M&Gs aren't LLs anymore!Unless you really need to waste LL on Meet & Greets.
M&Gs aren't LLs anymore!Unless you really need to waste LL on Meet & Greets.
I’m 100% with you there. Not a single change to the parks (in my lifetime) has ever affected me quite like this. I’ve felt devastated since I heard the news Monday morning. When Maelstrom was replaced, I was sad but ultimately didn’t mind the change. When they rethemed Splash, I was sad to see my favorite ride be gone forever, but I was excited for the first ever Princess and the Frog ride. When the Country Bears got a new show, I was sad to see the (butchered version of) the original go, but excited because this is the first seasonal overlay they’ve gotten in years and it opens the door to rotating the show out in the future. The bears have a chance to last another 50 years.I'm devastated about Rivers. I spent over 100 hours next to that river this year alone documenting the construction of Tiana’s.
When the log testing would stop, I’d turn around and watch the Liberty Belle pass by and wave to everyone. The sound of the riverboat was always there every single time I went to MK to post updates on Tiana’s.
In my opinion, this is the worst decision ever in the history of Disney Parks. It’s the most naturally beautiful part of the world’s most popular theme park — and it’s going to be destroyed.
While I am not quite as positive on some of the other changes mentioned, you have hit the nail on the head when it comes to the real loss here.I’m 100% with you there. Not a single change to the parks (in my lifetime) has ever affected me quite like this. I’ve felt devastated since I heard the news Monday morning. When Maelstrom was replaced, I was sad but ultimately didn’t mind the change. When they rethemed Splash, I was sad to see my favorite ride be gone forever, but I was excited for the first ever Princess and the Frog ride. When the Country Bears got a new show, I was sad to see the (butchered version of) the original go, but excited because this is the first seasonal overlay they’ve gotten in years and it opens the door to rotating the show out in the future. The bears have a chance to last another 50 years.
But with this? There’s no upside or equal compariosn. What’s replacing the Rivers and TSI isn’t similar in size and vibes like TBA and CBMJ were to their originals. It’s completely changing the look, feel, and atmosphere of both Liberty Square AND Frontierland. The Haunted Mansion is no longer an old New England estate overlooking water. The Columbia Harbor House is no longer a restaurant by the sea. Big Thunder Mountain won’t zoom by water anymore. The railroad won’t circle the vast waters and feel open and free. The main path of Frontierland will no longer feel open and free. You won’t be able to look out onto the water and catch your breath after so much running around and looking for good wait times on your phone. The relaxing nature of the calm water, nostalgic riverboat, and quaint island will be replaced with cartoony rock work and loud engine roars mixed with screams. Probably a lot more crying children, too, since Virtual Queues and Lightning Lane will make the attractions a hassle for parents to get their kids on. There won’t be a single calm area of MK left. And once the rivers are filled, there’s no getting them back.
When I go to Disney parks, or any theme park for that matter, the memories that stick with me aren’t how I felt on a ride. It’s how I felt being absorbed into the environment. If there’s ever a feeling of “I wish I got to do that”, it’s always something that you enjoy for the view, never a ride (my last visit I didn’t get to do the MK railroad or the Country Bears, which I regret). My last trip to WDW was in Dec 2022/Jan 2023, and while there was so much new to do for me (having last been in Jan 2018), the memory that sticks out to me the most is taking a slow morning in Hollywood Studios, walking around and exploring the area with my wife and brother as we waited for the rest of my family to arrive at the park. I took in the intricacies of the parks design, I looked out onto Echo Lake and enjoyed the view as I had a snack. We walked around Muppets Courtyard and looked for all the little details and quirks. We watched MuppetVision a few times and I took in all the small details of the theater and queue. Yeah, rides and shows are fun. The Country Bear Jamboree is probably my favorite thing ever. But what I truly remember the most from my trips are the moments of taking everything in and appreciating the beauty in front of me. That’s what makes Disney different- or at least, it used to be.
I should probably get to writing that letter to all the higher ups at Disney, this is good stuff lol.
Oh god I had a thought. People have been saying Adventureland is one of the things up next.
Jungle cruise?
The humour of Jungle Cruise is an important part of Magic Kingdom. I’d like to see the attraction redone with modern tech and a touch of adventure thrill, while retaining the funny.I actually wish they would eliminate the Jungle Cruise -- it takes up a massive amount of space for a mediocre attraction that's redundant with the real animals at Animal Kingdom. They could build another E ticket plus a table service restaurant and maybe even a smaller attraction too on that plot.
I realize I am in a small minority with that opinion, though!
