MK Cars-Themed Attractions at Magic Kingdom

[Kamikaze]

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]

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 I wish they'd stop floating around the old rendering as that is now outdated conceptually.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]

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]

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.

 

[Captain Barbossa]

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…

…thank you for the memories

 

[Kamikaze]

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]

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.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

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

 

[SMRT-1Michael]

We'll see if it made a difference once they start building. I won't count on those water features until they exist.

Agreed. Look what happened to EPCOT's central plaza/CommuniCore Hall/Plaza. Train. Wreck.

 

[SMRT-1Michael]

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

They are really Disneyland Imagineers. And all those things still exist at DLR/DLP. It's nice to hold out hope that the Liberty Belle/Richard Irvine could resurge in another way WDW.

 

[mickEblu]

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.

 

[Gusey]

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]

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!

 

[DCLcruiser]

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.

I feel like Lakeside Lodge is too modern. TSI exists in the past, and Wilderness is more historic/nostalgic.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

They are really Disneyland Imagineers. And all those things still exist at DLR/DLP. It's nice to hold out hope that the Liberty Belle/Richard Irvine could resurge in another way WDW.

No…. They are Disney Imagineers who were very much a part of Walt Disney Worlds design and construction.

 

[SMRT-1Michael]

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

It's just going to be terrible capacity lol. Not really resolving anything in the first place IMO if the argument is low ridership per year at RoA. I love Rollicking Roadsters but the capacity per hour is horrendous. And heaven forbid another Alien Swirling Saucer/Junkyard Jamboree situation.

 

[SMRT-1Michael]

No…. They are Disney Imagineers who were very much a part of Walt Disney Worlds design and construction.

I guess in a way, but Baxter was more EPCOT Center with Gurr's vehicles being used at MK as well.

 

[Kamikaze]

The riverboat was, I believe, the most accessible moving attraction at WDW. That alone should have saved it.

What does that even mean, and why would it 'save' it?

I know why Bob loves Cars - that’s not what I’m referring to here. Haha. Kachow!

But that's the reason.

 

[SMRT-1Michael]

Is it? I don’t think anything changed. But I’m not an insider (TM) haha.

The riverboat was, I believe, the most accessible moving attraction at WDW. That alone should have saved it.

I know why Bob loves Cars - that’s not what I’m referring to here. Haha. Kachow!

Yep, a fan site who had a sit down with WDI recently mentioned they re-did the rendering to be the park fun map as a direct response to the negative feedback.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Since the walls will be up for three to five years Disney should lean into to and put some viewports in the walls. They can use shatter proof plexiglass for safety.