"If I could improve Walt Disney World..." 2.0

[mharrington]

Six years ago, a thread was released called, "If I could improve Walt Disney World...". It turned out to be one of the longest-running threads ever on this website! And I contributed several ideas of my own to it.

Anyway, I think it's time to start over again! I'll provide alterations and additions for the parks alike some time later, but right now, I'm going to go get some sleep.

 

[ScorpionX]

Do you mind if I make "If I Could Improve Walt Disney World..." 3.0?

 

[mharrington]

Do you mind if I make "If I Could Improve Walt Disney World..." 3.0?

I'd rather you didn't. If you have any ideas, why don't you just put them up here, like I did on the first one?

 

[jt04]

Quite simply the one change I would like to see is the installation of a customized World of Color show in place of Fantasmic. Perfect venue and the perfect park to host it. I would also make the final American Idol show of the day a pre-show for WoC.

 

[mharrington]

Quite simply the one change I would like to see is the installation of a customized World of Color show in place of Fantasmic. Perfect venue and the perfect park to host it. I would also make the final American Idol show of the day a pre-show for WoC.

But what of Fantasmic? Where can it go? Because there really isn't all that much place else it can go. Certainly not in the parks anyway.

 

[ScorpionX]

Instead of putting WOC in DHS, we could put it in WDW's 5th gate if we decide to Imagineer one.

 

[jt04]

But what of Fantasmic? Where can it go? Because there really isn't all that much place else it can go. Certainly not in the parks anyway.

If we had a TDL or even a DLR caliber Fantasmic I would want to relocate it somewhere on property but since we don't, I'd just like to see it replaced at least until a suitable venue with a suitable budget could be found. I see WoC as a very similar offering in content but a major advancement in terms of 'show'.

Just my opinion.

 

[jt04]

Instead of putting WOC in DHS, we could put it in WDW's 5th gate if we decide to Imagineer one.

You could start another thread on a 5th gate (there are many) or you could add your ideas here. I think DHS is the logical park for WoC though.

 

[mharrington]

You could start another thread on a 5th gate (there are many) or you could add your ideas here. I think DHS is the logical park for WoC though.

Why does it seem like EVERYTHING has to go in DHS?

 

[mharrington]

Anyway, I have several ideas for the parks. I'll start with brand-new additions and then I'll do updated attractions. I'll start with the Magic Kingdom:

• Main Street U.S.A.
  • Walt Disney - One Man's Dream: Disneyland - The "One Man's Dream" attraction at DHS will now be broken up into individual components and scattered to all the parks. In the case of the MK, a section on the Disney theme parks, especially Disneyland, will be displayed at the Main Street Cinema.
• Adventureland
  • Pirate's Treetop Lair - A new treetop walkthrough and featuring interactive, climbing and scenic opportunities, featuring elements of Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" film series (replaces Swiss Family Treehouse).
  • Jungle Expedition - Choose your vehicle as the Jungle (River) Cruise is invaded by a Jungle Land Trek, an edgier jeep safari in this interactive, tongue-in-cheek, dueling tour of the jungles of the world (thanks to stitchcastle for this idea).
• Frontierland
  • Mike Fink Keelboats - This is not necessarily a brand-new addition, but it hasn't been here for a while, so it will be a return. It will now load in the area that the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes used to load.
  • Woody's Roundup - A dark ride themed to the "Woody's Roundup" mythology from the "Toy Story" series.
• Fantasyland
  • The Adventures of Pinocchio - A giant dark ride in the tradition of Tokyo Disneyland's Pooh's Hunny Hunt, travel with Pinocchio as he faces many temptations in his efforts to become a real boy.
• Tomorrowland
  • StormRider - A new 3D simulator ride based on the one at Tokyo DisneySea, take a flight right into the center of a powerful storm!
  • Highway of Tomorrow - Take a drive along a scenic drive along the Highway of Tomorrow (1950s-type tomorrow, that is) in a futuristic, yet environmentally-friendly car (replaces Tomorrowland Indy Speedway).

What do you think? Next time, I will do Epcot.

