronics? i'd love to see some mind blowing CG and Holography attraction.

.....

Mission Space (sorry to those who enjoy it) is a glorified "spin-n-puke" like seen at any local county fair. Sure it's got video screens, joy-sticks and barf bags, but where's the creativity? I'd give MS more credit than that. I'm sure there is a lot that goes into creating a centrifuge on that scale where you only feel g-forces and no lateral movement. Probably cost a fortune for that and lots of trouble shooting during set up

I think TSM can be viewed as a modern day interpretation of a slow moving immersive ride like a Peterpan ride. It incorporates modern technology with the 3d and interaction with the shooting. The old slow rides are cute but they wouldn't cut it now a days. that was high tech back in their day. we now live in a different era of technology. imagine what Disney would be had Walt been born 50 years later and had computer technology for art and engineering.

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

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).

As PP have mentioned, the concern for the animals is, IMO a good reason for this park to close when it does.
It's kinda nice to have a park that is not going to take all your time in the day.
Our first trip we didn't really enjoy it but the second time around we enjoyed it much more.




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.

Sounds interesting! But it would take some really big changes to get me anywhere near the back half of this park.
DHS is a mystery to us.
Our first trip we spent more time there, but not nearly the whole day.
Our second trip we tried to spend more time there, but aside from a show we had missed the first time, we tried to navigate our way around what must have once been the back lot tour area and wondered why we were wasting our time at this park.
Outside of RRC, nothing appeals to me here.
No good restaurants, and once you get beyond the stores and ToT/RRC area there seems to be only lots of crowds of cranky, hot pre-schoolers and stressed parents...
I just don't get the appeal of this park, though I appreciate that others really love it (different strokes, different folks) and we're going to visit DHS on our last day, just to ride RRC a few times before we catch ME to the airport.
IMHO, AK is a much better park, or for that matter, Disney Quest- a better way to spend an afternoon, but I'm kinda weird that way- not a fan of large noisy crowds when there is nothing good to ride or to spend my time on...



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.

I totally agree...
Sadly, even with a new bunch of things and marketing, I am still more likely to head to Disney Quest than DHS...



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.


Count me in with those who love the retro/old school version of Tomorrow land, including the original voice-over of the TTA.
I love that it makes me remember all the Sunday night Disney movies like Escape from Witch Mountain, and I love the fantasy that a whole community could be connected by something like TTA... just call me crazy and nostalgic...



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?

I love this dream, but cost-wise it doesn't appear do-able to me.
Having stayed at POP, we survived the buses, staying at BC, we loved the ease of walking most places or walking to the monorail.
Hoping it won't be too bad at AKV...

I believe that no matter where you go, to any amusement park, one cannot help comparing.
We love Busch Gardens Williamsburg for the thrill rides, but the food and magic are not comparable to Disney.
Our first WDW trip, the first day was an adjustment because we were used to the thrill rides at BG-W.
Space Mtn. & RRC were close to what BG-W offers, but not as thrilling.
That being said, part of what I enjoy about WDW is not wondering if i am going to DIE during the ride... (but the thrills are what I LOVE about BG-W...)
Most of the scarier rides are in the dark where you can't see what's coming next, which makes then FUN and not scary...
So at WDW once we were greeted by the friendly CMs, and experienced the magic, there is no comparison to BG-W.

If BG-W was more all-inclusive like WDW, with themed hotels, transportation included, table service dining, and more room, then it would be easier to give up WDW.
What we love about WDW is the whole package- not having to drive on vacation, feeling the magic at every turn, the relaxation.
WDW takes a whole vacation to fully experience and be immersed in the magic , but BG-W takes only a day and then we are ready to go home.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Mission Space (sorry to those who enjoy it) is a glorified "spin-n-puke" like seen at any local county fair. Sure it's got video screens, joy-sticks and barf bags, but where's the creativity?

I'm not sure I ever rode Horizons. The description I read on Wikipedia is cool, but I'm not sure why we can't have both. I mean, Mission: SPACE is basically the same kind of ride as Flight to the Moon was back in Disneyland. You get to train for a mission to Mars! How is that not creative?

