Lee
Adventurer
This particular addition wouldn't require significant downtime.
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Tom Sawyer's Island replacement / Expansion
- Thread starter UltimateLaxBro
- Start date
vinnya1726
Active Member
Skipper03
Member
The only place that I could see mermaid AA's in POTC is with the skeletons (gnawing on a bone perhaps?). If mermaids are really on the way, I hope that it's not just another mist projection.
The first scene is exactly where I was thinking, just before or after the mist effect! This could be just a few tails in 1 place & a few top-half mermaids in another place? Maybe a mermaid also sitting on a rock further from the passenger boats?
Oh now I'm all excited about this!!
GenerationX
Well-Known Member
Maybe the TSI area will be rethemed to Up or Brave. TSI is cool, and the fact that it's an island keeps it as a less-crowded break from the rest of the park. I'd be sad to see it replaced, but it may be time for something new there.
As for the permanent docking of the Liberty Belle, we have some immovable "boats" in Illinois, and they are quite popular. Casinos, of course. While turning the Liberty Belle into a casino would be a significant improvement to the attraction in my mind, I can't see that happening in the MK. Disney will leave gambling on property to the kiddie pseudo-slot machines in their resort arcades.
As for the permanent docking of the Liberty Belle, we have some immovable "boats" in Illinois, and they are quite popular. Casinos, of course. While turning the Liberty Belle into a casino would be a significant improvement to the attraction in my mind, I can't see that happening in the MK. Disney will leave gambling on property to the kiddie pseudo-slot machines in their resort arcades.
NX2I85
Active Member
Pirates Lair sorta/kinda works in Disneyland because POTC is directly across the way in New Orleans Square. To try to create a pirate overlay on TSI would clash as much as flying carpets in Adventureland.
I wouldn't be a fan of the hypothetical pirate TSI overlay for MK, but I did recall seeing some conversation about it here years ago.
A couple mermaid AAs for PotC would be OK I guess. The only downside is that they will be constant reminders of what I consider to be a burnished turd of a movie -clearly the weakest in the franchise. :lol:
Parking the Liberty Belle and making it Tiana's permanent greet spot would seem to make sense IF part of multi-layered plan to bring 2+ attractions to the current TSI location.
I would miss TSI just because it is so unique, relaxing, and fun. But if it needs to go for sake of something grand I can live with it.
MiklCraw4d
Member
Same here. I would be exceedingly unhappy if they did this, which I think certain parties have been trying to do for years.
When I heard this rumor the other year I was beside myself, but then Fantasyland happened and I hoped it was drawing the fire and $$ that would have gone to this.
Back when I heard, the steamboat was to be permanently docked, grounded and - possibly - become a restaurant. Possibly. TSI was to become landlocked with large pedestrian bridges leading to it, and with the Rivers of America filled in on the backside. And a ride would be placed there. I guessed a Grizzly River Run/Disney's America Lewis & Clark raft ride at the time.
It was all through a glass darkly; no idea what they're cooking up now.
But if they fill in the river... Hmm. I will not react positively.
NoChesterHester
Well-Known Member
This I agree with, however Future World at Epcot Center needs the love more then 1994 Yesterland.
NoChesterHester
Well-Known Member
Scuttle
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure how I feel either, but the cavern scene is about the only part of the ride that could get some sort of additions without a substantial refurb. I would guess.
The Duck
Well-Known Member
I could see mermaids right before the waterfall. Since the Jack Sparrow refurb, that area is in total darkness and the talking skull is long gone. Maybe they could be luring you towards the waterfall ...AND YOUR DOOM!!!!!! BWAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! :drevil: After all, the shipwrecked skeleton is right there as well and they might tie in well.
I'm not sure how to upload an image here, but I put together a (very) rough plan of how they could keep the riverboat and most of Tom Sawyer Island intact while opening up a sizable parcel of land for expansion: http://tinyurl.com/83m4865
The blue section in the image would be a re-routed river, just north of the fort on the northern island. This would keep all currently accessible parts of Tom Sawyer Island open to guests. Transportation to/from the island would still be via raft. The only major change would be to the length of the riverboat's route -- probably closer to 10 minutes from the current 15+.
The green areas would be new land made available for expansion. This would require filling in the majority of the northern loop of the river, while creating a land bridge from the Haunted Mansion to the new area, which could be pretty easily accomplished by rejiggering the current queue area.
