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Rumor Bye Bye (Tiki) Birdies?
- Thread starter WDW1974
- Start date
FigmentJedi
Well-Known Member
It's the lack of a multimedia franchise that makes these original attractions seem expendable.
While some people see SEA's ever-expanding influence in new projects or updates to classics as an obnoxious intrusion bordering on fanfiction, I see Imagineers scrambling to put all this stuff together in some rebel alliance against the IP-ire. Like in putting these pieces together into a larger whole and I guess throwing Indy in there because reasons, that suddenly they might start looking like something that execs register as being an IP. If the Jungle Cruise movie actually pokes into some of that more recent backstory stuff added to the attraction, it has potential to really make a difference.
Just a few quick thoughts before I don my Easter bonnet and head out (to egg the homes of Disney execs, of course):
--No, the Tiki Room will not be replaced by Mystic Manor. It is not coming to WDW (for the 8,765th time) whether at MK or DAK or at the new DVC. It is HKDL's Haunted Mansion, whether you, individually, believe it is different enough to make it not duplicative. I don't know what will replace it as there are multiple 'plans' floating. I do believe this attraction isn't long for existence, despite the fact I'd still call this 'rumor' right now;
-- No, they don't care about how popular you, individually, may feel this attraction is within the fan community. They sell far more Horizons and Journey into Imagination merchandise with those attractions ripped out than they did before. In other words, fanbois will buy even more Tiki stuff if the attraction goes extinct;
-- Whether you, individually, care or not really isn't important to Disney or anyone else but the people who care about your opinions. I have said this for years about the soon-to-be-gone Speedway and very-likely-not-long for existence TSI. Just because YOU don't like an attraction or see value in it doesn't mean there isn't any. I haven't been on the Speedway since last century. I have no plans to change that. But the attraction is timeless. It's always been largely a ride for kids ... kids who long for the freedom of the road and the automobile. That hasn't changed at all. And unlike a lot of stuff added for young kids over the last 15 years, this attraction could, can and is enjoyed by older people as well. A family attraction. Imagine that.
-- Within a decade, the MK is very likely to be near unrecognizable to someone who visited in 1977 or 1987 and hasn't been back since. It already has lost all those little shops, quiet pathways and nooks, gardens, entertainment that isn't foamhead based, trees etc.
-- WDW and the MK were built with the so-called 'blessing of size' and that is what is infuriating about the last 20 years of add an attraction/lose an attraction. Expansion is needed, but expansion isn't replacing or repurposing existing attractions, facilities or Guest areas. New, new, new (hey, Dr. Blondie, are we still calling it new?) Fantasyland is all you need to know about this. You don't add capacity by shifting it whether by replacing an attraction with another (even a more popular one), just like you don't add it by FP+/NGE subterfuge .... that's all a shell game.
-- IP is basically leading the charge when it comes to new parks product. You can view this as a positive, but I absolutely don't. The MK ... the EPCOT ... these parks are morphing from theme parks to IP/franchise parks. There is a difference. A very large one. But you simply won't see attractions added that can't be tied to hot Disney props.
Anyway, just some thoughts ... Happy Easter to y'all.
--No, the Tiki Room will not be replaced by Mystic Manor. It is not coming to WDW (for the 8,765th time) whether at MK or DAK or at the new DVC. It is HKDL's Haunted Mansion, whether you, individually, believe it is different enough to make it not duplicative. I don't know what will replace it as there are multiple 'plans' floating. I do believe this attraction isn't long for existence, despite the fact I'd still call this 'rumor' right now;
-- No, they don't care about how popular you, individually, may feel this attraction is within the fan community. They sell far more Horizons and Journey into Imagination merchandise with those attractions ripped out than they did before. In other words, fanbois will buy even more Tiki stuff if the attraction goes extinct;
-- Whether you, individually, care or not really isn't important to Disney or anyone else but the people who care about your opinions. I have said this for years about the soon-to-be-gone Speedway and very-likely-not-long for existence TSI. Just because YOU don't like an attraction or see value in it doesn't mean there isn't any. I haven't been on the Speedway since last century. I have no plans to change that. But the attraction is timeless. It's always been largely a ride for kids ... kids who long for the freedom of the road and the automobile. That hasn't changed at all. And unlike a lot of stuff added for young kids over the last 15 years, this attraction could, can and is enjoyed by older people as well. A family attraction. Imagine that.
-- Within a decade, the MK is very likely to be near unrecognizable to someone who visited in 1977 or 1987 and hasn't been back since. It already has lost all those little shops, quiet pathways and nooks, gardens, entertainment that isn't foamhead based, trees etc.
-- WDW and the MK were built with the so-called 'blessing of size' and that is what is infuriating about the last 20 years of add an attraction/lose an attraction. Expansion is needed, but expansion isn't replacing or repurposing existing attractions, facilities or Guest areas. New, new, new (hey, Dr. Blondie, are we still calling it new?) Fantasyland is all you need to know about this. You don't add capacity by shifting it whether by replacing an attraction with another (even a more popular one), just like you don't add it by FP+/NGE subterfuge .... that's all a shell game.
-- IP is basically leading the charge when it comes to new parks product. You can view this as a positive, but I absolutely don't. The MK ... the EPCOT ... these parks are morphing from theme parks to IP/franchise parks. There is a difference. A very large one. But you simply won't see attractions added that can't be tied to hot Disney props.
Anyway, just some thoughts ... Happy Easter to y'all.
