Magic Kingdom 50th Anniversary Plans

[Kman101]

Crap, so is the Tiki Room still being considered for an overlay? I had hoped that the lack of recent rumors meant the plan died...

Things never seem to really die. lol.

I think we hear about these things in the planning processes and it takes time and then it's a back and forth and they can't seem to decide on anything (at least that's what I've observed based on how our insiders talk) and they have a certain amount of money to do things with. But it all seems so unnecessarily complicated. That's how we end up with things feeling half done, even if what's there isn't bad.

I hate to say it but Moana in the Tiki room would be right up their alley. I guess it's just a matter of how they want to utilize her and where. I imagine lots of different projects and one of them happens to be an overlay to the Tiki room. It could be done alright. Not saying I'd totally welcome it but it doesn't have to be horrible (I know the mere idea makes it horrible but still ..).

Of course they couldn't seem to do a simple and easy overlay like UP to Flights of Wonder and have it feel natural, when it totally could have. It was just a matter of sticking IP in there. It's like they had an idea for a refresh but then shoved in Russell and Dug.

It's like a bunch of different ideas that don't really come together but the entire show is passable so they get away with it (actually sounds like most of their projects!)

I think that while we'll get some nice projects out of this recent funding catch-up, we'll likely get things like Pixar Pier, easy overlays they can tout as fresh experiences and more "Disney (meaning Pixar/Marvel-except-Guardians-at-Epcot), more family friendly"

Feels like we're back in the days of overlays like the Cabs, Nemo to Seas, etc. except we may get some nicer things to go with it.

 

[cosmicgirl]

Each attraction had one golden vehicle incorporated into the ride. Looking forward to seeing what WDW has in store for us. View attachment 298988View attachment 298989View attachment 298991View attachment 298990

If I remember correctly only the remaining 1955 attractions had them. But agreed, it was a great touch, especially the dedicated photo op ones!

Everybody liked DL's 50th right? It seems like the general consensus is that event would make a good template for WDW's celebration.

Well, that also seems to be what really kick-started Disney's affection for special event cupcakes. Gold-wrapped cupcakes with glittery frosting were the proverbial "cherry on top" of the festivities for the anniversary itself. Although limited to just one day (July 17, 2005), they were available at all dining locations in the park and were handed out for free(!) with the purchase of any food

In anticipation of record-breaking crowds, they had 75,000 cupcakes to hand out. However, the much-publicized expectation of crowds kept most casual visitors away from the park that day and most of the die-hards left after the dedication ceremony and merchandise sales in the morning, leaving relatively few people to consume a colossal number of cupcakes. I think I had 3 throughout the course of the day, but by early evening CMs were handing out entire boxes to anybody who was willing to take them

50th Anniversary Cupcakes: A Disney Parks Tradition™

It was the worst cupcake I've ever had, so that may have had something to do with it. I never saw them handing out boxes but they would've had to pay me to carry one back to the hotel.
As for the crowds: yes, many many people went straight for the merch location and missed the ceremony but it was still very crowded. We had set our alarm to go off every hour or two to check the crowd level in Downtown Disney from the window and at 4am we decided to get up. It wasn't until we joined the line that we realized that DCA was already full of people who had spent the night there waiting to get in. You had a different experience it seems, but we never had the feeling that it was less crowded than anticipated.

They nailed it with the dated ears btw. I was hoping DLP would do something similar for the 25th, but alas, it was just a button which fell off my bag after about 20 seconds. So come on WDW, we want dated ears in 2021! And a CD collection to match the DL one!

 

[EricsBiscuit]

If they do anything to the Tikki Room (please no) I hope the theme song stays!

 

[Kman101]

If they do anything to the Tikki Room (please no) I hope the theme song stays!

Me too!

I really see "Moana's Enchanted Tiki Room" in our future. But let's hope she goes elsewhere. I wonder if logic or budget will dictate this one?

 

[huwar18]

Me too!

I really see "Moana's Enchanted Tiki Room" in our future. But let's hope she goes elsewhere. I wonder if logic or budget will dictate this one?

As much as I like Moana, I really hope they think about this lol....The last time they tried this, it was a disaster.

