Time to remove Indy speedway

[DatFan]

Agreed. Needs to go and seems out of place to me. Surely the Disney minds can come up with something else for all that space.

The amount of space it takes up amazes me, I am big on nostalgia, don't take away my COP, Country Bears, or Tiki room! But the Indy speedway doesn't feel like those, it can be found in parks all over. Disney should be unique, and if the type of ride is generic then make it unique using movies and characters. Time to remove Indy Speedway!!

 

[MrKnight]

The problem with your theory is that it is not in a park that has limited space. There's enough room there to add an equal number of new attractions. 27000 acres is a lot of land, all they have to to do is utilize more of it. As I stated earlier, I don't want to hear about the evils of pollution and the "smell" if any of you took a motor vehicle to the parks, you added more of a footprint then that small attraction does. So either be concerned about that if you are not personally a major offender otherwise you are picking and choosing things that are OK as long as you want to do them and not OK if someone else does. Very hypocritical.

I think it would be a good idea to re-theme it to a cars type set up and even go to electric if they can completely copy the sound of an actual running engine. If not an important part of the sensory experience is gone. Besides, right now, WDW has much bigger problems that must be addressed.

MK is only 107 acres. I was referring to the park itself, not the entire resort. MK has always had space limitations, this is why so much effort has been put into expanding the hub area, the backstage bypass behind Main Street, and the reclaiming and restructuring of so many areas, especially Fantasyland, to increase capacity in a park that is bound by very limited boundaries, the boundaries primarily being the WDW Railroad.

 

[Robo]

MK is only 107 acres. I was referring to the park itself, not the entire resort.

MK has always had space limitations...

Only those that are self-imposed by Disney.

It is Disneyland that has the serious space limitations, and in the past couple of decades, Disney has been solving those.

 

[BobC]

I would actually be REALLY sad if they did this! There's a ride in Disneyland (California) that's Cars themed and it's AMAZING. It's VERY similar to Test Track (only better, IMO)... so if they re-did Test Track into the Cars ride, I think that would awesome, but not this ride. I think it's very classic, but something about it being OLD is AWESOME. It reminds me of my childhood going to Disney... my little brothers and I LOVED IT. I don't think we realized it was on a track until we were much older

Oh, and to OP... I went to Six Flags last weekend for the first time in almost a decade... WOW... I used to think Disney's slacking was "looking like a Six Flags," but it's definitely NOT. The whole time we kept saying... "they wouldn't do this in Disney," or "In Disney they..." ... I think everyone wanted to murder us haha.

I'm the same way at Six Flags. Went there once and the whole time I kept saying wow Disney is better! They had a raft ride and I'm like yay it'll be like Kali Rapids!!! ....no. It wasn't.

 

[Retro Magic]

I can't stand this attraction. It has no place in WDW any more, IMO. If anywhere, maybe it would work at Disney Springs somewhere? At an additional cost. That is the only place I feel this works. I cannot stand the fumes and the sound. Wasted space. Granted I guess it's only plus would be that it offers a slight bit of crowd control for those who love it.

However, if they were to re-theme them and put a little more imagination into it such as a mini Radiator Springs, that be great. But in its current state, I'd be happy to see it go. The only original attraction I can think of I'd be happy to see go away.

Because of all of my trips to Disney, I cannot visit any other theme parks any more aside from Universal on occasion because I no longer enjoy them. I just keep comparing them constantly and it takes away my enjoyment. Same with fireworks. I never go see fireworks any more because once you've seen the best(Disney is the best I have seen at least), whats the point?

 

[Robo]

Thank goodness guests' pet peeves don't dictate what attractions are removed.

There would be NO attractions at all.

I can't stand this attraction. It has no place in WDW any more, IMO...I guess it's only plus would be that it offers a slight bit of crowd control for those who love it.

Strange to say "It has no place in WDW," then use a phrase like "for those who love it."

Or, am I missing your meaning?

 

[Retro Magic]

I didn't mean no place in WDW so much as no place in Magic Kingdom. I just feel like it awkwardly clashes with the rest of the park's atmosphere. Feels out of place.

No matter what, every single attraction has those who "love it". Even Stitch's Great Escape I'm sure has its die-hards out there.

 

[Robo]

I didn't mean no place in WDW so much as no place in Magic Kingdom. I just feel like it awkwardly clashes with the rest of the park's atmosphere. Feels out of place.

