Is Tomorrowland the Most Desperate Land for Attention?

[Chef Mickey]

In posting in another thread, I realized Tomorrowland might be the most desperate area for attention in all of Magic Kingdom and maybe one of the most desperate areas in all of WDW.

From a looks perspective, I think its previous remodel has held up pretty well. Great music, great feel.
From an attractions perspective, I think the following need to be "repealed and replaced."

• Stitch - Looks like this will happen, awful attraction while we wait however.
• Laugh Floor - Questionable for Tomorrowland, lacks repeatability
• Tomorrowland Speedway (way too big, smells, not a great "attraction" for the future)
• Demolish the Tomorrowland Dance Party - Too loud, ruins ambiance...just no.

It needs complete refurbs of:

• Buzz (desperate)
• Carousel of Progress
• Space Mountain (not as bad, but still dirty and could use an update of post show)
• TTA - The displays are dirty and somewhat dated, audio could be in improved
• Astro Orbiter needs some kind of reimagining to load more effectively. Too slow.

Cosmic Ray's is a solid restaurant offering large seating area and many choices.

What do you think? Tomorrowland has a lot of potential to return to glory, but it needs quite a bit of qork. I think practically everything needs to be either refurbed or replaced.

 

[goofyyukyuk]

I think it does need help, but I disagree in altering the laugh floor, Buzz, and CoP. The laugh floor actually does have repeatability because you will never get the same show. Buzz is the second most popular attraction behind Space Mountain, and Carousel of Progress is an attraction that was created by Walt and, other than routine maintenance with the AAs, shouldn't be altered in my opinion. Other than that, I completely agree on a major overhaul of Tomorrowland... it has so much potential but hasn't really changed/grown like other lands. Can't wait to see what the company has in store for it though!

 

[Chef Mickey]

I think it does need help, but I disagree in altering the laugh floor, Buzz, and CoP. The laugh floor actually does have repeatability because you will never get the same show. Buzz is the second most popular attraction behind Space Mountain, and Carousel of Progress is an attraction that was created by Walt and, other than routine maintenance with the AAs, shouldn't be altered in my opinion. Other than that, I completely agree on a major overhaul of Tomorrowland... it has so much potential but hasn't really changed/grown like other lands. Can't wait to see what the company has in store for it though!

Buzz wouldn't get replaced...just cleaned and updated triggers more like Disneyland.

CoP always needs maintenance, but I do think it's gotten some TLC lately. Carepet and seats need replacing as well as an audio overhaul.

We can disagree on Laugh Floor. I've been to it dozens of times and the shows are generally pretty similar. Similar jokes and Roz is always the same. It's more of a "show" for Hollywood Studios. Give us something "Tomorrowland" like it a land about the future.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

I do believe Tomorrowland could use some help and attention.

 

[ppete1975]

The big problem is it really doesn't have an E ticket besides spacemountain. It needs something that's a people eater that instead of a sit down and watch (stitch, carousel, laugh floor) moves people through constantly... I am not a fan of removing the speedway so not sure where that could go though... I don't really think stich is big enough to build anything substantial. Can someone post one of the maps?

 

[Chef Mickey]

The big problem is it really doesn't have an E ticket besides spacemountain. It needs something that's a people eater that instead of a sit down and watch (stitch, carousel, laugh floor) moves people through constantly... I am not a fan of removing the speedway so not sure where that could go though... I don't really think stich is big enough to build anything substantial. Can someone post one of the maps?

I thought the removal of Speedway as the consensus by far. It smells and takes up like 1/3 of Tomorroland's usable area.

 

[BraveGirl]

The speedway is awful and so outdated - nothing about it says "tomorrow."

I disagree about Laugh Floor - it's one of my favorites. I've gone twice in a day and the jokes were different and it was hilarious both times.

Please please update the triggers in Buzz, i feel like they are giving me arthritis! I leave that ride with the biggest cramp in my hand!

 

[ppete1975]

I thought the removal of Speedway as the consensus by far. It smells and takes up like 1/3 of Tomorroland's usable area.

the speedway isn't going anywhere (hopefully) there have been rumors for years but look at the lines.. and kids love it (that ride is for kids not adults). Yes it needs to be updated but this is not the space you were looking for.

 

[ppete1975]

well crap marni1971 posted this today

Speedway and SGE are slated to close in the next few years.

SGE may stay seasonal for the very near future. The Speedways replacement is still being decided.

marni1971s quote in the tomorrowland thread... where any more of this talk needs to go.
btw if I did this wrong let me know.. I want to give credit to marni.. totally not trying to take it

 

[Chef Mickey]

the speedway isn't going anywhere (hopefully) there have been rumors for years but look at the lines.. and kids love it (that ride is for kids not adults). Yes it needs to be updated but this is not the space you were looking for.

Don't look at lines as a true indicator on direction of the parks. Speedway is not really themed in a salable manner and doesn't really line up with Disney's current strategy to sell merchandise and movies.

Pretty much anything is going to have some line. Most of Speedway's line are due to the long loading process and variable in/out times of people and their kids. Kids might like it, but it's noisy, smelly, and not really Disney. I bet it's going.

Edit: Confirm by @marni1971

 

[BoarderPhreak]

CoP is a bit of an outlier. As far as attractions go, it's literally ancient. It predates WDW/MK. It's a bit old and dusty, like the scenes from times gone by.

