Magic Kingdom 50th Anniversary Plans

[Progress.City]

I tend to lurk more than not (due to being a CM), but this was a piece of news that came my way that I wanted to share. You're welcome to believe it or not.

We (the CMs in the part of MK where I work) had a meeting with two of our leaders who were talking about various internal things (high guest satisfaction ratings, great job, here's where we can improve, etc etc). Our leaders also mentioned that, while there won't be a huge celebration for the 45th anniversary coming up next year, Disney is already planning for the 50th anniversary. They said that the current plans are to completely overhaul both Frontierland and Tomorrowland both in the facades and adding new attractions. They said to expect some big, big changes in those two lands, although they admitted they didn't have any specifics as to what "New" Frontierland and "New" Tomorrowland would look like, nor what attractions would be added.

I suppose they could of been lying, but I've never known our leaders to deliberately do that - they've always been on the up-and-up, even to the point of saying, "Yes I know something, but I'm not allowed to say anything yet about it." So, like I said, take that news for what it is. We all know Disney, they could completely change their mind six months later and cheap-out on the whole thing. Just wanted to let you guys know.

I wonder what Frontierland could get, other than the BTMRR updates? Tomorrowland could use some refreshers, but Adventureland needs it more than anything. Adventureland can use Indy and/or Fire Mountain!

 

[doctornick]

I do think they should keep MSEP however. The thought of it being destroyed is awful. I do think there is merit in rotating the parades, perhaps run MSEP a few nights a week and a different parade on others.

As a big fan of the MSEP, I would love to see a situation where they put it into proper storage but have it our for special occasions. Maybe October 1 every year for the park's anniversary or on the 24 hour day (assuming they keep doing it annually) or July 4th, etc.

 

[Progress.City]

I hope you're right Tomorrowland needs a serious overhaul. I just hope they leave Carousel of Progress alone and update the final scene! For Frontierland I hope they dust off the Western River Expedition plans.

Yeah... Didn't think of that! That would be perfect for the 50th anniversary! It would probably cost too much to build in today's dollars, though. Also, didn't they build BTMRR and Splash partially where WRE was to go?

 

[Progress.City]

Here's to hoping for a brand new track with some cool onboard audio for Space Mountain!

And immersive effects ala DL!

 

[WDW1974]

Um, I hate to derail a good thread that 'could' have merit many years from now ... and, no, I know of no solid plans to add ANY real substance to the MK right up to the 50th and see absolutely no way there will be complete redos of two lands, but ...maybe I can direct the crazies from my thread over here to Armchair Imagineer and Fantasize their hearts out.

Even if this were to pan out as 100% true and major things did happen, who in their right mind feels it's OK to allow another six years to slip away like they have no meaning as the MK gets staler, more homogenized and more ghetto?

The last major expansion (Splash Mountain as, sorry, New Fanasyland does not count!) was in 1992. Think about how old you were then and what you were doing (who you were dating, were you going to school, working, having your first child, your first broken heart etc.) and justify the continued stagnation or join in the mindless (and it is) #HubBub about an empty, hot, fake grass center of what was once a beautiful park.

 

[Progress.City]

As long as they don't change Tomorrowland's music loop, get rid of Peoplemover and remove the neon lighting at night, a revamp sounds cool!

Don't touch my Peoplemover! D***IT!

 

[Progress.City]

I was hoping for a 5th Gate, is it too early to be disappointed?

YES!

 

[Mike S]

Um, I hate to derail a good thread that 'could' have merit many years from now ... and, no, I know of no solid plans to add ANY real substance to the MK right up to the 50th and see absolutely no way there will be complete redos of two lands, but ...maybe I can direct the crazies from my thread over here to Armchair Imagineer and Fantasize their hearts out.

Even if this were to pan out as 100% true and major things did happen, who in their right mind feels it's OK to allow another six years to slip away like they have no meaning as the MK gets staler, more homogenized and more ghetto?

The last major expansion (Splash Mountain as, sorry, New Fanasyland does not count!) was in 1992. Think about how old you were then and what you were doing (who you were dating, were you going to school, working, having your first child, your first broken heart etc.) and justify the continued stagnation or join in the mindless (and it is) #HubBub about an empty, hot, fake grass center of what was once a beautiful park.

I was -1........... Btw nice to have you come in here. I was skeptical at first then became interested when @articos chimed in. And yes it is terrible that MK would have to wait another 6 years for something substantial. It wouldn't be so bad though if more was being done in the three other parks in the meantime, kind of like everything USF got in the time between WWoHP and Kong at IoA.

 

[invader]

Even if this were to pan out as 100% true and major things did happen, who in their right mind feels it's OK to allow another six years to slip away like they have no meaning as the MK gets staler, more homogenized and more ghetto?

