American Idol Experience To Close

[ABQ]

Losing Indy would be lame. Even though the movies are quite old, the original at least is a rather timeless period piece. It relied on very few special effects. Off the top of my head, I can't think of many outside the opening of the Arc sequence. Even in that scene, it doesn't look terribly dated. So, be that as it may, the Stunt Spectacular is pretty much the lone attraction at the Studios that still evokes the Movie Magic creation that the park was originally built around. Even after seeing it god knows how many times, it's still very enjoyable.
So I'm going to cross my fingers that the folks that denounced this particular rumour as bunk are correct.

 

[zero creativity]

As long as the Star Wars rides aren't like the ones I had at the shore as a kid.
http://www.thegrumpyoldlimey.com/images/buildings/funchase_moreys5.jpg

 

[Kman101]

I personally think even with a Star Wars Land and even a Pixar expansion (if the latter actually happens), there's really no reason to get rid of Indy OR Muppets. It would only happen that way, because, heaven forbid, they actually build ADDITIONS instead of taking away and replacing. Sure, some things need to be replaced, and I understand re-purposing things (like Backlot Express into the Cantina) but don't do it because you're too cheap to build a new warehouse.

And, they could always update Indy in a way that does away with the whole filming a movie and add a few new things to make it more of a show without that element, even though I enjoy it. I could also do without that element.

 

[jt04]

Both Muppets AND Indy could be utilized much more effectively elsewhere. And it does not take much imagination to figure out where. Think of it as an adventure.

IMO.

 

[Mike S]

If only we lived in a world where Disney would announce "we're sorry to say the Indiana Jones stunt show will be closing to make space for Star Wars Land. But don't worry, we're also building a brand new Indiana Jones Adventure in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom!!!!" (Crowd cheers). If only.....

 

[melflip8]

Both Muppets AND Indy could be utilized much more effectively elsewhere. And it does not take much imagination to figure out where. Think of it as an adventure.

IMO.

Agreed...Indy to Adventureland is what you are getting at, I hope? Not sure where the room would be for it, but moving an Indy ride into MK or into the Backlot area would work for meeeee! I'd like for both Muppets and Indy to stay in DHS though, as I think they fit the theme best.

 

[cw1982]

Both Muppets AND Indy could be utilized much more effectively elsewhere. And it does not take much imagination to figure out where. Think of it as an adventure.

IMO.

Lol... I was just about to say that Muppets could get moved to AIE's location. Then Jedi Training, if they want it to be indoors, could get Muppets's current spot. I personally hope they don't mess with Indy any time soon, and I would really love it if they could either let his show remain in the park or, if they must do away with it, give him a ride... which I don't think will happen if they're about to put all that money into an entire land in the same park.

Although, IMO, part of what makes Jedi Training cool for kids is that they get to fight Darth Vader in front of an audience. I'm not sure they would have as much of an audience if they moved it indoors. DH and I stopped and watched it while we were there two weeks ago because it happened to be going on while we were on our way to Star Tours and it was just so darned cute. I'm pretty sure, though, we wouldn't have carved time out of our day to watch it, unless we had kids participating. It just happened to catch our attention because we saw it as we walked by.

Just my two cents.

 

[Mike S]

I personally think even with a Star Wars Land and even a Pixar expansion (if the latter actually happens), there's really no reason to get rid of Indy OR Muppets. It would only happen that way, because, heaven forbid, they actually build ADDITIONS instead of taking away and replacing. Sure, some things need to be replaced, and I understand re-purposing things (like Backlot Express into the Cantina) but don't do it because you're too cheap to build a new warehouse.

And, they could always update Indy in a way that does away with the whole filming a movie and add a few new things to make it more of a show without that element, even though I enjoy it. I could also do without that element.

If you look at some of the pictures posted here you could see how little space there would be for Star Wars by just using backstage. I don't know about Muppets, but Indiana Jones is in a prime spot for Star Wars expansion.

 

[jt04]

Agreed...Indy to Adventureland is what you are getting at, I hope? Not sure where the room would be for it, but moving an Indy ride into MK or into the Backlot area would work for meeeee! I'd like for both Muppets and Indy to stay in DHS though, as I think they fit the theme best.

Indy to Adventureland would be great and I think there is room. Nothing says it would have to be a clone. The franchise could also be adapted to DAK.

 

[jt04]

Agreed...Indy to Adventureland is what you are getting at, I hope? Not sure where the room would be for it, but moving an Indy ride into MK or into the Backlot area would work for meeeee! I'd like for both Muppets and Indy to stay in DHS though, as I think they fit the theme best.

Star Wars is the only franchise that would be worthy to replace those attractions. And I think both IJ and Muppets would work better elsewhere.

 

[Kman101]

I'm pretty sure there's plenty of room behind Indy (or there COULD be if they move backstage buildings). Didn't they dump the parade for this reason, the backstage area would be cleared and used for SW?

There also needs to be variety. Knocking out Indy, Backlot and Muppets for JUST SW? I'd support backlot leaving for a Pixar expansion. Muppets and Indy should stay.