Last edited:
21stamps
Well-Known Member
Is this confirmed info? Are all of those attractions actually leaving? The Speedway seems popular still, as does TSI. TSI is one of my favorite spots in all of Disney World. Do you think the execs don't recognize that people need some low key attractions, if only to step away from the madness for a bit?
Otterhead
Well-Known Member
100% agreed. It's been very interesting seeing this sort of "shadow IP" forming out of Indy, the Jungle Cruise, the ashes of the Adventurer's Club, and even Miss Adventure Falls. I feel like at some point some bit of media will come along and codify it into something concrete.
Dead2009
Horror Movie Guru
If you've looked around and saw that people have threatened never to go back to the parks for a while, because of a menu change or the color of a stop light just before you get to the entrance of the entire property, you know why that comment was made. I doubt Disney really cares if someone who's been going to the parks just suddeny stops and goes to another, their money has all ready been replaced by someone who's a tad bit more eager to be there.
Casper Gutman
Well-Known Member
Look, maybe one of the more knowledgeable insiders can correct here, but it is my recollection that, when Disneyland was damaged by Paul Pressler, fan action played a significant part in his removal and the park's dramatic turnaround. I certainly remember Pressler imitating Al Lutz in a cruel skit, indicating that the execs were aware of the fan displeasure.
The point is that fan activities CAN have an effect. Constantly saying "Disney is too big - nothing I can do about their bad decisions" is often code for "I don't want to do anything."
And, to reiterate, it's pathetic that Disney, the premiere IP holding company in the world, doesn't understand how IPs work.
Blairnicol
Well-Known Member
Nostalgia comes to play in my preferences for attractions. Some of my favorites are the OG rides that were created for the parks and not from IPs. But I've never been a fan of this attraction. I hated it as a kid and never went back as an adult. I should probably give it another go before it goes the way of the Dodo.
the.dreamfinder
Well-Known Member
Speaking of TDO's favorite activity. There's obviously going to be an appeal to visit WDW for its 50th, but I just don't see how the anticipated "monster" crowds are going to come as we experience guest declines with every price increase.
But Disney wants both the current fans and the new fans. It's not like there's some invisible line somewhere for people waiting to get in. There's nothing keeping anyone from going on any given day. Only the handful of days where parks max out capacity, and that hasn't happened in some time.
A lot of us grew up watching Wide World of Disney on Sunday nights. Our brand loyalty cemented us to the parks. I'm not sure that same degree of brand loyalty is currently developing new fans. Sure, they're bringing some in with acquisitions, but I don't think it's as strong.
Kman101
Well-Known Member
It's really sad how some of you are acting towards the rest of us who don't like this closing. "But I'm going to hang around and harangue those who still do" Really? Come on. Grow up a little bit. Honestly. We all love the place. Aren't you doing the same thing you accuse others of doing? Haranguing the rest of us? Give it a rest. For people who are so-called "pixie dusters" you can sure be passive aggresively rude and dismissive.
Kman101
Well-Known Member
Also tired of the excuse, when no one has anything left to argue back about that "it's not a museum". No, it's not and things should be changing and we should be getting BETTER attractions. But what makes you go back? Nostalgia. Attractions you love. What if they constantly changed everything? What nostalgia would drive you to go back, your kids to go back? Some of you sound really silly. Just like you think some of us sound silly. Show the respect you are asking for.
DABIGCHEEZ
Well-Known Member
Let's see... I do visit museums expecting to see old historical things. I do listen to older music in MP3 format. My reference to black and white tv, was to a TV that only displays black and white, not old movies recorded in black and white. When I go to a Theme Park...in a land called Adventureland.... 1960's AA birds, plants and tikis don't scream adventure to me.
When attractions get stale... they need to be updated or replaced. They did an update which brought some life to the attraction IMO, but had many folks throwing a hissy fit, but as I said we liked the new management.
Since you asked...As far as what attractions I would like to see replaced... The Tiki Room. I will say keep the Country Bear Jamboree(it is more of a character-like, if that make sense)... that is better than the Tiki Birds. The Swiss Family Treehouse should at least be updated and themed to something a little more current. The Speedway could be updated to Cars theme or replaced with something altogether different. Pirates and HM are are fine because they are ride based and have an Action/adventure element to them. Speaking of updates... COP certainly could use one. In its current set-up, it is a "I need an AC break" attraction.
Again, these are all my thoughts and opinions... thanks in advance for letting me have them.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
See, that's what makes all this so infuriating.
Why replace the MK with something else? Both the MK and the other new park can exist successfully. Even within the same company. I personally don't care for the new MK - a park for hicks with even thicker wallets than skulls. But none of that would bother me if they would just have the courtesy to built it someplace else. Why destroy my heaven for it? And that of tens of millions of others. An American classic.
RobbinsDad
Well-Known Member
I will weep for the Tiki Room if this comes to pass. It's not something I see every trip but it was the first attraction I loved. While other kindergarteners couldn't wait for another trip around the Small World or a flight with Dumbo, I wanted to hang out with Jose and Fritz.
Otterhead
Well-Known Member
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Merchandise sells even when the attraction is gone. More than likely, merchandise is playing a role in the removal.
Disney's attractions per guest per hour is simply atrocious.
Otterhead
Well-Known Member
While it's true that they still sell merch for long-gone attractions, I'm not sure what you mean by this; they're driven to remove the Tiki Room because of how popular its merchandise is? I don't follow that logic.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
They anticipate that the replacement will sell more merchandise, and franchise merchandise at that.