Frozen in Tokyo vs Epcot

[the.dreamfinder]

I've wondered this too, everyone keeps speculating that there is going to be a Star wars land but nothing has been announced. It's probably best to assume it isn't happening until we hear otherwise.

It's a matter of when not if. WDI and Lucasfilm have setup a team dedicated to Star Wars led by Imagineer Scott Trowbridge, who was one of the key designers on Islands of Adventure. Multiple sources including our @WDW1974 and MiceChat have confirmed a significant Star Wars presence will be where Disneyland's Toontown is as well as the backstage space behind it. I suspect @PhotoDave219 's hunch that we will only hear about DL's Star Wars land at D23 Expo is right and what is planned for TPSTBFKaDHS will be pushed back for WDW's 50.

 

[Mike S]

I would love it if at a D23 panel Q&A someone asks why the Frozen presence in Tokyo will be so much bigger and better than its O-Town equivalent.

The answer to that question could be an "uh..........." followed by nervous sweat and a tug of the shirt collar since I'm sure they wouldn't be expecting it enough to have some canned line about MAGIC prepared. I would love to watch Disney people squirm under the pressure of that question.

 

[sponono88]

The Disney parks blog posted about this today, saying that Scandinavia is the new port for TDS, and a portion of the area will be devoted to Frozen. This is a good thing.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...nnounced-for-tokyo-disney-resort-development/

Are those three areas part of their New Fantasyland? I'm a bit confused...

Frozen is going into Tokyo Disney Sea and is not part of the fantasyland expansion. Their new fantasyland in Tokyo Disneyland includes Beauty and the Beast and Alice and Wonderland areas:

 

[George]

I agree with the titular query "Frozen in Tokyo vs. EPCOT" since I would guess that a small patch of land in the Frozen themed area at TDR will have more entertainment value than the entirety of present day EPCOT.

 

[ProfSavage]

 

[BrerJon]

Okay. We got a new FL expansion. A new parade. Animal Kingdom is getting an expansion and a new night show. DHS is about to get a complete overhaul. While it's not what the OLC is doing in Japan, it's a step in the right direction.

In the past new parades were introduced every year, and Tokyo frequently gets new entertainment - TDS is due for a new water show, and if it's anything like Legends of Mythica, will make Rivers of Light look like a pee in a puddle, so I don't think it's fair to give WDW any credit for those things as being signs of a new approach - most theme parks would do about the same in that time, and that's across four parks.

As for DHS, there's nothing announced, it's all just fan speculation. Current rumours are that a Star Wars land *could* open (or at least begin construction) around 2020 - depending on how the Anaheim land goes (if that goes ahead), but all the Tokyo stuff will have been open for a couple of years by then. Before then expect DHS to remain much as it is now.

A couple of new lands and a few new shows between four parks over ten years really isn't anything to write home about, whereas Tokyo shows that when you invest in high quality new productions the return on investment is way more than the measly offerings WDW dishes out.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

How long is Iger CEO for? When does this horrid mans tenure finish?

He's a movies man, and would rather invest in movie's than the parks. He probably see's the parks as 'oh they're just rollercoasters and naff rides', go make me a movie and get me an oscar - that's where he sees glory. It's his passion, it's where he's doing all his work.

Iger is under contact till 2018. They keep extending his contract because Disney stock and worth us going through the roof. I wouldn't be surprised if his contract will be extended again.

 

[RSoxNo1]

The Disney Parks Blog put this up today, and for some reason I can't comment on it, but the first comment is awesome:

Wow! This doesn’t look nearly as nice as Walt Disney World’s New Fantasyland – where are the restaurants, themed restrooms and meet-n-greets? Those look like ride entrances and the characters are just roaming around outside without handlers or photographers. And why would they build a new Frozen ride instead of just adding some props to an existing one? A whole new land seems unnecessary.

 

[Travel Junkie]

The Disney Parks Blog put this up today, and for some reason I can't comment on it, but the first comment is awesome:

Wow! This doesn’t look nearly as nice as Walt Disney World’s New Fantasyland – where are the restaurants, themed restrooms and meet-n-greets? Those look like ride entrances and the characters are just roaming around outside without handlers or photographers. And why would they build a new Frozen ride instead of just adding some props to an existing one? A whole new land seems unnecessary.

I have a feeling that is one of our fellow forum members. He has a knack for getting comments like that through. I'll let him identify himself if he chooses to.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Looks like comments were disabled. Keep controlling that message Disney.

 

[Kman101]

Pretty sure a Wonderland section was planned for WDW's Fantasyland but naturally we needed to preserve those circus tents.

 

[Bocabear]

But at WDW we are getting a totally redone shopping experience at Disney Springs! and there are meet and greet opportunities on the horizon! Why would we want great new attractions? LOL.
Yeah yeah, I know they are building an Avatar attraction....