 

[cheezbat]

Well I would start with one glaring issue that i know fans would love to see...the monorail system reaching all 4 parks and resorts. It should have been done over the years. Now instead, we have the sloppy ugly smelly gas guzzling bus system in place. Totally UN-DISNEY. I have always hated the buses, and think they were a bigger waste of money than the money they could have invested into adding to the monrail system.

After that, obviously I'd head to the parks...

MK...get Tomorrowland to where it needs to be. Adios Tomorrowland Indy Speedway(replace with a full scale Toontown like DL!) and bye bye Stitch!
Adventureland...move the Magic Carpets. Add a new mountain to the MK skyline!

DHS...Flesh out Pixar Place with a few more attractions. Replace Sounds Dangerous and Narnia with something more Disney-appropriate. I would then work my way to the Animation area...ripping that area to shreds and building a pathway that connects to Sunset Blvd. The flow of traffic and space opened up for future attractions would make this a very sensical move.

Epcot...Imagination Pavillion. 'Nuff siad there. Wonders of Life replaced with something new...maybe Stormrider style attraction? Add a country or two to the World Showcase.

DAK...Austrailia, South America additional lands...add a flume ride of some sort as well as a good two or three dark rides and maybe one more E-ticket coaster style ride. I think with that DAK would finally be where it needs to be to become a true fully day park like the others.

 

[mharrington]

MK...get Tomorrowland to where it needs to be. Adios Tomorrowland Indy Speedway(replace with a full scale Toontown like DL!) and bye bye Stitch!

How can we have a Toontown where the Speedway is? The PeopleMover track passes directly over the Speedway, which is also in plain view of Space Mountain. So if we were to replace the Speedway with Toontown, we would have two very visible distractions, both of which would be very hard to hide. How can possibly make a Toontown in this area?

 

[ScorpionX]

We could keep the speedway while Toontown lies beyond the railroad racks, just like at Disneyland.

 

[ScorpionX]

Anyway, I have several ideas for the parks. I'll start with brand-new additions and then I'll do updated attractions. I'll start with the Magic Kingdom:

• Main Street U.S.A.
  • Walt Disney - One Man's Dream: Disneyland - The "One Man's Dream" attraction at DHS will now be broken up into individual components and scattered to all the parks. In the case of the MK, a section on the Disney theme parks, especially Disneyland, will be displayed at the Main Street Cinema.
• Adventureland
  • Pirate's Treetop Lair - A new treetop walkthrough and featuring interactive, climbing and scenic opportunities, featuring elements of Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" film series (replaces Swiss Family Treehouse).
  • Jungle Expedition - Choose your vehicle as the Jungle (River) Cruise is invaded by a Jungle Land Trek, an edgier jeep safari in this interactive, tongue-in-cheek, dueling tour of the jungles of the world (thanks to stitchcastle for this idea).
• Frontierland
  • Mike Fink Keelboats - This is not necessarily a brand-new addition, but it hasn't been here for a while, so it will be a return. It will now load in the area that the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes used to load.
  • Woody's Roundup - A dark ride themed to the "Woody's Roundup" mythology from the "Toy Story" series.
• Fantasyland
  • The Adventures of Pinocchio - A giant dark ride in the tradition of Tokyo Disneyland's Pooh's Hunny Hunt, travel with Pinocchio as he faces many temptations in his efforts to become a real boy.
• Tomorrowland
  • StormRider - A new 3D simulator ride based on the one at Tokyo DisneySea, take a flight right into the center of a powerful storm!
  • Highway of Tomorrow - Take a drive along a scenic drive along the Highway of Tomorrow (1950s-type tomorrow, that is) in a futuristic, yet environmentally-friendly car (replaces Tomorrowland Indy Speedway).

What do you think? Next time, I will do Epcot.

I personally think StormRider would be a better fit for EPCOT if they decide to build a weather pavilion.

