MK Cars-Themed Attractions at Magic Kingdom

[Chi84]

The problem is we are dumbing down the integral experience of what makes Disney special to caring about "a river."

The river was certainly a part of what made Disney special but there is so much more to what makes Disney unique.

 

[parksandtravel]

The river was certainly a part of what made Disney special but there is so much more to what makes Disney unique.

Like this!

 

[TheRealSkull]

The river was certainly a part of what made Disney special but there is so much more to what makes Disney unique.

Of course removing it may not ruin the entire experience, but it does take away a unique, irreplaceable part of what made Disney feel different from other parks. It's a shame really, because if they can touch this, I have no reason to believe they couldn't justify demolishing anything else we deem as "untouchable" or "irreplaceable." It's another step backward (and a giant step backward it is) towards a future where Disney is going to become a checklist vacation and not one about letting it happen for you.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

MK and DLR specifically? Because of their multi-generational appeal, which hasn’t changed.

not just multi-generations, multiple interests and abilities as well.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Of course removing it may not ruin the entire experience, but it does take away a unique, irreplaceable part of what made Disney feel different from other parks. It's a shame really, because if they can touch this, I have no reason to believe they couldn't justify demolishing anything else we deem as "untouchable" or "irreplaceable." It's another step backward (and a giant step backward it is) towards a future where Disney is going to become a checklist vacation and not one about letting it happen for you.

Seems like a slippery slope falllacy. In no way is them taking away 14 acres for a low capacity attraction equivalent to them taking down something like Haunted Mansion or the castle both of which sell merchandise out of the park and are incredibly popular icons

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

The problem is we are dumbing down the integral experience of what makes Disney special to caring about "a river."

I don't think anyone who doesn't really mind this change is automatically dumbing anything down, if that's what you're implying. It is absolutely possible to understand, hold reverence for, and believe in the importance of what makes Disney special while also not minding if one attraction gets swapped out for another.

Now, I can understand the point of view that the riverboat and the river were a component of the experience and example of what makes it special, but I would argue if removing that one component somehow degrades the overall whole that significantly, then the overall whole was not that strong to start with, and I don't think most if any of us believe that.

 

[nickys]

Of course removing it may not ruin the entire experience, but it does take away a unique, irreplaceable part of what made Disney feel different from other parks. It's a shame really, because if they can touch this, I have no reason to believe they couldn't justify demolishing anything else we deem as "untouchable" or "irreplaceable." It's another step backward (and a giant step backward it is) towards a future where Disney is going to become a checklist vacation and not one about letting it happen for you.

I agree.

What about the People Mover? The track refurb they did a while back was costly. The walkway up to it sometimes stops working. The loading is problematic for some people, given it can’t be stopped for a wheelchair.

So imagine they decide the ROI isn’t worth it. Block up the entry ramp. Leave the track as part of the Tomorrowland architecture.

I sincerely hope it doesn’t happen, but it’s possible next time it needs work done on it. The initial outcry from fans would be much bigger than the loss of TSI, but would soon die down just like it did/will for GMR, Horizons, Muppets Vision 3D. And the Skyway is a precedent for removing something with no replacement.

 

[JD80]

Have you ever heard the saying “They don’t make things the way they used to?”

I hate to break it to you but the longer you're alive the more things they don't make like they used to.

 

[Raineman]

I can accept lots of opinions that are different from my own.
But yours read differently.
They come off like someone who has little to no love for the classics, and as someone who doesn't understand, or simply dismisses the nuances that made the park special.

Trying to convince some of these people here that nuance, atmosphere, cohesive theming and preservation of history have always been important to the Disney theme park experience is impossible. After all, if it's something they don't like, it's not important, regardless of what it contributes to the experience. Who needs nuance when you spend all of your time at WDW bee-lining from one attraction to the other?

 

[Purduevian]

Can you do a graphic with Grizzly Peak Mountain? I think that's what it will look like the most.

