Two Spirited Quickees...Imagination closing

[Pixiedustmaker]

Take these for what they are worth.

Imagination CMs have been told that their pavilion will be 'temporarily' be closing this winter. I have no idea why or for how long, but since they don't do refurbs we can rule that out.

Also, some folks in marketing have already been talking about what they'll do for Christmas 2014 sans the Ozzy and Sharon Lightacular.

Obvious that you don't like the lights. That's ok, they're not for everybody.

Just a few more details. Imagination is apparently finally getting some attraction attention, so it isn't closing like WoL. There will be changes coming. When I have solid info on the scope of them, I'll pass them along. I believe this is substantial, but not as much as most of us would like.

On the holiday lights, they may well stay alive, but marketing has been told they won't be able to be shown at TPFKaTD-MGMS, which will soon be known as TPFKaTD-MGMSandTPFKaDHS due to ''ongoing construction'' in the area where they have been held. If TDO finds another place for them, then you'll see them (although almost certainly not for one year). It's more likely that they'll see what happens when they don't have them and see if they can send them to Yesterland permanently.

Why would DHS send a popular, and kinda famous, holiday offering to Neverland? Osbourne has been going on for a while, and Disney has it down to a fine art, it's a tradition for a lot of families and makes them $.

Yet more news on two fronts: (these are not confirmed, but sources are very trustworthy)

Imagination will be down for all of next year and Captain Eo will head to the cosmos for good;

Some of diehard WDW fans really want Imagination to be redone, why am I not surprised that this is a rumor?

 

[RSoxNo1]

You couldn't do that without total gridlock ... You need an area that tends to be empty.

Like the area behind Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. Build some sets to be used 2 1/2 months out of the year.

 

[Pixiedustmaker]

I do not get MILF at all. It would fail very quickly in Anaheim. Indoor shows rarely succeed at DLR. The shows in Frontierland are the exception not the rule.

I also prefer Tron, but I understand them wanting to get more of Star Wars into the parks. All of these IP acquisitions caught DLR in a weird spot.

Hate to call the Miceage rumors as kinda shaky, but Disney was going to put MILF into other parks after debuting at WDW . . . it kinda didn't resonate with guests like they thought, and isn't it kinda based on Monsters Inc., the first film? Wouldn't they do something new? Why Monstropolis in DCA and MILF in the Magic Kingdom?

The let's use the People Mover "route" for a Star Wars . . . bike coaster, sounds like total b.s. Bikes are a big part of Star Wars, at least when you consider that there are a ton of spaceships and bikes were used in Return of the Jedi, on Endor, and maybe Anakin used one when he decided to kill all the sand people in Episode II. Doesn't make sense to have a ride vehicle like that on an elevated track in TL . . . why? Sounds like a fan generated rumor, "we want the motor bike coaster, Tron isn't so hot, let's make it Star Wars."

 

[Californian Elitist]

I do not get MILF at all. It would fail very quickly in Anaheim. Indoor shows rarely succeed at DLR. The shows in Frontierland are the exception not the rule.

I also prefer Tron, but I understand them wanting to get more of Star Wars into the parks. All of these IP acquisitions caught DLR in a weird spot. They aren't quite ready for a 3rd theme park, but they could easily build some sort of heroes vs villains type park with Star Wars, Marvel, and throw in some of the Pixar franchises like the Incredible's. As it stands now they are trying and shoe horn franchises in where they don't quite fit to try and leverage them while they are relevant.

I'm actually praying for a Light Magic-type turnout for MILF, if it ends up coming. If the fans whine and complain enough, they just might get rid of it. I won't get my hopes up, though. I just can't see MILF settling well with the hardcore fans.

The heroes vs villains idea for the third park seems to be popular amongst the DL community. I can't see something like that happening anytime soon. Maybe a decade or more. It's definitely clear what Disney's plans are with these IPs they've gained. They're not doing it right, though.

