Do you think Disney will ever make a really impressive playground again?

[WorldExplorer]

Disney used to make really awesome playgrounds, with really elaborate theming.

The Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground:

The Boneyard:

(Not pictured: Its sandpit.)

Arguably the entirety of Tom Sawyer Island:

One of these is long gone and two of them are getting removed. Meanwhile, the Monsters, Inc. land concept art has this;

Which...I'll gladly be wrong, maybe it'll turn out to actually be part of something super elaborate, but it doesn't exactly look like it's living up to prior attempts.

We do still have the Mission: Space playground and the one you can wait in to get on Dumbo, but I think it's fair to say neither is really on the level of the removed/leaving ones. The theming is much lighter and they're much less sprawling.

So is this a dead art? Especially when there's really no reason why there isn't a Boneyard replacement planned other than just not wanting to do it?

 

[Ghost93]

If there was ever a massive Pandora expansion, a Pandora-themed playground could work.

 

[drizgirl]

Can't sell LLs to a playground. So I don't believe they will build one again.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Fast food playgrounds are disappearing because of liability and sanitation concerns. They are being replaced by indoor playground chains, but everyone using those has to sign a liability waiver. Guessing Disney doesn’t want to deal with the liability.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I'm not even sure Disney can build another good attraction.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Disney used to make really awesome playgrounds, with really elaborate theming.

The Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground:

View attachment 811820

The Boneyard:
View attachment 811828
(Not pictured: Its sandpit.)

Arguably the entirety of Tom Sawyer Island:
View attachment 811825

One of these is long gone and two of them are getting removed. Meanwhile, the Monsters, Inc. land concept art has this;

View attachment 811826

Which...I'll gladly be wrong, maybe it'll turn out to actually be part of something super elaborate, but it doesn't exactly look like it's living up to prior attempts.

We do still have the Mission: Space playground and the one you can wait in to get on Dumbo, but I think it's fair to say neither is really on the level of the removed/leaving ones. The theming is much lighter and they're much less sprawling.

So is this a dead art? Especially when there's really no reason why there isn't a Boneyard replacement planned other than just not wanting to do it?

Hollywood Studios is not the same without the Honey I Shrunk The Kids playground. If they couldn't figure out how to put one in Toy Story Land...I have little hope for other ones.

 

[Fox&Hound]

I think every park should have one awesome playground structure for the littles that are too small to enjoy the thrill rides. Dumbo in MK is awesome. An air conditioned place where kids can play- yes please! The problem with Mission Space is no one knows it is there. So, yes, AK should get one with the removal of the Boneyard (also epic) and DHS needs one, but I am not holding my breath. I think, as others have stated, there are legal concerns. They just cannot control what people do in those spaces. And I am sure that causes anxiety. But they 100% should add them. They are great people eaters too and I think they actually increase guest satisfaction. Little kids need to be able to run around and let off steam. And parents want to sit, rest their feet, and wonder why their kids are feral. Throw in some charging stations for cell phones and everyone wins.

 

[Kamikaze]

I'm not even sure Disney can build another good attraction.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Nope

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

View attachment 811871

…Just all the Star Wars they’ve bombed

 

[Master Yoda]

Considering that they have either bulldozed or have plans to bulldoze nearly every playground that has ever existed in WDW, I am going to go with no.

 

[HauntedPirate]

It's rather simple. TDO is hooked/1000% dependent on that sweet, sweet LL cash.

"What if we built this..."
"Can we charge for it?"
"No"
"Negative, Ghost Rider"

Which, reading back quick, I guess is pretty much what @drizgirl said.

 

[Lilofan]

Fast food playgrounds are disappearing because of liability and sanitation concerns. They are being replaced by indoor playground chains, but everyone using those has to sign a liability waiver. Guessing Disney doesn’t want to deal with the liability.

Honey playground in MGM was nasty. The rubber coating surface was coated with sweat, hair, food drink and at times vomit.

 

[Andrew25]

HTTYD at Epic Universe will have a playground, so I don't think it's a lost art yet.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It's rather simple. TDO is hooked/1000% dependent on that sweet, sweet LL cash.

"What if we built this..."
"Can we charge for it?"
"No"
"Negative, Ghost Rider"

Which, reading back quick, I guess is pretty much what @drizgirl said.

Indeed

Disneylanders are aflame over the removal of the trolleys at DCA

“Why are they doing this?!?”


…I think it’s clear at this point, isn’t it? They won’t stop until the actual park ticket includes nothing

 

[HauntedPirate]

Indeed

Disneylanders are aflame over the removal of the trolleys at DCA

“Why are they doing this?!?”


…I think it’s clear at this point, isn’t it? They won’t stop until the actual park ticket includes nothing

Welcome to Epcot - A shopping mall with admission!

 

[danlb_2000]

Fast food playgrounds are disappearing because of liability and sanitation concerns. They are being replaced by indoor playground chains, but everyone using those has to sign a liability waiver. Guessing Disney doesn’t want to deal with the liability.

I think you hit on the big issue, liability.

 

[Kamikaze]

…Just all the Star Wars they’ve bombed

That has what to do with attractions?

 

[Quietmouse]

I'm not even sure Disney can build another good attraction.

Oh stop it, cosmic rewind is amazing. Some of y’all are so jaded on here.

 

[Quietmouse]

My 2 cents on the topic, no I don’t think the theme park playground concept is dead.

It’s a pretty fundamental tool used for crowd control and reducing que time.

I think honey I shrunk the kids and and TSI are irrelevant ips to this generation and their replacement makes sense.

But I think Disney equally realizes that playgrounds are necessary as well for park operations.