 

[WDWFWfan]

I think TSM can be viewed as a modern day interpretation of a slow moving immersive ride like a Peterpan ride. It incorporates modern technology with the 3d and interaction with the shooting. The old slow rides are cute but they wouldn't cut it now a days. that was high tech back in their day. we now live in a different era of technology. imagine what Disney would be had Walt been born 50 years later and had computer technology for art and engineering.

I'm as high tech as the next guy...I love gadgets, even built my own computer, but I don't go to Disney to stare at video screens, I can do that at home or at the arcade. I also don't go to Disney to ride major roller coasters (although I'm a bigger coaster fan ), I can ride bigger and better coasters elsewhere.

Disney used to be about creating rides that the whole family could enjoy and instead of simply copying what others were doing, Disney used to do things that no one else was doing. And I can imagine that if Walt were alive today, I wouldn't be staring at video screens.

Don't get me wrong, TSM is a fun ride, but let's face it, it's not that much different than playing a video game at home. Also, I know that MS cost megabucks and was probably an engineering nightmare, but what's the end result? You spin while staring at a video monitor. Similiar results can be accomplished with a swivel chair and a Nintendo DS.

I know that I'm in the minority here, but I'll take Pirates or Haunted Mansion over TSM any day of the week. Heck, I wouldn't even trade CoP for TSM. Again, I know that I'm in the minority.

 

[ntsammy5]

I know that I'm in the minority here, but I'll take Pirates or Haunted Mansion of TSM any day of the week. Heck, I wouldn't even trade CoP for TSM. Again, I know that I'm in the minority.

I don't think you're in the minority.

 

[Planogirl]

I know that I'm in the minority here, but I'll take Pirates or Haunted Mansion over TSM any day of the week. Heck, I wouldn't even trade CoP for TSM. Again, I know that I'm in the minority.

I agree with you 100%. I don't understand why seeing great audioanimatronics that tell a story became outdated. I hope that the older rides that still exist don't become obsolete too.

 

[d1gitman]

And I can imagine that if Walt were alive today, I wouldn't be staring at video screens.

i'd say yes and no to that statement. had Walt had HD and 3D at his disposal, i'd be willing to be that he would have used those tools. Maybe he would have created something more impressive than just 'staring' at a screen. However, I think one can reasonably say that TSM is more than just staring. Nemo for me was a huge dissappointment. It is mostly staring at a screen, only at the end is there a little bit of the impressive technology that makes the video fish look like they are actually in water.

Besides, very few attractions at WDW are just 'staring' at screens.

 

[WDWFWfan]

i'd say yes and no to that statement. had Walt had HD and 3D at his disposal, i'd be willing to be that he would have used those tools. Maybe he would have created something more impressive than just 'staring' at a screen. However, I think one can reasonably say that TSM is more than just staring. Nemo for me was a huge dissappointment. It is mostly staring at a screen, only at the end is there a little bit of the impressive technology that makes the video fish look like they are actually in water.

Besides, very few attractions at WDW are just 'staring' at screens.

I was using hyperbole.

BTW, think of the last few new attractions/redos. TSM uses screens, Nemo uses screens, and if I'm not mistaken, new screens were installed in El Rio del Tempo, aka Gran Fiesta Tour.

I'm not stating that screens shouldn't be utilized, but it shouldn't be our only trick in the bag (again...hyperbole ).

 

[ugadog99]

We are ending our 8 night trip tonight, and I really wanted to stay out of this debate, but I did feel I wanted to address a few issues from the viewpoint of someone here now. As for the cleanliness issues, I used to be on that bandwagon, too. I have complained time and again about the bathrooms, especially the ones in Epcot. Someone must have been listening. We have not found a dirty bathroom yet. The ones in Epcot have been spotless. We were at Pop the first four nights in a rehabbed room. It was AWESOME and mousekeeping was exceptional. The resort is in terrific condition and the renovations continue. We are now at OKW. It is painfully apparent that this resort is in need of major rehab-which it is getting even as I type. However, the actual cleanliness of the resort is okay. I didn't think our room was as impeccably cleaned as at Pop, but it is fine. (I should say this is our first and last stay at OKW, but that has nothing to do with Disney-just personal preference.)

DHS-Yes, this park needs some help in back! I would love to see the Monsters roller coaster or the Star Wars area.