I wonder if SSE could be on the chopping block. That would be as bad as removing COP for me, if not worse -- I think it's the best ride at EPCOT even in its current diminished form and one of the best at WDW -- but considering the work it needs, I think it's possible Disney could decide to gut it while replacing the track and create a new ride in its place with an IP like Wall-E.
Moana has a nice expansion pad (originally intended for Fire Mountain).The film did not do well. It’s got to be an operational headache and eats up a ton of space. No merch sales. Moana has nowhere to go
The humour of Jungle Cruise is an important part of Magic Kingdom. I’d like to see the attraction redone with modern tech and a touch of adventure thrill, while retaining the funny.
That's an interesting idea... What if it were done with the ROTR format... Starting as the usual yuck-it-up dad jokes when our boat is apprehended by gorillas that force everyone out of the boat, down a jungle trail where they are rescued by a band of rogue cast members that put everyone in a jeep to get them out of there....The Jeep is chased through a series of vignettes with animals on the attack....We barely escape and end up at another dock where we reboard boats that finish the short journey around the bend and back to the dock.....lolThe humour of Jungle Cruise is an important part of Magic Kingdom. I’d like to see the attraction redone with modern tech and a touch of adventure thrill, while retaining the funny.
Paddlefish is definitely bigger. Probably more than twice the mass. I also don't even think it moves.
If they ever did that DVC resort on the River Country plot, the boat could be utilized there if it was gutted and parked.
Right now it's not really re-workable as anything but a gift shop with an inaccessible(to whhelchairs and such) top floor picture/viewing area. No matter where you park it.
I want to preface this by saying that I really love the Hall of Presidents. Go every time we’re on a trip.What makes it creepy? I think it's respectful without playing politics on one side or the other. Is it just all the figures?
Disney does well with "family coasters" which don't have big drops or go crazy with inversions.The last thing they built was a coaster, and then they're building a Monsters coaster.
Coasters are popular, but they're not for everyone as evidenced by attendance at coaster heavy parks (Cedar Point, etc)
I have cracked the code - Mint Julep Bar. That actually is a real possibility haha.You could perhaps park it next to a restaurant. Or use it as a stationary lobby to a restaurant
That’s very fair! BTMRR definitely will come down to preference. I like Florida’s a lot…until the anticlimactic ending. DL’s having more after the final lift hill (and the effects on said lift) make it feel a little more complete to me whereas Florida’s almost feels like it’s missing the last quarter of the ride.I have to disagree with you about DL's BTM. I actually like WDW's better. They're both immensely fun, but there's just something about WDW's that I prefer.
The canoes and Columbia I'm sure add a lot to the energy...when they're running. Again, they weren't when I was there in 2019, so I can't speak on that from experience.
I personally wouldn't add Fantasmic to the list of plusses to that land. It was stuck there because where else are they going to put it? It's not there to add anything to the land itself. Again, I was there on weekdays so I didn't get to see it. But the thought of dealing with so many people in such a limited area kind of turned me off from the idea of seeing it even if I could.
I haven't traveled internationally so I definitely can't speak on those lands. Hopefully one day. But when it comes to the comparison between WDW and DL, World's FL wins for me. Or...it did. Guess we'll see if that holds up.
Half of the insiders are saying MV and the other half, AC.That's the current plan. Like I said, it can change to Launch Bay.
<Buzz & Woody meme>I have cracked the code - Mint Julep Bar. That actually is a real possibility haha.
They can. But they'd have to tear out the RnRC tracks and fit the new hanging RV coaster in that space.Out of curiosity, why can’t they put Door Coaster where RnR is? From what I hear, RnR catches on fire quite often and seems like the problem child of DHS.
It should absolutely be considered on the list, although I don’t think it’s next up, simply from the labor requirements alone. Guests can’t get themselves in and out of the boat to maintain capacity targets. As mentioned, they don’t sell a lot of merchandise, and the movie underperformed. While Moana is waiting in the wings for sometime in the 2030s, after all of this stuff.Oh god I had a thought. People have been saying Adventureland is one of the things up next.
Jungle cruise?
If Zanetti is correct, there was never a hope of keeping Rivers of America or Tom Sawyer Island. There’s no conspiracy, or philosophical abandonment of the soul of Magic Kingdom.
Things get old and broken and their time passes. It’s sad, but I’m hopeful that what’s coming will add new beauty and excitement to this park.
So I realized while on a Disney Plus deep dive last night that this area will be based on the National Park as seen in "Planes: Fire and Rescue."
Piston Peak is gorgeous in the movie. If they nail this area, I think it may wind up being an upgrade. Definitely a vibe switch, less Frontierland and more Grizzly Peak but still if done properly..... You can see it in the video below.
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