What new park developments are you most excited about from #D23?

[The Foolish Mortal]

If they just add him to the attic I'm good but I hope Constance and the story isn't disturbed. I have no idea if our attic is the same as theirs.

I would be fine with the idea of adding him to the attic. I also don't care if they lose the Escher staircase scene (it has never done much for me, although I can't recall what it replaced from the HM of my youth). Otherwise, there is not much I would want to lose. Maybe replace the shambling coat of armor or the vodoo style chair. I definitely don't want to lose anything in the graveyard scenes! Maybe just add a fourth hitchhiking ghost. They could have the head effect as he stands there with the other ghosts before the mirrors

 

[1lilspark]

Not when your already building zootopia in another park. What better way to save money then to duplicate a land that you already have engineering plans for. The whole dino land needs to be demolished and re done it's a giant waste of space. I would keep Dinosaur just re-theme it.

I think they would have to wait at least five years from when Shanghai opened if Zootopia were be a total clone

 

[reddog21]

I think they would have to wait at least five years from when Shanghai opened if Zootopia were be a total clone

The suspected "5 year rule exists" exists for Shanghi vs Tokyo, I haven't seen anywhere it exists for Disney domestically.

 

[1lilspark]

The suspected "5 year rule exists" exists for Shanghi vs Tokyo, I haven't seen anywhere it exists for Disney domestically.

I know it allegedly existed Re tron

 

[HopperFan]

I would be fine with the idea of adding him to the attic. I also don't care if they lose the Escher staircase scene (it has never done much for me, although I can't recall what it replaced from the HM of my youth). Otherwise, there is not much I would want to lose. Maybe replace the shambling coat of armor or the vodoo style chair. I definitely don't want to lose anything in the graveyard scenes! Maybe just add a fourth hitchhiking ghost. They could have the head effect as he stands there with the other ghosts before the mirrors

I didn't remember either so I looked ...

The Endless Staircase was not originally part of the attraction: prior to its addition in 2007, the area was just a darkened space with cobwebs and large, glowing spiders on either side of the staircase.

 

[Elijah Abrams]

Moana can bring in Oceania/Polynesia…

What would bring in more guests zootopia/moana themed land or more dinosaurs? I would take zootopia/moana all day and make up some lame excuse why is fits because at the end of the day no one really cares about a parks purpose.

Moana isn’t about animals. Not even the Moana rides in the concept art have anything to do with animals. Animal Kingdom also has a "no anthro" policy when it comes to their rides and attractions (unless you’re Mickey Mouse and the Sensational Six). What Animal Kingdom needs is more of the big continents like South America and Australia, more animals on display, both dinos and extinct mammals in one area, and more mythology animals like dragons and unicorns (even if it means getting rid of the Wildlife Express Train, but at least this would allow us to walk to the Planet Watch area). I also don’t appreciate your "no one cares about a park's purpose" opinion, @reddog21.

 

[ucf_knight]

The biggest take away I see in this thread is that peoples attention spans and patience is completely different than of yesteryear. These things take time and we can’t get new attractions and lands each year. Disney has been continuously improving their parks and attractions. The only thing I wish Disney would do would be a 5th gate but I don’t ever see that happening with what they spend on just one new land nowadays. Cheaper to improve and expand than start from scratch.

 

[Grasshopper2016]

It does seem like the two most logical contenders for expansion (or Dinoland replacement) areas in Animal Kingdom are South America and Australia -- given that the two primary existing areas of the park are Africa and Asia. If Disney were to build towns as thoughtfully themed as Harambe and Anandapur, and integrate into them native culture, wildlife, and habitats as well as they did with the original towns, then these could be wonderful additions to an already tremendously well-themed park. But I fear that Disney no longer has the courage or the confidence to proceed with park building not crassly tied to existing IP. Moana-land might well be a lovely addition. But it would turn AK into just another hodge-podge Orlando theme park, without an overarching "theme" at all. Shame, in my opinion.

 

[1lilspark]

It does seem like the two most logical contenders for expansion (or Dinoland replacement) areas in Animal Kingdom are South America and Australia -- given that the two primary existing areas of the park are Africa and Asia. If Disney were to build towns as thoughtfully themed as Harambe and Anandapur, and integrate into them native culture, wildlife, and habitats as well as they did with the original towns, then these could be wonderful additions to an already tremendously well-themed park. But I fear that Disney no longer has the courage or the confidence to proceed with park building not crassly tied to existing IP. Moana-land might well be a lovely addition. But it would turn AK into just another hodge-podge Orlando theme park, without an overarching "theme" at all. Shame, in my opinion.

