Attraction in the Most Need of a Refurbishment

[afar28]

Most of the effects were working today. All fog effects were working and most of the animatronics were as well. The major thing I noticed was that one of the Carnatorouses was completely broken. They are so intimidating when they are not moving. And it's not like they can disco.

It's good to see a lot of the effects are working at least. Sucks the carnatoureses were down though, hopefully only a temporary thing

 

[rob0519]

I think Peter Pan needs some serious help. It just looks old and worn out. Buzz is certainly wearing badly. Obviously the film at Soarin is in sad shape. Nothing most posters have not already pointed out.

 

[WondersOfLife]

Soarin should be completely re-themed to a "dome ride theater"

 

[216bruce]

If nothing else happens with TGMR please either get rid of Tarzan or completely redo that scene. I actually laugh at it. "Hey, here comes Tarzan...and there he goes" (as he remains mostly immobile and faceless). Horrible. Maybe a George of the Jungle theme?? (kidding) Cheetah also looks demonic. The Sigourney Weaver AA also looks horrible and always has, but the set for the Nostromo is excellent. The alien itself has gotten a little creaky over time. Love Oz, Cagney, MP, Gene Kelly...oh yeah, Fantasia is embarrassing- it's a Disney movie, couldn't it have been better served? Did they borrow the fan for the Yeti from that scene? Carousel is a fave but, yeah, kinda needs A LOT of update and TLC.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Carousel of Progress
Jungle Cruise
Universe of Energy

 

[NJL]

Dinosaur


Buzz Lightyear


Tomorrowland Speedway


The Great Movie Ride


Test Track (They need to try again. I know it would never happen, but I wish they would go back to TT 1.0)

 

[HappilyEverAfter71]

The Great Movie ride definitely. If you were born after the 80's the kids got no idea what any of those movies or actors are aside from Indiana Jones and Alien and maybe Tarzan.

I wouldn't count on that. I was born in 1990 and I am a huge classic film fan. A hand full of my friends are too but we are probably the exception. The Great Movie ride is part of what got me started loving classic films in the first place.

 

[HappilyEverAfter71]

I completely agree. One of my favorite attractions and in no way am i suggesting they change any part of the concept. Just add some more culturally relevant movies from todays generation.

I've always felt they should include a Wizard of Oz type scene for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Overall I agree that it needs an update. As does Ellen's Energy Adventure. At the very minimum they should update the video. The end scene in Carousel of Progress could use some love too.

 

[Redsky89]

I wouldn't count on that. I was born in 1990 and I am a huge classic film fan. A hand full of my friends are too but we are probably the exception. The Great Movie ride is part of what got me started loving classic films in the first place.

I'm 25 and I know of the films but never seen half of them. My brother and a lot of others I know who are in the early 20's late teens have seen maybe 1-2 of the films showcased. Some havent even seen Indiana Jones. Unfortunately a majority of young people arent familiar with these films.

 

[mouse_luv]

Country Bear Jamboree has been completely refurbished in the last year with all new animatronics.

Camp Minnie-Mickey is GONE. Closed to make way for Avatar Land, whenever that will open.

You beat me to it! I was just going to post that Country Bear Jamboree was refurbed in late Aug 2012 because I remember running to see it since it closed during my last trip for refurb!

 

[HappilyEverAfter71]

I'm 25 and I know of the films but never seen half of them. My brother and a lot of others I know who are in the early 20's late teens have seen maybe 1-2 of the films showcased. Some havent even seen Indiana Jones. Unfortunately a majority of young people arent familiar with these films.

I know there are tons of people my age who wouldn't have heard of 95% of the films. It is definitely unfortunate considering how important many of them are to film history.

 

[LAKid53]

1. Peter Pan's Flight. Old and sad which makes it cheesy.
2. Soarin'. The first time we rode, there was a hole in the screen right in front of me. And every time after that, there's been spots on the film from being played continuously. And Soarin' at WDW should be something other than a tour of the State of California. How about Florida? Or the East Coast starting with the Keys? I am hoping the planned refurb includes digital. Wonders, I love your domed theatre idea!
3. Great Movie Ride. Keep the classics, but replace Alien with some other futuristic, sci-fi movie, maybe something from Disney's stables?
4. Tomorrowland Speedway. If Disney cannot make it more in the "Tomorrowland" theme, i.e., futuristic, then get rid of it.

I recently watched Walt's announcement of WDW and EPCOT. Sad that his concept for EPCOT - never really being done, always changing - has gone poof! I'd like to see all of EPCOT go back to his original vision.

 

[Tom Morrow]

3. Great Movie Ride. Keep the classics, but replace Alien with some other futuristic, sci-fi movie, maybe something from Disney's stables?

Alien is the best scene in the ride! Not sure why you'd want to get rid of that over Tarzan, which is just lame.