 

[huwar18]

I get it (I get why), but it's a shame one has to do with the other.

Anytime WDW starts to get investment it gets derailed (this is reminding me of 2001-2008 all over again, things screeched to a halt with minor projects after 2008 until they had no choice but to do New Fantasyland, Pandora and Toy Story Land). They really needed to finally go all in. The parks have stagnated too long.

Another problem is they run the company for short-term, not long-term.

Business is business, I guess. I just hate that a big corporation like Disney acts like they are going to take a massive hit off of this acquisition. They might in the short-term. However, they are making loads of money off of everything else. I mean, I remember seeing a fact that they made roughly 13.5 billion as gross profit a year. That figure is probably a couple years old.

 

[geekza]

I hope that's not your hint that It will be changing soon. We don't need an IP on everything.

The mandate under Chapek is that every new attraction/refurb revolve around IP. Now, technically, the Tiki Birds are IP, but he's talking more along the lines of characters that can be marketed throughout different parts of the company, so unless there's a Tiki Birds movie on the slate (there isn't) then any refurb of the Tiki Room will feature some character from a film. I'm one of those who praised the Tiki Gods for the fire that got rid of Zazu and Iago and brought back (most of) the original show. I don't think it should be touched. I don't run the company, sadly.

 

[Kman101]

As much as I like Moana, I really hope they think about this lol....The last time they tried this, it was a disaster.

They have options for her, IMO. Unfortunately we know which way they often take. But maybe smarter heads will prevail. I have to imagine they have multiple ideas how to utilize Moana and it's just a matter of which one they go with. I bet the Tiki Room overlay is just one of them, but it's probably been in contention because it's an easy overlay for the 50th. I hate saying it but it just makes a lot of sense for how they think. But I hope they are thinking differently and I'm way off base.

 

[Kman101]

The mandate under Chapek is that every new attraction/refurb revolve around IP. Now, technically, the Tiki Birds are IP, but he's talking more along the lines of characters that can be marketed throughout different parts of the company, so unless there's a Tiki Birds movie on the slate (there isn't) then any refurb of the Tiki Room will feature some character from a film. I'm one of those who praised the Tiki Gods for the fire that got rid of Zazu and Iago and brought back (most of) the original show. I don't think it should be touched. I don't run the company, sadly.

Bingo.

I don't think it should be touched either. Just thinking how they do and it's an easy overlay. Should they so choose. Not that I want it ... I don't want a lot I've thrown out, but it's just me putting on my IP synergistic executive hat and thinking about overlays and what they could copy and clone elsewhere, and thinking about long-term plans 5-10 years from now. I fully believe a lot of what they've been doing, there's some ultimate goal. It's messy but I think they have a plan.

I think we should brace ourselves for a few overlays we may not like. And hope for the best that they don't happen, LOL.

I'm stuck on having read someone say in the DL boards that Francis's was being repurposed but not at DLR (to Paris?) ... I believe it was @FerretAfros I can only see WDW or Paris re-using something. But maybe he meant it would go to some fair in California?

Just sounds like the plans are overlays (Pixar Pier) mixed with brand new e-tickets (like say Guardians, or Mickey and Minnie, Star Wars).

DHS can't let RnRC go on forever. Updates don't seem to be on the table but has it being outright replaced been dismissed? (Cars? Incredicoaster?)

MK can't let Buzz languish, Monsters Inc. could use a refurb (or a move to DHS) ... Stitch needs a replacement. (Which they seem to be working on, I suppose).

Also think about movies they could synergize with and tie things into. Maybe the musical was copied from Indiana Jones and tailored to Aladdin but if you watch the cruise line Aladdin and the former DCA Aladdin show it'd actually, if done well, would make an awesome replacement. But that's probably wishful thinking. Just thinking of replacements that would be accepted because what they're replacing is so loved.

I've thought of an overlay to Space Mountain (Incredicoaster anyone?) that's had be fairly bummed that I hope we never see. I mean, updates aren't planned. Has Martin ruled out replacement?

All you gotta do is take a look around the parks and put on a thinking cap (like Bobby Chapek) and you can become flooded with awful ideas. LOL. I imagine it all comes down to what gets greelit where and what money goes where. We could eithe get the good, the bad or the ugly. Depends what vision wins out. There's a way to balance it all but will they?

