MK Stitch's Great Escape Replacement— Don’t Hold Your Breath

[RSoxNo1]

I'd be surprised if something raceway style didn't remain.

This land can be better utilized with level changing attractions on and around the speedway. Personally, I'd like to see a Speedway attraction move to DHS as part of a Cars Land.

 

[DDLand]

It just seems wasteful to remove the Speedway. While not my favorite, this really strikes me as a Frozen in Norway situation or Mickey in the Movie Ride. Why eliminate attractions when there are several other sites within the Tomorrowland sphere?

Use the areas that are languishing and missing incredible opportunity. That's what we should be fighting for. Not less or replacing, but more.

Now that's not to say it should continue to age. It does need an update, but the attraction actually does no harm. It's a net positive in many guest's day. The minuses could mostly be rectified with simple steps.

I'll also note that any large E Ticket wouldn't work particularly well there. It would tower over parts of Fantasyland. A new attraction deeper within TL is more appropriate in keeping compartmentalization intact. The racetrack provides a nice buffer.

Right now Autopia is actually doing something. Entertaining guests. That's far better than can be said of a lot of the many expansion pads at Magic Kingdom.

Addition by addition. Addition by subtraction is not addition at all.

 

[doctornick]

It just seems wasteful to remove the Speedway. While not my favorite, this really strikes me as a Frozen in Norway situation or Mickey in the Movie Ride. Why eliminate attractions when there are several other sites within the Tomorrowland sphere?

Use the areas that are languishing and missing incredible opportunity. That's what we should be fighting for. Not less or replacing, but more.

Now that's not to say it should continue to age. It does need an update, but the attraction actually does no harm. It's a net positive in many guest's day. The minuses could mostly be rectified with simple steps.

I'll also note that any large E Ticket wouldn't work particularly well there. It would tower over parts of Fantasyland. A new attraction deeper within TL is more appropriate in keeping compartmentalization intact. The racetrack provides a nice buffer.

Right now Autopia is actually doing something. Entertaining guests. That's far better than can be said of a lot of the many expansion pads at Magic Kingdom.

Addition by addition. Addition by subtraction is not addition at all.

I agree in general with your point -- actually add attractions, don't just replace existing things -- but I think you are overblowing this. If the Speedway were removed, the footprint is relatively massive. They could easily build a large E-ticker for Fantasyland (in between the Tea cups and the circus are) and an E-ticket for Tomorrowland on that plot, putting the show buildings back to back. That's a big reason many of us would like to see the Speedway gone -- it takes up so much space for a smelly, boring ride that can be replicated at tons of go kart tracks anywhere in the country.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

Yes like tokyos beauty and the beast next to shanghais Tron lightcycles!

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

I agree in general with your point -- actually add attractions, don't just replace existing things -- but I think you are overblowing this. If the Speedway were removed, the footprint is relatively massive. They could easily build a large E-ticker for Fantasyland (in between the Tea cups and the circus are) and an E-ticket for Tomorrowland on that plot, putting the show buildings back to back. That's a big reason many of us would like to see the Speedway gone -- it takes up so much space for a smelly, boring ride that can be replicated at tons of go kart tracks anywhere in the country.

What they did over at DAK's AvatarLand is a very good way of using land to its full potential regarding the two rides using the same show building.

 

[DDLand]

I agree in general with your point -- actually add attractions, don't just replace existing things -- but I think you are overblowing this. If the Speedway were removed, the footprint is relatively massive. They could easily build a large E-ticker for Fantasyland (in between the Tea cups and the circus are) and an E-ticket for Tomorrowland on that plot, putting the show buildings back to back. That's a big reason many of us would like to see the Speedway gone -- it takes up so much space for a smelly, boring ride that can be replicated at tons of go kart tracks anywhere in the country.

I just find it terribly interesting that people look at a perfectly decent attraction -admittedly in need of updating- and say we should replace that when literally you could walk 3 minutes and find a suitable expansion site. It makes me wonder if people wouldn't talk about a new attraction in that spot if it was just trees or a fence. Why aren't we looking at the land adjacent to Space Mountain and begging Disney to build there? That Southeast quadrant of the park with the stage is perhaps the most grossly underutilized section in the Magic Kingdom. Draw people down there by COP. Bring life to the area.

Could they create a situation where I would be won over by a Autopia proposal? Absolutely. If they built a major E Ticket there would I complain? Of course not (though I'd love to watch them try to work with sight lines).

Still the peculiarity of looking at two sites and picking the one with the functioning attraction on it turns heads.


Note: There are times when attractions are below show standards and should be replaced, I just don't think an updated Autopia is anywhere near a situation like that.

 

[JenniferS]

I just find it terribly interesting that people look at a perfectly decent attraction -admittedly in need of updating- and say we should replace that when literally you could walk 3 minutes and find a suitable expansion site. It makes me wonder if people wouldn't talk about a new attraction in that spot if it was just trees or a fence. Why aren't we looking at the land adjacent to Space Mountain and begging Disney to build there? That Southeast quadrant of the park with the stage is perhaps the most grossly underutilized section in the Magic Kingdom. Draw people down there by COP. Bring life to the area.

Could they create a situation where I would be won over by a Autopia proposal? Absolutely. If they built a major E Ticket there would I complain? Of course not (though I'd love to watch them try to work with sight lines).

Still the peculiarity of looking at two sites and picking the one with the functioning attraction on it turns heads.