 

[jt04]

Anyway, I have several ideas for the parks. I'll start with brand-new additions and then I'll do updated attractions. I'll start with the Magic Kingdom:

• Main Street U.S.A.
  • Walt Disney - One Man's Dream: Disneyland - The "One Man's Dream" attraction at DHS will now be broken up into individual components and scattered to all the parks. In the case of the MK, a section on the Disney theme parks, especially Disneyland, will be displayed at the Main Street Cinema.
• Adventureland
  • Pirate's Treetop Lair - A new treetop walkthrough and featuring interactive, climbing and scenic opportunities, featuring elements of Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" film series (replaces Swiss Family Treehouse).
  • Jungle Expedition - Choose your vehicle as the Jungle (River) Cruise is invaded by a Jungle Land Trek, an edgier jeep safari in this interactive, tongue-in-cheek, dueling tour of the jungles of the world (thanks to stitchcastle for this idea).
• Frontierland
  • Mike Fink Keelboats - This is not necessarily a brand-new addition, but it hasn't been here for a while, so it will be a return. It will now load in the area that the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes used to load.
  • Woody's Roundup - A dark ride themed to the "Woody's Roundup" mythology from the "Toy Story" series.
• Fantasyland
  • The Adventures of Pinocchio - A giant dark ride in the tradition of Tokyo Disneyland's Pooh's Hunny Hunt, travel with Pinocchio as he faces many temptations in his efforts to become a real boy.
• Tomorrowland
  • StormRider - A new 3D simulator ride based on the one at Tokyo DisneySea, take a flight right into the center of a powerful storm!
  • Highway of Tomorrow - Take a drive along a scenic drive along the Highway of Tomorrow (1950s-type tomorrow, that is) in a futuristic, yet environmentally-friendly car (replaces Tomorrowland Indy Speedway).

What do you think? Next time, I will do Epcot.

I had thought you meant one idea at the resort that we would like to see. I choose WoC because I think it would be a great addition. DHS is close to being a fully developed theme park and so I think that is what a lot of folks would like to see and why it gets the focus of many.

I like the Stormrider idea for T-Land and the Pirates overlay for SFR a lot. Strong ideas. The later much more likely to get greenlighted as long as Iger is in charge. If it isn't a 'franchise' he is unlikely to approve it. Could this be the problem at DTD?

I can't say I disagree with this strategy either. It is almost like sponsoring your own attractions without dealing with third parties.

Looking forward to your Epcot ideas.

 

[cheezbat]

How can we have a Toontown where the Speedway is? The PeopleMover track passes directly over the Speedway, which is also in plain view of Space Mountain. So if we were to replace the Speedway with Toontown, we would have two very visible distractions, both of which would be very hard to hide. How can possibly make a Toontown in this area?

Gotta think of the big picture...how Disney is creative enough to fit it in there. I wouldn't have it take up the ENTIRE plot of the Tomorrowland Speedway, but have some type of transitional area between the Toontown area and Tomorrowland. And there is a whole expansion/retention area directly behind the speedway that could be used for showbuildings.

 

[mharrington]

We could keep the speedway while Toontown lies beyond the railroad racks, just like at Disneyland.

Unfortunately, take a look at the overhead shot of the park here: http://www.plan-a-magical-vacation.com/images/aerial-magic-kingdom.jpg. You would notice that that grassy-looking area behind the railroad tracks and next to Space Mountain might seem like a good idea for it at first, but the problem with this is there's a little river thing going through it and a street that seems to be really close by, which means that the land would have to be made a bit smaller due to the need for backstage areas and show buildings.

 

[mharrington]

Here now is Epcot (as you can see, many "new" additions will be based on "old" classics):

