As one of the last Gen Z generations, I would like to represent both the younger Gen Z and Gen Alpha when I'm saying this.
When I hear the words "American Frontier," I think of soaring mountains, expanses of trees, wild rivers, and crashing waterfalls. I think of the roughness of the wild, tamed but untamed simultaneously. Since the younger generations rarely speak about these things, let me just say that all that wishwash about cowboys and kids still enjoying cowboy/Indian games is outdated. The "unifying" theme of the frontier that all the older generations talk about doesn't exist anymore. This is a vision of the past, and for the newer generations, it is NOT the universal idea of what Frontierland is like.
That brings us to the problem of Magic Kingdom because for many the lands there don't speak as well as they used to. The lush jungles of Adventure aren't being represented in the barren Adventureland, the Tomorrowland is more outdated than a shopping mall, and the Fantasyland's carnival tents are less appealing than a state fair amusement park. Everything needs to grow, to match the changing universal idea and vision, while still preserving parts of Americana. I didn't say that kids don't revere Americana, simply that even the idea of Americana has moved on (if older folks have lenses of Americana 100 years into the past, younger ones would have lenses of Americana 100 years into the past too, but going towards the more rambunctious 1920's).
Moving on to the issue of Frontierland, and apologizing in advance because I won't be holding back., Frontierland is one of the most bland themes nowadays that make up a park. Deserts with few trees and blasts of hotness aren't the ideal feeling that any young person wants anymore. Even adding attractions, I prefer the coolness and serene quality of Grizzly Peak over any other Frontierland in the world. Big Thunder Mountain is fun but it's the only reason there are crowds in the area- Frontierland is chemically boring and unattractive, and TBA was the first step to its revival. Even Cars Land with its root on newer American culture and its more breathtaking vistas serves as a much better desert-themed land.
Another thing that's going to be blunt is the fact that many of the older generations are going to die out, and as we move on, the consumers that will be paying Disney money won't be them anymore. It's the young people going out and paying to experience fresh, exciting things where creature comforts are also being respected (like the illusion of weather). Seeing these new things coming to MK and other parks around the world excites me for the literal untapped potential of the future, and if Disney doesn't set a good reputation in the future generations, it's not going to do well.
So why do Cars just work for us? The features promised in Cars have (as some screenagers put it lol) aura. Soaring peaks, rushing waterfalls, hidden springs, and an abundance of evergreen trees. A kinetic force of trees and old-style cars zipping around the national park vibe, cars are only seen when observed closely. TBA, Cars, and BTMR go together perfectly, showcasing not one, conservative and stifled view of Americana, but a flourishing cultural renaissance exploring all the different biomes of America, the rough natures of nature that continue to live modern-day. The bayou, the mountains, the desert... Leave conservative Americana for Liberty Square, Main Street.
Frontierland embraces the raw, undeterred power and beauty of nature.
Signing off,
A Gen Z
Edit: Because a lot of the folks here don't know what I mean in Paragraph 4, quick reiteration I'm not saying everyone's going to start dropping like flies (well duh, consumer populations dying out is a metaphor), but a majority of the Disney economy is fueled by younger generations, not by thousands of 82-year-olds trooping off for a 12-day vacation at WDW. When the time comes Disney will need to have a positive reputation among the mass consumerist population among the younger generations in order to profit. If they don't start now, there will be a dark decline in places like MK even when it holds its golden crown status. Cars and Villains will pave the way to generate more appreciation within younger audiences in the future. Few of you would think the same, and reduce your characters to using the most laughable insults, but you're unfortunately not a Gen Z and the world doesn't revolve around you. Merely stating what a lot of us think
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