Unfortunately Joe retired so all bets are off for his baby….

Imho I’d take this as an opportunity even to utilize some of the fox/blue sky animation and keep it dinoland and bring in ice age, or like you said Australia if you wanted to add cohesion with nemo or South America (if you need to shove ip in an up/Encanto land is my dream)

 

[Ermise]

Well this is a super depressing post. Can there be like a special board for people's whose cheerios were peed in?

I like your charming analogy. Another way to look at it is Disney has been peeing in everyone's cheerios for the past 2+ years, telling everyone it is milk and that they should like it, and charging more for it. I can understand why many people feel jaded.

 

[nikem3]

I like your charming analogy. Another way to look at it is Disney has been peeing in everyone's cheerios for the past 2+ years, telling everyone it is milk and that they should like it, and charging more for it. I can understand why many people feel jaded.

I just find it a bit silly the way this discourse is occurring. Disney spent $1 billion on a single land that opened 3 years ago ( or $2 billion if you included both DL and WDW). They've spent $500 million on a Guardians ride that is extremely innovative and fresh. They built Runaway railroad. They are building Tron that is also extremely expensive and everyone is acting like they are doing nothing for their parks. Or that the entire experience is being degraded. Meanwhile, in the very SAME breath, every announcement for something new is met with criticism about Walt's vision, or the theme of the park, or how they are tired of IP, or whatever the reason is that they SHOULDN'T bring in these innovations. Everyone wants the old rides to stay, but wants them to bring new experiences at the same time.

 

[set88]

It does seem like the two most logical contenders for expansion (or Dinoland replacement) areas in Animal Kingdom are South America and Australia -- given that the two primary existing areas of the park are Africa and Asia. If Disney were to build towns as thoughtfully themed as Harambe and Anandapur, and integrate into them native culture, wildlife, and habitats as well as they did with the original towns, then these could be wonderful additions to an already tremendously well-themed park. But I fear that Disney no longer has the courage or the confidence to proceed with park building not crassly tied to existing IP. Moana-land might well be a lovely addition. But it would turn AK into just another hodge-podge Orlando theme park, without an overarching "theme" at all. Shame, in my opinion.

Completely agree. I'm cringing thinking of AK becoming "IP overflow land for stuff we can't shove in anywhere else."

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

I didn't remember either so I looked ...

The Endless Staircase was not originally part of the attraction: prior to its addition in 2007, the area was just a darkened space with cobwebs and large, glowing spiders on either side of the staircase.

Yes!!!! The spiders! I remember them now. The stairs are a more complex effect (obviously) than some large rubber spiders on webs. But I always liked that as a transition to the hallway with the glowing eyes

 

[Jrb1979]

I just find it a bit silly the way this discourse is occurring. Disney spent $1 billion on a single land that opened 3 years ago ( or $2 billion if you included both DL and WDW). They've spent $500 million on a Guardians ride that is extremely innovative and fresh. They built Runaway railroad. They are building Tron that is also extremely expensive and everyone is acting like they are doing nothing for their parks. Or that the entire experience is being degraded. Meanwhile, in the very SAME breath, every announcement for something new is met with criticism about Walt's vision, or the theme of the park, or how they are tired of IP, or whatever the reason is that they SHOULDN'T bring in these innovations. Everyone wants the old rides to stay, but wants them to bring new experiences at the same time.

All of those things were announced awhile ago. The problem is there is nothing coming after Tron or Tiana for quite awhile. destination Disney next year is the earliest anything major will be announced. When you add in how long it takes for any new things to be finished your looking at 2027 or later.

 

[nikem3]

It does seem like the two most logical contenders for expansion (or Dinoland replacement) areas in Animal Kingdom are South America and Australia -- given that the two primary existing areas of the park are Africa and Asia. If Disney were to build towns as thoughtfully themed as Harambe and Anandapur, and integrate into them native culture, wildlife, and habitats as well as they did with the original towns, then these could be wonderful additions to an already tremendously well-themed park. But I fear that Disney no longer has the courage or the confidence to proceed with park building not crassly tied to existing IP. Moana-land might well be a lovely addition. But it would turn AK into just another hodge-podge Orlando theme park, without an overarching "theme" at all. Shame, in my opinion.

