Aviation/Space Theme Park with private airport proposal for Walt Disney World?

[Meyers]

I know it is long way off for a decision on what the theme of WDW's fifth theme park will be, but I would to get input regarding an original concept for a new park.

Tentatively named, "DisneySky," it would be a park about the size of Disney/MGM Studios and feature a small private airport as part of its design. It would be to aviation and space, what DisneySea is to the oceans.

If such a similar quality park could be built, I think it would compliment the other WDW parks real well. And perhaps offer limited small airline service to the resort, as well as, other aviation activites/events in connection with the theme park.

Phase I could just be the airport and related themed buildings.

Afterall, WDW has a sport complex, boating and an auto racing stadium to broaden its appeal to specific interests of visitors.

This proposed "DisneySky" park would offer a balanced mix of kids rides and activities theme to flying, family rides and entertainment, a major dark ride on the history of aviation and a number of E-ticket attractions including using the latest rollercoaster technology. If Mission: Space and Soarin' weren't already coming to WDW, they would be perfect fits.

A unique theatrical airshow would be presented daily including vintage WW I aircraft including the Red Baron's. Balloons, hang gliders, ultralights would also use the 5,000 ft. airstrip.

One of secondary purposes of the park would be to help interest young people in aviation careers. Also experience the fun of flying and perhaps gain a little appreciation about aviation and space history.

Sections of "DisneySky" might include 1900's European Village, Red Baron Aerodrome, Barnstormers Fair, Mickey's Little Airport, Fantasy Aero World, 1930's Golden Dreams Airport, WWII Silver Wings Field and AeroSpace Center ( present day aviation, jets, rockets and space).

What are your thoughts on such a proposal?

Meyers


"DisneySky," Walt Disney World, 2010

 

[Dr Albert Falls]

Why would a family that's spent half-a-day or more hanging out in airports and airplanes traveling to WDW want to visit ANOTHER one?????

And Central Florida already has a space theme park. It's called KENNEDY SPACE CENTER! (Why meet real astronauts and see real space rockets when you could see Disney's version instead?!?!?)

Sure-- its sounds like a great concept-- Disney builds a theme park of things you can see in Florida hoping to keep people from visiting the REAL thing.

Just ask the folks at Disney's California Adventure how well that concept worked!

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Well to continue on with this theme...the children's section (god I know...I hate saying it to when thinking of a Disney park (but think of Mermaid Lagoon) could be Mt. Olympus

 

[Jusjuice]

It sounds interesting, but flight is a pretty limiting subject for a park, considering it has only been around for 100 years.(at least airplanes) Many of the sections of the park sound pretty similar. If you expanded on hot air baloons, drigibles, and space flight, you might be able to come up with a little more.....

 

[SirNim]

This idea lends itself more to a "land" than an entire "kingdom"..

 

[civileng68]

not happening

I have two comments.

First off, why is there talk of new parks? Do you not see that Disney is having major problems with attendance as it is? There quarterly report just released shows even more of a drop over the last quarter in attendance. If they built a new park the attendance per park would drop to dismail rates.

Believe it or not, Disney wants the look of a crowded park because it shows excitement and enthusiasm. If you go to a park and it's dead, you will assume something is wrong, and Disney does not want that.

Secondly, how about instead of building a new park (which would cost more money that imagineable), put the money into research for new attactions, building new attractions, and KEEPING THE PARKS OPEN LATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Michael72688]

sorry, but I dont think this will ever happen!

 

[General Grizz]

Originally posted by Michael72688
sorry, but I dont think this will ever happen!

Meyers was simply giving us the original idea - one, which I think, is fully creative!

You never know.

Oh, and by the way...Welcome to WDWMagic, Meyers! :sohappy:

 

[Gregory]

I think it sounds cool, but, as stated above, it runs into a few problems...

If you remember, Disney worked hard to get a ristricted airway above itself... people opposing it would be furious if Disney found a way to let it fly what it wants over it, but to shut out other planes (ie Advertisers)...

