WDW's Coaster Phobia

[olwyngdh]

BG Williamsburg is a great park. When we lived in the area, we had annual passes. It isn't Disney. It isn't what I want when I go to Disney. The only coaster there I would consider "themed" is Verbolten. The rest of them have themed entries at best--and that is only the entrance, not the line. 6 flags, at least 6 flags NE, is crap. It is only about 15 miles from my house. We got annual passes the first year we were here, and they were a waste of money. The park is not well maintained, the rides are not well maintained. Yes, there are thrill rides, but as poorly as they are maintained, the chiropractor bill adds to the cost of the ticket. I don't want to see that at Disney either. Would I like another great coaster at Disney? Yeah, that would be cool. I have hopes for Avatar Land. When there is a Star Wars expansion, it would be great to have one there. But I do not ever want to see Disney take a page from Busch Garden's book, or copy the fish wrapper plans of 6 flags.

 

[JimmyV]

Disney doesn't need big coasters to attract a big crowd.

This is a fallacious argument. You could just as easily say that Disney doesn't need Stitch or the Tea Cups to attract a crowd. Adding an adult coaster is not about attracting a crowd. It would be about pleasing the crowd that is already there.

The great thing about Disney is there are so many rides for people who don't like rollercoasters.

And none of those would go away. We are talking about adding a ride. Not replacing other rides. Should Disney wipe out The Muppet Theater to put in a coaster? No. Can it wipe out catastrophe canyon to do so? Sure.

Also, there are alot of people who can't handle the sort of coasters at Universal and Six Flaggs and would hate if Disney became a copy of them because we wouldn't go on anything.

I don't understand this statement. If Disney put a Star Wars themed or villians themed coaster in DHS, you wouldn't ride any of the other rides? That logic escapes me.

Disney is supposed to be for families and people of all ages.

BINGO!! There it is in black and white. Families. People of all ages. And many people between the ages of 8 and 50 love more thrilling roller coasters. When people use the phrase "of all ages", they tend to concentrate on the 0-7 ages. Not the 8-18 ages. That market is definitely under served. If WDW were truly to concentrate on "all ages", it would add one coaster that would make enthusiasts swoon. Just one. There is a reason why RnR has a 90 minute Stand By line. It is Disney's most intense coaster, and it is very crowded. Isn't that proof that enough that people want and can handle more? Don't get me wrong. We love RnR. But it ain't Kraken. Somewhere there is a middle ground between RnR and Kraken that would work at WDW.

If Disney can throw in the multitude of kiddie attraction like Playhouse Disney (which is a precious waste of space AFAIC), HISTA playground, bazillion M&G's and FOUR spinners (Dumbo, Astro Orbiter, Triceratops Spin, an Magic Carpets of Aladdin) among others, they can toss the grown ups and daredevils a bone.

This. 100 times this.

 

[Luv2Run]

I honestly don't understand anyone that seriously thought that a Snow White themed ride in Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom was somehow going to be some super intense thrill-ride to top them all. I always knew that this would be a mid-tier ride somewhere between a Splash Mountain and a Big Thunder Mountain. How could that not be obvious to everyone? I don't get the disappointment at all.

People just have super unreasonable expectations for Disney, I think. Also, there are alot of people who can't handle the sort of coasters at Universal and Six Flaggs and would hate if Disney became a copy of them because we wouldn't go on anything. I can handle almost all the "coasters" that Disney offers except Expedition Everest and Mission Space, both of which made me sick. Anything above those rides I and plenty of others would never even attempt.

Disney is supposed to be for families and people of all ages. Places like Six Flaggs tend to be overrun with rude teens mostly, as that is who craves those sorts of rides the most. If Disney became coaster central, it would would ruin everything about what it's trying to be. There is more than adequate intensity at the thrill rides that Disney does offer - you can go somewhere else if you need your brains scrambled.

I agree with everything quoted, so I know I'm not alone in being satisfied with the thrill level of the rides being offered by WDW/DLR. I much prefer the atmosphere at Disney opposed to Busch Gardens (I live less than 15 miles from Busch Gardens Williamsburg) or Six Flags. For me, those resorts are something I might go visit once and then seldom afterward, because to me, they feel cheap and shoddily put-together, wheras Disney feels more 'quality' to me.