Classic Rides-We love the classics (Peter Pan, HM, Pirates, etc). I grew up vacationing at Disney and one of the main reasons we continue to return is for the nostalgia. I enjoy the new technology advanced attractions, but the classics have my heart and always will.

Food Quality-We have had really good food on this trip. The only disappointment was with Chefs de France. It will probably be our last trip there due to the prices and quality. (We did see Remy, though.) We have found that for July it is much better for us to share meals and eat lightly. This has been easy to accomplish with tasty meals that have been plenty for two people.

 

[hookedonears]

What Disney does best are the attractions that provide the complete show. I love thrill rides as much as the next guy, but my favorites are the ones with the animatronics, music and the entire production. Splash Mountain, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Small World, Peter Pan. I really love these attractions. Disney needs more of these type attractions at Animal Kingdom. Plus a thrill ride or 2.

 

[d1gitman]

I was using hyperbole.

BTW, think of the last few new attractions/redos. TSM uses screens, Nemo uses screens, and if I'm not mistaken, new screens were installed in El Rio del Tempo, aka Gran Fiesta Tour.

I'm not stating that screens shouldn't be utilized, but it shouldn't be our only trick in the bag (again...hyperbole ).

Hyperbole
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, search
This article is about the term used in rhetoric. For the mathematical term, see Hyperbola.
Hyperbole (pronounced /haɪˈpɜrbəli/,[1] from ancient Greek ὑπερβολή 'exaggeration'), is a rhetorical device in which statements are exaggerated. It may be used to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken literally.

Hyperboles are figures of speech that are exaggerated in order to create emphasis or effect. Hyperbole is a literary device often used in poetry, and is frequently encountered in casual speech. An example of hyperbole is: "The bag weighed a ton".[2] Hyperbole helps to make the point that the bag was very heavy although it is not probable that it would actually weigh a ton. On occasion, newspapers and other media use hyperbole when speaking of an accident, to increase the impact of the story. This is more often found in tabloid newspapers, which often exaggerate accounts of events to appeal to a wider audience.

except we do 'stare at screens on some of the attractions'. i would think that stating some attractions are 'staring at screens' it is more literal than a hyperbole.


I agree wholeheartedly, video shouldn't be the only trick in the bag. I am on board with Disney slacking on the imagineering side of things, likely due to those darn beancounters.

 

[miprender]

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.

I say this to myself everytime I have to take my children to use the bathrooms. It must have been engineered from a man with no children

 

[Tiger926]

Just seeing this thread now - been here for 9 days, and have 2.5 more to go. Here are my thoughts:

DHS - This park does need some updating, and is our least favourite. The backlot tour is sad, and although Lights is a neat show, you cannot sit there in the scorching July heat. The wait in line is atrocious, as is the wait inside that stifling hot theater. We just watched it in March, as it was so much cooler, and won't watch it again for a few years. The Streets...seriously! You want us to walk around in pretend neighborhoods. Yikes! Star Wars, although classic, is outdated, IMHO as well, so it needs updating. We do like the classic rides like the Great Movie Ride and Indy, but again, they could all use some type of udating. For those of us who can't or won't do rides, there isn't much to do over there. Like the Playhouse area as we have young kids, and the Animation house, but it too could use some work. Don't even get me started on Fantasmic either - it has played 2x this week, and both times were last night. HUH!

AK - We don't want anything added, as animals need to rest. We like the park the way it is.

Characters - I already posted a thread about the serious lack of charaters this trip. Surely the result of cost-cutting moves. As DVC park veterans, we are ok, as we've BTDT a million times, but for first timers, they have been waiting in massive lines all week, and the crowds are pretty light for this time of year. They are also not staying out for long either. Something needs to be done here - lots of characters will ease traffic patterns, because people will stop wandering around looking for something to do, thus uncluttering the parks.

Transportation - Monorail issues last night: had to stop Silver (hubby had to be re-boarded to other one) and 1 hour later, we had to wait for 5mins on blue, while the driver waited for clearance as he missed the gates, and couldn't open. Monorails are packed, as are boats and busses, and again, it's not that busy this week. Normally in July, we are used to huge crowds, and transporation seems to flow much smoother than it has this year, and way less busy, so this tells me that they have less CMs working. We drive from Canada in order to have our own car, as we find it's totally necessary as we can't rely on Disney transporation. Although they do a great job considering the massive amounts of people who are transported around, the transportation is unreliable as of late, and takes way too long because of the amount of people now on property.