Just to put six years into perspective, it only took half the time to build all of EPCOT Center.

 

[doctornick]

While I'm skeptical of the OP actually having any real inside info, I wouldn't be surprised if something similar to that actually comes to pass for the 50th.

As others have said, the other three parks need far more work and additions, but it is likely that in the 6 years before 2021, we'll get some substantial additions. Definitely Pandora in DAK obviously, probably some Pixar stuff and Star Wars eventually. Even Epcot will probably get something build before the end of the decade (maybe something like a proper redo of Imagination), though who knows.

So, it would actually make sense for Disney to aim for a ~2021 timeframe for a major addition/updating to MK. There could even be a good operational argument for the timeframe saying that they need to increase capacity at all the other parks first to be able to service the additional guests for the 50th anniversary.

Now, I would think that the most likely places for a substantial addition would be Tomorrowland or Adventureland. The former could use the refresh and has a lot of potential space. Furthermore, removing/replacing out of place attractions (Laugh Floor) or poorly received ones (Stitch) are additional options. Adventureland has a large available plot and arguable needs a major E-ticket more than any other land -- it could easily accommodate a new major attractions whether a clone (Indiana Jones, Journey to the Center of the Earth) or a new idea (Fire Mountain).

That said, with stuff like the Hatbox Ghost going into DL's HM and just a more widespread knowledge (due to the interest and fan sites) of shelved WDI ideas, the thought of doing a version of the Western River Expedition make a lot of sense. That concept seems to be one of those holy grails of WDI to see the light of day and would fit in greatly with the sense of nostalgia that would accompany the 50th anniversary. And if they really wanted to expand capacity at MK, then expanding the guest areas to the currently backstage stuff north of the Rivers of America (especially if they could get rid of the dead end at BTMM and connect it to the Haunted Mansion area) would be great to help with crowds.

Prior to 2021, I'd be surprised if MK got anything more than a replacement for Wishes or the MSEP (if they even get that) and some updating of existing rides.

 

[Mike S]

While I'm skeptical of the OP actually having any real inside info, I wouldn't be surprised if something similar to that actually comes to pass for the 50th.

As others have said, the other three parks need far more work and additions, but it is likely that in the 6 years before 2021, we'll get some substantial additions. Definitely Pandora in DAK obviously, probably some Pixar stuff and Star Wars eventually. Even Epcot will probably get something build before the end of the decade (maybe something like a proper redo of Imagination), though who knows.

So, it would actually make sense for Disney to aim for a ~2021 timeframe for a major addition/updating to MK. There could even be a good operational argument for the timeframe saying that they need to increase capacity at all the other parks first to be able to service the additional guests for the 50th anniversary.

Now, I would think that the most likely places for a substantial addition would be Tomorrowland or Adventureland. The former could use the refresh and has a lot of potential space. Furthermore, removing/replacing out of place attractions (Laugh Floor) or poorly received ones (Stitch) are additional options. Adventureland has a large available plot and arguable needs a major E-ticket more than any other land -- it could easily accommodate a new major attractions whether a clone (Indiana Jones, Journey to the Center of the Earth) or a new idea (Fire Mountain).

That said, with stuff like the Hatbox Ghost going into DL's HM and just a more widespread knowledge (due to the interest and fan sites) of shelved WDI ideas, the thought of doing a version of the Western River Expedition make a lot of sense. That concept seems to be one of those holy grails of WDI to see the light of day and would fit in greatly with the sense of nostalgia that would accompany the 50th anniversary. And if they really wanted to expand capacity at MK, then expanding the guest areas to the currently backstage stuff north of the Rivers of America (especially if they could get rid of the dead end at BTMM and connect it to the Haunted Mansion area) would be great to help with crowds.

Prior to 2021, I'd be surprised if MK got anything more than a replacement for Wishes or the MSEP (if they even get that) and some updating of existing rides.

WRE really would be something special for the 50th. Wouldn't excuse any of the stagnation of the past 20 years but still.

 

[Matt_Black]

Just to put six years into perspective, it only took half the time to build all of EPCOT Center.

That's an apples to oranges comparison, and I think you know that. Building a park is a lot different than building something in an existing park, particularly one of the busiest theme parks in the world. And, people forget that EPCOT wasn't "complete" when it opened.

 

[DManRightHere]

lol. Your 100% right.

I'd also hope for a new electrical parade, and some of the other cool things DLR got for there 60th.

I'd be cool with a complete clone of paint the night parade for WDW. It was pretty awesome and I did not like the electrical parade at all...

