News Cars-Themed Attractions at Magic Kingdom

[networkpro]

Kind of ironic IMHO in removing a water feature in the Orlando area humid subtropical environment for a concrete desert, while retaining it in Anaheims' hot semi-arid climate. Maybe its to amplify the fantasy aspect of water where there is insufficient amounts of it and an artificial lack of it where there is plenty ? Or maybe its a case of "those budgets arent going to spend themselves" ?

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

Honestly I’m surprised Tom Sawyer Island lasted as long as it did. Maybe Liberty Belle to Grand Floridian, Epcot area or something.

I've had discussions with my mom why a pirate boat to take you to your fancy Grand Floridian Resort. The Polynesian should have a Poly type boat. Can the Liberty Belle be the new transportation between Grand Floridian Resort and Magic Kingdom at least you can stay fancy than a tiny pirate boat.

 

[Beacon Joe]

I don't want to read too much into fuzzy blue sky concept art from D23, but

#SAVETHECAVES

 

[phillip9698]

Cars Rides Replacing Rivers of America & Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World has announced that the Cars attractions coming to Magic Kingdom will replace the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, fully eliminating the waterway. This post shares details, concept art, and everything

www.disneytouristblog.com

Tom Bricker with a good take as always.

This block especially stands out

“Beyond that, instead of being singularly fixated on increasing capacity, I wish Walt Disney World would endeavor to eliminate stress. When it comes to this, there are the usual suspects–screen time, lines, ride breakdowns, etc. But another one is offering up lovely places to decompress that bring smiles to the faces of guests.

Some of those decision-makers should go inside one of the massive Magic Kingdom quick-service restaurants during the middle of the day and count all of the people not eating anything. Just sitting there with their heads on the tables or attempting to ‘rest and recharge’ in about the most chaotic environment possible. (Nothing says ‘recharging’ quite like the midday rush at Pinocchio Village Haus!)

I’m not kidding. One important goal should be getting these people out of the loud and unpleasant restaurants and into actual serene spaces that offer nice ambiance and actually will allow them to mentally refuel for a brief bit. Walt Disney World needs to understand that Magic Kingdom is a world-class theme park, and those two words have meanings beyond just the fanciest and most modern rides. There should be a concerted effort to not just keeping it a “park” but enhancing that angle. It may not be captured on guest satisfaction surveys, but it’s as big a part of what separates Disney from an average amusement park as the envelope-pushing attractions.”

This would hold more weight if people actually went to that island and chilled. They don’t. That place is a ghost town even during the most hectic peak seasons.

So Disney should create more spaces that people don’t go to for the extreme minority of folks who do visit those areas?

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Even the concept art makes it clear none of these elements come together.

You can't just plop trees, pathways and water features wherever and have them create a cohesive whole.

That whole section of the park is built with the river in mind. The placement of buildings, what buildings are there, how the architecture flows, the vistas from various perspectives, all of this is being thrown out and the end result will not look good no matter what ornamentation is glued on.

This is The Magic Kingdom, not Disney Adventure World. Rides and settings were not chosen for whatever reason. You can't decouple and compartmentalize every square inch and ignore what infrastructure exists around it.

And now we lose a unique Tom Sawyer Island that's not the same as its counterparts, and a more relaxing, accessible ride in the form of the Riverboat for another thrill attraction with a height requirement that will have longer lines and won't necessarily appeal to the same audience.

 

[UNCgolf]

Regardless of anything else, that whole area of the MK is going to be hideous for a year or more while they're prepping and then building. Everywhere in Frontierland/Liberty Square will just be looking at a gigantic construction site.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

Promoting brands is more important than celebrating America according to Disney and Bob Iger

Well…we don’t need to get into that here (not allowed to) so I will most definitely be leaving this here but…if that is their thinking, and to be clear I don’t think it is, then that isn’t really a bad read on the room at the moment.

 

[Haymarket2008]

I also find it odd that the big “Piston Peak” is just going to tower over the area immediately upon entering the left side of Liberty Square??

Might they keep part of the northern part of the river?

 

[DCLcruiser]

It's still the water and island to the right of Big Thunder. At least that's how it looks in the artwork.