Cleanliness - Have seen issues this week, but have been seeing issues for the past few years. Some bathrooms are gross, many of them in fact, need attention, yet there are no CMs around. Guests use restaurant bathrooms, which are way too small as is, and then these are messy as well. They need to step up cleanliness a bit. Hand sanitizers should be available EVERYWHERE! Can't believe that because H1N1 scare is over, Disney has already removed many of the sanitizers. Seriously...if you make us touch that nasty biometric scanner, then you best be providing some kind of sanitation for us to use.

DVC - Would love to see improvements too, but we are in the minority, so Disney is slow to respond to us, it seems. Would love more merchandise, more DVC perks, and better check-in process. Rooms should be ready quicker than they are, and the room ready texting service only works part of the time. Better food/beverage offerings in stores too for us who have cook in our villas.

Attitudes - We have not seen any overtly friendly CMs at all, and in fact, have seen some nasty and rude ones. Have also seen CMs texting on phones, putting on lipstick in line while guests needed help, and ignoring of guests. Sure it's hot, and I'll be the first to admit that lots of guests are rude, but they need to do something here, as we've seen major traffic issues and guest problems caused by lack of attention by CMs. Some areas are way overstaffed, while others are understaffed, making CMs hot and cranky. Do a better job of spreading staff around.

Parking - Oy! The loading of parking lots is very problematic. We actually get out of line @ MK (safely) and drive around in order to get a better spot. It drives us nuts how they load the parking lots, and also how they won't let guests drive up to better spots. We sometimes don't enter a park for this reason, and it's very frustrating.

Food - Although good for a theme park, it could still use improving, especially kids. Yuck! My kids don't eat the junk that Disney sells, so we have a TIW card and they get adult meals. No DP for us, as it doesn't work. We like TS meals, and would like to see more varied menus, instead of generic meals, most especially kids. When you are at World Showcase restaurants with unique adult offerings, why are you only selling hotdogs and nasty mac and cheese for kids? How about half portions or kid portions of adult meals? Also, offer juice for refillable mugs - some of us, gasp, don't drink pop. Imagine that! And, filter all TS restaurant water, because there is a huge misperception on this board that Disney does this, and they do not. Only certain restaurants filter their water, so you need to ask.

Misc - More misters, covered stroller areas, play areas for kids (why remove the Flower Festival areas?), kid friendly bathrooms, remove biometric finger scanners, more benches for seating and more enforcement of no rolling coolers, Heelys and no smoking in parks.

After logging thousands of park hours, we have seen some areas go totally downhill, while others have remained stagnant. As this thread proves, Disney could use some updating and maintenance in many areas. We still enjoy coming here for several weeks each year, but I have to admit, there are some areas that are starting to bug us, and I never thought that would happen...

Tiger

 

[5inwonderland]

I totally agree with one of the first posters (sorry, can't remember which one) who said EPCOT could use some more rides and adventures in the World Showcase. I love the rides in Mexico and Norway - why aren't there more? It would (as the poster commented) relieve a LOT of congestion at the front end of the park and make WS a lot more kid friendly. Epcot is my favorite place in all the parks, but we are headed down in three weeks and I don't know that my kids will be interested.
As for AK - a magical land with mythical creatures would be cool and a destination for after hours - but, as it is a place for animals, I am ok with the animals getting a break in the evenings! (do we have a smilie for rest?)
We are not even going to DHS this trip - I just don't think my kids will be interested.
As for a Star Wars type area or attraction, I think it's incredibly smart! WWofHP over @ Universal might be impressive now, but I do wonder how impressive it will be in 15 years. And I'm a huge HP fan. I just don't see it. I don't think WWofHP gives Universale a leg up necessarily. Mainly b/c I think there are only three rides, right? It's sort of a section of the larger park, not its own park.
Just my thoughts
k

 

[ntsammy5]

OK. Let's get serious here. We need to get the 1/2 Yard of beer back at UK. Oh the humanity!