 

[doctornick]

Like the area behind Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. Build some sets to be used 2 1/2 months out of the year.

Sounds like a winner to me.

But I also think the easiest thing would be to just retheme the SoA to Monstropolis. You don't even need to change the setup -- just modify the cardboard scenery to reflect the Monster world. Then they can use the Premiere Theater to put in MILF and put a dark ride in the HISTK space and you have a relatively cheap and good use of the space that can still host the Osborne Lights.

 

[Rob562]

My question is about what will happen to the parade storage buildings (located behind Backlot Express, I believe) and the parade route. I think that if they get the current Pixar parade from DCA that they'd probably set it up to go through the new Pixar Place before heading down Hollywood Blvd. Which could involve building some new parade storage backstage as part of the Cars/Pixar expansion in that section of the park.

It would take a LOT of reconstruction and reconfiguring of the park to get a parade that could run from the back of the park up to the front. All possible current routes (from Muppets to Star Tours, from SoA down Commissary Lane or through Pixar Place) are too narrow, winding or hilly.

At best, they'd have to knock down the entire forced-perspective end of Streets and the bathrooms across from Star Tours in order to get a wide enough route for a parade. But removing that forced-perspective end would really be a blow to the existence of SoA. I *suppose* they could relocate all of that to the opposite end, essentially reversing the street, though if they're putting Radiator Springs down there, that'd kinda be pointless.

-Rob

 

[lazyboy97o]

Its kind of interesting that at the same time that Disney is getting some fired up for releasing a film deemed too violent that people would go nuts if they built a "wretched hive of scum and villainy" in the swamps of Florida.

 

[doctornick]

Jim also said that it was one of a few plans, another being that Mos Eisley would go into Mama Melrose's.

I wonder... if building Mos Eisley cantina on Echo Lake is off the table (seemed like a silly idea to me) and if the Muppets stay, then the only logical space for Mos Eisley cantina would be the Backlot Express, no? Is that a possibility because the stronger rumor is for Mama Melrose.

 

[Pixiedustmaker]

Are you seriously doubting Al Lutz and WDW1974? You must be brand new to the world of Disney news

Al Lutz has reported stuff on Miceage, albeit with caveats, that hasn't been close to the mark. Sadly, Al doesn't write the columns anymore, though Miceage still uses his writing style. I've been following Disney news/rumors when it was hidden away on the UseNet . . .

" it's time for another Al Lutz inspired look" —from Miceage. Al, sadly, doesn't write the columns anymore, poor guy.

In my opinion, none of the non-Lutz columns haven't had much, if any, valuable information.

 

[Pixiedustmaker]

I wonder... if building Mos Eisley cantina on Echo Lake is off the table (seemed like a silly idea to me) and if the Muppets stay, then the only logical space for Mos Eisley cantina would be the Backlot Express, no? Is that a possibility because the stronger rumor is for Mama Melrose.

I doubt Disney would take out Muppets as there is a second film on the way, and they do sell merchandise online.

 

[Pixiedustmaker]

Here's what Miceage says:

Even though the Parks & Resorts division of the company has always been a consistent cash generator and far exceeds the profits from the Consumer Products or Broadcast TV divisions, let alone the bottomless money pit that is the trendy Disney Interactive division, the theme parks are very rarely visited by top executives.

Consumer Products Net Income: 937 million, 2012
Parks and Resorts Net Incomes: 1.902 billion, but that also includes the ever profitable cruise lines, and, of course, resorts/parks outside of the US. Looking at just theme parks in the US, I heard that DLR makes about $200 million a year for the company, and WDW about $400 million.

Oh, and Disney makes about $6.6 billion off of media networks. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walt_Disney_Company)

So, Miceage is kinda fudging, (or at least being misleading) Disney consumer products makes more $ than DLR and WDW combined, and of course, they appear to be quite wrong concerning the media networks . . . or maybe just fudging when they say "broacast TV divisions" . . . ?? Just ABC? Disney has ESPN and others . . .