 

[SMS55]

Grand Prix. I haven't been on this ride in forever. Change it, retheme it or do something to it. COP, at least update the last scene. They changed it once before, and it's pretty outdated already. A lot of people mentioned Great Movie Ride, but it's a trip through the history of Hollywood, so I think it's fine. I don't know if some of you mean to change some of the scenes to other classic movies. Dinosaur. The ride has so much potential, but your just bouncing around in the dark for most of it. Put some more dinos in there. Get chased by the Carnotaurus some more. Primevil Whirl. Can you theme this ride properly? It's a carnival ride with some dinoaur cutouts on the side.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Dinosaur


Buzz Lightyear


Tomorrowland Speedway


The Great Movie Ride


Test Track (They need to try again. I know it would never happen, but I wish they would go back to TT 1.0)

I'm puzzled sometimes at where Disney Orlando spends money. Test Track 2.0 is a perfect example of spending in the wrong places. I'm so sick of, "This attraction is about YOU," or "We are putting YOU in control." They spent so much time, effort, and money to get people to "design" their own race car and it has absolutely nothing to do with the actual ride. It's a time kill and it almost immediately gets old and becomes a chore (1 ride). The new "effects" in TT 2.0 are laughable. Neon lights and a different voice over. A total joke and waste. I believe it's worse now than the old ride it replaced.

Again, don't change concepts. The original concept was outstanding. Did it need updating? Sure, but there was so much to work with under the original concept. Just add some new test parameters, theming, and you'd have a new ride.

Interactivity sounds cool in theory, but I believe if cheapens the experience in many cases and gets old much faster. The greatest attractions are great on their own and the viewer just enjoys what is presented.

 

[Matt_Black]

... I like designing the car.

 

[MrDee]

... I like designing the car.

So do my kids. And personally, I love the new version of Test Track....hated the old one.

 

[copcarguyp71]

UoE...so outdated in terms of AA's and is obviously unloved

WoL pavillion

Odyssey

Upstairs of Imagination

...funny all that come to mind first are in EPCOT....

 

[Tinkwings]

COP definitely needs some serious love!

Yes yes yes....I feel WDW is extremely lucky to have this gem, yes its nostaligic, yes it's dated, sure it could be updated in final scene....BUT what still makes it the most special and most overlooked attraction is the simple fact of WALT....last night I read a quote by Blaine Gibson, who did the audioanimatronics, and said COP was the attraction that had the most Walt in it....he was constantly acting out things like in the old days with his cartoons, and coming at all hours to make it right....even posing in the bathtub and wiggling his toes to show how he wanted it.....sigh, I go see it every time and think of the man behind the whole enchilada....GE originally wanted something more hip when he was creating this for the worlds fair, but Walt said nostalgia is how you communicate with people and won out. So never been to DL, would love to, but COP is as close as WDW can get to something Walt directly was part of.....not just inspiration from DL rides, but the ORIGINAL attraction. WOO HOO!

 

[PeterAlt]

I'm interested to hear everyones' opinion about what attractions are in the most need of an update. Whether it be updating the information that a ride gives, animatronics of the attraction, or if they just need to completely start all over. So lets hear what you got! Remember you don't necessarily have to agree with everyones' opinions, thats what makes them opinions. A couple of mine include:

Magic Kingdom: Country Bear Jamboree. While I do love this attraction I feel the animatronics could be updated a little.

Epcot:Ellen's Energy Adventure. I love this attraction as well, but similar to what i said about the Jamboree the dinosaurs and things you see could use an update. As could some of the video scenes you watch. I love the idea of having Ellen in this attraction, but maybe they could have her do it again and update it.

Circle of Life. Ive seen a lot of bad talk about this ride on this site. I don't mind it. I don't absolutely love it, but i don't mind it. Seeing it for myself and seeing what other people say about it, I think could stand to completely re-do this attraction into something more enjoyable.

Hollywood Studios: The Great Movie ride. Again, one of my favorite attractions. But I think for a lot of the newer generations, the older movies dont connect with them as much. Im not saying get rid of those being in there at all, maybe in addition add in some newer more known ones so that the can be happy that some of their favorite movies are in there, plus realize how good the original ones are.

Animal Kingdom: Camp Minnie-Mickey. Ok, yes i know this isn't an attraction, but the fact that there is nothing there except the Festival of the Lion King, which oh my god what a freaking show. I think adding some other attraction the this section would really do the Animal Kingdom good. Unless they are putting the new Avatar land there? Im not sure on that one, someone correct me if i'm wrong.

Your comments, concerns, and questions are appreciated!! GO!

UoE does need a "software" update. It's not really a priority since it's just a matter of the film looking so "90's". This could be fixed cheaply by adding to the storyline that we have been sent back to the '90's to take care of an emergency situation.

Come to think of it, the whole issue of Climate Change and Global Warming is a big deal in today's world. Maybe the existing movie could be removed for one that deals with today's urgent need to control carbon emissions. We could use a new host such as Neil degrasse Tyson.

When I was there last, It's a Small World was in the worse shape of all attractions. I'm of the opinion that they should just tear it down and build something else in that space, while also cloning the Disneyland version at the entrance of World Showcase.