Magic Kingdom Overhaul as a Response to Epic Universe?

[justintheharris]

THIS IS NOT CONFIRMED OR EVEN A RUMOR!! I am simply interested in the possibility.

So Epic Universe is due to open in 2023 and the Epcot Overhaul, if I am correct in my assumptions, is due to end in 2022. As Jack from DSNY has pointed out that parks seem to be getting large scale projects on a cyclical cycle, Magic Kingdom is due following Epcot. And with Epic Universe right down the road, wouldn't an overhaul to the most attended theme park on earth be an appropriate response? Also something to announce in 2021? We now have precedent for filling in parts of Rivers of America to build new lands (see Star Wars in Disneyland) and I swear on this forum I once saw it rumored that Frontierland was going to get the overhaul instead of Tomorrowland. Anyone have any thoughts on these possibilities?

 

[Animaniac93-98]

There's plenty of opportunities to improve existing attractions or add new ones to Magic Kingdom. Expansion pads and proposals do exist.

But whether they follow through with any of them is hard to say. They still haven't replaced either Stitch's Great Escape or the Main Street Electrical Parade. The announced Main Street Theater was also cancelled.

 

[Marc Davis Fan]

This would definitely be the right thing to do. For better or for worse, The Magic Kingdom is "Disney World" to many if not most guests. As the park that represents WDW, it should have the absolute most impressive, cutting edge attractions.

Indeed, although I appreciate why SWGE was placed in DHS, I would have preferred it in MK (perhaps is in same perfect location where resides at Disneyland, north of Rivers of America), because that would have cemented MK as having the best collection of theme park attractions in Orlando for the foreseeable future.

I hope MK is due for massive, capacity-increasing, knock-your-socks-off lands/attractions in response to Epic Universe. It would undoubtedly be the best way for Disney to respond. But, for that to happen, they've have to be starting construction approximately now, so...

 

[Tom Morrow]

I don't think it needs a complete overhaul, but many of the rides need to be brought up to the 21st century. There's a line between outdated and nostalgic that they danced for quite a long time, but we're reaching a point where it's kind of more like, okay, you can only ride on nostalgia for so long. Though I know there are some attractions that are blasphemous to touch, there are others that are not. Some of the so-called "untouchable" attractions could be modernized with tasteful improvements (IE - NOT what they've attempted to add to Haunted Mansion). In other cases, the attractions wouldn't feel so outdated if they were just kept in good show quality. So many are in a state of neglect and there's no excuse for that in the world's most visited theme park.

I do think the park itself looks great though with the exception of some parts of Tomorrowland.

 

[bUU]

Disney will continue to improve their parks as they have been (new Fantasyland, Pandora, Toy Story Land, Galaxy's Edge, etc.) as needed.

 

[justintheharris]

I don't think it needs a complete overhaul, but many of the rides need to be brought up to the 21st century. There's a line between outdated and nostalgic that they danced for quite a long time, but we're reaching a point where it's kind of more like, okay, you can only ride on nostalgia for so long. Though I know there are some attractions that are blasphemous to touch, there are others that are not. Some of the so-called "untouchable" attractions could be modernized with tasteful improvements (IE - NOT what they've attempted to add to Haunted Mansion). In other cases, the attractions wouldn't feel so outdated if they were just kept in good show quality. So many are in a state of neglect and there's no excuse for that in the world's most visited theme park.

I do think the park itself looks great though with the exception of some parts of Tomorrowland.

I’d hope they’d refrain from a single franchise based land. And I must say that nearly every ride outside new fantasyland needs a good refurbishment.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I don't see MK getting a MAJOR overhaul outside of whatever they are doing for the 50th which is likely mostly new shows/decor.
Tron is likely the only attraction opening there in the near future.
I also don't think MK NEEDS anything new as NFL is still quite fresh for many.
I think EPCOT's overhaul will be plenty to compete with Universal.

 

[ObscurityPoint]

I’d hope they’d refrain from a single franchise based land. And I must say that nearly every ride outside new fantasyland needs a good refurbishment.

I agree. It’d be cool if they could come up with a new land that could be made up of several original or non related IP-based attractions that all fit a common theme.

 

[Fox&Hound]

I don't think it needs a complete overhaul, but many of the rides need to be brought up to the 21st century. There's a line between outdated and nostalgic that they danced for quite a long time, but we're reaching a point where it's kind of more like, okay, you can only ride on nostalgia for so long. Though I know there are some attractions that are blasphemous to touch, there are others that are not. Some of the so-called "untouchable" attractions could be modernized with tasteful improvements (IE - NOT what they've attempted to add to Haunted Mansion). In other cases, the attractions wouldn't feel so outdated if they were just kept in good show quality. So many are in a state of neglect and there's no excuse for that in the world's most visited theme park.

