MK Cars-Themed Attractions at Magic Kingdom

[aladdin2007]

They won’t have to do anything with Pirates as I suspect they’ll get rid of JC to get to that expansion pad.

I don't believe that's how its designed, that expansion pad can be used and accessed without ripping out JC. Sort of like how Jones was added into Disneyland,,,but back to Frontierland.

 

[britain]

more than anything, the most frustrating thing about this, besides the obvious, is that in a classic case of pretending to care about their obscure characters, instead of actually using Ranger Woodlore (or any other thematically appropriate classic Disney characters), they feel the "need" to make a Carsona out of him to match the direction they're going with...while the real Ranger Woodlore continues to linger in obscurity

why not restore and/or put out the rest of the Humphrey shorts someplace? In the Bag in particular is a top-tier cartoon and the most recent widely circulated master is unrestored, 4:3 letterboxed mush

No, I think they made the right call here. They never let any non-car character interact with the car characters. The worlds are entirely separate.

 

[flynnibus]

That’s what made MK and DL and other Disney castle parks to an extent so unique; they contain timeless concepts, touchstones, original theme park creations, and yes some IPs that transcend the generations and remain with us

Ok, but let's remember what we see as 'timeless' now are the attractions that actually made the cut and survived.. not all did.

Many required significant updates to stay fresh too.

Those cherrished Disney attractions we celebrate as timeless are the ones that have appealed to multiple generations and built around topics that have continued to be enjoyed by people over several social eras. While POTC may have met that citeria, there are plenty of Mule Trains, Rocket to the Moon, etc that didn't.

 

[flynnibus]

I would be curious to know, though, whether there is any evidence that teenagers in general think Universal Studios and Universal Orlando are better than Disneyland and Walt Disney World or whether that is just the demographic in which they are most competitive.

Why does UNI have great success with an intense Halloween program while Disney still focuses on trick or treating? You think that is just some odd stand out? or maybe something a bit more reflective of the demographics

 

[JohnD]

There is also an opportunity cost going on. Getting rid of ROA also made it much easier and cheaper to utilize a large expansion plot for Villains. The only other ride/feature I can think of that is blocking an expansion pad is Pirates... but I'm pretty confident its pulling its own weight.

EDIT: I think speedway would be the next attraction taking up way too much space for it's "Value".

Now that the Cars (TM) attraction is greenlit is there really a need for two car attractions in MK?

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Why does UNI have great success with an intense Halloween program while Disney still focuses on trick or treating? You think that is just some odd stand out? or maybe something a bit more reflective of the demographics

Again, I don't doubt that they pitch to different demographics and Disney's pitch is certainly more wholesome and family friendly. This may also indeed be because Universal is preferred to Disney by teenagers.

According to the last TEA ranking, however, Magic Kingdom and Disneyland both received around 7-8 million more visitors than Universal's most-visited parks in Florida and California in 2023, which is a significant number. So, I would just suggest that it is possible that Universal does better against Disney with that demographic than in other demographics without it necessarily being true that teenagers as a whole prefer Universal.

 

[Casper Gutman]

That's certainly how they pitch themselves and they do offer less attractions for younger children.

I would be curious to know, though, whether there is any evidence that teenagers in general think Universal Studios and Universal Orlando are better than Disneyland and Walt Disney World or whether that is just the demographic in which they are most competitive.

It certainly appears that Disney has started (foolishly) chasing Universal by building lots of restrictive thrill rides. WDW is still the bigger draw by far, but in their behavior, Universal clearly looks like the leader in Orlando and WDW the follower.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Ok, but let's remember what we see as 'timeless' now are the attractions that actually made the cut and survived.. not all did.

Many required significant updates to stay fresh too.

Those cherrished Disney attractions we celebrate as timeless are the ones that have appealed to multiple generations and built around topics that have continued to be enjoyed by people over several social eras. While POTC may have met that citeria, there are plenty of Mule Trains, Rocket to the Moon, etc that didn't.

Great point. Here are some selects from Disneyland's past, some of which stood for a very long time.

• Main Street Shooting Gallery (1955–1962)
• Big Game Safari Shooting Gallery (1962–1982)
• Pack Mules (1955–1956)
• Rainbow Ridge Pack Mules (1956–1959)
• Pack Mules Through Nature's Wonderland (1960–1973)
• Stage Coach (1955–1956)
• Conestoga Wagons (1955–1960)
• Rainbow Caverns Mine Train (1956–1959):
• Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland (1960–1977)
• Mike Fink Keel Boats (1956–1994, 1996–1997)
• Skyway to Tomorrowland (1956–1994)
• Skull Rock and Pirate's Cove (1961–1982)
• Motor Boat Cruise (1957–1991)
• Circarama, U.S.A. (1955–1997)
• Space Station X-1 (1955–1960)
• Rocket to the Moon (1955–1966
• Flight to the Moon (1967–1975)
• Mission to Mars (1975–1992)
• Tomorrowland Boats (1955–1956)
• Monsanto House of the Future (1957–1967)
• Submarine Voyage (1959–1998)
• Flying Saucers (1961–1966)
• General Electric Carousel of Progress (1967–1973)
• PeopleMover (1967–1995)
• Adventure Thru Inner Space (1967–1985)
• America Sings (1974–1988)
• Rocket Rods (1998–2000)

 

[Sir_Cliff]

It certainly appears that Disney has started (foolishly) chasing Universal by building lots of restrictive thrill rides. WDW is still the bigger draw by far, but in their behavior, Universal clearly looks like the leader in Orlando and WDW the follower.

I completely agree they have gone too far in this direction and seem to have forgotten how they built their appeal. It seems in part the same issues that are driving the E-ticket bias: the spiralling cost of new attractions and ease of marketing big, splashy thrill rides.

 

[Cliff]

I do wonder if part of the analysis for the removal of ROA at Magic Kingdom is since it will be maintained at Disneyland, this can help better differentiate the parks?

If you want the nostalgia hit, got to Disneyland. If you want a different castle experience, with a different style, go to Magic Kingdom.

Perhaps they think they can push business to both from the same markets? The more differentiated, the better for both parks.

It's my suspicion that modern Burbank does not love Disneyland's Rivers of America any more than they love Orlando's. I'd guess these people would LOVE to tear that out too if they could. However, "Fantasmic!" Is blocking that dream from happening.....for now.

"Let the past die. Kill it if you have to. It's the only way that you can be what you were meant to be" - Kylo Ren

 

[JohnD]

It's my suspicion that modern Burbank does not love Disneyland's Rivers of America any more than they love Orlando's. I'd guess these people would LOVE to tear that out too if they could. However, "Fantasmic!" Is blocking that dream from happening.....for now.

"Let the past die. Kill it if you have to. It's the only way that you can be what you were meant to be" - Kylo Ren

Don't forget the VIP dinner packages to see it. $$$$

 

[Disney Analyst]

It's my suspicion that modern Burbank does not love Disneyland's Rivers of America any more than they love Orlando's. I'd guess these people would LOVE to tear that out too if they could. However, "Fantasmic!" Is blocking that dream from happening.....for now.

"Let the past die. Kill it if you have to. It's the only way that you can be what you were meant to be" - Kylo Ren

I mean, they spent a good chunk of money redoing the river, and it's pretty gorgeous now.

But they are definitely leaving TSI to rot. Would love for them to figure out a better plan for the island.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

It's my suspicion that modern Burbank does not love Disneyland's Rivers of America any more than they love Orlando's.

I’m not sure who is guiding the ship anymore - it seems to get tossed by the waves but I’m not sure who is causing those waves.

 

[Casper Gutman]

I completely agree they have gone too far in this direction and seem to have forgotten how they built their appeal. It seems in part the same issues that are driving the E-ticket bias: the spiralling cost of new attractions and ease of marketing big, splashy thrill rides.

Disney needs to return to a focus on family dark rides AND up there game. EU has clear problems, but as a whole it leaves Disney’s recent efforts in the dust. The lands are so much more detailed, full, alive, and better laid out then recent Disney lands like TSL, SWL, and even Avatar. Ministry, which features a mood and story very similar to Resistsance, really makes the Disney ride look empty and unexciting.

If Disney wants to compete directly, it needs to COMPETE. The new AK land and Villains (in however many years) seem to be Disney’s only chance to make a statement to counter Uni in the near future, and Uni hopefully won’t be sleeping on their laurels in the meantime.

 

[Fox&Hound]

The problem with this they may find themselves in the “generation IP” spiral that Universal found itself in during the late aughts / early teens. With each new generation, different IPs may cross the gap, and others may just be yesterday’s fad. Is Disney willing to refurb, reskin and replace every 15 years? Or even less in some instances? That’s what made MK and DL and other Disney castle parks to an extent so unique; they contain timeless concepts, touchstones, original theme park creations, and yes some IPs that transcend the generations and remain with us. To me, Cars is a big risk in MK as who knows if in fifteen years it will be timeless and a touchstone like say Snow White or Peter Pan, or will be “mom and dads lame movie they liked as kids”.

But let’s say that is true. Couldn’t they keep everything but remove the Cars characters? And then it is just a car ride around the national park environment. Would that be so bad? It’s not like we are discussing them betting it all on Avatar and floating mountains.