Also, while it would be cool, Disney seems to be headed towards a more "Fantasyland" approach on most of its new rides... With the exception of a few new EPCOT rides, Disney has plans to add its characters to older rides, and create new ones for them... (Aladdin, Stitch, etc...)

I can see a Villians park being built before we see your plans... But, I think that it could come out pretty good... if it wasn't for the failure of DCA, Disney might think about it...

Anyways, thanks for your ideas... I enjoyed reading them! I have heard amazing things about DisneySea, and if Disney was willing to pull something like that off for WDW, I'd be first in line to get in... Of course, DisneySea seems to be a bit different than the other Disney parks- more of a work of art than a theme park...

BTW- Welcome to the board!

 

[Meyers]

Originally posted by Dr Albert Falls
Why would a family that's spent half-a-day or more hanging out in airports and airplanes traveling to WDW want to visit ANOTHER one?????

And Central Florida already has a space theme park. It's called KENNEDY SPACE CENTER! (Why meet real astronauts and see real space rockets when you could see Disney's version instead?!?!?)

Sure-- its sounds like a great concept-- Disney builds a theme park of things you can see in Florida hoping to keep people from visiting the REAL thing.

Just ask the folks at Disney's California Adventure how well that concept worked!

Thank you for your comments. Regarding your question on why would a family want to visit another airport (at WDW) after spending time at others to get to WDW?

This theme park as envisioned, would not be just another airport. It would be a series of themed sections, some of them small airports or airfields. Shops, restaurants, rides and shows would be included as in any other Disney park. I don't think it would have the feeling of crowded Orlando International with all its frustrations.

To give you an idea, here are a little details about the 1900's European Village section which would be the first section of the park like Main Street, Magic Kingdom.

It would feature a combination of buildings from France, England and Germany with reminders of early aviation such as kiosks advertising air meets and a History of Ballooning exhibit with state-of-the-art displays. A real helium balloon might be tetered in an open area, a replica of the famous colorful Montgofier balloon, the first to fly humans. This balloon might also become a permanent structure and the park logo with Mickey & Minnie aboard.

Other attractions would include a 3,000 seat musical theatre similar to the Hyperion at DCA, a character Meet 'n Greet area, a comical dark ride themed to balloons, a Beer Garden and an advanced jet flume ride. A special balloon parade and annual Festival of Balloons might be part of the entertainment.

So I don't think this is anything like Orlando International or your local airport.

If you wondered about the detail presented, this park once was an actual city-approved plan and was under development in San Diego during the late 1970's, but could not be financed during the severe 1982 recession and the project had to be abandoned.

I still think it is a viable idea and maybe Disney will pick up on it. One can hope. Only Disney, Universal and maybe Bush Gardens could afford to build it today.

As for Kennedy Space Center which I have visited, it is the real thing, but not a theme park. I think my "DisneySky" concept could compliment the Space Center and help create more interest in NASA and the space program if properly promoted.

As for Disney building parks just to try and stop visitors from going to other non-Disney attractions, I would not place that reason very high on a list. EPCOT is one-of-kind, Disney/MGM Studios actually was under development before Universal Studios Florida and was accelerated when USF was announced. Disney's Animal Kingdom is quite different from Bush Gardens, but I don't really know if AK has stopped anyone from visiting Tampa.

I think every park in Florida, has greatly benefited from Disney creating Walt Disney World and most of them wouldn't even be there except for WDW.

Regarding Disney's California Adventure, since I live in nearby Palm Springs, I am familiar with the new park. I must say I have mixed feeling, it's nice to have a second park, although I wanted WESCOT. I am not crazy about the California theme, but it is workable. The theme is only part of its problems, but Disney is working to correct those problems.

One never knows how the general public is going to respond to a theme park. If you read threads on this and other websites, you will find people who like or dislike each of WDW's parks. AK has its critics too, like DCA. But they both are new parks and will take time to mature.