I do think the park itself looks great though with the exception of some parts of Tomorrowland.

I agree with you completely. Out of curiosity, what rides would you deem touchable versus those that should not be improved upon? I would argue that the peoplemover (love), speedway, MILF, Country Bears, Tiki Room, Swiss Family Robinson, TSI, Mermaid, Pan, Pooh and even Jungle Cruise could be plussed whereas Mansion, Splash, Pirates, 7DMT should not.

 

[Tom Morrow]

I agree with you completely. Out of curiosity, what rides would you deem touchable versus those that should not be improved upon? I would argue that the peoplemover (love), speedway, MILF, Country Bears, Tiki Room, Swiss Family Robinson, TSI, Mermaid, Pan, Pooh and even Jungle Cruise could be plussed whereas Mansion, Splash, Pirates, 7DMT should not.

It's hard to say, really. For some people, I think "untouchable" means don't get rid of this or turn it into a different experience." But pretty much every ride in MK could benefit from some proper upgrades, as in stuff that enhances what is already there. Plus, making sure everything is working right the way they do in Disneyland goes a long way. I remember the Disneyland Fantasyland attractions not feeling tired and dated because they had well-maintained show.

 

[justintheharris]

I agree with you completely. Out of curiosity, what rides would you deem touchable versus those that should not be improved upon? I would argue that the peoplemover (love), speedway, MILF, Country Bears, Tiki Room, Swiss Family Robinson, TSI, Mermaid, Pan, Pooh and even Jungle Cruise could be plussed whereas Mansion, Splash, Pirates, 7DMT should not.

I love Splash but they could probably put in some nicer animatronics. But I agree that the other three are as good as they can get. However, bear in mind that Disney can surprise us and do things better than we would have ever imagined.

 

[justintheharris]

I don't see MK getting a MAJOR overhaul outside of whatever they are doing for the 50th which is likely mostly new shows/decor.
Tron is likely the only attraction opening there in the near future.
I also don't think MK NEEDS anything new as NFL is still quite fresh for many.
I think EPCOT's overhaul will be plenty to compete with Universal.

But the EPCOT overhaul is due to wrap a year or two before Epic Universe opens. And until Epic Universe opens, Disney doesn't know exactly what they're dealing with.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

But the EPCOT overhaul is due to wrap a year or two before Epic Universe opens. And until Epic Universe opens, Disney doesn't know exactly what they're dealing with.

If I know what Universal is building, I'm pretty sure Disney knows.

 

[justintheharris]

If I know what Universal is building, I'm pretty sure Disney knows.

Oh! You know the first year attendance numbers? State of the economy in 2023? The guests' reactions? ALL that already???

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Oh! You know the first year attendance numbers? State of the economy in 2023? The guests' reactions? ALL that already???

Chill out.

 

[justintheharris]

Chill out.

Well one must realize that the Epic Universe itself is not the only thing that matters. The economy, the guests, potential negative press of Universal all play a role in the performance of the park. What Disney needs to focus on in a response is the performance. If the park doesn't make a big splash (which is an unlikely scenario), there may be no response at all. Disney cannot simply see the plans and say "okay here's what we'll do." Disney waited a couple of years before announcing New Fantasyland as a response to Harry Potter. And until after the opening of the Wizarding World to announce Pandora.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Well one must realize that the Epic Universe itself is not the only thing that matters. The economy, the guests, potential negative press of Universal all play a role in the performance of the park. What Disney needs to focus on in a response is the performance. If the park doesn't make a big splash (which is an unlikely scenario), there may be no response at all. Disney cannot simply see the plans and say "okay here's what we'll do." Disney waited a couple of years before announcing New Fantasyland as a response to Harry Potter. And until after the opening of the Wizarding World to announce Pandora.

And they lost 18% market share by waiting.

 

[justintheharris]

And they lost 18% market share by waiting.

New Fantasyland didn't stand a chance against Harry Potter. Right out of the gate it should have been clear Potter was going to be the winner.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

New Fantasyland didn't stand a chance against Harry Potter. Right out of the gate it should have been clear Potter was going to be the winner.

The damage would have been less if NFL didn't open 3-4 years after Potter.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

New Fantasyland didn't stand a chance against Harry Potter. Right out of the gate it should have been clear Potter was going to be the winner.

Why does there have to be a winner?
Many people that go to the Orlando area do so primarily for Disney and secondary Universal.
So anything either of them do they are both winners as you would label it.