“Something major” coming to DHS???

[DisneyDean97]

Any info on when Disney will release this update? Any hints at theme? So intriguing why they would bump this ahead of MK. Really sad if all the villains talk comes to nothing…

There's a lot of money to go around, and Disney has been eyeing expanding MK's capacity for a while now, so I think the land beyond Big Thunder will still get developed within the next decade, I just think Disney realized their other parks still need help more than MK.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

There's a lot of money to go around, and Disney has been eyeing expanding MK's capacity for a while now, so I think the land beyond Big Thunder will still get developed within the next decade, I just think Disney realized their other parks still need help more than MK.

I believe MK is more "by the end of this decade". They don't want to wait.

However, reclaimation will need to happen before anything can go vertical behind Big Thunder, which pushes its timeline further out. That's part of why they want other projects that can open in the meantime.

Far as I know AK is next in line for significant cash infusion. Wouldn't surprise me if DHS got something good between then and MK's Expansion, but I haven't personally heard much about the DHS idea. Which doesn't mean it's not happening, just that I wouldn't know what it is.

The Test Track redo is in there somewhere too (possibly soon-ish?) but that's minor relative to AK and MK's deals.

 

[doctornick]

If they wanted to help MK’s capacity in the shorter term, putting something new in the Stitch space would be great

 

[DisneyDean97]

I believe MK is more "by the end of this decade". They don't want to wait.

However, reclaimation will need to happen before anything can go vertical behind Big Thunder, which pushes its timeline further out. That's part of why they want other projects that can open in the meantime.

Far as I know AK is next in line for significant cash infusion. Wouldn't surprise me if DHS got something good between then and MK's Expansion, but I haven't personally heard much about the DHS idea. Which doesn't mean it's not happening, just that I wouldn't know what it is.

The Test Track redo is in there somewhere too (possibly soon-ish?) but that's minor relative to AK and MK's deals.

Makes sense, so you're expecting the Dino land redo AND the other new attraction planned for AK to open before anything else they have planned for WDW ???

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

Makes sense, so you're expecting the Dino land redo AND the other new attraction planned for AK to open before anything else they have planned for WDW ???

At this moment I only know about the DinoLand redo for AK, not sure what the other mystery ride for AK might be or if it's even real. If I had to guess I would think DCA's Avatar E-Ticket might be a reasonable contender, since it's different from AK's Pandora rides, but I'm not sure they would want to spoil the exclusivity by building it twice. It should be a draw for DCA.

That said, I would say the DinoLand redo seems to be the next major project for WDW. It's been in the works for a while. If something "major" JUST got the greenlight at DHS I would think that would probably open after the DinoLand stuff. But that's sort of a guess since I don't even know if the DHS thing is real.

"Beyond Big Thunder" doesn't seem like it could open earlier than 2028, and possibly later. I've heard of some smaller presents they might drop into MK in the meantime, but the big stuff will take longer.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

1) The clue is in the name RocknRoller Coaster ... Taylor Swift is not rock and roll
2) If Disney hadn't sold the Queen library of songs would of been a good replacement
3) RNRC should be perhaps removed and link it with whatever they have in mind for Animation Courtyard.

True, but neither are half of the RnR HoF inductees

 

[Tha Realest]

True, but neither are half of the RnR HoF inductees

She’s as close to rock and roll as we have today. It’s a dead genre, sadly.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

If they retheme RnRC with Taylor Swift as the artist, then I guess I've taken my last ride on that attraction. It's not just that I am not a fan of her or her music, it's the fact that we've had her shoved in our face constantly for a while now. Can't even watch a football game without having to hear about/see her. Why not go with a more generic theme that isn't based on one artist/band? No SwiftieCoaster for me, thanks.

You should live in NJ and NOT love Springsteen…

 

[Smiley/OCD]

She’s as close to rock and roll as we have today. It’s a dead genre, sadly.

That’s not true…POP music? Absolutely correct…but there’s still great rock music out there…you just have to REALLY look for it.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

Yes she is a concert draw....but again, I don't see people actually planning trips to WDW specifically to see a re-skin of Rock and RollerCoaster (which already has crazy long waits) with a snippet of Taylor Swift music... It would have to be something new and completely unique.....

Says the dentist in my wife’s office that flew her and her daughter to Argentina to see her perform this summer…

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I really think you underestimate how crazy many of these fans are. KC football ticket prices rose on the off chance a person would see her at the game. People track her friends weddings and stalk the facilities just to get a glimpse. Her concert merch trucks arrive days before the concerts and have people camp out for them (not to see her, just to buy her merch).

Heck national news stations aired multiple stories that she might or might endorse a presidential candidate...

From a subjective standpoint, I know many people that this would tip the needle of going to WDW.

Yes, she literally shut down Long Beach Island in NJ for two days because she went to her record producer’s rehearsal dinner and wedding…police were called in from several other towns for crowd control because news leaked on social media that she was there…

 

[Tha Realest]

That’s not true…POP music? Absolutely correct…but there’s still great rock music out there…you just have to REALLY look for it.