I know that the Miceage regulars feel that the westcoast fan community should have a voice, and be "important" with regards to changes in the parks, but exaggerating and saying that Parks and Resorts is where Disney makes their money? Really?

 

[Captain Neo]

Pixeldust, you do know that Al Lutz is the one providing the information for the column even if he isn't actually writing the paragraphs right? They aren't making things up out of thin air and WDW1974 himself is saying the report is true on top of that.

 

[cheezbat]

You like Indy that much?

That I do.

When Disney/MGM Studios was opening in 1989 the only reason I cared to go to that park was to see Indiana Jones. I remember my parents let me buy a hat as a souvenir and I ran around humming the Indy theme.

I've been an extra in that show a few times...once with one of my best buds and it was the most memorable trip to DHS I've ever had.
Will I be sad the show is going? Yeah...but more sad that Indy will be next to nonexistent in WDW(save for the Great Movie Ride.).

I love the music.
I love the movies(the 4th not as much).
I love the stunt show.
And the Indy ride is my all time favorite Disney ride anywhere.

Why can't we get a clone of that in Adventureland? Or even an Indy flume ride in the Studios?

 

[Pixiedustmaker]

Pixeldust, you do know that Al Lutz is the one providing the information for the column even if he isn't actually writing the paragraphs right? They aren't making things up out of thin air and WDW1974 himself is saying the report is true on top of that.

MILF was a dud. It kinda didn't go over well with guests, they were going to put more of them in parks, but decided against it. Sometimes this happens. So, I seriously doubt that MILF is going to DL . . . on top of a Monstropolis in DCA.

Miceage gets stuff wrong, (more recently IMHO), such as an Iron Man E-Ticket with Autopia going away because it is dated, never mind that it has fast-pass at long waits and is a rite of passage, and the whole the Nemo Subs are going away and two weeks later Nemo 2 is announced. I kinda take these Tomorrowland rumors with a grain of salt, as, yes prior rumors have been false or "Disney sure changes their mind quick."

A Star Wars bike coaster? Nobody has explained to me why, Star Wars, would use a bike coaster? Bikes aren't prominently featured in the films, and I haven't seen one in a futuristic city . . . maybe that bounty hunter Aurra Sing used one, but I had to really think about it . . . and then there is the issue of clearance and the tortuous People Mover path . . .

 

[Captain Chaos]

I think the picture says enough why Star Wars would use a bike coaster ride... I can imagine this on a track, surrounded by screens and Endor show scenes... With the screens providing the feeling of speeding through the forest as you travel slow along the track... ducking in and out of the forest... evading the Endor Scout Troopers, encountering Ewoks along the way (I could picture Ewok AA's in the show scene sets that are not screens...

 

[Captain Neo]

MILF was a dud. It kinda didn't go over well with guests, they were going to put more of them in parks, but decided against it. Sometimes this happens. So, I seriously doubt that MILF is going to DL . . . on top of a Monstropolis in DCA.

Miceage gets stuff wrong, (more recently IMHO), such as an Iron Man E-Ticket with Autopia going away because it is dated, never mind that it has fast-pass at long waits and is a rite of passage, and the whole the Nemo Subs are going away and two weeks later Nemo 2 is announced. I kinda take these Tomorrowland rumors with a grain of salt, as, yes prior rumors have been false or "Disney sure changes their mind quick."

A Star Wars bike coaster? Nobody has explained to me why, Star Wars, would use a bike coaster? Bikes aren't prominently featured in the films, and I haven't seen one in a futuristic city . . . maybe that bounty hunter Aurra Sing used one, but I had to really think about it . . . and then there is the issue of clearance and the tortuous People Mover path . . .

The Iron Man E-ticket replacing Autopia and Innoventions is real and is sitting in a damn holding pattern until plans are finalized. Replacing the Subs as well was just a poor assumption because it was thought the new ride would use the area atop the subs but it's actually just using the queue and track area not above the sub + innoventions.

The MILF replacing EO is a real head scratcher to me too but Martin and Spirit said it's true so I guess it's happening.

 

[Pixiedustmaker]

Why can't we get a clone of that in Adventureland? Or even an Indy flume ride in the Studios?

Disney got the rights to Indiana Jones as a smaller part of the big Star Wars deal. The fact that Disney hasn't decided what to do with this IP means that the future possibilities are limitless.

Of course Disney has the John Carter franchise . . . ooops, that bombed, but at least the Lone Ranger . . . ooops, well maybe they'll make another Narnia . . . oops.

This week alone, I would say the odds of more Indy, in the theaters and parks, went up. Dramatically. Indy is a proven franchise. Sure, Harrison Ford will eventually retire from acting, but franchises do get rebooted. Lara Croft will get a re-boot, I believe Captain America's girlfriend from the first film is in the running. Why not Indy? Or maybe a "spin-off"?

The stunt show keeps Indy in the mind of the public, at least a little bit, though not as much the ride in DL.

 

[Pixiedustmaker]

I think the picture says enough why Star Wars would use a bike coaster ride... I can imagine this on a track, surrounded by screens and Endor show scenes... With the screens providing the feeling of speeding through the forest as you travel slow along the track... ducking in and out of the forest... evading the Endor Scout Troopers, encountering Ewoks along the way (I could picture Ewok AA's in the show scene sets that are not screens...

You won't be going all that fast in the People Mover "route" inside the buildings. I think most people think of spaceships and Star Wars, not bikes like that, but I consider they were in one film, though younger audiences are more in tune with the last trilogy . . . though the ride sure as heck wouldn't be "coaster", and very doubtful that it will be based on the one designed for Tron.

I have to say that the endor bikes would look ugly as heck if they put those on tracks around TL . . . fugly in a Mad Max sort of way. Surely they'd want to build something that looks a bit more photogenic/futuristic?

Tron light cycles would look *gorgeous*, put some LED strips, flourescent paint . . . or whatever they decide to use, and it would look awesome at night. Return of the Jedi Imperial bikes couldn't even be seen at night and would look hideous during the day, and kinda like TL was under Imperial rule or something.

 

[Pixiedustmaker]

The Iron Man E-ticket replacing Autopia and Innoventions is real and is sitting in a damn holding pattern until plans are finalized. Replacing the Subs as well was just a poor assumption because it was thought the new ride would use the area atop the subs but it's actually just using the queue and track area not above the sub + innoventions.

The MILF replacing EO is a real head scratcher to me too but Martin and Spirit said it's true so I guess it's happening.

Autopia is a Fast Pass attraction (that actually means something in Disneyland, a must-ride for many), has a high hourly capacity, and is a rite of passage for young kids and their families. They'll probably upgrade it to an all-electric version, like in HKDL . . . Autopia was quickly put into HKDL as this sort of attraction remains popular.

Last time I checked, Autopia had a 45-minute wait time . . .

I got the distinct impression that there would be a D23 major DHS announcement (plans not finalized), based on insider sources, it hasn't happened. Also told last year that DHS Carsland was oh, so close to being green lit, but it didn't happen. Sometimes sources mess stuff up, maybe somebody is having some fun with insiders here, who knows? But not all rumors are true.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Autopia is a Fast Pass attraction, has a high hourly capacity, and is a rite of passage for young kids and their families. They'll probably upgrade it to an all-electric version, like in HKDL.

What does Fastpass have to do with anything? Also, just because it's great for families with kids doesn't mean Disney won't get rid of it.

Maybe not soon, but I can see Disney axing Autopia sometime in the future. It's expensive to maintain, Chevron never renewed their contract and it takes up a lot of space. Autopia is bigger than all of Fantasyland.