Note: There are times when attractions are below show standards and should be replaced, I just don't think an updated Autopia is anywhere near a situation like that.

It's noisy and it smells bad. It ruins the ambiance of walking that rear path from Storybook Circus to Tomorrowland.

If they can't eliminate the noise and the odour, then it's time to say buh-bye.

 

[Haymarket2008]

It needs to go asap. Say what you want in its defense, but it adds nothing to the thematic consistency of Tomorrowland. In fact, it cheapens it. So much prime real estate that can be used effectively. I know it is an attraction that a handful of people have a lot of memories with. But.....its time is up.

 

[marni1971]

It just seems wasteful to remove the Speedway. While not my favorite, this really strikes me as a Frozen in Norway situation or Mickey in the Movie Ride. Why eliminate attractions when there are several other sites within the Tomorrowland sphere?.

The ulterior motive is that it costs a lot to run and maintain. And will soon need an expensive overhaul.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I just find it terribly interesting that people look at a perfectly decent attraction -admittedly in need of updating- and say we should replace that when literally you could walk 3 minutes and find a suitable expansion site.

Being a "decent attraction" is a matter of opinion and there are a lot of people not sharing yours.

And where is this place just 3 minute walk away where you can add two to three new rides (four if you count the access to beyond the tracks that nixing Speedway would give you) that isn't demolishing some other existing attraction that other people may feel nostalgia for?

 

[Bandini]

They could also decide to remove Autopia and pour more cement for stroller parking and to increase park capacity even more.

 

[AnthHoggard]

YAWN .... another fantasy thread to join up the new atrraction in Epcot thread, along with the new attraction for Magic Kingdom thread, and possible third new land in Studios thread, not forgetting the yawnsome roller coaster attraction for Epcot.

All becoming tedious now.

 

[MisterPenguin]

YAWN .... another fantasy thread to join up the new atrraction in Epcot thread, along with the new attraction for Magic Kingdom thread, and possible third new land in Studios thread, not forgetting the yawnsome roller coaster attraction for Epcot.

All becoming tedious now.

Welcome to the boards!

 

[marni1971]

YAWN .... another fantasy thread to join up the new atrraction in Epcot thread, along with the new attraction for Magic Kingdom thread, and possible third new land in Studios thread, not forgetting the yawnsome roller coaster attraction for Epcot.

All becoming tedious now.

What do you suggest then?

 

[imperius]

Yeah there is nothing decent about the Speedway. It is probably one of the worst attractions in all of Disney IMO. It doesn't make thematic sense, it smells, and it's a ride that can be found in most lower level amusement parks across America.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

They could also decide to remove Autopia and pour more cement for stroller parking and to increase park capacity even more.

Will you guys please stop giving them ideas.

 

[drizgirl]

I just find it terribly interesting that people look at a perfectly decent attraction -admittedly in need of updating- and say we should replace that when literally you could walk 3 minutes and find a suitable expansion site. It makes me wonder if people wouldn't talk about a new attraction in that spot if it was just trees or a fence. Why aren't we looking at the land adjacent to Space Mountain and begging Disney to build there? That Southeast quadrant of the park with the stage is perhaps the most grossly underutilized section in the Magic Kingdom. Draw people down there by COP. Bring life to the area.

Could they create a situation where I would be won over by a Autopia proposal? Absolutely. If they built a major E Ticket there would I complain? Of course not (though I'd love to watch them try to work with sight lines).

Still the peculiarity of looking at two sites and picking the one with the functioning attraction on it turns heads.


Note: There are times when attractions are below show standards and should be replaced, I just don't think an updated Autopia is anywhere near a situation like that.

But replacing attractions instead of adding new ones seems to be Disney's preferred method these days. Closing something allows them to not staff something for many years while promising something new. Then when the new attraction opens, they are still just staffing for one attraction instead of 2.

 

[yeti]

Welcome to the boards!

I think he's worn out his welcome about five times now.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

I like the smell of the speedway, and I like the attraction. I just like the idea of Tron and a Tokyo quality BatB much better.

 

[DDLand]

The ulterior motive is that it costs a lot to run and maintain. And will soon need an expensive overhaul.

Now that sounds like TDO.

Being a "decent attraction" is a matter of opinion and there are a lot of people not sharing yours.

And where is this place just 3 minute walk away where you can add two to three new rides (four if you count the access to beyond the tracks that nixing Speedway would give you) that isn't demolishing some other existing attraction that other people may feel nostalgia for?

There seem to be 2 primary complaints about Autopia.

1) It's loud and smelly.
2) It takes up space.

Seeing as point 1 could be rectified rather easily and the set could be updated, I'm not very sympathetic to that. We should be challenging Disney to constantly plus attractions, not throw them in the dustbin. Though I do think some are being just a touch dramatic.

As for the second point, here's an aerial of Tomorrowland:

Between CoP and Buzz and the large area to the south of Buzz.

Everyone complains about Autopia's land usage, but doesn't complain about a retention pond and a parking lot.

It's noisy and it smells bad. It ruins the ambiance of walking that rear path from Storybook Circus to Tomorrowland.

If they can't eliminate the noise and the odour, then it's time to say buh-bye.

I can assure you that a 21st Century Disney would eliminate that path if another attraction was put there. They're not into intimate and quiet areas like they used to be.

Without Autopia, the ambiance would be non existent.