RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the kind words. Most of our shows have been positive, but as I explained in the show, it's often easier to complain about things we love, than things we hate.
To everyone else reading this thread, it should also be noted that during the interview Jason Garcia intimated that the demand for this article was fueled by a WDW Magic user. I'll let that user toot his own horn, but he deserves all the credit for this becoming a major topic of debate. Bringing these types of issues to the public attention is important. And while we tend to complain in mass about trivial things, I refuse to believe this is a trivial thing.
Animal Kingdom has been neglected. Expedition Everest was a much needed, but ultimately overdue expansion to the park. What frustrates me is that each park opens up as a clean slate. Animal Kingdom had a clear expansion plan set up, but then it was changed and corners were cut almost immediately.
In 1999 when Kali River Rapids opened they leaved a huge expansion area inaccessible without serious modifications. To access this land now will require a much larger undertaking to the tune of either re-working the Wildlife Express Train or modifying the Maharajah Jungle Trek. I assume it will cost more to access this land now then it would have to used this land for a longer, more in depth Kali River Rapids.
In 2001/2002, Chester and Hester's Dinorama (or as I dubbed it, Artificial Capacity Land). Triceratop Spin opened in November of 2001 and Primeval Whirl opened in March of 2002. It's disheartening that every stateside Roller coaster built from 2000-2010 has issues with either being poorly themed or having major show elements not working. Chester and Hester is a temporary land that's a black eye on what is otherwise amazing theming in the Animal Kingdom. The area needs to be leveled for either an Australia themed area, or a dark ride or two devoted to other extinct animals. But again, it requires removing this area to build a better themed area that doesn't stand out as an eyesore. They also can't remove it because of the artificial capacity it creates.
In 2006, they built Expedition Everest and it was met with tremendous success. The coaster is amazing, but little things and one big thing really bother me about it. When you go into the backwards section of the ride, you can see the exposed steel. The interior doesn't need rock work theming, it's dark enough that it's unnecessary, but putting up some sheet rock, or $20 curtains from bed bath and beyond would do wonders to hide the exposed steel. I hear there are some curtains over at Spaceship Earth that could be available.
As for the Yeti, once again, they can't close the attraction to "fix it" much in the same way they can't shut down Dinorama to "fix it", or shut down the railroad and/or Maharajah Jungle Trek to add an expansion.
They had a plan and they ignored it, and now the park is suffering. It seems that before any of the aforementioned lands get "Fixed", the park needs another attendance boost. So that leaves Camp Minnie Mickey, but they can't close Festival of the Lion King can they? It's the most popular stage show in Disney World, they wouldn't dare close it... well, they tried to close Aladdin a Musical Spectacular in DCA, so I suppose it's possible. But of course we've heard talk of it moving to Africa (not sure I like that), or Conservation Station (I like this idea better). But if they move it to Conservation Station than you can't rely on the train to take you there, and it would be a ridiculous long walk otherwise.
Disney, you created these problems, now it's up to you to fix them.