 

[invader]

That's an apples to oranges comparison, and I think you know that. Building a park is a lot different than building something in an existing park, particularly one of the busiest theme parks in the world. And, people forget that EPCOT wasn't "complete" when it opened.

while I agree it isn't exactly a fair comparison, it is a needed one. It just shows if they really wanted something done quickly they could.

 

[Magenta Panther]

I really loved the theme for Spectromagic. It had a very Disney fell to it, especially during the finale. This might be one of the main reasons why I miss the parade so much. It leaves you with a good feeling after you leave the park at night.

YES! This! Plus Best. Parade. Theme. Song. Ever!!!!

 

[Magenta Panther]

Here's to hoping for a brand new track with some cool onboard audio for Space Mountain!

If a new track isn't installed at least, I'll never ride that thing again. My achin' back...

 

[Magenta Panther]

I tend to lurk more than not (due to being a CM), but this was a piece of news that came my way that I wanted to share. You're welcome to believe it or not.

We (the CMs in the part of MK where I work) had a meeting with two of our leaders who were talking about various internal things (high guest satisfaction ratings, great job, here's where we can improve, etc etc). Our leaders also mentioned that, while there won't be a huge celebration for the 45th anniversary coming up next year, Disney is already planning for the 50th anniversary. They said that the current plans are to completely overhaul both Frontierland and Tomorrowland both in the facades and adding new attractions. They said to expect some big, big changes in those two lands, although they admitted they didn't have any specifics as to what "New" Frontierland and "New" Tomorrowland would look like, nor what attractions would be added.

I suppose they could of been lying, but I've never known our leaders to deliberately do that - they've always been on the up-and-up, even to the point of saying, "Yes I know something, but I'm not allowed to say anything yet about it." So, like I said, take that news for what it is. We all know Disney, they could completely change their mind six months later and cheap-out on the whole thing. Just wanted to let you guys know.

Tomorrowland has lots of potential. I read somewhere that TDO was once considering a futuristic steampunk motif for it (which could be rad cool). But how could Frontierland be expanded upon? It sure needs it, but I would have thought an Adventureland expansion would have more potential (with more Pirates and the like).

 

[Magenta Panther]

You can be at least a little excited.

Thank you!!!!!

 

[RadiatorSpringsRacer]

I really hope he does the music for a new electrical parade for the Magic Kingdoms 50ht Anniversary. I don't know why, but his work on Spectromagic has a very magical feeling to it that you don't get with the other nighttime parades.

At least in terms of music, Nightfall Glow at Tokyo probably comes the closest to it.

I think with Magic Kingdom being so busy these days there would be a number of things they could do with it.

Why not run it at Epcot around World Showcase instead?

I know the whole Main Street part doesn't fit but it would be a great way of spreading out the crowds after illuminations. It could set off from American Adventure, head round to Mexico, lap the lagoon and return to AA via the IG side of the lagoon. Fund it by keeping retail, bars and food open an extra hour or two.

If it ABSOLUTELY MUST go to another park, I'd rather see it in DHS than Epcot. At least characters somewhat fit the theme over there. Not to mention that the parade ends on a big "Hooray for America"...

The Baroque Hoedown is perfect as it is. It is futuristic, yet timeless, familiar and catchy, repetitive without being annoying. I can't think of a more perfect soundtrack to the electrical parade.

I would prefer a remix of SpectroMagic because it was more the beginning and end of the parade that used the main part of the tune, so it would be easy to mix in different parts to a new parade while having that as a theme.

I even think a giant float celebrating the best parts of SpectroMagic would be great as a stand alone part of a new parade. I think the dry ice effect was great, the mirror balls, but I loved the transition from all white lights to rich colour. Roll all that into a SpectroMagic float and have it as part of a new parade.

I like paint the night, it looks good, but I think something special for Disney World is good for the 50th and SpectroMagic certainly fits the bill as it was created for the Magic Kingdom.

Speaking personally, most of the reason why I loved that parade so dearly was not necessarily its just look or effects, but also...the music. It created an atmosphere that made you feel like you were a part of something that really was worthy of being remembered for a long time. Grand. Special. Joyful. Dare I say magical? (Unironically? Without even a trademark symbol? On this forum? Nah, better not.)

Honestly, they could announce an updated 1:1 recreation for a 2016 debut tomorrow, but trash any hint of On This Magic Night in favor of something in the style of PTN, and I would consider it a disappointment to at least some degree. (Granted, it'd still be more upscale than MSEP...)

 

[photomatt]

Prior to Disneyland's 50th, the park was in pretty bad shape. The damage was fixed (with the exception of Tomorrowland) because they brought in Matt Ouimet. The first sign big changes could happen for MK's 50th would be the announcement of a new WDW president with similar priorities. If this doesn't happen, I don't expect much for the 50th.