I mean, I have really good eyesight, and I am using a high res laptop and I cannot discern much beyond trees and some foggy murkiness.

 

[Consumer]

Could you please calm down and catch your breath.

This decision is not the end of the world.

No, but it is the end of Disney World. Like New Orleans, Pittsburgh, New York, and every other major riverfront city, the water is the heart of the city. Remove the Mississippi, the Allegheny/Monongahela/Ohio, and the Hudson from those cities and all that remains is cement. Water is necessary for life, and cutting off the supply will kill the Magic Kingdom.

 

[RobbinsDad]

It's still the water and island to the right of Big Thunder. At least that's how it looks in the artwork.

If Villain land is beyond Big Thunder, I don't see the top half of ROA lasting either.

 

[Beacon Joe]

This would hold more weight if people actually went to that island and chilled. They don’t. That place is a ghost town even during the most hectic peak seasons.

If WDW actually ran the keel boats, it'd be easier to get over there. Maybe it was just my luck, but I think I managed to find them operating one day out of the past 4 visits.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

Regardless of anything else, that whole area of the MK is going to be hideous for a year or more while they're prepping and then building. Everywhere in Frontierland/Liberty Square will just be looking at a gigantic construction site.

It'll look hideous after it's complete as well...

 

[Tayoboy]

@Tayoboy something funny?

Yeah, it just feels a bit hyperbolic. It might not be what we’re all expecting and Disney’s track record hasn’t been stellar but ultimately we wait and see what comes of it and judge it once it opens.

 

[basas]

Could you please calm down and catch your breath.

This decision is not the end of the world.

Eddie, I think everyone’s “last straw” might be different.

For example, I have no great affinity for the Muppets. If it’s mowed down to be replaced by Monsters Inc it wouldn’t bother me. That probably puts me in the minority around here, but it is what it is….

The company is breaking so many ‘last straws’ the last few years you have to wonder about the decision making…

 

[Animaniac93-98]

At least it isn’t just a giant box. I’m getting a lot more grizzly peak vibes. Which is a beautiful area in its own right and where I write this from. It would be nice if there was a bit more overt water though.

If this were a new build attraction somewhere else, I would appreciate that, but I really don't see it working in this location.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

That's historically inaccurate. Snow White, adjusted for inflation, is in the top 10 highest grossing movies of all time and is much more profitatable than Frozen. Frozen definitely sells more merchandise today, but Snow White had several decades of being the most popular and beloved animated movie of all time, selling 28 million VHS copies in the 90s — six decades after its initial release and the third best-selling VHS of all time behind The Lion King and Aladdin.

I'm not saying this to bash Frozen, I love Frozen. But Snow White was the company's most consistent moneymaker in the 20th Century. Only time will tell if Frozen has the same staying power 80 years from now.

I think you know what I was saying with that and it has nothing to do with box office inflation and everything to do with influence and historical significance, but understood.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

Kind of ironic IMHO in removing a water feature in the Orlando area humid subtropical environment for a concrete desert, while retaining it in Anaheims' hot semi-arid climate. Maybe its to amplify the fantasy aspect of water where there is insufficient amounts of it and an artificial lack of it where there is plenty ? Or maybe its a case of "those budgets arent going to spend themselves" ?

Not when you find out those in hand decisions are Californian's who never set foot in Florida to note how it will settle in unCalifornian weather. Look at Epcot's World Celebration.

 

[basas]

This would hold more weight if people actually went to that island and chilled. They don’t. That place is a ghost town even during the most hectic peak seasons.

So Disney should create more spaces that people don’t go to for the extremes minority of folks who do visit those areas.

Not true.

 

[Ice Gator]

No, but it is the end of Disney World. Like New Orleans, Pittsburgh, New York, and every other major riverfront city, the water is the heart of the city. Remove the Mississippi, the Allegheny/Monongahela/Ohio, and the Hudson from those cities and all that remains is cement. Water is necessary for life, and cutting off the supply will kill the Magic Kingdom.

I can’t tell if you’re serious or not but thanks for the laugh regardless.