Grizzly is surprisingly big

I think you might enjoy being a Six Flags passholder then

I'm I the only one on here that has a season pass to my local six flags/cedar fair park? I love it there, but I still go to Disney about once a year... its possible for people to love both

 

[TheRealSkull]

Seems like a slippery slope falllacy. In no way is them taking away 14 acres for a low capacity attraction equivalent to them taking down something like Haunted Mansion or the castle both of which sell merchandise out of the park and are incredibly popular icons

I don't think anyone who doesn't really mind this change is automatically dumbing anything down, if that's what you're implying. It is absolutely possible to understand, hold reverence for, and believe in the importance of what makes Disney special while also not minding if one attraction gets swapped out for another.

Now, I can understand the point of view that the riverboat and the river were a component of the experience and example of what makes it special, but I would argue if removing that one component somehow degrades the overall whole that significantly, then the overall whole was not that strong to start with, and I don't think most if any of us believe that.

The "whole" may still be strong, the issue lies in what’s getting lost in the process, and whether future changes might add up to a shift in what Disney really is. You give them an inch, they might take a mile. With the Rivers, they took 10 miles.

 

[DCLcruiser]

It is unfortunate and I agree that the park should offer new and exciting experiences. I'm actually looking forward to the Cars ride very much. But for a resort that brags about its blessing of size, Walt Disney World is cannibalizing itself so much that I’m starting to think WDI is taking for granted the vast well of creativity that could make these parks feel truly limitless.

But you're missing the point. ROA and TSI were utility. They made the park feel alive and gave you breathing room. Some days it was my favorite spot to go to once the park hit the crowd high. Weeks before closing, I saw a young lady just simply reading a book in one of the rocking chairs, admiring the scenery. It was refreshing to see. Some adults believe only alcohol can relieve them from the hustle and bustle of a busy park day.

Replacing them with something “more useful” just proves the problem: Disney is slowly becoming a ride warehouse.

Sure, Lightning Lane may make the ride experience faster, but it also trains guests to ignore everything that actually makes the park special. It enforces the checklist mentality that creates frustration and inconsiderate guest behavior. The parks also aren't open as long as they once were, therefore causing guests to rush even more. I miss the 8am-12am days. We're genuinely lucky if Magic Kingdom is open until 11pm any day of the year.

No one went there. That's just the truth. Hell, you can say the same for JII, but I would want it to stay. We all have our own opinions on what provides us with utility.

If your problem is ride-planning, then this has been an issue since Fast Past.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I would argue if removing that one component somehow degrades the overall whole that significantly, then the overall whole was not that strong to start with

Well every component matters. And they start to add up. and of course this is multiple components, not just one so that’s another unique thing about this project.

I’ve visited MK since the closing of the river and still had a good time - starlight helps offset the feeling of a core piece of MK missing since another core piece of MK is now back. I still enjoyed my visits. But goodness I get sad when I walk over the bridge near sleepy hollow and know I’ll never see the steam billowing out above the boat dock again :-/

 

[DCLcruiser]

Why would someone have to visit before 2000 to enjoy a classic?

My first trip was in 1988 (4 years old). I've been a ton since. I think I went on the Liberty Belle once (fairly recently), and never to TSI.

I don't recall if they ever had water parades on the Liberty Belle at the MK, nor was I a feral 80s kid exploring the island.

If you didn't grow up with LB/ROA/TSI being an attraction, then it losing its value. It was just there as we walked by. It's different when you lived it, and have fond memories. I do not. I have them for many other aspects of the parks.

 

[DCLcruiser]

I think you might enjoy being a Six Flags passholder then

Six Flags and WDW are on two different levels.

Now, if you said Cedar Point, I would agree.

 

[Chi84]

Trying to convince some of these people here that nuance, atmosphere, cohesive theming and preservation of history have always been important to the Disney theme park experience is impossible. After all, if it's something they don't like, it's not important, regardless of what it contributes to the experience. Who needs nuance when you spend all of your time at WDW bee-lining from one attraction to the other?