If I do want to get my thrills, there are plenty of options already, with my favorite being Space Mountain and ToT. I could ride those over and over and over again (and have!), but at places like Busch Gardens, I'm just like meh...I'm good. And furthermore, I need a day to recover from the rides at Busch, after getting my noggin jostled around so much. The worst migraine of my life came after my first time to Busch Gardens, and I'm pretty sure it was due to a combination of cracking my head on Gryphon and being so dehydrated from being out in the sun all day (I swear, that park has so little shade, it's ridiculous).

 

[JimmyV]

I honestly don't understand why everyone keeps bringing up CS.

I don't either.

The reasoning is clear.

• It is in a Disney park.
• It is bigger than anything at WDW.
• It is not "themed" in any way, and stands out as a coaster through and through.

As a result of these things, in one fell swoop it disabuses and lays to rest any argument that Disney parks are no place for a large, visually uninteresting, unthemed, eyesore roller coaster. Disney has crossed the Rubicon with CS and the "Disney doesn't do that" argument no longer holds water. CS is not used as an example of a mega coaster because it is not. It is used as proof that when Disney wants to, it can place a roller coaster outdoors, send people at close to 60 mph, drop them over 100 feet and put them on a ride that is over a mile long. If I recall correctly, it is in the Top 10 in terms of overall length. Is it on par with the other Central Florida coasters that you mention? No. But that is sort of the point here. CS is used as an example of a "gateway drug". If Disney guests can handle CS, then that is proof enough that Disney is exactly the right place for a coaster that is longer, higher and faster than EE. How extreme the coaster would be is up for debate. But CS is not a bad baseline to use as it dispenses with the arguments that Disney won't build such a thing. It already did.

 

[kakiegirl]

I think one of Disney's big draws is it is a family park where most of the rides are rides that the whole family can enjoy together. I just don't think they are aiming for having a thrill ride park. It would probably take several thrill rides to draw people just for that reason and I just don't think that is their target demographic.

 

[Luv2Run]

BINGO!! There it is in black and white. Families. People of all ages. And many people between the ages of 8 and 50 love real roller coasters. When people use the phrase "of all ages", they tend to concentrate on the 0-7 ages. Not the 8-18 ages. That market is definitely under served. If WDW were truly to concentrate on "all ages", it would add one coaster that would make enthusiasts swoon. Just one. There is a reason why RnR has a 90 minute Stand By line. It is Disney's most intense coaster, and it is very crowded. Isn't that proof that enough that people want and can handle more? Don't get me wrong. We love RnR. But it ain't Kraken. Somewhere there is a middle ground between RnR and Kraken that would work at WDW.

I'm confused - how do you define "real roller coaster". Because the last time I checked, the definition of a roller coaster is:

"A steep, sharply curving elevated railway with small open passenger cars that is operated at high speeds as a ride, especially in an amusement park."

How do BTMRR, Space Mountain, RnR, and EE not fall into that category? Because they don't have the 'proper' amount of G-forces or height for you? RnR even goes upside-down for crying out loud.

 

[JimmyV]

I much prefer the atmosphere at Disney opposed to Busch Gardens (I live less than 15 miles from Busch Gardens Williamsburg) or Six Flags.

I guess I am at a loss to figure out how the addition of one single coaster on the back lot of DHS that is themed by the Disney Imagineers would alter the atmosphere of all of WDW and somehow turn it into a Six Flags. I think people see "one coaster" and read it as "a whole bunch of coasters". Not suggesting that at all.

 

[JimmyV]

I'm confused - how do you define "real roller coaster". Because the last time I checked, the definition of a roller coaster is:

"A steep, sharply curving elevated railway with small open passenger cars that is operated at high speeds as a ride, especially in an amusement park."

How do BTMRR, Space Mountain, RnR, and EE not fall into that category? Because they don't have the 'proper' amount of G-forces or height for you? RnR even goes upside-down for crying out loud.

