New to wdwmagic, would like to share some thoughts

[Jeters_Boy]

Some of the other threads have gotten me to thinking about the long-term direction of WDW.

We live in a much different world in 2010 than Walt Disney did in the 1940's and 50's as he planned his theme parks. For starters, the idea of "entertainment" for people born after 1980 is centered around video games and interactive experiences.

We have seen Disney respond to this fundamental change with interactive attractions such as Buzz Lightyear, the Laugh Floor, Turtle Talk with Crush, and Toy Story Mania.

But for every new interactive attraction designed to appeal to the "next generation", there is one less spot for an "original Disney" attraction.

For example, I've been to WDW 10 times and I still love the Carousel of Progress. I love to point out to anyone who will listen where the old Skyway pole marks can still be seen on the walkways at Magic Kingdom. I love the Rome burning scene in Spaceship Earth. I love to listen for "paging Mr. Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow. Your party from Saturn has arrived."

Part of this is nostalgia. Consider the reaction by some to the closing of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. And I wish I could still ride the Delta Dreamflight. But am I glad they closed it in favor of the more hi-tech Buzz Lightyear? In one sense, yes, because I want WDW to stay on the cutting edge and continue to appeal to newer generations. But in another sense, no, because I want WDW to be this time capsule where I can ride the same rides and feel the same euphoria as I did as a kid.

I say all this as someone who grew up with Nintendo and is just now starting a family of my own. My wife and I are rare breeds in that we enjoy the Disney magic in a way that many people our age just don't get. To us, there's no place on Earth that compares to WDW.

So while we all get excited when rumors fly about a new construction project at WDW, I have to ask: how many of the original Disney attractions are we willing to trade in?

 

[graphite1326]

I know what you are saying. I too liked some of the attractions that were closed and I have been upset (Alien Encounter, Four for a Dollar), on the other hand some of the attractions that are gone doesn't bother me at all. While some rides that are in need of an update just linger on. World of Energy with Ellen would be one of those rides. And then there are attractions that have been "updated" and are just awful (Tiki Room).

I guess we just have to take the good with the bad and voice our oppinions even though we don't seem to be heard.

BRING BACK AE or bring in something new, anything is better than Stitch.

 

[Thorpyness]

Some of the other threads have gotten me to thinking about the long-term direction of WDW.

We have seen Disney respond to this fundamental change with interactive attractions such as Buzz Lightyear, the Laugh Floor, Turtle Talk with Crush, and Toy Story Mania.

But for every new interactive attraction designed to appeal to the "next generation", there is one less spot for an "original Disney" attraction.

For example, I've been to WDW 10 times and I still love the Carousel of Progress. I love to point out to anyone who will listen where the old Skyway pole marks can still be seen on the walkways at Magic Kingdom. I love the Rome burning scene in Spaceship Earth. I love to listen for "paging Mr. Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow. Your party from Saturn has arrived."

Part of this is nostalgia. Consider the reaction by some to the closing of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. And I wish I could still ride the Delta Dreamflight. But am I glad they closed it in favor of the more hi-tech Buzz Lightyear? In one sense, yes, because I want WDW to stay on the cutting edge and continue to appeal to newer generations. But in another sense, no, because I want WDW to be this time capsule where I can ride the same rides and feel the same euphoria as I did as a kid.

I say all this as someone who grew up with Nintendo and is just now starting a family of my own. My wife and I are rare breeds in that we enjoy the Disney magic in a way that many people our age just don't get. To us, there's no place on Earth that compares to WDW.

So while we all get excited when rumors fly about a new construction project at WDW, I have to ask: how many of the original Disney attractions are we willing to trade in?

If you could guarantee a better experience, then i'm sure people would trade in everything. The problem is getting the better experience, and comparing it to twisted memories. Selecting which memories you have is a subject that you can probably study for a lifetime, and I've not done that. what fascinates me is that some things you remember as being great, then when you nostalgically revisit them are a right letdown, and things that were horrible and scary as a child are really no big deal when you're older. Also as you age what attracts you changes. I used to be a fan of the big coasters, but last year discovered I want more than just big speed and high G forces.
The disney concepts and heritage will always be present in the parks, even if you swapped out all of the attractions.

 

[wbc]

You mean this isn't our idea of the future anymore?

 

[Jeters_Boy]

You mean this isn't our idea of the future anymore?

Too funny.

And what's interesting to me is this Disney idea of the "retro future". Tomorrowland is now based on what we used to think the future would be.

The original idea was to keep updating it to be a place that imagined the future, then it looked outdated so quickly they turned it into the retro future! And for the record, I love it.

 

[wbc]

Too funny.

And what's interesting to me is this Disney idea of the "retro future". Tomorrowland is now based on what we used to think the future would be.

The original idea was to keep updating it to be a place that imagined the future, then it looked outdated so quickly they turned it into the retro future! And for the record, I love it.

I thought it was a good move by Disney. Retro-future doesn't need constant updating. Although I really liked the Verne type "future" when I was in my teens, I really wish they'd bring back the sleek, clutter free, Tomorrowland before 1994.

I can only spend so much time in Tomorrowland before I just get overwhelmed and annoyed by the explosion of clutter.

IMO, there's no need to have a constantly evolving Tomorrowland when Epcot is next door. However, now that Epcot has lost it's scope of "Futureness" it's kind of sad.

If you look at modern architectural design of today, it is still similar to Tomorrowland <1994

IMO, a sleeker Astro Orbiter and getting rid of the blue colours was all that was needed.

 

[me_stitch]

I'd like to see them leave the magic kingdom alone and add the newer, higher tech rides to the other three parks. that's what I would do if it were up to me. I too love DW more than the average person, my wife enjoys DW but doesn't appreciate it like I do, although that's probably a good thing or we would spend every dime we have going on trips every few months. for every DW trip we take I have to take her somewhere she wants to go so it all works out I guess.

 

[Thorpyness]

I'd like to see them leave the magic kingdom alone and add the newer, higher tech rides to the other three parks.

That's a good suggestion, but you have to remember that Walt's original remit was that families would share the parks together. Now whether they would stick to this today is another question.