But this is the part I don't quite get. The Lion King is prevalent in the park. Rafiki's Planet Watch and the Lion King show. Obviously the Lion King show is great from a cultural standpoint of showcasing Africa. But the entire movie is based on self-realization and trauma. It has nothing to do with conservation beyond the fact that they are animals living in the wild.

On the other hand Zootopia is more cartoonish animals living human lives. The theme is more about societal impacts. However, why is the assumption that they are going to just throw in some dark, family friendly Zootopia ride, throw in a cartoon city and not have any conservation themes throughout the area? Is it not possible that they create an entire rainforest district, built around South American animals and messaging about conservation throughout and how important the rainforests are? What if the entire story behind the area is that Zootopia is inviting humans into their city for the first time ever to teach them how to coexist together? An excellent message built around the fact that our own cities are slowly encroaching on their lands. My point being that throughout Animal Kingdom they use fun, cartoonish characters to tell the messages about how important nature is and how important conservation is. Tough to be a bug is another example. A movie whose themes are about strength in numbers and political society, still uses its show to teach about the wonders of bugs.

 

[nikem3]

All of those things were announced awhile ago. The problem is there is nothing coming after Tron or Tiana for quite awhile. destination Disney next year is the earliest anything major will be announced. When you add in how long it takes for any new things to be finished your looking at 2027 or later.

This is just speculation. The Moana concept art looked pretty clean and could potentially be done sooner than that. Moana area was a reskin of Triceratops ride, a reskin of restaurantosarus , reskin of the gift shop, and then a brand new ride. If they greenlit that concept in 5 months, I can see it open in 2nd half of 2025 or 2026. They named 5 different land expansions. Entirely possible that you could see one land opening in each year 2026-2030.

 

[Jrb1979]

This is just speculation. The Moana concept art looked pretty clean and could potentially be done sooner than that. Moana area was a reskin of Triceratops ride, a reskin of restaurantosarus , reskin of the gift shop, and then a brand new ride. If they greenlit that concept in 5 months, I can see it open in 2nd half of 2025 or 2026. They named 5 different land expansions. Entirely possible that you could see one land opening in each year 2026-2030.

Anything is possible but I have my doubts much it being done. The thing is other then MK the parks need more attractions desperately. It's the reason Genie+ doesn't work that good. Not enough attractions. They need a lot more attractions on the level of Dumbo and less like Rise.

Cedar Point has 70 attractions in one park and WDW has 48 over 4. That to me is a big problem.

 

[reddog21]

Moana isn’t about animals. Not even the Moana rides in the concept art have anything to do with animals. Animal Kingdom also has a "no anthro" policy when it comes to their rides and attractions (unless you’re Mickey Mouse and the Sensational Six). What Animal Kingdom needs is more of the big continents like South America and Australia, more animals on display, both dinos and extinct mammals in one area, and more mythology animals like dragons and unicorns (even if it means getting rid of the Wildlife Express Train, but at least this would allow us to walk to the Planet Watch area). I also don’t appreciate your "no one cares about a park's purpose" opinion, @reddog21.

Just because you don't like my opinion doesn't mean it's not true. I asked my coworker who goes to Disney every couple of years if they put Zootopia in AK would that make you want to go, he was thrilled and though it would be a great idea. Then I told he that it wouldn't really fit the original concept of AK, his reply was not disboards friendly but you get the idea. The average park guest doesn't put any thought into the purpose of a park they go there to have fun and that's it. Are there people that do care absolutely I just think there in the minority. You don't have to look any further then EPCOT, the whole front of the park is being reimagined outside of the original concept.

The only policy that Disney follows is the one that will make them the most money

 

[HopperFan]

It does seem like the two most logical contenders for expansion (or Dinoland replacement) areas in Animal Kingdom are South America and Australia -- given that the two primary existing areas of the park are Africa and Asia. If Disney were to build towns as thoughtfully themed as Harambe and Anandapur, and integrate into them native culture, wildlife, and habitats as well as they did with the original towns, then these could be wonderful additions to an already tremendously well-themed park. But I fear that Disney no longer has the courage or the confidence to proceed with park building not crassly tied to existing IP. Moana-land might well be a lovely addition. But it would turn AK into just another hodge-podge Orlando theme park, without an overarching "theme" at all. Shame, in my opinion.

