Replacement for Tomorrowland Speedway?

[Kman101]

The restaurant I don't mind. I don't see it as problem like that, I see it as a problem in that these get lines an e-ticket should have, so my point is why would they build a ride when they can build meet and greets and restaurants? Not that they don't need restaurants. But they have two that sit empty most of the year. Capacity for Belle has nothing to do with the point I was trying to make. Or the type of attraction it's classified as. In truth they could have built all three, the meet and greet, restaurant and ride.

 

[Daveeeeed]

The restaurant I don't mind. I don't see it as problem like that, I see it as a problem in that these get lines an e-ticket should have, so my point is why would they build a ride when they can build meet and greets and restaurants? Not that they don't need restaurants. But they have two that sit empty most of the year. Capacity for Belle has nothing to do with the point I was trying to make. Or the type of attraction it's classified as. In truth they could have built all three, the meet and greet, restaurant and ride.

I see your point, but I think that relates to how immersive those two things are. An A-ticket meet & Greet (super low capacity... & Princess Fairytale Hall has higher waits), and also probably the best themed restaraunt Disney has done in Florida. Both of those two things have are great. You have to have a diverse line-up... they just didn't want to spend the money on a ride this only the meet & greet and food capacity problems are solved.

 

[Kman101]

I see your point, but I think that relates to how immersive those two things are. An A-ticket meet & Greet (super low capacity... & Princess Fairytale Hall has higher waits), and also probably the best themed restaraunt Disney has done in Florida. Both of those two things have are great. You have to have a diverse line-up... they just didn't want to spend the money on a ride this only the meet & greet and food capacity problems are solved.

I agree. I know they didn't want to spend the money. That's my point. Why would they when people line up for those things like they ARE E-tickets? The queue for Belle is great. The restaurant is fantastic. I'm not really arguing against those per say.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

My kids and their kids did Enchanted Tales just as the sun was starting to set and then had immediate reservations at BOG for dinner. Of everything they did, this was their favorite. My daughter said the one-two punch was truly "magical" for their kids. And she's a HUGE critic of what the suits have done to the parks lately. She's seen the best- and the worst, seeing DCA 1.0 as a "disaster" at 13 years old.

 

[MaryJaneP]

I believe that the wind would blow the water on to the walkway into Tomorrowland and that was deemed undesirable.

Damn, didn't they look cool though!

EDIT: I see this have already been answered.

It is a shame that the "waterfall" could only have water falling that the wind spilled and made the walkways damp. Tomorrowland lost what some consider an architectural signature.

It is too bad that a company known for its creativity, could not come up with any non-dangerous alternative, from actual using something else falling (i.e. very small pebbles) to having nothing actually fall but keeping the structures, using ribbons during the day, simulating falling water, and possibly projecting falling water at night. It would seem possible that even keeping both the towers and the waterfalls, having some non-water solution above the walkway, and having water only at and/or below the walkway level could maintain the structure, sound, and some of the feel. Ah, remember when.

 

[Kman101]

My kids and their kids did Enchanted Tales just as the sun was starting to set and then had immediate reservations at BOG for dinner. Of everything they did, this was their favorite. My daughter said the one-two punch was truly "magical" for their kids. And she's a HUGE critic of what the suits have done to the parks lately. She's seen the best- and the worst, seeing DCA 1.0 as a "disaster" at 13 years old.

I think there's a place for that kind of experience. I just see it at the expense of having a ride. We could have had both and the restaurant. I want variety in the parks and think there's a place for meet and greets. And shows, both live and animatronic. And flat rides. And spinners. And e-tickets. A fully built out park ideally has all of that.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Enchanted Tales with Belle has very low capacity. It's an A-ticket attraction in a D-ticket box.

The box containing Belle is just about the same size of the box containing Tiki Room (2.1 acres). Since Belle is a one-lobby-2-room affair, it seems it has about the same throughput as Tiki, no?

Of course, this doesn't count either of their queues, which, for Belle, is excessively large, but then again, all the queues in NFL are pretty large. Yes it takes up a lot of room, but, it's not wall to wall solid pavement like the old FL area.

 

[DrewmanS]

I absolutely love the Speedway and would hate to see it replaced- my dad used to joke (when I was 15) that I could get my driver's license if I could drive the car all the way around without hitting the rail.

I honestly don't think Tron rides would do well here. It worked in Shanghai, but here in America people are too darned attached to their antique cars & Disney rides...

I know lots of adults don't like the speedway, but for kids it is a right of passage. I can remember getting to drive for the first time, being able to reach the pedals for the first time, and being able to ride by myself for the first time. Now as a father, I have been reliving those memories as my two boys have gone through the same experience. On our next visit, my younger son will be able to drive by himself. I know I will be choking back the tears. The thought that not being able to share the experience again with my grandkids is tough to take.