 

[Mike S]

Pretty sure a Wonderland section was planned for WDW's Fantasyland but naturally we needed to preserve those circus tents.

Yup..........

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I could not justify going to Tokyo just to go to Disney... I love Disney but traveling to Tokyo has never been on my life goals list.

It should be.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I only have two comments on this topic:

1. I fully and wholeheartedly trust that whatever the OLC does with both of these projects will be fantastic. *** When's the last time we were able to say that about a WDW project? ***

2. As I understand it, the entrance to the Scandinavia/Frozen land in TDS will be in the back corner, basically right next door to Sindbad. And I am 10000000000% in favor of ANYTHING that will help pump up the rider count on Sindbad. It's the best ride in TDS (IMO) and the fact that it's nearly always a walk-on is a crime, and always has me worried it could close. But stick Frozen next door, and I'd say it just got a new lease on life.

 

[GLaDOS]

2. As I understand it, the entrance to the Scandinavia/Frozen land in TDS will be in the back corner, basically right next door to Sindbad. And I am 10000000000% in favor of ANYTHING that will help pump up the rider count on Sindbad. It's the best ride in TDS (IMO) and the fact that it's nearly always a walk-on is a crime, and always has me worried it could close. But stick Frozen next door, and I'd say it just got a new lease on life.

Scandinavia will actually be going into the corner between Lost River Delta and across the river from Port Discovery, not in between Lost River Delta and Arabian Coast.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Scandinavia will actually be going into the corner between Lost River Delta and across the river from Port Discovery, not in between Lost River Delta and Arabian Coast.

You, Sir, have bursted my bubble.

I thought the talk was to put the entrance to the left of the Aladdin Spinner and to the right of the coaster.

I'll have to check google maps, but it feels like there is a HECK of a lot more room in the corner I'm describing. If I recall correctly, the corner you're describing has a modest nursery, a monorail track, the road and bay very nearby, and of course the hotels on the other side of the road. The corner I'm describing could go out toward their parking lot.

I fully believe you're accurate... I'm just wondering what the thought process is, if that's the case.

 

[GLaDOS]

You, Sir, have bursted my bubble.

I thought the talk was to put the entrance to the left of the Aladdin Spinner and to the right of the coaster.

I'll have to check google maps, but it feels like there is a HECK of a lot more room in the corner I'm describing. If I recall correctly, the corner you're describing has a modest nursery, a monorail track, the road and bay very nearby, and of course the hotels on the other side of the road. The corner I'm describing could go out toward their parking lot.

I fully believe you're accurate... I'm just wondering what the thought process is, if that's the case.

The plot you're describing has less room inside the park than the location it's going in. Theoretically they could use some parking lot to make it bigger, but I'm not sure they'd do that or not. The plot they are using is the biggest piece of undeveloped land in the park, currently.

There's a map of the location in this post: http://www.disneytouristblog.com/frozen-tokyo-disneysea-expansion-tokyo-disneyland-new-fantasyland/

 

[twebber55]

In the past new parades were introduced every year, and Tokyo frequently gets new entertainment - TDS is due for a new water show, and if it's anything like Legends of Mythica, will make Rivers of Light look like a pee in a puddle, so I don't think it's fair to give WDW any credit for those things as being signs of a new approach - most theme parks would do about the same in that time, and that's across four parks.

As for DHS, there's nothing announced, it's all just fan speculation. Current rumours are that a Star Wars land *could* open (or at least begin construction) around 2020 - depending on how the Anaheim land goes (if that goes ahead), but all the Tokyo stuff will have been open for a couple of years by then. Before then expect DHS to remain much as it is now.

A couple of new lands and a few new shows between four parks over ten years really isn't anything to write home about, whereas Tokyo shows that when you invest in high quality new productions the return on investment is way more than the measly offerings WDW dishes out.

although I agree with much of what you re saying its also not fair to criticize things we don't know much about like ROL...

 

[Buried20KLeague]

The plot you're describing has less room inside the park than the location it's going in. Theoretically they could use some parking lot to make it bigger, but I'm not sure they'd do that or not. The plot they are using is the biggest piece of undeveloped land in the park, currently.

There's a map of the location in this post: http://www.disneytouristblog.com/frozen-tokyo-disneysea-expansion-tokyo-disneyland-new-fantasyland/

Thanks, that map helps. I fully expected they would push out into the parking lot in the area I was thinking. The two times I've been there for extended stays, I don't believe I've ever seen that lot even remotely close to full. In fact, this last time they had made a huge Mickey head out of hundreds of traffic cones, right in the middle of the lot, visible from the Monorail. Crowd levels were very high during both of my trips too (but when are they NOT?).

But putting it where they are could mean some pretty cool views as the Monorail passes by. That wouldn't have been an option in the other location.

EDIT TO ADD: Found a pic I took of the parking lot. Middle of the day. Giant 30 and Mickey logo. Love how they do this kind of stuff.