This post is an excellent example of “not understanding nuance.”

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

Well every component matters. And they start to add up. and of course this is multiple components, not just one so that’s another unique thing about this project.

I’ve visited MK since the closing of the river and still had a good time - starlight helps offset the feeling of a core piece of MK missing since another core piece of MK is now back. I still enjoyed my visits. But goodness I get sad when I walk over the bridge near sleepy hollow and know I’ll never see the steam billowing out above the boat dock again :-/

And I do think it’s fair to be sad and fair to miss it! Absolutely.

The idea I disagree with in the post I was responding to, and in other posts like it, is that not being particularly sad about this change is synonymous with a lack of regard for the more understated and nuanced things that make Disney what it is.

Some posters here have been a little extreme in how they discuss their view of the river and island being an acceptable loss (I was at the beginning, but as time’s gone on I’ve made a point to listen to what people have to say on the other side and have mostly come to understanding their points even if I don’t completely agree). That inevitably gets emotions churned up and messages start to fly, and I feel it can sometimes make some folks start to put words into other folks’ mouth.

Like I said, I can get from certain points of view why someone may view this as give an inch, take a mile. But I can’t understand why someone can think a person who doesn’t feel that way automatically has a disregard for important things where the parks are concerned. I think it’s very possible to understand what sets Disney apart and wish for them to keep those tenants in mind and also at the same time believe that Magic Kingdom losing the riverboat and TSI is not a complete reversal of those tenants.

But it does seem unfortunately that some are not willing to listen to anything a person has to say if it follows the words “I am okay with this.” The crop of folks who are not very much want to be heard out, and I think that’s fair, but I also think it’s only fair the other side also gets heard out without being told they don’t get it, or worse, don’t appreciate it.

If that makes sense. It’s 11 am and I havent been able to fall asleep yet so I’m rambling.

 

[Dreamer19]

Just find it hilarious to compare a park that has a completely different business model, nothing alike in rides, and nothing that even resembles a Disney park but people go "uh no theming so its the same as putting IP everywhere?
Despite the fact that Disney makes purposebuilt rides that fit specific Ips while Six Flags paints a coaster a certain color and slaps a DC characters name on it.


Six Flags parks have rivers with boats, they have train rides, they have non IP attractions, they have family and thrill rides, they have all of that stuff. That is NEVER even part of what separated Disney from Six Flags. Judging the quality of something that hasn't even been built yet would be a gross misuse of time when: 1. It doesn't look like anything Six Flags could do. and 2 Is again not even out yet.

Just out of curiosity. By 2028, Will animal kingdom have a cohesive theme? If not, why not rename it to “Random Disney Adventure park”?
But then you have the problem of Hollywood Studios and MK having very loose themes as well, say….riding talking cars through the frontier and beside a haunted mansion….
Which then begs the question - why are any of these parks separate if they’re just a bunch of random ip rides?

Six flags are usually an assortment of random rides. Now, you can argue that the quality is better at Disney, but why is a family of 4 paying $10k for a selection of attractions and experiences but together by mad libs?

 

[dlfan1313]

Of course removing it may not ruin the entire experience, but it does take away a unique, irreplaceable part of what made Disney feel different from other parks. It's a shame really, because if they can touch this, I have no reason to believe they couldn't justify demolishing anything else we deem as "untouchable" or "irreplaceable." It's another step backward (and a giant step backward it is) towards a future where Disney is going to become a checklist vacation and not one about letting it happen for you.

Amen!

Disney is currently on a two-step process. Step 1: Become like Universal. Step 2: Become more like 6 Flags. The concept of themed lands, the entire basis upon which the parks were based, is being eroded away with the silt of the river.

 

[Dreamer19]

Right. Disney has the standards that makes it different.

Suggesting that making changes means they no longer have standards and are no better than Six Flags is hyperbolic.

Can we agree that an argument could be made that the standards have dropped and that should be classified as unacceptable for a family spending a decade of savings on an expected standard?