• Future World
  • Walt Disney - One Man's Dream: E.P.C.O.T. - The "One Man's Dream" attraction at DHS will now be broken up into individual components and scattered to all the parks. In the case of Epcot, an area of Innoventions will now be home to an exhibit on Walt Disney's original plans for EPCOT.
  • Journey Into Imagination - At the Imagination! pavilion, it's a new version of an old classic, join Dreamfinder and his impish dragon buddy, Figment, on a romp that engages the imagination and the senses, but mostly the imagination (replaces Journey Into Imagination With Figment).
  • Magic Journeys - At the Imagination! pavilion, it's the return of an old 3D classic (replaces Captain EO). However, it's not permanent, it's only a placeholder for a brand-new 3D movie yet to be determined.
  • Soarin' Over Florida - At the Land pavilion, take a hang-gliding free-flying adventure over several locales in the state of Florida, including the Everglades, Ocala, Lake Okeechobee, Cape Canaveral, Miami and Walt Disney World (replaces Soarin')!
  • Food Revue - At the Land pavilion, it's a new tasteful song-and-dance salute to good nutrition, in a show that is a cross between "Kitchen Kabaret" and "Food Rocks" (replaces Circle of Life)!
  • New Horizons - A new version of the old Horizons ride, blast off from the Futureport and take an incredible journey through the lifestyles of the 22nd century. Presented by Sylvania (replaces Wonders of Life).
• World Showcase
  • Russia - A brand-new pavilion, located between Germany and China! Marqueed by the spectacular onion domes of St. Basil's Cathedral, it will feature the spellbinding attraction, "Reflections of Russia", an innovative theatrical experience that will combine Audio-Animatronics characters, animated sets, film, and a live actor to surround guests with the personalities, achievements and volatile history of this vast land. There are also two restaurants (one is a buffet family restaurant with some sort of a ballet theme and the other is an elegant adult restaurant with sword dancers and opera) and plenty of shops that sell Russian clothes, books, movies, theater stuff, and more.
  • Rhine River Rapids - Located at the Germany pavilion, this is a river rapids ride, the second one at Walt Disney World! It is a new version of an aborted concept for a boat ride through the miniature recreations of Germany, but now really souped up! With its entrance near the Biergarten restaurant, take a thrilling, wet-n-wild river ride down Germany's most famous river!
  • Impressioni dell'Italia - Located at the Italy pavilion (and done in the style of the France pavilion's "Impressions de France"), this is a motion picture that celebrates the beauty of rustic Italy.
  • Mt. Fuji Bullet Trains - Located at the Japan pavilion, this is yet another finally-realized version of an aborted attraction concept, this one of a thrilling roller coaster ride in and around a recreation of Japan's Mount Fuji in miniature bullet trains.
  • Disney character greetings - Different Disney characters will now do meet-n-greets in the pavilions themed to the countries from whence the stories originated! You can meet Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket at the Italy pavilion or Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Germany pavilion! This is also an ideal way to find rarer Disney characters, like Bernard and Bianca from "The Rescuers", the title character from "Dumbo" or Panchito and Jose Carioca, as well as Donald Duck, from "The Three Caballeros".

And also, when you first enter the park, you will be greeted with part of an old medley (seen here): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A39rwelWujg.

What do you think? As you can see, many of the additions are based on no-longer-existing or never-before-done concepts.

 

[jt04]

Here now is Epcot (as you can see, many "new" additions will be based on "old" classics):

• Future World
  • Walt Disney - One Man's Dream: E.P.C.O.T. - The "One Man's Dream" attraction at DHS will now be broken up into individual components and scattered to all the parks. In the case of Epcot, an area of Innoventions will now be home to an exhibit on Walt Disney's original plans for EPCOT.
  • Journey Into Imagination - At the Imagination! pavilion, it's a new version of an old classic, join Dreamfinder and his impish dragon buddy, Figment, on a romp that engages the imagination and the senses, but mostly the imagination (replaces Journey Into Imagination With Figment).
  • Magic Journeys - At the Imagination! pavilion, it's the return of an old 3D classic (replaces Captain EO). However, it's not permanent, it's only a placeholder for a brand-new 3D movie yet to be determined.
  • Soarin' Over Florida - At the Land pavilion, take a hang-gliding free-flying adventure over several locales in the state of Florida, including the Everglades, Ocala, Lake Okeechobee, Cape Canaveral, Miami and Walt Disney World (replaces Soarin')!
  • Food Revue - At the Land pavilion, it's a new tasteful song-and-dance salute to good nutrition, in a show that is a cross between "Kitchen Kabaret" and "Food Rocks" (replaces Circle of Life)!
  • New Horizons - A new version of the old Horizons ride, blast off from the Futureport and take an incredible journey through the lifestyles of the 22nd century. Presented by Sylvania (replaces Wonders of Life).
• World Showcase
  • Russia - A brand-new pavilion, located between Germany and China! Marqueed by the spectacular onion domes of St. Basil's Cathedral, it will feature the spellbinding attraction, "Reflections of Russia", an innovative theatrical experience that will combine Audio-Animatronics characters, animated sets, film, and a live actor to surround guests with the personalities, achievements and volatile history of this vast land. There are also two restaurants (one is a buffet family restaurant with some sort of a ballet theme and the other is an elegant adult restaurant with sword dancers and opera) and plenty of shops that sell Russian clothes, books, movies, theater stuff, and more.
  • Rhine River Rapids - Located at the Germany pavilion, this is a river rapids ride, the second one at Walt Disney World! It is a new version of an aborted concept for a boat ride through the miniature recreations of Germany, but now really souped up! With its entrance near the Biergarten restaurant, take a thrilling, wet-n-wild river ride down Germany's most famous river!
  • Impressioni dell'Italia - Located at the Italy pavilion (and done in the style of the France pavilion's "Impressions de France"), this is a motion picture that celebrates the beauty of rustic Italy.
  • Mt. Fuji Bullet Trains - Located at the Japan pavilion, this is yet another finally-realized version of an aborted attraction concept, this one of a thrilling roller coaster ride in and around a recreation of Japan's Mount Fuji in miniature bullet trains.
  • Disney character greetings - Different Disney characters will now do meet-n-greets in the pavilions themed to the countries from whence the stories originated! You can meet Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket at the Italy pavilion or Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Germany pavilion! This is also an ideal way to find rarer Disney characters, like Bernard and Bianca from "The Rescuers", the title character from "Dumbo" or Panchito and Jose Carioca, as well as Donald Duck, from "The Three Caballeros".