Meyers


"DisneySky," Walt Disney World, 2010

 

[Meyers]

Originally posted by Jusjuice
It sounds interesting, but flight is a pretty limiting subject for a park, considering it has only been around for 100 years.(at least airplanes) Many of the sections of the park sound pretty similar. If you expanded on hot air baloons, drigibles, and space flight, you might be able to come up with a little more.....

Thank you for your remarks. I personally don't think flight is too limiting and yes, we are celebrating 100 years of powered flight this very year from the Wright Brothers historic flight on December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Your suggestions of adding balloons, dirgibles and space flight is appreciated, but all are represented in the masterplan. If interested, I will later detail all the sections so you can see the overall scale of the park as to subject areas.

Some of the sections will be real history such as the World War II air base called "Silver Wings Field" with its B-17 and P-51, two of the most famous planes of that era. Other sections such a "Mickey's Little Airport" is planned to have two sections, one a colorful participation playground area theme to child's size "airport" and the other part with mechanical rides also with the flying theme, (think Flick's Fun Fair). And there's "Fantasy Aero World" would be a section featuring the fantasies of flying which allows a whole range of themes from "Fantasia" to "Goofy's Glider" to a number of Jules Verne flying adventures not yet tapped by Disney.

As you recognized, it is important to broaden the appeal of the park to both young and old.

Meyers


"DisneySky," Walt Disney World, 2010

 

[Meyers]

Originally posted by Meyers
Thank you for your remarks. I personally don't think flight is too limiting and yes, we are celebrating 100 years of powered flight this very year from the Wright Brothers historic flight on December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Your suggestions of adding balloons, dirgibles and space flight is appreciated, but all are represented in the masterplan. If interested, I will later detail all the sections so you can see the overall scale of the park as to subject areas.

Some of the sections will be real history such as the World War II air base called "Silver Wings Field" with its B-17 and P-51, two of the most famous planes of that era. Other sections such a "Mickey's Little Airport" is planned to have two sections, one a colorful participation playground area theme to child's size "airport" and the other part with mechanical rides also with the flying theme, (think Flick's Fun Fair). And there's "Fantasy Aero World" would be a section featuring the fantasies of flying which allows a whole range of themes from "Fantasia" to "Goofy's Glider" to a number of Jules Verne flying adventures not yet tapped by Disney.

As you recognized, it is important to broaden the appeal of the park to both young and old.

Meyers


"DisneySky," Walt Disney World, 2010

 

[Meyers]

Originally posted by SirNim
This idea lends itself more to a "land" than an entire "kingdom"..

Thank you for your opinion. I think since the plan has been under design review for a number of years by three theme park feability firms and once analysed by former top Disneyland executives, then acting as consultants, I feel it can work as a entire park.

Every plan can be improved though. Last minute changes were made to the Animal Kingdom plan before opening.

Interesting that Disney has a new "land" at DCA called Condor Flats with the park's biggest hit. And Disney actually had a WWII air base in its proposed Disney's America theme park called "Victory Field."

I will be establishing a separate website in the future so the masterplan can better be scutinized.

Meyers


"DisneySky," Walt Disney World, 2010

 

[Meyers]

Re: not happening

Originally posted by civileng68
I have two comments.

First off, why is there talk of new parks? Do you not see that Disney is having major problems with attendance as it is? There quarterly report just released shows even more of a drop over the last quarter in attendance. If they built a new park the attendance per park would drop to dismail rates.

Believe it or not, Disney wants the look of a crowded park because it shows excitement and enthusiasm. If you go to a park and it's dead, you will assume something is wrong, and Disney does not want that.

Secondly, how about instead of building a new park (which would cost more money that imagineable), put the money into research for new attactions, building new attractions, and KEEPING THE PARKS OPEN LATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with your remark about Disney keeping up its present four parks, but any new WDW park won't open for at least 2010 or so. The economic downturn at Disney is temporary (I hope) and in business, one has to be an optomist that things will improve, so WDW has made some cuts and layoffs until the situation improves. A fact of business life.

