Magic Kingdom 50th Anniversary Plans

[Cesar R M]

I keep thinking TDL would replace Dreamlights but they never do! Its been there since 2001!(with updates of course) TDL put out its 2019 plan last week, no update as of now and Celebrate! TDL is ending early. Who knows what TDL's next night move will be!

But They keep updating Dreamlights with new floats. right?

 

[brb1006]

But They keep updating Dreamlights with new floats. right?

Yeah they update the parade every couple of years.

 

[mikejs78]

I heard May 2021 to 12/31/22 was considered. I’m sure there are many complexities to nailing down a date. But the announced projects can all complete by then. I expect the announced projects with one more at Epcot, an impressive entertainment package at all four parks, and a surprising number of significant ride refurbishments. What more could one ask for?

I do wonder how much in the way of significant ride refurbs can happen in the next 2.5 years... After all they can't take a bunch of rides down at once....

 

[jaxonp]

It would be nice if BTM got the ending that Paris and DL have. Maybe something new for HM and Splash as well.

 

[Pi on my Cake]

I do wonder how much in the way of significant ride refurbs can happen in the next 2.5 years... After all they can't take a bunch of rides down at once....

Theoretically, things have gotten more or less regular maintanence (other than Space Mountain). They shouldn't need major refurbishments. Thunder Mountain would just need some projectors and fog machines added. Haunted Mansion just needs an already built figure plopped into an already mostly empty spot. Most of the enhancements rumored for the 50th would be easy even by Disney Standards to do with just a month or so for each attraction.

 

[NateD1226]

I do wonder how much in the way of significant ride refurbs can happen in the next 2.5 years... After all they can't take a bunch of rides down at once....

They shouldn't need major refurbishments. Thunder Mountain would just need some projectors and fog machines added.

They could get a lot done! For example, if they jut add fog and projectors to BTM, then it won't take that long. The only reason it took almost a year in DL was because they replaced the whole track. Just like @Pionmycake said, they could get a lot of rides updated if they just add stuff that is already built in other parks.

 

[mikejs78]

They could get a lot done! For example, if they jut add fog and projectors to BTM, then it won't take that long. The only reason it took almost a year in DL was because they replaced the whole track. Just like @Pionmycake said, they could get a lot with rides updated if they just add stuff that is already built in other parks.

Maybe they'll fix the Yeti.

Spoiler

 

[NateD1226]

Maybe they'll fix the Yeti.

Spoiler

Let me rephrase my sentence:

they could get some rides updated if they just add stuff that is already built in other parks.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

Theoretically, things have gotten more or less regular maintanence (other than Space Mountain). They shouldn't need major refurbishments. Thunder Mountain would just need some projectors and fog machines added. Haunted Mansion just needs an already built figure plopped into an already mostly empty spot. Most of the enhancements rumored for the 50th would be easy even by Disney Standards to do with just a month or so for each attraction.

A lot of rides need major refurbishments beyond just adding a couple of effects (or are going to need them by the time the 50th comes).

Space Mountain's track has been in a deplorable state for years. Management even felt it was overdue for a full track replacement a decade ago and it was going to get it before the refurb budget was slashed. It's been hobbling along ever since and it only gets worse as time goes on. Some basic projector maintenance won't cut it.

Big Thunder is also at the point where it needs a new track as well. It isn't as horrible as Space Mountain, but it's still pretty bad. Both of its variants in California and Paris recently went down for extensive refurbs, California had most of its track replaced. WDW's Big Thunder warrants AT LEAST the same attention that California's got. Beyond just adding new effects to the third lift.

Buzz Lightyear is a disgusting mess currently. The roof was leaking a couple of years ago and all the drywall and surfaces are still caked and stained with mold. I don't know if the drywall itself received actual damage that would require ripping it out, but at the very least everything desperately needs to be repainted. That's not even including actually updating it to modern standards of the other Buzz versions either.

Carousel of Progress was rumored to be getting a redone final scene, we'll see if that's still going to happen.

By the 50th, Splash Mountain will also be due for another routine multi-month closure for a repaint.

 

[marni1971]

It would be nice if BTM got the ending that Paris and DL have..

It’s been cancelled twice now. Third time lucky.

 

[Indy_UK]

My 50th Anniversary Wish list (totally blue sky, most likely won't happen):

Magic Kingdom:
-New monorails
-Golden castle
-SGE replacement
-Updated COP
-New Space Mountain
-Major cosmetic changes to Tomorrowland
-Return of a dark ride to Princess Fairytale Hall
-High tech updates to existing dark rides (similar to Disneyland 60)
-Hatbox Ghost
-BTM new effects
-Removal of Aladdin spinner from Adventureland
-New nighttime parade (spiritual successor to Spectromagic)
-Limited edition 50th fireworks honoring WDW's history