Fair enough. "Real roller coaster" is a fuzzy term. Brian has been kind enough to give us the rankings of several coasters worldwide. So Let's start there. Forget the phrase "real" and substitute in: "A coaster that would crack the Top 30 in the world." It wouldn't have to set records or best everything at Cedar Point. But how about something in the 25-30 range instead of the 110-125 range. Earlier post edited to now read: "...more thrilling coasters" instead of "real coasters".

 

[jade1]

That wouldn't work with AK,it's like 5 miles away from DHS.

It is? Google Earth shows 1.3 miles? Shorter than some current coasters.

And they also go under roads.

 

[RalphinSC]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfQGd0o723M

Flying Ace at Kings Island is the best children's coaster I've seen.
Height requirement is 44".

I've ridden the one at Carowinds. It was my sons first invert coaster. Afterburn is my favorite there.

 

[fairyprincess88]

I guess I am at a loss to figure out how the addition of one single coaster on the back lot of DHS that is themed by the Disney Imagineers would alter the atmosphere of all of WDW and somehow turn it into a Six Flags. I think people see "one coaster" and read it as "a whole bunch of coasters". Not suggesting that at all.

The same thing happens in regards to Universal on this board. For some reason people like to lop Uni into the same regards as Six Flags with a ton of steel coasters taking up all the parks with no theme, just coasters, coasters everywhere. The facts however show that Universal has a total of 3 mega coasters between both park. Just three. But if someone were to go by some of the posts on this board they'd think Universal was nothing more than a park of thrill rides and mega coasters and nothing for the family and no theme whatsoever, just miles and miles of ugly, sky high steel. It's such an odd thing to me that people see three coasters between two parks as a "thrill park" and "full of mega-coasters".

Well, then again a lot people seem to think families don't include teenagers or thrill riders either.

 

[RalphinSC]

The same thing happens in regards to Universal on this board. For some reason people like to lop Uni into the same regards as Six Flags with a ton of steel coasters taking up all the parks with no theme, just coasters, coasters everywhere. The facts however show that Universal has a total of 3 mega coasters between both park. Just three. But if someone were to go by some of the posts on this board they'd think Universal was nothing more than a park of thrill rides and mega coasters and nothing for the family and no theme whatsoever, just miles and miles of ugly, sky high steel. It's such an odd thing to me that people see three coasters between two parks as a "thrill park" and "full of mega-coasters".

Well, then again a lot people seem to think families don't include teenagers or thrill riders either.

Technically, it's four coasters (Hulk, Fireball, Horntail, RRR); but you make a great point.

 

[JimmyV]

The same thing happens in regards to Universal on this board. For some reason people like to lop Uni into the same regards as Six Flags with a ton of steel coasters taking up all the parks with no theme, just coasters, coasters everywhere. The facts however show that Universal has a total of 3 mega coasters between both park. Just three. But if someone were to go by some of the posts on this board they'd think Universal was nothing more than a park of thrill rides and mega coasters and nothing for the family and no theme whatsoever, just miles and miles of ugly, sky high steel. It's such an odd thing to me that people see three coasters between two parks as a "thrill park" and "full of mega-coasters".

Well, then again a lot people seem to think families don't include teenagers or thrill riders either.

Great observations. I guess it should have been predictable that the suggestion of adding one kicked-up coaster to WDW would bring out the Universal bashing which would in turn translate into "we don't want WDW to become Universal", when in truth, who in their right mind would not like to see rides like "The Mummy" and "Spiderman" at WDW? Not that it will ever happen, but with Disney in control of Marvel, if an announcement were ever forthcoming that the Spiderman ride was being moved from US to DHS, there would be a lot more than .

 

[mummabear]

BINGO!! There it is in black and white. Families. People of all ages. And many people between the ages of 8 and 50 love more thrilling roller coasters. When people use the phrase "of all ages", they tend to concentrate on the 0-7 ages. Not the 8-18 ages. That market is definitely under served. If WDW were truly to concentrate on "all ages", it would add one coaster that would make enthusiasts swoon. Just one. There is a reason why RnR has a 90 minute Stand By line. It is Disney's most intense coaster, and it is very crowded. Isn't that proof that enough that people want and can handle more? Don't get me wrong. We love RnR. But it ain't Kraken. Somewhere there is a middle ground between RnR and Kraken that would work at WDW..