I could't care less about what "clashes" in Tomorrowland.

Even from the days when Walt built Disneyland, nobody has been able to get a handle on WHAT
is "Tomorrow enough" to go there... and stay there.

"Tomorrow" has a way of becoming "Today" in a hurry.

They COULD change the name of the area to "Etceteraland" or "Whateverland."

 

[Robo]

Also, with some clever queue entrance rebuilding, they COULD change the name of the attraction to "Fantasyland Speedway."

Set up the entrance of the queue north of the Teacups and west of Dumbo.

With a major center-track replacement, they could make the cars electric-powered.
(That would allow a fast shutdown in various areas in case of trouble.)

It would silence the noise, cut the fumes and make a bow to pseudo ecology (which has been laid out up-thread.)

Put some cleaver walls/fences/baffles on the Tomorrowland side and BANG!

 

[Mouse of Mystery]

I could't care less about what "clashes" in Tomorrowland.

Even from the days when Walt built Disneyland, nobody has been able to get a handle on WHAT
is "Tomorrow enough" to go there... and stay there.

"Tomorrow" has a way of becoming "Today" in a hurry.

They COULD change the name of the area to "Etceteraland" or "Whateverland."

Agreed that the futuristic designs can become very quickly outdated. However, the concept of an automobile racetrack hasn't exactly screamed "future" for decades. We should all remember that the ride is based on DL's Autotopia which, itself, is based on the Eisenhower-era (1953-1961) freeways.

Tomorrowland desperately needs a vision because right now it's a hot mess. If they keep the Tomorrowland Speedway, it should, at the very least, be updated to support the land in which is resides.

 

[Robo]

Tomorrowland desperately needs a vision because right now it's a hot mess.

There is nothing that needs to happen right now, in particular.
Tomorrowland has always been thus.
I mean from from the year 1955, on.

Just do some research on it for some very interesting (and/or disappointing) history.

 

[goofyernmost]

Agreed that the futuristic designs can become very quickly outdated. However, the concept of an automobile racetrack hasn't exactly screamed "future" for decades. We should all remember that the ride is based on DL's Autotopia which, itself, is based on the Eisenhower-era (1953-1961) freeways.

Tomorrowland desperately needs a vision because right now it's a hot mess. If they keep the Tomorrowland Speedway, it should, at the very least, be updated to support the land in which is resides.

No, you're missing the point of it. It isn't a future theme thing, it represents what the future is to one that has limited experience in it, but, have seen others doing it and would like to do it also.

Simply put, to a child, DRIVING, is a thing that will be in their future. When they grow up. It is having control of something with power that until now has not been included in their lives for obvious reasons. I was a child a long, long time ago, but, I was obsessed by that concept. I wasn't fortunate enough to have a WDW to go to, but, I did have my imagination. I made trails in the yard and "drove" my red wagon all the while pretending I was on a road trip. Long before anyone invented one, I had imagined a kid sized electric car, amazingly very much like they eventually were, for me to drive around with an accelerator and a steering wheel. I lived and breathed for the day that I could actually drive a car. It was a long wait, over 15 years, but, all that pretending was aligning me for what MY future would be.

As an adult, I have been on Indy with my daughters years ago and thought I was going to have to get out and walk because I couldn't stand the speed we were going. Bored to death. Know what... my girls thought it was the best thing they ever did. They drove me someplace, they controlled the steering (to a degree) and whether or not we moved or stood still. It was an important grownup experience for someone not even close to being grown up.

We as adults, find it smelly, noisy and a huge waste of prime property. Kids, and grownups like Walt Disney, knew that this was going to make a lasting impression on kids. One that they would be excited to bring their own children to experience. Even if we as "grownups" cannot understand the value it is very important and those that advocate getting rid of it need to see things through the eyes of others and lighten up a little.

 

[Mouse of Mystery]

No, you're missing the point of it. It isn't a future theme thing, it represents what the future is to one that has limited experience in it, but, have seen others doing it and would like to do it also.

That's an interesting idea, but not exactly correct. WDW is full of things that one with limited experience has seen others do, but has not been able to do them.

Here's the dedication plaque at the entrance to Tomorrowland:

(Tomorrowland) ... A vista into a world of wondrous ideas, signifying Man's achievements... A step into the future, with predictions of constructed things to come. Tomorrow offers new frontiers in science, adventure and ideals. The Atomic Age, the challenge of Outer Space and the hope for a peaceful, unified world.