As @1lilspark said Joe is gone, along with many other creative imagineers so the parks are at the mercy of DisMart Chapek. As long as Joe was involved I think we would have seen what you are talking about to some degree. But Pandora was the first nod to me that this park will not be held to the standard it began as. Yeah yeah Pandora has some conservation message ... we hear in a few minutes in FOP but otherwise the land is just "another fantasy planet???" based on a movie I don't know. It's stunning and I love it but there is no story there for me. Just a pretty face. I wish we got the mythical beasts but we got big blue people. I don't know if Joe loved the IP but he made sure it is a work of art.

Dinosaurs, so much potential never reached. I went right after it opened when the REAL SUE the Dinosuar bones were there in big tents. We got to watch real bones being cleaned and prepared for the museum. It all worked, it was informative and entertaining. THEN they built the carnival parking lot. A depth of imagination that I could have avoided going to. It was the beginning of the end for Dinosaurs. The commitment was gone.

As far as IPs not wanted in park? One of Disney's biggest most popular shows - Lion King. One of Disney's most Broadway like shows - Nemo. The centerpiece Tree of Life show - Bug's Life. Characters ALL over the park. Pandora, a WHOLE land dedicated to one weird IP. Wilderness Club, a great learning tool but an IP. They work, they make kids happy, they make a "learning" park also good entertainment.

Bottom line the new Disney is going to put IP everywhere. It became obvious with the Frozen invasion of EPCOT that it brings people in to the parks. And at this point if it gets more attractions I'm fine with it.

​

I just find it a bit silly the way this discourse is occurring. Disney spent $1 billion on a single land that opened 3 years ago ( or $2 billion if you included both DL and WDW). They've spent $500 million on a Guardians ride that is extremely innovative and fresh. They built Runaway railroad. They are building Tron that is also extremely expensive and everyone is acting like they are doing nothing for their parks. Or that the entire experience is being degraded. Meanwhile, in the very SAME breath, every announcement for something new is met with criticism about Walt's vision, or the theme of the park, or how they are tired of IP, or whatever the reason is that they SHOULDN'T bring in these innovations. Everyone wants the old rides to stay, but wants them to bring new experiences at the same time.

I think one of the issues is that Disney relies on WDW being a global destination but at every turn it seems to get the least amount of love. Just compare MNSSHP and Ooogie Boogie.

Disneyland
53 Attractions
18 million visitors in 2019

Magic Kingdom
34 Attractions
21 million visitors in 2019

AND DL tickets cost less than WDW.

Florida is short changed, so yes, we are looking for more for our money, we are looking for commitment. I have no doubt WDW is the biggest income generator, it has become the flagship, and it has a global audience.

Galaxy Edge, well DL got it too.
Remy, clone ride from Paris.
Tron, clone ride from Shanghai.
Toy Story Land, clone rides.

Guardians, something a bit new - not the indoor roller coaster in the dark with screens part but it's a good ride.
Mickey Runaway - cute, innovative and fun but DL is getting one too so ...

All I am saying is YES appreciate what has been done even if it takes FOREVER, but WDW is still extremely short changed while producing high volumes of cash for the company.

This is just speculation. The Moana concept art looked pretty clean and could potentially be done sooner than that. Moana area was a reskin of Triceratops ride, a reskin of restaurantosarus , reskin of the gift shop, and then a brand new ride. If they greenlit that concept in 5 months, I can see it open in 2nd half of 2025 or 2026. They named 5 different land expansions. Entirely possible that you could see one land opening in each year 2026-2030.

OH PLEASE NO NO NO. That parking lot needs to be totally demolished and start from scratch. I'd rather wait longer for something of quality than keep any of that.

 

[nikem3]

I think one of the issues is that Disney relies on WDW being a global destination but at every turn it seems to get the least amount of love. Just compare MNSSHP and Ooogie Boogie.

This has always been an issue for me. WDW is of course short changed on a lot of events. Characters that show up at DL never show up at WDW. Events are ever changing at DL while WDW stays stagnant. I get it, I get the fact that a majority of DL guests are locals and annual pass holders so they feel the need to be fresh, but obviously I feel short changed with this as well.

OH PLEASE NO NO NO. That parking lot needs to be totally demolished and start from scratch. I'd rather wait longer for something of quality than keep any of that.

Of course, I'd absolutely prefer them to take their time and start from scratch. However, with pressure from people to throw something out there because "nothing is planned", I feel like it will end up being rushed out a bit and reskinned. I don't completely mind this, I think the dumbo style ride is fine, although the barrels seem a bit ridiculous. I'd prefer little Moana style ships. I'm more concerned on making sure whatever that water log ride is, that its innovative and gorgeous and fun. Also, that they bring a lot of trees and make more shaded areas.