I agree that Disney wants its parks crowded with guests. Not only for financial reasons, but if you ever have been to Disneyland as an example, on a cold, rainy weekday in the winter, it is wierd to see the normally crowded park so empty.

But I don't think another park or two at the appropriate time in the future at WDW will harm the other parks. This is why there are four parks now. No one expected 9/11 and its after effects on Florida tourism.

Thanks for your opinion.

Meyers


"DisneySky," Walt Disney World, 2010

 

[Meyers]

Originally posted by Michael72688
sorry, but I dont think this will ever happen!

I would be very interested in hearing why you don't think this park will ever happen at WDW?

Your opinion is appreciated since you are a senior CM because you are more familiar with how Disney thinks and operates than an average park guest.

I know this is only an idea, a suggestion. But it was a real park project twenty years ago with the land, government approvals, but not the financing. If Disney wants to build a smiliar project, it has the financial clout to eventually do it.

I know that Disney doesn't accept ideas and concepts outside the company unless it decides to solicit them. George Lucas Star Tours is an example.

Michael Eisner said that after the cancellation of the Disney's America project in Virginia, that he thought the company would build a "history park" someday. This could be that park and unlike in Virginia, Disney owns the land and has approval to what is built on its property.

Of course, this does not mean smooth sailing for my proposal even if Disney was going to consider it or some version of it, for "DisneySky" would be in competition with other possible themes such a DisneySea, an IOA type thrill park and possibly a park on Disney villains which I personally think too limited. (Maybe as a land or section of Disney/MGM Studios or in the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland).

"DisneySky" would be more original than those three park ideas and also have more adult orientation. Of those three, I would vote for DisneySea.

Meyers


"DisneySky," Walt Disney World, 2010

 

[SirNim]

Originally posted by Meyers
Your opinion is appreciated since you are a senior CM because you are more familiar with how Disney thinks and operates than an average park guest.

Senior WDWMAGIC Cast Member, Junior Imagineer, etc., all the titles given underneath user names do not denote actual employment, only the number of posts one has attained in the WDWMAGIC forums!

I actually think this idea could work as a glorified, Disneyfied Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum concept, bringing the history and the different vehicles for aviation throughout its 100 year history "out of the museum" and into numerous fanciful, historically-accurate experiences.. I for one would love to see this concept actually "get off the ground" (no pun intended) and into reality. It's just that in my opinion it would be hard to base a full fledged theme park on a form of transportation only 100 years old. But it can be done, for sure, with the right attitude, with the right ideas, (and with the right budget! :lol: )

I really do like the idea.

 

[Meyers]

Originally posted by Gregory
I think it sounds cool, but, as stated above, it runs into a few problems...

If you remember, Disney worked hard to get a ristricted airway above itself... people opposing it would be furious if Disney found a way to let it fly what it wants over it, but to shut out other planes (ie Advertisers)...

Also, while it would be cool, Disney seems to be headed towards a more "Fantasyland" approach on most of its new rides... With the exception of a few new EPCOT rides, Disney has plans to add its characters to older rides, and create new ones for them... (Aladdin, Stitch, etc...)

I can see a Villians park being built before we see your plans... But, I think that it could come out pretty good... if it wasn't for the failure of DCA, Disney might think about it...

Anyways, thanks for your ideas... I enjoyed reading them! I have heard amazing things about DisneySea, and if Disney was willing to pull something like that off for WDW, I'd be first in line to get in... Of course, DisneySea seems to be a bit different than the other Disney parks- more of a work of art than a theme park...

BTW- Welcome to the board!

Thanks for the welcome. A few comments on your remarks. When I toured WDW in 1999, I found a couple areas that the would be a good location for the "DisneySky" concept including the 5,000 ft. runway (you can't just pluck down an airport anywhere).

But everything is complicated now by the No Fly Zone and its restrictions. (I have discussed this subject with three Orlando aviation firms and the FAA in Atlanta)

Anyway, I guess the proposed park wouldn't really be able to "get off the ground" to speak until the NFZ is lifted and who knows how long, if ever??? It was only placed there since March. If the threat is greatly reduced and Disney wanted to proceed with "DisneySky" airport requesting lifting or an adjustment, it could still happen. I think if Disney owned and operated its own airport and aircraft, it should be allowed to fly over its own property. Others could only at Disney's invitation.

I have a feeling that Disney really doesn't want planes with advertising banners tooling over its resort. I remember seeing one once over EPCOT plugging Rosies in downtown Orlando.

On your observation that more WDW attractions are becoming homes for Disney characters, I have noticed that too. A few is alright, but every ride shouldn't have to be an advertisement to push more plush in my opinion. No problem with Figment, but I don't want to see Nemo or Ariel in Living Seas, let them go to Disney/MGM Studios or the Magic Kingdom. Living Seas was supposed to be an "educational" experience as well as fun.

DCA is not a failure, it is a park with some problems including lagging attendance by Disney standards. But it is still the 10th most visited park in the US. Although I was not crazy about DCA, I found more to do there on its opening month than Animal Kingdom in 1999.

Both parks are new and need time to mature. ToT will help at DCA and Everest will help AK.

I don't think proposed "DisneySky" is much like DCA and the fallout would be for Disney to not stub its toe again with whatever park it builds in the future. Lets see what happens with the abbreviated Hong Kong Magic Kingdom. My guess is that the Chinese won't know the difference!

DisneySea seems to be an excellent park with true Disney quality. I would hope WDW would get as great a park as DisneySea in the future and not panic to build a clutter of coasters because of you know who.

If my "DisneySky" proposal doesn't materialize, then I would settle for DisneySea at WDW and WESCOT as the third DLR park in California. Seaplanes at WDW's DisneySea????

Meyers


"DisneySky," Walt Disney World, 2010

 

[Mikejakester]

Originally posted by Michael72688 sorry, but I dont think this will ever happen!

Originally posted by SirNim This idea lends itself more to a "land" than an entire "kingdom"..

I agree....And I think someone around here said something about Disney focusing more on fantasy stuff... I agree to that too...

Altho not a bad Idea... I don't see this as A "DISNEY" Park. It seems to be more educational and historic... Rather than fantasy... The only way I would see this is if somehow it is fused together to disney movies in someway... like treasure planet... but then again that would limit us to only few themes inside the mayor one... I dont think this would happen as a stand alone park... Think of it more as a Epcot Pavillion. Sky... I think there has been talked about this on this forums, about a pavilion of sky. But anyways I don't see anything like this comming anytime soon, I would actually prefer them to invest and polish some stuff in the other parks before they think of a new park.

But if we are talking about a new park... Disney Villians is my fav. Idea so far.

:wave:

PS> I wonder what Darknom( or what ever his name was) would of said if he was still here....:hammer:

 

[Meyers]

Originally posted by Mikejakester
I agree....And I think someone around here said something about Disney focusing more on fantasy stuff... I agree to that too...

Altho not a bad Idea... I don't see this as A "DISNEY" Park. It seems to be more educational and historic... Rather than fantasy... The only way I would see this is if somehow it is fused together to disney movies in someway... like treasure planet... but then again that would limit us to only few themes inside the mayor one... I dont think this would happen as a stand alone park... Think of it more as a Epcot Pavillion. Sky... I think there has been talked about this on this forums, about a pavilion of sky. But anyways I don't see anything like this comming anytime soon, I would actually prefer them to invest and polish some stuff in the other parks before they think of a new park.

But if we are talking about a new park... Disney Villians is my fav. Idea so far.
:wave:

PS> I wonder what Darknom( or what ever his name was) would of said if he was still here....:hammer:

Thanks for your remarks. Some are helpful. As noted before, fantasy does seem more prevalent in Disney parks nowadays. This has concerned me in recent years as how visitors, used to Disney fantasy, would react to more education based park.