 

[geekza]

I've thought of an overlay to Space Mountain (Incredicoaster anyone?) that's had be fairly bummed that I hope we never see. I mean, updates aren't planned. Has Martin ruled out replacement?

I watched video of the Incredicoaster with my jaw open. I've never seen anything so cheaply-done come out of Disney.

 

[Kman101]

I watched video of the Incredicoaster with my jaw open. I've never seen anything so cheaply-done come out of Disney.

Yep. Doesn't it scream Rock n' Roller Coaster replacement too? I also can't stop picturing a Cars roller coaster. Just thinking of IP overlays. Not saying I want that. LOL. Same for Space Mountain. I don't like feeling like I'm about to be decapitated! lol

It's bad. I never rode Screamin' anyway and this won't change that. I don't do loops in coasters. I'm surprised I can survive Rock'n'. And even that's once in a blue moon when I'm feeling adventerous LOL

It's cute to see the casuals and APs defend Pixar Pier. I knew they'd all jump on board. (Well, except our Disneyland forum here, of course, they see it for what it really is)

If guests are happy, great (what's Disney to some is not the same as to us), but man ... if that's the go-to (besides a few glimmers of gold) ... we're in for a rough anniversary.

It's also cute how MiceChat has jumped on the bandwagon so they can get invited to things.

 

[RobbinsDad]

Yep. Doesn't it scream Rock n' Roller Coaster replacement too? I also can't stop picturing a Cars roller coaster. Just thinking of IP overlays. Not saying I want that. LOL. Same for Space Mountain. I don't like feeling like I'm about to be decapitated! lol

It's bad. I never rode Screamin' anyway and this won't change that. I don't do loops in coasters. I'm surprised I can survive Rock'n'. And even that's once in a blue moon when I'm feeling adventerous LOL

It's cute to see the casuals and APs defend Pixar Pier. I knew they'd all jump on board. (Well, except our Disneyland forum here, of course, they see it for what it really is)

If guests are happy, great (what's Disney to some is not the same as to us), but man ... if that's the go-to (besides a few glimmers of gold) ... we're in for a rough anniversary.

It's also cute how MiceChat has jumped on the bandwagon so they can get invited to things.

I have no doubt that RNRC will be injected with new IP at some point. Space Mountain would be a little more difficult - I think a production tie-in a la Pirates/Jungle Cruise is more likely.

 

[Kman101]

I have no doubt that RNRC will be injected with new IP at some point. Space Mountain would be a little more difficult - I think a production tie-in a la Pirates/Jungle Cruise is more likely.

Probably. I agree it would be difficult, but if TRON were open ... it was just a thought, a "worst case scenario" overlay kind of thing (not something I want, just a move I could see, did we all think we'd be talking about Guardians in the Tower or Flick's being re-themed to a lame Inside Out spinner?). RnR seems more obvious of a fit if they so choose (but the idea of using CARS came to me too). Maybe they have no interest in the Incredibles (however the box office and reaction to Incredicoaster, while very lazy, with flaws pointed out on a daily, probably changed that). I know the Tomorrowland Expo was a promotion for the movie but I can't help but wonder if it's also a test of them in the land. (But that would require them knowing what they want to do and planning accordingly, which I'm not sure they have their you-know-what together yet lol)

I'm just thinking "overlays" they can promote as new. But the Incredicoaster area would almost fit perfectly as an overlay of RnRc. Again, not saying I'd want it but we know they can't leave RnRc as is forever. I'd prefer one more expansion before they re-theme it though.

Sunset/Animation Courtyard has to be next on their list. Just a hunch.

Still also think bugs going into The Land is an easy refresh. Not something I want but something they could present as new (and it could actually work). I can't imagine they love the idea of an entire bottom dedicated to a food court that looks like a nicely decorated mall. We have Nemo in the Seas, I can see Bugs. Heimlech's would fit nicely where the seating area that replaced the fountain is at but I'm probably overthinking the overlays.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I watched video of the Incredicoaster with my jaw open. I've never seen anything so cheaply-done come out of Disney.