From the west, access to the backstage docking area would need to be maintained, so a northbound footpath would be constructed around the edge of Big Thunder Mountain (also in green). A drawbridge (in red) would cross the backstage access route and link to the new area. The drawbridge would only need to be opened to let the riverboat backstage (similar to the train track).
Is any of this likely? I can't imagine that it is. But I don't think anything here is so farfetched that it wouldn't be feasible. Because I agree that Tom Sawyer Island and the Riverboat are worth holding onto.
The blue section in the image would be a re-routed river, just north of the fort on the northern island. This would keep all currently accessible parts of Tom Sawyer Island open to guests. Transportation to/from the island would still be via raft. The only major change would be to the length of the riverboat's route -- probably closer to 10 minutes from the current 15+.
The green areas would be new land made available for expansion. This would require filling in the majority of the northern loop of the river, while creating a land bridge from the Haunted Mansion to the new area, which could be pretty easily accomplished by rejiggering the current queue area.
From the west, access to the backstage docking area would need to be maintained, so a northbound footpath would be constructed around the edge of Big Thunder Mountain (also in green). A drawbridge (in red) would cross the backstage access route and link to the new area. The drawbridge would only need to be opened to let the riverboat backstage (similar to the train track).
Is any of this likely? I can't imagine that it is. But I don't think anything here is so farfetched that it wouldn't be feasible. Because I agree that Tom Sawyer Island and the Riverboat are worth holding onto.
DisneyWall-E
Well-Known Member
Not a bad idea. It looks like a best of both scenario to me. In other words I can dig it.
Nemofinder
Member
Mermaid waters that be our path. Dude that mermaid sequence was one of the coolest in the franchise. I personally can't wait to see the ride's take on it. I'm glad to see that Fantasyland isn't the only area getting some love. Excited to see what the future holds!!
prberk
Well-Known Member
But I have to admit, the quiet things like this, though I may not always get to do them, make all the difference. And I really like the simple timelessness of a Tom Sawyer area anyway. Where else can we find its simplicity today?
Skipper03
Member
Well thats for sure just your opinion, b/c I thought Pirates 4 was one of the best movies & loved the mermaid addition! Again... That's also just my opinion. Any reason to upgrade the attractions I'm all for!
Gregoryp73
Active Member
I knew about the movie, I should of said "what about the lone ranger movie coming out". While not a proven modern movie franchise...it is a proven product none-the-less.
As far as the Liberty bell...i'll get flamed for this, but i've been to WDW 9 times over the last 30 years and have yet to jump aboard.
I wouldn't mind so much them parking the boat and making use out of it. A meet and greet or a character dining spot does make sense. Heck if they docked it they could almost make the bridge through the center of the ship to TSI. Then most people in the park would have to visit it.
This would also allow them to fill in the ROA when it ducks past the sightline and use land behind HM for dark ride area. if they did this, they could expand any area to the size of what the new fantasy land is....and increase capacity substantially.
coolbeans14
Active Member
I knew about the movie, I should of said "what about the lone ranger movie coming out". While not a proven modern movie franchise...it is a proven product none-the-less.
As far as the Liberty bell...i'll get flamed for this, but i've been to WDW 9 times over the last 30 years and have yet to jump aboard.
I wouldn't mind so much them parking the boat and making use out of it. A meet and greet or a character dining spot does make sense. Heck if they docked it they could almost make the bridge through the center of the ship to TSI. Then most people in the park would have to visit it.
This would also allow them to fill in the ROA when it ducks past the sightline and use land behind HM for dark ride area. if they did this, they could expand any area to the size of what the new fantasy land is....and increase capacity substantially.
not a bad idea, but i think that for a while, other parks need more attention:
- epcot-is looking very unfuturistic
- DHS-needs a new lease of life
don't even get me started on the parks abroad. have you seen the studios park in paris?! its an embarrasment.
i think that the upkeep should be priority at MK right now, before further expansion.
IWant2GoNow
Well-Known Member
The area just after the mist projection was my thoughts also. If it isn't going to take much down time to install this update, I would assume these aren't AA's. Could it be some sort of simple projection in the water to create the illusion that mermaids are swimming in the water near your boat?
EDIT: I know this is off topic but I hadn't read about it anywhere else on the boards. My apologies.
BrittanyRose428
Well-Known Member
I like Tom Sawyer Island... and the riverboat... please stay D: