MK Cars-Themed Attractions at Magic Kingdom

SMRT-1Michael

Well-Known Member
There definitely was a lot more life to all of Frontierland back in the day - definitely find memories of visiting as a kid and the streetmosphere in the area and the various vessels in the water

Definitely overtime the whole area became more of a walkway to get to Splash/TBA and BTMRR. Some of that is management doing but also I think just guest references changing over time
It also has a lot to do with TWDC using WDW as a play space for IP now for international audiences and pushing modern thrill experiences that compete with IOA/USO/EU. That, to me, killed WDW and the intimacy of MK. I'm local to WDW, but rarely find myself there anymore and just do Disney Cruise Line, or use some miles and fly over to Disneyland for the weekend, because those are the types of classic Disney experiences I want as a "consumer", to use TWDC lingo. Each time I'm at Disneyland, I prioritize storybook dark rides/classics. You really won't catch me in line for anything Star Wars out at DLR or Marvel at DCA.
 

TrainsOfDisney

Well-Known Member
It's relatively easy to see why Disney would see the RoA as a candidate for removal:
It’s also relatively easy to see why Disney is content with large boxes being exposed to on stage areas when previously they weren’t.

I hope one day someone leaks some of the plans that were on the table - and tells the story of how we ended up with Piston Peak.
 

SMRT-1Michael

Well-Known Member
The difference is that the DL fans would have burned the park to the ground fighting for some of it to remain. So they made it clear that it would. At WDW everything is the end of the world when it closes, so it means nothing when the complaints roll in.
I think it matters some at WDW. The new fun map was a reaction to that overwhelming feedback and prioritizing water features and a river along the walkway through Frontierland. I wish they'd stop floating around the old rendering as that is now outdated conceptually. I wouldn't be surprised if the 2nd flat ride for smaller kids was cut to make way for scenic elements that blended it into Frontierland better.
 

Kamikaze

Well-Known Member
Someone YT (can’t remember the channel, maybe it was RetroWDW, maybe it was WDWPro) said it best: Corporate Disney/The Bob Iger Company doesn’t think of their visitors to the parks as “guests” anymore, they think of them as “consumers” only.

“Sorry we killed an experience you shared with your parents and grandparents, making it impossible to share with your own children or grands. But here’s our new piston peak popcorn pail for $32.99. And don’t forget to subscribe for Cars Shorts on Disney plus.”
Doesn't everyone always quote the 'Disneyland will never be complete' quote?

There are still plenty of experiences that are in the parks that can be shared between past and future generations. Most of them are more iconic Disney than RoA/TSI. My ONLY memory of being young on either was because my father got separated from the rest of us, so my poor mother had to walk around the island calling his name. Unfortunately, his name is Tom, so she looked like a lunatic.
 

Kamikaze

Well-Known Member
I think it matters some at WDW. The new fun map was a reaction to that overwhelming feedback and prioritizing water features and a river along the walkway through Frontierland. I wish they'd stop floating around the old rendering as that is now outdated conceptually. I wouldn't be surprised if the 2nd flat ride for smaller kids was cut to make way for scenic elements that blended it into Frontierland better.
We'll see if it made a difference once they start building. I won't count on those water features until they exist.
 

TheMaxRebo

Well-Known Member
It’s also relatively easy to see why Disney is content with large boxes being exposed to on stage areas when previously they weren’t.

I hope one day someone leaks some of the plans that were on the table - and tells the story of how we ended up with Piston Peak.

I would love to have been a fly on the wall during those sessions and/or read in a book in the future

They have a lot more data and info than we do - doesn't mean we would agree with their decision but seeing the pros and cons they factored in would be interesting
 

SMRT-1Michael

Well-Known Member
It's relatively easy to see why Disney would see the RoA as a candidate for removal:

✅ Can be replaced with a more recognizable IP that pushes merch(Cars)
✅ While Disney shows the very sanitized version, parts of the source material is ... questionable
✅ Less people required to run/repair the ships and rafts
✅ As stated, until they announced it was closing, neither attraction was really pulling lines, nor had LL or G+

Do we think it's a stupid idea? Yes. Are we Disney? No. The last few big removals should have taught us everything is on borrowed time basically to Bob and co.
I think the pulling lines/LL+ is a silly argument in the community. (not a jab at you). Not everything needs a 45-75 min wait. Some things are just nice to walk up to and experience organically. That's why Tiki Room, RoA, Peoplemover, CoP etc. were always huge favorites amongst life-timers. Now, if an attractions very existence is based on the revenue they generate from LL+ sales, then we have a HUGE problem on our hands.
 
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Captain Barbossa

Well-Known Member
And just like that, the sun has set on another classic attraction that contributed to an atmosphere that once gave me “the feels”. To me, that atmosphere has been extinct for a number of years, but the Rivers of America/Liberty Belle were one of the components of said atmosphere that were still going. Only a few left now. And from a larger viewpoint, the number of steam powered riverboats that you can experience in the US gets smaller.


RIP my sweet darling…

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…thank you for the memories
 

Kamikaze

Well-Known Member
It’s also relatively easy to see why Disney is content with large boxes being exposed to on stage areas when previously they weren’t.

I hope one day someone leaks some of the plans that were on the table - and tells the story of how we ended up with Piston Peak.
This part is easy. Look at what RSR does at DCA. The ride is an unstoppable juggernaut of constant long queues and LLSP.
 

SMRT-1Michael

Well-Known Member
The feeling, and interactive nature of TSI should be moved to Widerness Lodge/ Fort Wilderness. Those areas preserve the spirit.
I'd argue it'd be a missed opportunity if any of these themes and concepts weren't recycled at the new Lakeshore Lodge. As it stands if their pool areas aren't a River Country resurgence, WDI has truly lost their way.

Editors Note: this is a forum not a declaration of intention on behalf of WDI. God forbid we playfully suggest preserving these themes in new experiences ESPECIALLY if the bulldozers are already on site at TSI/RoA. Sheesh.
 
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mickEblu

Well-Known Member
By the way…. I was kinda surprised we didn’t see any “celebrities” like Baxter, Bob Gurr, etc. yesterday.

I think it’s just too soon after Splash. At a certain point the frustration with the company’s decisions is stronger than the desire to participate in another unnecessary self imposed going away party for changes that fundamentally alter the park or its attractions. Especially when they re replaced with an inferior product. If it were me I’d distance myself and “mourn” from the other side of the graveyard too.
 
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Gusey

Well-Known Member
I wouldn't be surprised if the 2nd flat ride for smaller kids was cut to make way for scenic elements that blended it into Frontierland better.
The 2nd ride still seems to be on the table with the Rangers HQ acting as the queue, and the area is supposed to feature elements to resemble a walking trail, including the potential for a barrel bridge to return somewhere in the new area
 

TrainsOfDisney

Well-Known Member
I wish they'd stop floating around the old rendering as that is now outdated conceptually.
Is it? I don’t think anything changed. But I’m not an insider (TM) haha.
There are still plenty of experiences that are in the parks that can be shared between past and future generations.
The riverboat was, I believe, the most accessible moving attraction at WDW. That alone should have saved it.
This part is easy. Look at what RSR does at DCA. The ride is an unstoppable juggernaut of constant long queues and LLSP.
I know why Bob loves Cars - that’s not what I’m referring to here. Haha. Kachow!
 

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