Pop and rock aren’t mutually exclusive. Her use of the guitar is a *slight* push in the rock direction. Her playing of and use of instruments, and backing band on many of her non-synth songs that utilize conventional lead/rhythm/bass guitar and drums also affects my view on this score.

It passes the smell test better than most “pop” musicians FWIW.

And then there’s this:

Taylor Swift Has Already Charted More Top 10 Hits On The Rock Chart Than Most Of The Biggest Bands Ever

Taylor Swift stands out as one of the most successful rock artists of all time, a feat she managed in a matter of just months.

www.forbes.com

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I don't think they'd be able to keep it in stock for even half a day.

Could you imagine the Taylor Swift spirit jersey sales? They could make a dozen different styles and I bet 3 out of 10 guests would spend 900.00 to 1k to buy them all…

 

[Tha Realest]

Could you imagine the Taylor Swift spirit jersey sales? They could make a dozen different styles and I bet 3 out of 10 guests would spend 900.00 to 1k to buy them all…

While this discussion is fun, it’s clear Disney needs Taylor Swift more than she needs them.

Heck, she is too big for the NFL as a Super Bowl act.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

Pop and rock aren’t mutually exclusive. Her use of the guitar is a *slight* push in the rock direction. Her playing of and use of instruments, and backing band on many of her non-synth songs that utilize conventional lead/rhythm/bass guitar and drums also affects my view on this score.

It passes the smell test better than most “pop” musicians FWIW.

And then there’s this:

Taylor Swift Has Already Charted More Top 10 Hits On The Rock Chart Than Most Of The Biggest Bands Ever

Taylor Swift stands out as one of the most successful rock artists of all time, a feat she managed in a matter of just months.

www.forbes.com

I’m saying that there’s still great rock music out there…it’s not a dead genre…I don’t think she’s a “rock” star…

 

[MKeeler]

What offer is Universal going to "have to accept to give up the Marvel rights?" The arguably most popular IP in the past what 10-12 years, not including the long-standing history of comics? Why in the name of Thor would Universal give that up?

The biggest question in this area is not what would cause Universal to completely relinquish the Marvel rights, but what would be necessary to give up the exclusive rights to Marvel east of the Mississippi.

As it stands, Universal is sort of in stasis with the Marvel section. They really can't add anything new (as Disney may be loathe to approve), but have to maintain what exists to keep their rights. And their attractions are based on four main categories: Hulk, X-men, Fantastic Four, and Spider-man. Two of those segments should have major films coming in the next several years. Could Disney offer access to the film versions of those characters in exchange for the right to build Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, etc attractions in addition to what is at Universal?

That's a more interesting question that could reap benefits for both parties.

 

[flyerjab]

This very large project for Hollywood Studios I'm pretty confident has been greenlit for a bit at this point based on what I've heard. It's going to happen sooner rather than later (likely ahead of MK now).

AK happens first and that project is even larger in scope, with its phase two likely arriving after HWS gets its new land.

The rumor mill is making this sound like the 2010 years. New additions and expansions year over year for a decade. People are asking how can WDW compete with Universal? We might be on the verge of finding out.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Villains should still happen though the plans for the entire Beyond Big Thunder Expansion have changed a lot it's just that HWS needs capacity so desperately. I would expect infrastructure work decently ahead of the BBT's actual expansion, though.

I genuinely believe leadership finally understands what the parks need, and it's not that MK doesn't need the capacity too, but HWS is sort of in a league of its own. There's also the belief that Epic Universe will likely draw away the most from Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom while Magic Kingdom in particular but even EPCOT should likely be pretty stable given they both have unique draws. MK is "Disney" and EPCOT has World Showcase.

Imagineering is really ramping up right now and they have been for about a year now.

In the short term, closing things at AK will likely make it easier to deem skippable for some.

If Epic hurts any WDW park, it's AK. DHS still has Star Wars and ToT.

 

[Tha Realest]

In the short term, closing things at AK will likely make it easier to deem skippable for some.

If Epic hurts any WDW park, it's AK. DHS still has Star Wars and ToT.

There a brilliant logic to that. It’s going to have depressed attendance anyway, may as well take the medicine now

 

[RSoxNo1]

1) The clue is in the name RocknRoller Coaster ... Taylor Swift is not rock and roll
2) If Disney hadn't sold the Queen library of songs would of been a good replacement
3) RNRC should be perhaps removed and link it with whatever they have in mind for Animation Courtyard.

I think you're simplifying this.

You have a Roller Coaster with on board audio, a retheme doesn't need to have the same story conceit. If it does, it can still carry with it a new name. That being said, "Rock n Roller Coaster, Taylor's Version" is a little on the nose here.

What's more likely though is eliminating the story conceit entirely and just take advantage of the existence of a roller coaster with on board audio. They've rethemed the Paris version to an Iron Man coaster, nearly anything else can be on the table. It's probably contingent on what else they intend to build around it. That area is adjacent to a logical expansion / retheme of the Animation Courtyard area.

I agree that they could also just completely demo the coaster. I know the recent lengthy refurbs have been designed to extend the useful life of a problematic attraction, but the conclusion might be that they're throwing good money at a bad, dated, attraction. It might be best to simply start over.