 

[Ignohippo]

"Never" is a long time, but for the foreseeable future is probably a reasonable statement. If they do make additional films in the franchise and they are successful, it's wouldn't be that surprising to see Burbank authorize a new Indy attraction in WDW.

Just like Monsters, Inc.?

And the Monsters franchise sells a heck of a lot more merchandise and would be the type of attraction DHS is dying for more of (ie, all ages) yet still zip, nada. The first movie was successful enough to warrant an attraction, the sequel was another huge success - still nothing.

Not that I'm arguing against Indy. It's just that if TDO can't get off their duffs to create a Monsters or Incredibles attraction, and it's taking them this long for a Frozen attraction (and that's just a simple and relatively inexpensive refurb of an existing ride), I don't see what would make anyone think they'd spend hundreds of millions on Indy.

 

[seascape]

I don't think any of the sources that have reported Star Wars Land taking over Idol and Indiana Jones are credible. 2 sites I just read said that "according to their Disney Source" Star Wars land and Cars land will both be open by 2018. I doubt Disney would start 2 projects at one time and I doubt Disney will do anything until Avatar land is completely don't. In both articles, they quote their source as saying that the projects will be quick and easy. It took Disney 3 years to complete the Mine Train alone, so I doubt any source out of Disney would say that the project will be quick and easy.

Why can't TDO do more than one thing at a time? Just because they haven't in the past doesn't mean they can't, it may be they won't but that's not the same thing. TDO has enough money and there is the demand. It's just a matter of desire. I think we can all agree on that and that is what you just said. I think they should do both at DHS and work on Future World and World Show Case in Epcot at the same time. There is no reason they can't do this and in fact lots of reasons they should. Just think of how easy it would be to sell DVC's to guests if the could show all that was being built for their future visits. After all so many here keep saying that is all TDO cares about l, selling more DVC's.

 

[Mike S]

I'm pretty sure there's plenty of room behind Indy (or there COULD be if they move backstage buildings). Didn't they dump the parade for this reason, the backstage area would be cleared and used for SW?

There also needs to be variety. Knocking out Indy, Backlot and Muppets for JUST SW? I'd support backlot leaving for a Pixar expansion. Muppets and Indy should stay.

That would be way too much to take down. For me the only thing that should go for Star Wars would be Indy. Muppets would stay and the backlot area would go to Pixar.

 

[jt04]

Why can't TDO do more than one thing at a time? Just because they haven't in the past doesn't mean they can't, it may be they won't but that's not the same thing. TDO has enough money and there is the demand. It's just a matter of desire. I think we can all agree on that and that is what you just said. I think they should do both at DHS and work on Future World and World Show Case in Epcot at the same time. There is no reason they can't do this and in fact lots of reasons they should. Just think of how easy it would be to sell DVC's to guests if the could show all that was being built for their future visits. After all so many here keep saying that is all TDO cares about l, selling more DVC's.

I really do not think these decisions are made locally anymore.

 

[PhotoDave219]

For the absolute last time… As of right now, Indy is not closing.

It may happen sometime in the future. But it's not going to happen right now. Or this fiscal year.

 

[Mike S]

Why can't TDO do more than one thing at a time? Just because they haven't in the past doesn't mean they can't, it may be they won't but that's not the same thing. TDO has enough money and there is the demand. It's just a matter of desire. I think we can all agree on that and that is what you just said. I think they should do both at DHS and work on Future World and World Show Case in Epcot at the same time. There is no reason they can't do this and in fact lots of reasons they should. Just think of how easy it would be to sell DVC's to guests if the could show all that was being built for their future visits. After all so many here keep saying that is all TDO cares about l, selling more DVC's.

There actually was a time where they did more than one thing at a time. One that comes to mind is back in 1994 Disney opened the current Tomorrowland we know today at Magic Kingdom as well as Sunset Blvd. and Tower of Terror over at the Studios. Also the great 1994 version of Spaceship Earth I loved as a child.

 

[jt04]

That would be way too much to take down. For me the only thing that should go for Star Wars would be Indy. Muppets would stay and the backlot area would go to Pixar.

Backlot definitely to Pixar. Cash cow and unlimited potential. Hope Remy draws the crowds this summer.

 

[seascape]

I really do not think these decisions are made locally anymore.

That is something everyone can agree with. Be it in the private sector or government all decisions seemed to be made at the top. Too bad because lower management is closer to the customer and could make better decisions.

 

[Ignohippo]

If you look at some of the pictures posted here you could see how little space there would be for Star Wars by just using backstage. I don't know about Muppets, but Indiana Jones is in a prime spot for Star Wars expansion.

If they add anything of substance to SW, they'll need more parking. The easiest way to get more land would be to build a parking structure (which they'll need anyway), and expand into the existing parking lot.

My armchair imagineering plan would be to expand over the back entrance road and utilize the unused land on the other side.

It's rumored that the plans on the table are to expand SW through the Muppets area and replace Streets Of America. Personally, I hate that idea. I wouldn't want to see the Muppets go (or Mama Melrose's, or Pizza Planet). Streets Of America desperately needs either an attraction or shops or dining retrofitted into it, but it adds a lot to the park and shouldn't be demoed either IMO.