—Walter E. Disney, July 17, 1955

 

[Robo]

Here's the dedication plaque at the entrance to Tomorrowland...
"(Tomorrowland) ... A vista into a world of wondrous ideas, signifying Man's achievements... A step into the future, with predictions of constructed things to come. Tomorrow offers new frontiers in science, adventure and ideals. The Atomic Age, the challenge of Outer Space and the hope for a peaceful, unified world."

Do more research.
See what REALLY happened.

 

[bcrook]

Also, with some clever queue entrance rebuilding, they COULD change the name of the attraction to "Fantasyland Speedway."

Set up the entrance of the queue north of the Teacups and west of Dumbo.

With a major center-track replacement, they could make the cars electric-powered.
(That would allow a fast shutdown in various areas in case of trouble.)

It would silence the noise, cut the fumes and make a bow to pseudo ecology (which has been laid out up-thread.)

Put some cleaver walls/fences/baffles on the Tomorrowland side and BANG!

You are a problem solver. I vote for this!

 

[OKW Lover]

Kids and tweens LOVE it.

And with that, no more needs to be said.

 

[DisneyOma]

As for the electric verses gas argument, well true enough, there will be no emissions at the raceway if they switch to electric vehicles, but you aren't getting rid of the carbon emissions, you are just relocating them to a power plant which makes the electricity, in many cases burning oil or coal. That electricity is then transformed to a much higher voltage to move it across the electric grid. That process makes heat, and wastes electricity, thereby burning more oil / coal. There is some more waste / loss as the electricity travels from the power plant to the Orlando area, then it goes through another transformer to drop the voltage again, more loss. The electric motors in the cars will also have some loss. Add that all up, and it is going to be hard to say that the electric cars won't in fact cause more carbon emissions than the gas engines do. The only difference is that those emissions are at the power plan, not at the race track in Disney.

But you need to include the energy wasted and pollution created during the processing of the oil into gasoline, and the energy used shipping it to its final destination. No power source is really good for the environment.

 

[Tomh]

But you need to include the energy wasted and pollution created during the processing of the oil into gasoline, and the energy used shipping it to its final destination. No power source is really good for the environment.

True, but that same energy is used to process and / or transport the fuels that are used to power electric power plants.

 

[kenny]

Not sure how it can be said it is not a classic attraction. Wasn't it an opening day attraction and only one in tomorrowland? How much more classic can you get

I get that it is not a ride for teenagers or adults but not every ride has to be for everyone. Kids love it. Where else can a 5 year old drive their own car

As a frequent visitor we don't do enchanted takes with belle often. How many times can we see the exact same show especially if your kids aren't picked. However I can understand how it is popular for families that don't go often

That is he beauty of disney. There is something for every age and taste!

Also tired of every ride now having to have a movie tie in or character. Scan we get new rides that stand on their own. So glad speedway isn't cars. The best rides are disney were not based on IP's. Look at pirates, haunted mansion, thunder and space mountains, Everest, the safari etc. Wish disney would go back to that model and stop taking the quick and easy approach to appease the masses

 

[JimmyV]

No, you're missing the point of it. It isn't a future theme thing, it represents what the future is to one that has limited experience in it, but, have seen others doing it and would like to do it also.

Simply put, to a child, DRIVING, is a thing that will be in their future. When they grow up. It is having control of something with power that until now has not been included in their lives for obvious reasons. I was a child a long, long time ago, but, I was obsessed by that concept...

As an adult, I have been on Indy with my daughters years ago and thought I was going to have to get out and walk because I couldn't stand the speed we were going. Bored to death. Know what... my girls thought it was the best thing they ever did. They drove me someplace, they controlled the steering (to a degree) and whether or not we moved or stood still. It was an important grownup experience for someone not even close to being grown up.

We as adults, find it smelly, noisy and a huge waste of prime property. Kids, and grownups like Walt Disney, knew that this was going to make a lasting impression on kids.

I am astounded at how many people cannot grasp this. This attraction is all about the tommorow of the child. Not the tomorrow of mankind. Can the track and cars be updated? Sure. Make them look like Teslas with electric motors. Make them look like open wheel F1 cars. Or NASCAR cars. Or super futuristic Jetson mobiles. But at its core, the attraction works (for children) on so many levels. It is great watching kids actually control a three dimensional moving vehicle instead of the joystick on an X Box.