EPCOT:
-Return of the name "EPCOT Center"
-Removal of tarps and tombstones
-General Future World improvements
-New attractions for empty Communicore
-Cancellation of Guardians ride (I know, not gonna happen)
-WoL new attraction
-Remove canopy over TT
-Return of Dreamfinder in an updated trackless "Journey Into Imagination"
-New film in Circle of Life theater (perhaps a temporary show honoring the 50th)
-Coco in Mexico
-Brazil (at least an announcement)
-Mary Poppins dark ride in UK
-Cancellation of announced RoE replacements in favor of an updated Illuminations using the latest tech

DHS:
-New land announced utilizing RnRC and backstage areas, connecting back to current Launch Bay
-New land announced replacing Indy and Star Tours
-Muppet ride
-Removal of Star Wars crap from the entire park except for Galaxy's Edge
-Updated Fantasmic (or a new show altogether)

DAK:
-Replacement of current Dinoland with a proper land dedicated to dinos announced
-YETI REPAIR/REPLACEMENT (#1 priority resort-wide)
-Return of Flights of Wonder
-Announcement of Australia area

Did I miss anything?

Nice list and pretty much agree with most of that.

 

[mikejs78]

Nice list and pretty much agree with most of that.

The only thing I wouldn't agree with here is the removal of the Aladdin spinner without a replacement to handle the (admittedly minimal) capacity. MK can't afford a capacity drop at this point, no matter how small or annoying.

 

[Ripken10]

My 50th Anniversary Wish list (totally blue sky, most likely won't happen):

Magic Kingdom:
-New monorails
-Golden castle
-SGE replacement
-Updated COP
-New Space Mountain
-Major cosmetic changes to Tomorrowland
-Return of a dark ride to Princess Fairytale Hall
-High tech updates to existing dark rides (similar to Disneyland 60)
-Hatbox Ghost
-BTM new effects
-Removal of Aladdin spinner from Adventureland
-New nighttime parade (spiritual successor to Spectromagic)
-Limited edition 50th fireworks honoring WDW's history

EPCOT:
-Return of the name "EPCOT Center"
-Removal of tarps and tombstones
-General Future World improvements
-New attractions for empty Communicore
-Cancellation of Guardians ride (I know, not gonna happen)
-WoL new attraction
-Remove canopy over TT
-Return of Dreamfinder in an updated trackless "Journey Into Imagination"
-New film in Circle of Life theater (perhaps a temporary show honoring the 50th)
-Coco in Mexico
-Brazil (at least an announcement)
-Mary Poppins dark ride in UK
-Cancellation of announced RoE replacements in favor of an updated Illuminations using the latest tech

DHS:
-New land announced utilizing RnRC and backstage areas, connecting back to current Launch Bay
-New land announced replacing Indy and Star Tours
-Muppet ride
-Removal of Star Wars crap from the entire park except for Galaxy's Edge
-Updated Fantasmic (or a new show altogether)

DAK:
-Replacement of current Dinoland with a proper land dedicated to dinos announced
-YETI REPAIR/REPLACEMENT (#1 priority resort-wide)
-Return of Flights of Wonder
-Announcement of Australia area

Did I miss anything?

if you are going to go for things that aren't happening but you want to see -- that Magical Kingdom Theater (heck, I would like to see that AND another theater somewhere else build like something similar to MisterPenguins fireworks theater idea.)

 

[wdisney9000]

they could get a lot of rides updated if they just add stuff that is already built in other parks.

Updating an attraction is not the same as refurbishing an attraction that has existing problems.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I do wonder how much in the way of significant ride refurbs can happen in the next 2.5 years... After all they can't take a bunch of rides down at once....

Disneyland did. They’ll stagger where possible but I’d expect lots of construction walls around classics. At least Star Wars, IPLumiNations, and Remy will still be new. I would expect some compensatory special entertainment, too.

 

[mikejs78]

Disneyland did. They’ll stagger where possible but I’d expect lots of construction walls around classics. At least Star Wars, IPLumiNations, and Remy will still be new. I would expect some compensatory special entertainment, too.

So from your knowledge, this is still planned?

 

[jrhwdw]

Disneyland did. They’ll stagger where possible but I’d expect lots of construction walls around classics. At least Star Wars, IPLumiNations, and Remy will still be new. I would expect some compensatory special entertainment, too.

A temp night parade could work till the 50th, since PTN and maybe even MSEP are sitting backstage at DLR doing nothing! Rollseyes!!!

It still boggles me that MK is still in this state!!

 

[iMax]

A temp night parade could work till the 50th, since PTN and maybe even MSEP are sitting backstage at DLR doing nothing! Rollseyes!!!

It still boggles me that MK is still in this state!!

PTN is returning to Disneyland after Christmas and MSEP is most likely retired for good.

 

[ToTBellHop]

So from your knowledge, this is still planned?

Yes. There is still an understanding within the company that the 50th must be done balls-to-the-wall.

 

[UpAllNight]

Hmm I agree we’ll need to see some movement pretty damn fast with major refurbs if things are to be ready for 2021/2022. The issue they have is they can’t do this with Star Wars coming and the influx that will bring. What an absolute mess.