Exactly. Disney is for families and you don't stop being a family when your kids are 12 & 15. If they had some true coasters it may stop these families from heading over to US instead.

Just because some of you wouldn't want to ride it doesn't mean it shouldn't be built, it being there wouldn't stop you from going to WDW but it will attract new people, retain existing people who are outgrowing the parks or get people to add more days.

Btw the reason MS doesn't have a long line is that it's boring, it's not comparable to the likes of Hulk or mantra

 

[ashleighbass06]

You obviously haven't been to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. They have great looking, themed coasters. Would EE tell less of a story if its highest drop were 3 times higher? How about California Screamin'? Why is that a Disney-approved coaster, yet they won't put something like that in Florida. Is WDW unworthy of a coaster the likes of CS?

California Screamin' is an example of what was wrong with the original DCA and why it went through a huge overhaul a couple of years ago. An unthemed coaster is just, not very "Disney".

 

[JimmyV]

California Screamin' is an example of what was wrong with the original DCA and why it went through a huge overhaul a couple of years ago. An unthemed coaster is just, not very "Disney".

....or.....

California Screamin' was the single redeeming quality of California Adventure when it opened and is one of the few things that has not been altered through the huge overhaul. The unthemed coaster stood sentinel in the heart of that park and remains there today when all about it was changed or replaced.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

It is? Google Earth shows 1.3 miles? Shorter than some current coasters.

That's a bit of a misleading comment. While there are roller coasters that may exceed a mile in track length, it's disingenuous to insinuate that the coaster itself covers that kind of distance. While a fun thing to dream about, using a roller coaster as a transportation system is not feasible..

when in truth, who in their right mind would not like to see rides like "The Mummy" and "Spiderman" at WDW?

True story. I'm a Disney fan for life, but I'd be lying if I said The Mummy's Revenge isn't one of the single best attractions I have ever been on. It has everything that makes Disney attractions so special, plus some thrill on top of that. It's the type of attraction that Disney needs more of.

 

[BrianL]

You guys keep calling Cali Screamin' unthemed, but it is themed, to early 20th century boardwalk rides. The whole area is dedicated to that. I rather like CS, though it isn't exactly super-intense either, though more than anything at WDW excepting RnRC.

I don't personally think WDW NEEDS big coasters like that, and I understand why they don't build them. I also would not at all be upset if they did build one, and I would likely enjoy it quite a bit. It's up to the Imagineers to make those decisions though. Honestly, I think it's a good thing for every theme park to have a different niche, that way it's fun to go to all of them!

 

[slickpoetry]

The trill ride enthusiast is peripheral to Disney's main demographic target: families with young children (say, 3 to 13). The company is intelligent enough to realize that these families may also travel with teenagers or adults that appreciate an occasional thrill ride, so they built just enough to appease that demographic. But look at where they chose to spend money recently: new Fantasyland. That demographic is their bread and butter.

 

[JimmyV]

The trill ride enthusiast is peripheral to Disney's main demographic target: families with young children (say, 3 to 13).
Today's 8-13 year old is yesterday's 12-17 year old when it comes to the adreneline junky factor.
The company is intelligent enough to realize that these families may also travel with teenagers or adults that appreciate an occasional thrill ride, so they built just enough to appease that demographic. Yes, they built just enough, to 1990 standards. There was a time when BTMRR was a "thrill ride". Now, it is Barnstormer with better theming.
But look at where they chose to spend money recently: new Fantasyland. That demographic is their bread and butter.

Agree that this is their bread and butter. But now that they have finished New Fantasyland, it is time to put some jam on that bread. Star Wars. Marvel. Villains. The pieces are all in place for the addition on one...just one...ride that might keep people from heading up I-4. Somehow I don't get the impression that Thor, the Avengers, Iron Man or the X-Men would be best represented in the parks by a children's play area, a stage show, or another Dumbo/Triceretops/Magic Carpets spinning ride. No?