And also, when you first enter the park, you will be greeted with part of an old medley (seen here): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A39rwelWujg.

What do you think? As you can see, many of the additions are based on no-longer-existing or never-before-done concepts.

Excellent work here. Of note, I now understand the idea of breaking up OMD and an exhibit showcasing Walt's EPCOT would be perfect here. I wouldn't even mind if they moved the EPCOT model here from the TTA.

I absolutlely love the idea of SoF but I did this :veryconfu at the thought of Ocala :lol: but then I realized you must mean the horse farms and that makes sense. Florida has so many locations that would look amazing from the air. I just fear Disney may not want to 'advertise' for them. But yeah, such a film would be awesome.

Also, the Italy film would be welcome if it could attain the quality of France. Norway could do the same by rerouting the exit and making the theater a seperate attraction and creating a film that is less marketing and more able to immerse one in that land. "Impressions" should have inspired others to follow. It is somewhat puzzling that it has not.

Russia would be a great addition but so would just about any country at this point.

I like the m&g ideas but you are now on the Epcot purists list. Just thought I'd warn you, :lol:

And finishing the attractions in Japan and Germany would be icing on the cake.

 

[mharrington]

Excellent work here. Of note, I now understand the idea of breaking up OMD and an exhibit showcasing Walt's EPCOT would be perfect here. I wouldn't even mind if they moved the EPCOT model here from the TTA.

I absolutlely love the idea of SoF but I did this :veryconfu at the thought of Ocala :lol: but then I realized you must mean the horse farms and that makes sense. Florida has so many locations that would look amazing from the air. I just fear Disney may not want to 'advertise' for them. But yeah, such a film would be awesome.

Also, the Italy film would be welcome if it could attain the quality of France. Norway could do the same by rerouting the exit and making the theater a seperate attraction and creating a film that is less marketing and more able to immerse one in that land. "Impressions" should have inspired others to follow. It is somewhat puzzling that it has not.

Russia would be a great addition but so would just about any country at this point.

I like the m&g ideas but you are now on the Epcot purists list. Just thought I'd warn you, :lol:

And finishing the attractions in Japan and Germany would be icing on the cake.

In terms of World Showcase, several pavilions featured today, including Germany, Italy and Japan, have no attractions at all, only shops and restaurants, but when I'm through with this area, there will now be attractions at many of those pavilions. Only Morocco and the United Kingdom will still have no attractions.

As for the character meet-n-greets, the only reason I've thought of that was because it's annoying how certain characters are never found in any Disney park besides Tokyo (of course, that is not wholly owned by Disney, but that's another story). So I had an idea for it, based on how they added characters to Small World. I'm just trying to get rarer, more obscure characters more exposure. I'll put up a complete list of all the movies to be featured in the pavilions at a later time.