 

[DisneyDaver]

I know lots of adults don't like the speedway, but for kids it is a right of passage. I can remember getting to drive for the first time, being able to reach the pedals for the first time, and being able to ride by myself for the first time. Now as a father, I have been reliving those memories as my two boys have gone through the same experience. On our next visit, my younger son will be able to drive by himself. I know I will be choking back the tears. The thought that not being able to share the experience again with my grandkids is tough to take.

I loved the Speedway as a kid. One of the highlights of each of my WDW trips in the 80s. I haven't been on it, however, as an adult and have no interest now ... but when my daughter is old enough to "drive", I hope it is still there.

 

[Glasgow]

I share the same sentiments about the Speedway. It was the first ride I always begged my parents to go on as ive always adored anything car related. I loved it and have loved experiencing it with my own kids.

However, I think that nostalgia is swaying our judgment a bit, and this newer generation can still have their own "Speedway" attraction, albeit updated in some way. It would be a shame for it to be replaced altogether, of course, but I'm sure Walt would have liked it to at least evolve for the times, as sad as that is for a lot of us to take.

The fact that it could be replaced is troubling but I hope they can come up with something that can be shared across generations, which is the core reason so many (including myself) still defend the Speedway in spite of the noise, fumes and woefully wayward steering

 

[EricsBiscuit]

The only memory of the speedway I have is when I got a car with a broken steering wheel and went rocketing back and forth the whole dang time! Not fun.

Edit: I'll stay on my steam train if you don't mind

 

[IMDREW]

The first and only time I did the speedway was as a little kid with my father. I kept bouncing against the sides which made us stop every two seconds. Dad became a little cranky because we had a whole line of cars behind us waiting. Never did it again.

 

[BenJacobs]

I like Tron, don't get me wrong, but I don't think I want to see another coaster - not everybody enjoys them. I get motion sickness in coasters but driving little cars is just plain old classic fun for the whole family. But I would love to see a Tron themed ride eventually at WDW.

But it truly isn't fun for the whole family, its fun until you've turned 6 or 7. People say it gives kids the chance to drive as they wont be able to for many years, but this isnt a driving experience, you go at 5mph along a track - its basically an omnimover ride with no theme, story or scenery. I get motion sickness too, so I can't go on anything upside down, and I hate large drops, so LOADS of coasters are out(including Splash Mountain and Expedition Everest), so most Disney roller coaster and thrill rides are great for me, as normally I don't experience roller coasters, but I'd be able to ride a Tron coaster as it isn't that twisty, it doesn't go upside down and there are no proper drops.

 

[BenJacobs]

I would love a Tron coaster, but the one in Shanghai is way too short, so I'd build this as part of an expensive Tomorrowland renovation, where the Buzz Lightyear ride is updated, the TTAP is fixed and incorporated in the new Tron ride, and a replacement for Stitch and Monsters inc(I would however keep Tomorrowland as retro futuristic, as it is now, it already looks great, no need for change in aesthetics). The Tron ride would be twice as long; there would be two launches underneath Tomorrowland with light effects, each launch followed by an outdoor section, before entering one of the two buildings(one where the Speedway is, one where the staff car park currently is). The buildings wouldn't be boring like in Shanghai, it would have interesting, very futuristic architecture and, like Space Mountain, it would be good to look at.

 

[BenJacobs]

Per my previous post, #4 is what I was told back in 2012. I wasnt told the exact layout, but that general area was the location. And I have the DM to @marni1971 to prove it.

Have you ever thought that it wont be the exact same design and building, it could be completely different inside and out, with building that is a different shape and that isn't just a normal building but a futuristic architectural masterpiece.

 

[Thanks phoenicians]

Seems as if Screamscape saw that the Tron coaster replacing the speedway isn't likely. I believe it was mentioned as a possibility but not likely. I do wonder what the replacement options are though especially if we get 2 attractions on that plot.

 

[marni1971]

Seems as if Screamscape saw that the Tron coaster replacing the speedway isn't likely. I believe it was mentioned as a possibility but not likely. I do wonder what the replacement options are though especially if we get 2 attractions on that plot.

I dare say if we don't see the coaster plus a Speedway overhaul we will more likely see purely a complete Speedway overhaul.

 

[Kman101]

Is the coaster the only thing on the top of the list? Shame if so they could do a lot with that land. I wouldn't hate an overhaul of the Speedway as the alternative but something needs to be done.

 

[Thanks phoenicians]

I dare say if we don't see the coaster plus a Speedway overhaul we will more likely see purely a complete Speedway overhaul.

I'd be fine with that so long as it's a major overhaul of the speedway. I think a new track with over-passes and elevation changes would be nice along with new electric cars. I'm assuming then the Tron coaster would be on an expansion pad (maybe between COP and Space). Hopefully Buzz goes with Stitch as well. Definitely seems like an announcement in D23 2019 with 2021 completion as the TL plans seem to be changing a lot. Thanks for the updates.

 

[Thanks phoenicians]

Is the coaster the only thing on the top of the list? Shame if so they could do a lot with that land. I wouldn't hate an overhaul of the Speedway as the alternative but something needs to be done.

SGE replacement is probably up there too. Maybe/hopefully buzz as well.