News New Kid Zones and Character Experiences Coming to Walt Disney World Summer 2025

celluloid

Well-Known Member
They would. And then people who couldn’t drag their kids out of it would have criticized Disney for building a play pavillion to eat up their time instead of more expensive rides. I didn’t join this site yesterday.
Ok...
Zero to do with what was stated.
 

Andrew C

You know what's funny?
Oh give ‘em a break. Things must be dramatically improving at WDW if they’re over here criticizing a toddler dance party.

Kids need to expend energy and they love characters. My grandkids (6, 4 and 2) would have a great time doing this.

Not everything has to be for everybody.
*sigh*, really? I can't just see things differently than you or others?
What is the context?
Destroying RoA and TSI in order to put in cars, rather than going beyond big thunder. Removing Muppets to get Monsters Inc, rather than building in Animation Courtyard. You can say they are building new attractions, but the context around how they are achieving that matters to me.
And I ask again what would have made you happy?
Redoing the space completely with investment, creativity, and providing something that we didn't even know we wanted. And then from there, also supporting seasonal events when and where appropriate. It is what Epcot deserves. Rather than just another lazy dance party because some people allow them to get away with it.
 

Chi84

Premium Member
I think Disney very much wants families with small kids to vacation at WDW, including those who think it may not be worth it because their kids are too young to go on many of the rides. The reporting around the concern about pricing has suggested that internally some have flagged a long-term issue if younger kids today aren't going and forming an emotional connection to the parks.

Honestly, none of this is for me (sadly, I am not a cool kid), but it seems like a smart marketing move. While I don't think it is a direct response to Epic Universe, it is also not a bad counter-programming move considering all the height restrictions on the attractions over there that would really discourage families with younger kids from visiting.
Does Epic Universe have anything at all like this where people can go inside and the kids can play games/dance with characters?

Even if toddlers are not their demographic, older kids have younger siblings and it seems they would be smart to have something simple for them to enjoy
 

Andrew C

You know what's funny?
Does Epic Universe have anything at all like this where people can go inside and the kids can play games/dance with characters?

Even if toddlers are not their demographic, older kids have younger siblings and it seems they would be smart to have something simple for them to enjoy
Isle of Berk has a Viking training camp play area that is quite extensive. And while there seem to be plenty of character interactions around the park, dancing with them really isn't something you are going to see.
 

Gusey

Well-Known Member
Across 4 theme parks, five attractions in 8 years as your competition keeps the same rate, not including and while building an entirely new theme park resort complex is hot garbage.

It is not even good from their own standards.
I'm trying to work out what you mean by 5 attractions in 8 years? If you're talking about the last 8 years (2017-2025), I've counted 10 new rides + TBA + 7 new shows?
If you're talking about what's been announced for the next 5 years, I've counted 8 new rides + 1 new show (2 Villains, 2 Cars, 3 Tropical Americas, 1 Monsters ride, 1 Monsters show)
 

TheMaxRebo

Well-Known Member
Does Epic Universe have anything at all like this where people can go inside and the kids can play games/dance with characters?

Even if toddlers are not their demographic, older kids have younger siblings and it seems they would be smart to have something simple for them to enjoy

They have the Viking training area in Isle of Berk and a lot of activities in Super Nintendo Land - but yeah, a lot of that is aimed at older kids than "cool kid summer" stuff. Not a ton at Epic for a lot of kids under like 8 years old or so
 

Andrew C

You know what's funny?
They have the Viking training area in Isle of Berk and a lot of activities in Super Nintendo Land - but yeah, a lot of that is aimed at older kids than "cool kid summer" stuff. Not a ton at Epic for a lot of kids under like 8 years old or so
Unless you have a 7 year old girl that is becoming a thrill junkie out of nowhere. Once they get to that 48 inch mark, opens up a new world for them. lol
 

TheMaxRebo

Well-Known Member
Unless you have a 7 year old girl that is becoming a thrill junkie out of nowhere. Once they get to that 48 inch mark, opens up a new world for them. lol

Why I said "for a lot of kids" - definitely will be exceptions and picked 8 at random ... But definitely seems more aimed at slightly older kids than a lot of what Disney has been focusing on for their summer marketing (but will be exceptions ... An my youngest is one of them but she, like all my kids, is on the shorter side so her height didn't match her thrill rides desire)
 

Chi84

Premium Member
Why do the passionate “CHILDREN LOVE IT” shields only come out to defend cheap, underwhelming new offerings and not to protest the removal of beloved old attractions? A lot of the same posters defending this are arguing passionately for the destruction of Tom Sawyer Island.
I don’t know about defending it but I can certainly understand why younger kids would enjoy it.

There are a lot of people who are not all that nostalgic about WDW and appreciate the newer attractions.

I’m thinking Tom Sawyer Island was underutilized and that’s why it’s being replaced. I can’t speak for everyone, but I don’t remember taking our kids there more than once or twice.
 

Chi84

Premium Member
Sometimes, underutilized shouldn't be viewed as a bad thing. Theme parks need some underutilized spaces.
But wouldn’t it be better to increase capacity with new rides that are utilized and then add in new entertainment (okay maybe Goofy isn’t for everyone) or just some shady places in well-traveled areas where people can rest?

I’ll miss seeing the water but I can understand why Disney needs things for people to do in its ridiculously priced parks.
 

easyrowrdw

Well-Known Member
Why do the passionate “CHILDREN LOVE IT” shields only come out to defend cheap, underwhelming new offerings and not to protest the removal of beloved old attractions? A lot of the same posters defending this are arguing passionately for the destruction of Tom Sawyer Island.
I’ve said it before, but my kids love Tom Sawyer’s Island. Every time we’re there we see lots of other kids enjoying it too. But it’s a chore to get to and parents (myself included) don’t love not getting the most of what we’ve paid for lightning lanes.

I think they could’ve made the island more accessible and attractive to non-kids by opening it earlier, sending characters out there (like at Disneyland), and actually utilizing the restaurant.
 

Casper Gutman

Well-Known Member
But wouldn’t it be better to increase capacity with new rides that are utilized and then add in new entertainment (okay maybe Goofy isn’t for everyone) or just some shady places in well-traveled areas where people can rest?

I’ll miss seeing the water but I can understand why Disney needs things for people to do in its ridiculously priced parks.
If Disney needs to increase capacity… why don’t they do that instead of constantly ripping out capacity before building?

Which is likely to create more meaningful memories for more children - a dance party or Tom Sawyer Island? How is the Goofy thing superior to a Chucky Cheese?
 

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