When I see World of Motion's excellent dark ride which I loved, junked and turned into a thrill ride instead, I wonder. Likewise, hearing rumors of putting a coaster through SpaceShip Earth which would ruin it in my opinion, I wonder. It is fine as is, but it could use some updating and new scenes using more current technology. Rollercoasters are fine elsewhere, but not ruining a classic dark ride.

I guess it is a matter of what Disney's direction is in the future. Some people won't bother with the Innoventions exhibits, particularily at Disneyland, so it makes me wonder again about the appeal of exhibits, even if well done.

I don't see the park connected to Disney movies, although there are some that could be candidates, but not the focus of the park. It hopefully would give young people a better appreciation of the aerospace industry and its history. Maybe not. Disney's priority is fun and games so to speak.

I think a good comparison would be to SeaWorld for its has a mix of educational exhibits and entertainment. It's not a museum, but more than an amusement park.

Remember, when my aviation/space theme park concept was first developed, it was 1974, when WDW had been open only three years and was the only park, an impressive clone of sorts to Disneyland plus hotels and and related recreational activities.

It was kinder, gentler time, as they say, attractions and films did not have to have the edge they do today. If Jungle Cruise opened today, a lot of people would think it quaint, but hardly cutting-edge. People seem to want thrills, not a leisurely boat or vehicle rides past pretty, colorful scenes. Remember Cypress Gardens? Times change.

Back to "DisneySky," the original plan of course called Aero World, was not Disney's, but created by myself and several other theme park consultants, some of whom even worked for Disney at onetime.

I have re-looked at the plan and tried to envision it as if Michael Eisner told Marty Sklar and Tony Baxter to come up with plan for a new park that would be about flight and tell the history of aviation and space exploration in a fun and entertaining manner.

Some "Disneyfication" has been done to the plan, but I'm sure the Imagineers in Glendale would have a lot of great new ideas too. How historically accurate they might be is another question.

I never got to see Disney's America plan in detail, but obviously it was themed to American history. I doubt if it went into touchy subjects such as slavery, treatment of Native American, etc.

It seemed like the American pavilion at EPCOT, an idealized and sanitary version of American history highlighting the positive.

Anyway, I think Disney could still do a proper park on aviation and space themes.

Part of the criticism of Disney's California Adventure is its lack of in-depth telling of California History. Little is mentioned of the Gold Rush, the Aerospace Industry and the Missions, all important to California's development. More could have been done, but with the theme's luke-warm reception, like WDW, emphasis appears to shifting more to fantasy or non-Californian themes. Though Flick's Fun Fair is fun for kids, it really hasn't much to do with California, except like Florida, California has bugs.

I agree with your remarks and others that before any new park is built, the other four should be in best shape possible. AK needs more work.

The idea of an EPCOT "Sky" pavilion is an idea. It would be better than the theme park never being built at all. However, "The Land" was not one of my favorite pavilions.

A pavilion alone would be more like one glorified museum exhibit which is what I was trying to get away from repeating. The concept was to be a combination Disneyland and National Air & Space Museum.

A pavilion would have no outdoor airfields with realistic, atmospheric settings, no multiple thrill rides and most importantly an airstrip where actual flying aircraft can be seen in action. Maybe this is not important to the average guest???

If such a park was to be built, I think Disney with its talented Imagineers could do it best and as a second choice, Bush Entertaiment with its background of a fine educational parks such as SeaWorld and Bush Gardens.

Unfortunately, it is my impression that Bush Entertainment no longer is willing to expend the multi-millions necessary like Disney to create a major new park.

Meyers


"DisneySky," Walt Disney World, 2010

 

[Mikejakester]

was this park acttually proposed to Disney Inc?

woun't a Airfield where aircraft land and depart violate the law of Disney that says aircraft can land but don't take off in disney property??

This idea, is not bad at all.. I actually like it... but im trying to find the Link to disney...


:wave: