What would you do for WDW's Tomorrowland?

[JackCH]

What would you do if you were in charge of overhauling Tomorrowland?

1. Theming- Would you keep the retro look, or update the entire aesthetic?
2. Attractions- What would you do as far as attraction updates/replacements/additions?


For theming, I would keep the front part of Tomorrowland with the relatively classic Retro look, but with fresh pain, and some updates that maintain the "classic"look while also having it feel fresh again.

But, for the back half, the part with Space and Tron, I would update that and create a smooth transition into a more "modern" Tomorrowland. Perhaps loosely inspired by the update at Tokyo.

Attractions-wise....

1. Space Mountain- Gets a retrack (not a rebuilt like Tokyo, it'll be the same core attraction), new effects and animatronics, and a complete overhaul of the exterior. It will keep the classic Space Mountain shape, but be made to have a new, sleek look to compliment Tron well. (not exactly like what Tokyo is doing on the exterior, but similar).
2. A new Elio Attraction (if the movie "takes off") will replace the Speedway, with an entrance off of the new "Plaza," having that little plaza be a mini-hub for Elio, Tron, and Space. The Elio attraction might use the Infinity Defense Ride system. Speedway seems redundant now with Cars going in Frontierland. Elio will go in a another futuristic show-building that will be designed to compliment Tron and Space.
3. Overhaul of Buzz using Tokyo's leftovers lol.
4. Monsters Inc replaced by an interactive Wreck-it-Ralph attraction. Something similar to Webslingers but with a new premise.
5. A "Baymax" encounter goes into stitch, which would save Disney having to tear down the building and do al of the asbestos work.
6. People-Mover would get some minor updates and a refresh.

What do you think and what would you do?

 

[Disney Dad 3000]

If they ever got rid of the Speedway, I'd actually like to see them redo it as a multi-level indoor version, all electric, etc. and work to really open up the sightlines for Tron as best they could with its placement.

Maybe something like this, with DL AIW small footprint dark ride wedged by teacups and dumbo. Main Speedway building with an overpass at the entrance to this new plaza for more scenes and then it hits back over for finale. Throw in another small footprint dark ride. Fill in a few shops and a QS framing the speedway building. All the other open space available for pathing, theming elements, etc.

 

[Parker41056]

Interesting question. From my armchair imaginer perspective, here's what I would do to reimagine the land with no budget constraints.

1) Reimagine Space Mountain. New facade and upgrade ride tech. Maybe new craft that can take us further into the cosmos with more projection mapping and an outdoor effect or two.
2) Convert Tomorrowland Speedway into a Tron Jr. style attraction. Replace gas vehicles with electric cars, motorcycles, trucks, etc. Maybe a cross promo with Tesla. At the back of attraction, either tear down Barnstormer or place a building there to include a significant indoor area/section with Tron style light effects and maybe a small thrill element.
3) Use Stitch space space for a new Baymax attraction.
4) Replace Astro Orbiter with a new attraction. Somethin that blast guest int the sky or one that returns them back to earth. Maybe a combo of both. Maybe themed to Rocketman or Wall E.
5) Re Theme Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe - Use effects and windows like Space 220 from EPCOT and also project map the ceiling. Wall E themed as well.
6) Remove Monster's Laugh Floor and Buzz and create a new Dark Ride Experience. Maybe something from the Marvel Universe that can be used.
7) Lastly, move the Carousel of Progress to Epcot with upgrades. Use space for a new special effects theater with rotating sets, moving chair and other special effects. The Bourne Stunt show but with more user seat dynamics. Could even think larger for this space and use exec parking lot but this area already has two E-tickets.

So this overhaul nets you a new Space Mountain, Tron Jr. Speedway, Baymax attractions, new Marvel shooter dark ride, Wall E drop town tower/flying spinner, updated restaurant and a brand new special effects theater.

 

[MickeyMouse10]

For my version of Tomorrowland I separated it into two sections. I wrote most of them in the Redo thread, but just for this thread I'll add in some extra ones. I put an * next to the new additions in the listing below.


Tron section

Tron Lightcycles
Tron Light Runners (ev race track)
End of line Club (quick service)
The Grid (store)*
Progress Bar (walkup)*



Alien section

The Flying Saucers (aerial carousel)
Stitch 626 (dark ride)
Sonny Eclipse’s Fantastic intergalactic Revue (animatronic stageshow)
Space Mountain (cute alien retheme)*
Carousel of Progress (the last scene has an alien family)*
Space Crane (toy story alien walkup)*
Trimaxion Treats (flight of the navigator walkup)*

 

[Miru]

I’d try to keep the retro look, but refresh it with some degree of “iPodisms”, and try to maintain the retro aesthetic when it comes to the IP representation (albeit better than Pixar Pier). Tomorrowland Speedway will have to go, in favor of a new experimental attraction called “Phantom Walkers” that uses walking vehicle technology to take riders across a microscopic, surreal forest landscape, as a follow up to “Adventure Thru Inner Space” (which I also include the original narration from). The Tower of the Four Winds is also back, with a special tribute to Rolly Crump on a plaque nearby. A “Jet Tag Arena” is a premium attraction (accessible from outside the park as well), serving as a laser tag game with Jet packs in an enclosed arena. SGE has been converted into a Stitch dark ride, as well.

 

[MickeyMouse10]

If they ever got rid of the Speedway, I'd actually like to see them redo it as a multi-level indoor version, all electric, etc. and work to really open up the sightlines for Tron as best they could with its placement.

Maybe something like this, with DL AIW small footprint dark ride wedged by teacups and dumbo. Main Speedway building with an overpass at the entrance to this new plaza for more scenes and then it hits back over for finale. Throw in another small footprint dark ride. Fill in a few shops and a QS framing the speedway building. All the other open space available for pathing, theming elements, etc.

View attachment 837533

I had a similar idea for Alice. But I put it in Winnie the Pooh's spot in Fantasyland. The replacement feels more natural to me for Fantasyland than Winnie. The land feels way too Princess and Person themed to have a stuffed bear. That may just be me though.

However I do like both our placements for the attraction, they both create a small Wonderland themed area with 2 attractions and a walkup.

 

[The Great Gonzo]

What happened to the Wreck it Ralph attraction. They never did it!

 

[MickeyMouse10]

What happened to the Wreck it Ralph attraction. They never did it!

Yeah, you figure they would have put something. Even leaving the bad Stitch attraction would have been better than nothing.

I just thought of something. Picture how these kids of today would have reacted to Alien Encounter. lol

 

[mf1972]

i would gut the speedway & install a stitch dark ride, & maybe add a stitch themed quick service restaurant. give COP some much needed tlc. and upgrade buzz lightyear with removable blasters & maybe add a screen or 2 like midway mania to shoot at targets.

 

[WaltWiz1901]

Ship has more or less sailed on these, but it’s still fun to fantasize

• The Tomorrowland Speedway is replaced with Mr. Toad’s Motor Mania, annexing its footprint into Fantasyland
• Half of the pond north of the SpeedwayMotor Mania is filled in and an attraction is put on that new ground - after the ground northwest of the west side of the park is developed for expansion over there. Instead of a clone of TRON Lightcycle Power Run, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind could've been built here
• The Tomorrowland 1994 stylings are not only kept intact, but also applied to anywhere the 1971 stylings still linger, like in this buildout
• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is replaced with the Mad Hatter’s Tea Hall, but Sonny Eclipse lives on in a new restaurant located either on either side of the Carousel of Progress or in...
• ...The Customs House, a dining/retail complex located on whatever of the Speedway hasn’t been taken up by Motor Mania
• Between CoP and Buzz could be the entrance to an E-ticket on Planet Zirconium
• Stitch’s Great Escape! is replaced by an alien comedy club, with a different comedian in each auditorium

Could reasonably be done today

• The Speedway is electrified and given some (partially enclosed) theming; either a double-sided Wreck-It Ralph overlay, with Hero’s Duty bordering Tomorrowland and Sugar Rush on the side bordering Fantasyland, or TRON to more directly go with the coaster
• The SGE space is used for an Elio attraction

Would happen either way

• Space Mountain is retracked and given an onboard synchronized soundtrack; pretty much the same enhancements Disneyland’s version got between 2003-2005
• The Timekeeper returns where the Laugh Floor currently is
• Buzz Lightyear is given a refresh to make the blasters more mobile and to make it clearer that you’re on an adventure with the real Buzz rather than toy Buzz

 

[MickeyMouse10]

Ship has more or less sailed on these, but it’s still fun to fantasize

• The Tomorrowland Speedway is replaced with Mr. Toad’s Motor Mania, annexing its footprint into Fantasyland
• Half of the pond north of the SpeedwayMotor Mania is filled in and an attraction is put on that new ground - after the ground northwest of the west side of the park is developed for expansion over there. Instead of a clone of TRON Lightcycle Power Run, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind could've been built here
• The Tomorrowland 1994 stylings are not only kept intact, but also applied to anywhere the 1971 stylings still linger, like in this buildout
• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is replaced with the Mad Hatter’s Tea Hall, but Sonny Eclipse lives on in a new restaurant located either on either side of the Carousel of Progress or in...
• ...The Customs House, a dining/retail complex located on whatever of the Speedway hasn’t been taken up by Motor Mania
• Between CoP and Buzz could be the entrance to an E-ticket on Planet Zirconium
• Stitch’s Great Escape! is replaced by an alien comedy club, with a different comedian in each auditorium