It certainly is incredible, isn't it? Just think of what they could do if they overlaid The Incredibles on RnRC!!! Cheap props and screenz galore!

 

[Kman101]

It certainly is incredible, isn't it? Just think of what they could do if they overlaid The Incredibles on RnRC!!! Cheap props and screenz galore!

Right up their "budget friendly" agenda! lol. It's really sad my first thought was them overlaying RNRC with ... this. It's just really hard to trust them. We know how quick they are to latch onto something and overlay it. I was shocked Martin just said IP wasn't attached to The Land refresh. I was ready to expect Heimlech and Flick's Living with the Land. LOL. That's how nervous they make me about these overlays. (Maybe bugs will be replacing Dinorama?)

 

[geekza]

Right up their "budget friendly" agenda! lol. It's really sad my first thought was them overlaying RNRC with ... this. It's just really hard to trust them. We know how quick they are to latch onto something and overlay it. I was shocked Martin just said IP wasn't attached to The Land refresh. I was ready to expect Heimlech and Flick's Living with the Land. LOL. That's how nervous they make me about these overlays. (Maybe bugs will be replacing Dinorama?)

I don't know that we'll see much of anything added to the parks with A Bug's Life IP, though. While the film is enjoyable, it hasn't had the kind of afterlife that other Pixar films have had. The removal of A Bug's Land in DCA is evidence of this. I don't know what kind of IP they would overlay on The Land, but I don't think it will be this one.

 

[Kman101]

I don't know that we'll see much of anything added to the parks with A Bug's Life IP, though. While the film is enjoyable, it hasn't had the kind of afterlife that other Pixar films have had. The removal of A Bug's Land in DCA is evidence of this. I don't know what kind of IP they would overlay on The Land, but I don't think it will be this one.

I agree with you, it feels sort of "dead" by their standards. But if they were looking for an easy repurpose that casuals would accept, Bugs would be it, and they wouldn't be the worst idea about a pavilion based on growing. Bugs are deliberately mentioned in the ride. I'm not really advocating it, just thinking if they were to tie in an IP, that would be how to do it, it refreshes the Land pavilion but isn't "new" (which is right up their alley) and they repurpose some things from a bug's land, not saying recreate it. Bugs would fit a lot better than say, Zootopia (just throwing that out there; not saying it's a plan of some sort! lol).

But I do agree it doesn't seem likely (I have a hard time truly ruling "anything out" though! We know how they operate!). But if they're looking for an "easy re-theme" ... Martin doesn't seem to have heard about an IP tie-in to the boat ride (and it seems either a whole refresh or a smaller one is on the table) but I don't know if that applies to the whole pavilion. I'm sure the movie will be IP related somehow. But maybe they'll surprise us.

Good ole' Uncle Chappy could have said "let's repurpose some rides into The Land to make it more Disney (I.E. Pixar) more timeless and more family friendly" It would address a lot and add an indoor kids area with ugly flat rides the rest of us could ignore. They could even give Soarin' it's own entrance.

But that all costs money.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

As much as I like Moana, I really hope they think about this lol....The last time they tried this, it was a disaster.

Moana could be incredible as a hybrid water / dark ride. The innovative E-ticket version of this idea would be Indiana Jones meets Jungle Cruise.

 

[Kman101]

Moana could be incredible as a hybrid water / dark ride. The innovative E-ticket version of this idea would be Indiana Jones meets Jungle Cruise.

Yep. I'd love it. Would be really incredible.

Speaking of water rides ...

I believe Tangled's water will be a flume in Tokyo (though I'm not clear if it's just a boat drop like Pirates or a Splash Mountain type experience). We get toilets.

Princess and the Frog would make an excellent version of Splash Mountain somewhere. Too bad they don't care about that IP. But Tangled also works. But I feel that's more of a slow moving boat ride (well, it works as a fast moving one too because of the one part in the movie with the rapids/water -- almost forgot about that. Could really give a boat ride a thrill if done right and on par with Shanghai's pirates -- that's probably the plan, knowing OLC and Tokyo and them letting WDI do their job right)

 

[HauntedPirate]

Right up their "budget friendly cost containment" agenda!

Fixed that for ya.