I see a lot of people complain about the Speedway's "smell." That's what internal combustion engines smell like. It adds to the atmosphere and "realism" (being already real, not an easy feat!). Granted, it seems a bit... Strange in Tomorrowland. But that's where it's always been and probably will be for the foreseeable future. I do suspect its days are numbered though. It's a huge maintenance item, and the fuel costs (and yes, "smell") are also issues. Not to mention, it occupies a good amount of rather valuable real estate. The question then becomes - what will take its place? There are a few rumors floating around as far as this goes, but this won't be anything remotely short term.

Stitch? Yeah, that's so done. Honestly, I miss the old attractions there - but they're all gone.

LF? Also a bit out of place and occupies a huge piece of real estate. But it's a nice place to chill (literally and figuratively) and eats people, to a degree.

Buzz needs a paintjob, for sure. AO was refurbed not long ago; it will always be slow to load and the cramped rockets stink. SM could use a little TLC, but it's fine. TTA too, but keep in mind it's exposed to the elements to varying degrees.

 

[ppete1975]

speedway reminds me of 20,000. huge footprint, super cheesy, maintenance costs, classic ride that wouldn't be built today (wet seats, plywood effects, cramped especially since we are so fat now). I don't even know if there was a message board then or how people felt about it. I feel if its removed people are going to miss the speedway.. I know I will.

 

[Jeff456]

I am not sure it's quite the most desperate, innoventions in Epcot, the WOL pavilion and the Imagination pavilion spring to mind as more neglected.
But your definitely right I think regarding it being the most in need of attention in MK (It is still my favourite land despite this!)
In regards to what you have said-

Stitch- I agree it's terrible not sure how much would fit in the space though, maybe just bring back Alien Encounter (I know they wouldn't do this though). I do still go on it at least once per trip however although maybe not anymore now its seasonal....
Laugh floor- I Actually really enjoy this every time I go on it, perhaps not the best fit but not the worst...
Speedway- Yes it doesn't fit but should only be taken away if another attraction replaces it, preferably something that eats crowds..
Completely agree about the dance party.

Regarding the refurbs I think all could do with some TLC, I disagree with a full refurb for COP though, I think beyond maintaining the AAs it should be left as it is, I know it's dated but I quite like that!

 

[LJF]

Speedway should not be removed as it is a timeless attraction. But in my opinion, yes, definitely needs a serious update. Maybe battery or even solar cars. A little faster maybe like a micro version of test track with two seater cars that the rider doesnt control. The tomorrow as of today is driverless cars so that would be pretty neat.

Just my thoughts while daydreaming at work!

 

[BigRedDad]

You need to remember, Tomorrowland was built for about a 3 decade run in the 70s. It is not 20 years beyond its life and very little has changed. Cost wise, it would be easier to change the signs from Tomorrowland to Yesterdecadeland.

Yes, many attractions are useless and take up a ton of space. If I were in charge, I would be working with the Imagineers on creating a Space Mountain movie, reimage the entire attraction, and turn it into a hypercoaster. The speedway was great in the 70s. Now, not so much. Something like a Tron lightcycle ride would be perfect. Stitch's Great Escape needs to go. It is a very limited amount of space, but they could add in a Star Tours type attraction. Laugh Floor is always good for a trip. It may not be too repeatable on a trip, but it is a herd packer. It is also an AC attraction which people need during the hot season (I guess that is 51 out of 52 weeks of the year). Plus, kids can be a little less constrained there.

 

[Raineman]

I like the Speedway, but if WDW were to remove it and build a true E-ticket on that spot, I don't think I would miss it that much. Tomorrowland needs a large scale E-ticket attraction, and the only available space for something of that size is the Speedway land. You might be able to fit a smaller attraction where the TL washrooms/old Skyway building is, but I would imagine utilizing an existing space, ie SGE, would be more cost effective for a smaller attraction. Either way, IMO, TL needs an E-ticket and replace SGE or even Buzz (gasp!) with a new attraction.

 

[danheaton]

I'd agree with the OP that Laugh Floor doesn't fit in Tomorrowland, along with Stitch obviously. I think Buzz would be great if that fixed the guns and even got it up to DLR's version. The Speedway could be re-themed to futuristic cars. If that's not going to happen, it should go. I love CoP but do think they have to do something about the final scene. Either move it to the far future or revert back to the '60s.

Future World is in worse shape, but in terms of the Magic Kingdom, Tomorrowland is definitely what they need to upgrade.

 

[jazznrachie]

I guess this is something I should've thought about but never did. There's certain things about Disney that remind me of my childhood & Tomorrowland is one of them. Although SGE is downright dumb so I wouldn't miss it one bit! My son absolutely loves the Speedway. If he didn't, I'd say that needs to go.

 

[djdan888]

The reason the speedway has huge lines is because it is a slow loading ride. It needs to go. Literally any golf or putt put type place has these same go karts. What is unique or even Disney about them? I think they need to be sacrificed for Tron. Also, the Astro Orbiter is a surprisingly uncomfortable ride that I don't get the point of. Maybe a observation tower type ride needs to be there instead. Buzz should shut down for a few months and they can update it all. Toy Story Mania does the same thing Buzz does only so much better. There is also some room at the cast members parking lot. Those lots can always be moved.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

I wouldn't miss Stitch if that left. I kind of feel that the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor is a better for DHS.