 

[Bocabear]

I am hoping Epic continues to add and enhance what they have built there. It looks like a beautiful park... Meanwhile we will get a new ride, a spinner replacement and an attraction overlay in the Animal Kingdom and in 3-5 years a Cars land attraction with rumors of a spinner as it's second attraction.

 

[Bocabear]

But let’s say that is true. Couldn’t they keep everything but remove the Cars characters? And then it is just a car ride around the national park environment. Would that be so bad? It’s not like we are discussing them betting it all on Avatar and floating mountains.

the good thing is removing the IP will be as easy as scraping the googly eyes off the cars! lol
sadly the Auto Parts Mountains will be harder to change..... I was terrified to read they were talking about Mount Prometheus at Tokyo Disney Seas and how it dominates the skyline and comparing it to Piston Mountain....Imagine a giant snow covered Piston rising above the entire Magic Kingdom..... ugh...

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

You have to be IN the ride (or whatever you want to call it) to experience the water for Moana.

That is not quite correct. I can't say I have studied the exact details, but the top of the interactive geysers (not sure what to call them), and the mist area called 'air' are visible from outside of the attraction. I'm not sure exactly how far you can see them, and partly it would depend on the weather, but they are visible from beyond the attraction.

Said water is also somewhat visible from the monorail, though much of the attraction is concealed by foliage.

I do think part of that is so that the attraction is lush for viewers on the inside. Personally, I prefer the lush interior of the Moana walk-through to the rocks of Galaxy's Edge. GE now looks a little better than when it opened, but I still think GE is a missed landscaping opportunity.

 

[Professortango1]

Tron, 7DMT, HoP, PeopleMover, CoP, Bears - there are unique attractions at MK.

I also think people are too quick to dismiss entertainment at MK. Happily Ever After, the replacement for Wishes are both beloved shows. Obviously there are factors in Central Florida (being able to shoot off pyro daily, pyro launch points, bigger castle) give it a distinct advantage over Disneyland, but they shouldn't be discarded.

Festival of Fantasy, even if it's slightly modified from returning after Covid runs daily and it will be running simulatenously with Starlight. Disneyland didn't even run Magic Happens for the entire year and with PtN, there is no daily parade during the day.

Tron was a decent idea, but based on a pretty dead IP, doesn't fit the land, and is way too short. It also feels way too similar to SM right next door, but in a less charming way.

Hall of Presidents is nice enough, but nobody is visiting MK for HoP. Plus, American Adventure blows HoP out of the water and is in the best WDW park, Epcot. I typically spend 2 days at Epcot and half a day at most at MK.

PeopleMover is an ironically beloved attraction for Disney Adults, but, once again, nobody is visiting MK for PM. Disneyland has the monorail as a Tomorowland attraction in DL, WDW has PM.

Country Bears are unique and I do miss them. But, once again, Disney reduced the quality of the attraction. Gone are the visual gags, costumes, and backdrops. Now, its bears in front of blue curtains singing Disney songs. yay.

As for Entertainment, Disneyland used to take that trophy too, until recently. The destruction of live entertainment at the DLR is criminal.

The point is, what is there to entice me, as a tourist, to visit MK. Right now...nothing. A worse version of Country Bears? A Museum piece like CoP? The dated PeopleMover? Sorry, I'm visiting every other Disney Park AND every other Universal park before I visit MK. They haven't kept MK fresh as they did with Disneyland.

Now, the needle can move back to MK with attractions like this. And as Disneyland continues to whittle away at entertainment and kill NOS with a million little cuts. I'd love to see MK get some rides that are objectively better than their California cousins.

 

[yensid1967]

I still think that this expansion is the wrong way to go! I think they will see the error in a few years after opening!
BUT, since they are going ahead a RUINING NOSTALGIA, let's look at the positives...
IF the renderings are followed, it looks like they are going to theme the area toward frontierland, so it MAY fit into the area better than we anticipated. I think however the mountain looks, I hope they plant A LOT of PINE TREES on the side facing Frontierland. Or incorporate it so it is SEAMLESS!
I hope they find another area on property to use the Riverboat...Disney Springs lake? Seven Seas Lagoon as a private boat used for Polynesian and Grand Floridian guests to get to the Magic Kingdom...a PERK for those guests. At least the Riverboat will have another life, even if it's for a specific guests.

So to sum up my thoughts, I am going to accept this and move on...Disney will do whatever they want and not really care what the guests thoughts are. I see this new CARS area failing in a few years, just like the Star Wars hotel and Galaxy's Edge. Disney is STILL not on my list of places to visit for my next trip next year. They WILL still raise prices (announced for 2026) and cut QUALITY AND QUANITY. All the parks will be CONSTRUCTION WALL CITIES as Disney expands to increase attendance...yes EU is affecting them, but that's what they get for being complacent with planning things to open with EU and not 2+ years later!