Tokyo Disneyland Resort Expansion

[CosmicDuck]

While it's extremely sad to lose these classics, and whether or not the chosen IP will fit remains to be seen, I will always celebrate when the castle parks become more distinct between each other

OLC has been on a mission to exchange their TDL clones for rides that are unique to them

We'll still be able to experience Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room and the Treehouse in several other parks
But now TDL will gain a plethora of unique experiences, just like they did with BATB, Space and Ralph on the other side

I agree with this sentiment. Also this is the most "dead" area of the entire park. It has been very clear that nothing here has been resonating with guests for many years. This is rare to say for TDL, but all of these attractions also have superior versions that can be better experienced elsewhere.

It's clear OLC/WDI are re-defining what "Adventureland" means in a modern context and not just being shoehorned into the vague tropical jungle aesthetic. I just hope the reality is much more cohesive than what this concept art is currently conveying.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

Is Jungle Cruise popular with Japanese guests? I know this all sounds crazy on paper but I think it is important to remember that the tastes of Japanese park goers are very, very different to the tastes of their American counter parts. What may be popular here isn’t necessarily going to be there (and vice versa). Look at Pirates for a good example of that.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

Wow, so nothing anywhere is safe. Surprised Jungle Cruise is going away.

Like was said above, I think the concept of of a safe attraction is very American parks fans centric. It sounds crazy to me, and many of us. But I also know that what the Japanese like and desire from their parks is generally speaking way different than what American park goers are interested in. What pleases a TDR goer is miles away in many cases from what pleases a DL/WDW goer.

I have to imagine this decision is at least partially motivated by OLC’s realization that some of the clones they have just don’t get the attention and adoration there that they do here. It also comes from their clear desire to make their resort more unique. TDS is an insanely popular park in part because of that, and it seems they’re wanting to test the same thing in their castle park rather than being Magic Kingdom’s true sister park.

This is all insane from our eyes, but this all may be things that Japanese guests may end up being rather excited about. I’m not sure what their view of Jungle Cruise is but I wouldn’t be shocked to find it just doesn’t have the fanbase there that it does here. I know Pirates doesn’t.

 

[Gusey]

I see a lot of people calling this a coaster, but to me it feels very much like a monorail/peoplemover type attraction

There's almost no elevation change, except to go over/under itself

View attachment 856060

If it's supposed to resemble the monorails from incredibles, that would make sense:

 

[CosmicDuck]

I'm glad Port Discovery is getting an upgrade, but extremely sad they chose to kill off Aquatopia and leave that generic Nemo simulator untouched

Also weird to do this before they use up the emply plot next door

My assumption would be they re-theme that simulator yet again. I can't imagine they leave it as is.

I know it's only been open 8ish years but by the time this comes to fruition it'll be well past that. Plus it has never been popular since becoming Nemo.

But I agree with you, I'd much rather lose that than Aquatopia.

 

[RandySavage]

Port Discovery area looks like something out of Studio Ghibli

 

[CosmicDuck]

This is probably beyond unrealistic but is there even a 1% chance that if the Port Discovery building is actually hiding a show building, we could be getting an original D/E ticket?

The lack of any kind of IP theming on the building is giving me hope. But I know how IP focused OLC is obviously that's the draw for the license and for marketing so this is probably next to impossible...but a boy can dream.

 

[Timothy_Q]

This is probably beyond unrealistic but is there even a 1% chance that if the Port Discovery building is actually hiding a show building, we could be getting an original D/E ticket?

The lack of any kind of IP theming on the building is giving me hope. But I know how IP focused OLC is obviously that's the draw for the license and for marketing so this is probably next to impossible...but a boy can dream.

Also it wouldn't be a simulator since it's right next to one, and it wouldn't be a show since TDS still has unused theaters, so I feel like it HAS to be a dark ride of some kind

 

[Homemade Imagineering]

Also it wouldn't be a simulator since it's right next to one, and it wouldn't be a show since TDS still has unused theaters, so I feel like it HAS to be a dark ride of some kind

A new Journey Into Imagination would do wonders over there, could clone it over to Epcot. One can dream

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

IP is everything at TDR. It’s what powers the massive Disney fandom in Japan. Much more so than in other countries.

I don’t know how concrete these plans are, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see them exchanging opening day attractions for unique IP attractions.

 

[Robbiem]

It will be sad if aquatopia goes, I know its nothing special but I just love it, its a fun ride. I’m surprised that they would lean into steampunk for port discovery its too similar to mysterious island. You could have leaned more into the mid century googie look and it would have been a better choice for the incredibles IMO

 

[tanc]

I don't see CBJ being demolished unless they drastically modify frontierland too

 

[ThemeParkTraveller]

Port Discovery area looks like something out of Studio Ghibli

Looks like it might also be drawing inspiration from the cancelled Discovery Bay land.

 

[mickEblu]

I see a lot of people calling this a coaster, but to me it feels very much like a monorail/peoplemover type attraction

There's almost no elevation change, except to go over/under itself

View attachment 856060

Good eye. I guess they re going for that monorail on that island from Incredibles 1. And I’m guessing this has probably already been discussed haha.

 

[DavidDL]

The Incredibles in Adventureland feels.. wrong to me. I understand much of the movie takes place on an island in the South Pacific but the technology prominently featured in the film and the concept art feels out of place/too contemporary for what I see in my mind's eye when I close my eyes and think of Adventureland. I interpret the Incredibles attraction to be a coaster (the red lines feel like Dash running to me) and not a slow-moving transit-type of attraction.

I've have always wanted to ride the Aquatopia but haven't made it out to Tokyo yet. We were planning to wait until their new Space Mountain was finished but we may have to bump that timeline up now to experience that before it goes away forever.

 

[SweetDuffy101]

What are the chances this is a strategy to convince business executives to green light a 3rd gate? So many IPs/ideas to throw into the existing parks... why not flesh them out elsewhere?

I was reading somewhere that somebody said a first ever Duffy & friends franchise indoor Theme park somewhere in Japan.

 

[CosmicDuck]

I was reading somewhere that somebody said a first ever Duffy & friends franchise indoor Theme park somewhere in Japan.

I was floored to see none of these plans had anything Duffy related. Saving that instead for a separate theme park makes more sense.

But as someone who has been to Sanrio Puroland - I'd much rather it just be a land inside or adjacent to the existing parks. I guess it's good they're not ripping out Mermaid Lagoon to fill with that instead.

EDIT: Taking this back almost immediately. In my head I assumed this would be in Tokyo or somewhere adjacent. Putting it somewhere up north or west like Osaka/USJ could be a nice draw.

 

[MisterPenguin]

So... is OLC-Disney still considered the best Disney resort?

 

[ThemeParkTraveller]

A slightly different concept of the Port Discovery re-imagining was also included in the press release. I assume this is an older rendition.

 

[CosmicDuck]

So... is OLC-Disney still considered the best Disney resort?

I mean, I'm sure others will disagree but I tend to err on the side of OLC generally knowing what their audience wants, and making an effort to fit that in somewhat cohesively with their parks. DisneySea is the best theme park in the world and somehow Fantasy Springs is an expansion that lives up to that reputation, which seems tremendously difficult on paper especially when you consider what WDI looks like now compared to decade ago.

They make plenty of mistakes and decisions I disagree with, the Fantasy Springs hotel is a perfect example. But big picture, I'll continue to give OLC the benefit of the doubt until they really mess up.

Plus - it would take several missteps for any of the other resorts to even get within striking distance imo.