- In the Parks
- Yes
Let's see what Joe Disney thinks!
imaginations
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As if the stars align, Disney sets up for another home run in Disney Springs with a new starry imagineering-themed Disney100 interactive exhibition, named Imaginations, where after drifting into an Animation-Academy-esque Stargazer Atrium with giant screens similar to DCA and thousands of tiny, sparkling lights, guests can branch off into three "halls" centered around yesterday, today and tomorrow, with the first, The Hall of Recollection centered around the history of Disney Imagineering, a "library" of sorts filled with concept art, models, and old technology, acting as a museum that Florida sorely needs. The second (taking over the entire second floor), The Hall of Invention, is a fully interactive experience where guests contribute to designing a land concept (which changes weekly to give returnees a fresh experience) by playing in exhibits exploring different senses: for example, you can design park music in the Sound Lab, create new dishes (and have a chance to smell them) in the Taste Lab, and draw characters in the Art Lab, which all lead to the hallmark VR experience (visitors will see the concept from other visitors of the past week) where you can actually "tour" a theme park land with holotile technology. The third is the Hall of Imagination, where you can step into a blue-sky seasonal mini-land with indoor facades, a changing simulator attraction, and dining, which allows Imagineers to test possible future ideas like Wakanda, Encanto, or San Franasokyo on guests, giving them a sample of the future ahead...
BONUS: ImaginEars
Combined with the starry aesthetic of the exhibition is Disney's Imagination's glowingly unique (and uniquely expensive) mickey ears, a merchandise that will truly inspire you with its sparkling technology- just like the Magicbands, the stars and lights on the ImaginEars can change color in tune with a show, night parade, or an area in the building itself!
This sounds like a blast and a great blend high tech and whimsy. A small museum, interactive games that encourage creativity and collaboration, and then tech demos that let imagineers use guests as guinea pigs. The VR experience going through past guest creations really ties the Hall of Invention together too. I was a bit worried it would be too niche, but a "gimmick" like that would really help it appeal to general public and not just us weirdos on armchair imagineering forums
+1 Bonus - A great way to let guests glow with the show
+1 Bonus - A great way to let guests glow with the show
Mickey's Magic Castle
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In the mid-90's, Disney was working to add a themed restaurant of Copperfield: Magic Underground which would consist of magicians rotating through the restaurant's main stage as guests ate; but was eventually scrapped. Now, the concept is revived with Mickey's Magic Castle, an experience where guests can go through multiple levels of the all things magic. The Main floor consists of the original restaurant concept open to anyone with a reservation while the upper levels consist of places to learn the history of magic through the years (including Disney Magic like Yen Sid), a level to learn magic from expert magicians, and a level where guests can get a closer look at a wide range of magicians without having to eat at the restaurant.
Bonus: Guests can buy their own Disney themed Magic kits to enjoy practicing the magic they saw in the Castle.
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As a kid, I think I quite literally would've been willing to kill a man to get a hold of the magic kit you have pictured there it looks so cool. I would've loved this when I was younger and I think a magic show is a great fit. I feel the idea falls a part a bit trying to fill four floors. I think you would have been better off making it a museum full of illusions (like Wonder Works or the Gardens of Wonder from Hong Kong Disneyland) that ties in thematically. And then maybe had the magic lessons as a seperate experience with classes in the afternoon for kids who want to learn how the sausage is made. As it stands, the museum is neat but everything else feels either repetitive or like it would ruin the illusion that guests are paying to see. That being said the base concept here is great and a magic show restaurant is such a natural fit for Springs that it boggles my mind it doesn't exist already. It really is a no brainer slam dunk
+1 Bonus - I want it
+1 Bonus - I want it
Meow Wolf: Orlando
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Meow Wolf currently has four trippy, unique, immersive, collaborative art experiences that are interactive walkthrough exhibits transporting guests into new worlds where the rules no longer make sense. Adding a fifth installation to Disney Springs would both add a location to the east coast for Meow Wolf as well as fitting perfectly with Disneys creativity and storytelling aspects. Dedicating the first floor to a more child engaging set up, the middle three to all ages, and the top floor to be a bar done in equally weird and confusing ways to the rest of Meow Wolfs locations makes this an interesting and fitting choice for the old DisneyQuest building.
Bonus: Guests can purchase scavenger hunt maps to encourage thorough exploration and will receive a small plush "creature" found in the exhibit to take home upon completion.
When Omega Mart went viral a couple years ago, I was sure Disney or Universal would jump at the chance for a Meow Wolf exhibit. These seem perfect for a touristy spot like Orlando, yet they are artistically done enough to appease the more high end/trendy crowds that Disney Springs often attracts. Fun and engaging. Unique and whimsical. They've proven to be big draws already. Seems like a perfect brand deal for Disney! I particularly like the thought that went into the floors starting with the kids and going up to a bar up top. No notes this is pretty much perfect.
+1 Bonus- "creature"
+1 Bonus- "creature"
The Grand HallIn what was once the NBA Experience lies a magical hall where guests are invited to explore and marvel at the wonders of fantasy and imagination. Each floor is unique, being home to a specific realm with a main draw. The first is dedicated to an Ole European castle with an escape room through a dragon's lair, the second is an Arabian cavern with a mini-golf course, the third set in the jungles of India with go-karts modeled after old racing cars, the fourth is the ruins of an ancient underwater city with an interactive simulator exploring the depths for the fabled Crown of King Poseidon, and the last is an art gallery where creative shines brightest with interactive displays.
Bonus:
Guests visiting the Sunken City floor can get their own treasure chest, with candy jewels, bags of assorted candy and chocolate coins galore, it's the perfect plunder for those with a sweet tooth.
The different realms are a fun way to make the different floors feel distinct, yet they all fit a similar vibe to feel cohesive. Escape rooms, mini-golf, go karts, a simulator, and an art museum. All good options to help draw guests in and all unique experiences that would add a lot to Springs. This would definitely be a draw. I think that maybe choosing the three strongest themes/activities and focusing on that might have been a bit better. As it stands you could spend your whole day in this one building without even touching the rest of Springs because there's so much fun stuff to do here. Which is great for an indoor theme park type thing, but a bit much for what is meant to be one part of a larger day at Springs. Overall though I do really love it and I don't know what I would even cut
+1 Bonus - Treasure!
+1 Bonus - Treasure!