Could reasonably be done today

• The Speedway is electrified and given some (partially enclosed) theming; either a double-sided Wreck-It Ralph overlay, with Hero’s Duty bordering Tomorrowland and Sugar Rush on the side bordering Fantasyland, or TRON to more directly go with the coaster
• The SGE space is used for an Elio attraction

Would happen either way

• Space Mountain is retracked and given an onboard synchronized soundtrack; pretty much the same enhancements Disneyland’s version got between 2003-2005
• The Timekeeper returns where the Laugh Floor currently is
• Buzz Lightyear is given a refresh to make the blasters more mobile and to make it clearer that you’re on an adventure with the real Buzz rather than toy Buzz

That's actually an interesting idea, to expand Fantasyland. At first you're like I don't know. But after a while of thinking about it and letting it marinade, you get really comfortable with it. The two lands may transition better as well, than it currently does. Because it seems a bit abrupt with Cosmic, Speedway and the Alice stuff.

And if you need more space for Tomorrowland (in the future) you can always puts things in back of Main Street U.S.A. As long as it doesn't ruin any sightlines.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ]

Retheme the land around Time Travel, option 1.

The Space travel concept (specifically Astro Orbiter and Space Mountain) would be altered unless specifically tied to the Space Race retrofutrism era though still heavily locked in that time through better theming. Time needs to be the anchor and motif of the land to work. Seeing the Timekeeper return would be nice. A Time Variance Authority show in the Stitch space would also work here. Carousel of Progress needs only minor tweaks.

Or option 2, scrap Tomorrowland's name entirely and make this new land strictly arcade-based with each attraction being a representation of an arcade console come to life. Wreck it Ralph in Stitch bldg. Sugar Rush Racers or TRON Speedway. Even Buzz could be retooled as arcade game existing in a Pizza Planet.

I know which one I'd prefer.

Personal preference: I don't want arcade creep taking over Tomorrowland.

 

[MickeyMouse10]

Retheme the land around Time Travel, option 1.

The Space travel concept (specifically Astro Orbiter and Space Mountain) would be altered unless specifically tied to the Space Race retrofutrism era though still heavily locked in that time through better theming. Time needs to be the anchor and motif of the land to work. Seeing the Timekeeper return would be nice. A Time Variance Authority show in the Stitch space would also work here. Carousel of Progress needs only minor tweaks.

Or option 2, scrap Tomorrowland's name entirely and make this new land strictly arcade-based with each attraction being a representation of an arcade console come to life. Wreck it Ralph in Stitch bldg. Sugar Rush Racers or TRON Speedway. Even Buzz could be retooled as arcade game existing in a Pizza Planet.

I know which one I'd prefer.

Personal preference: I don't want arcade creep taking over Tomorrowland.

D

Thread 'Disneyland Hawaii Resort (Open Brainstorming)'

Oct 29, 2021

So the resort will have 3 parks (Disneyland Hawaii, Hawaii DisneySEA and Walt Disney Studios Hawaii), Disney Aloha District for shopping, eating, and entertainment. 4 Disney Hotels. Disneyland Hawaii opened in 2027, Hawaii DisneySEA opened in 2032, Walt Disney Studios Hawaii opened in 2037.

You may now post to help with concepts, and lands, attractions, and entertainment.

• DisneyFan32
• Replies: 161
• Forum: Imagineer

• 
• 

Great Great idea!

Option 1 sounds a lot like my version of Tomorrowland, I did for Disneyland Hawaii a few years back. It's on page 3.

Great minds think alike I guess.

 

[Miru]

Retheme the land around Time Travel, option 1.

The Space travel concept (specifically Astro Orbiter and Space Mountain) would be altered unless specifically tied to the Space Race retrofutrism era though still heavily locked in that time through better theming. Time needs to be the anchor and motif of the land to work. Seeing the Timekeeper return would be nice. A Time Variance Authority show in the Stitch space would also work here. Carousel of Progress needs only minor tweaks.

Or option 2, scrap Tomorrowland's name entirely and make this new land strictly arcade-based with each attraction being a representation of an arcade console come to life. Wreck it Ralph in Stitch bldg. Sugar Rush Racers or TRON Speedway. Even Buzz could be retooled as arcade game existing in a Pizza Planet.

I know which one I'd prefer.

Personal preference: I don't want arcade creep taking over Tomorrowland.

If there is gonna be arcade creep… just put in an actual (st)arcade, like Flynn’s, Litwak’s, etc.

 

[The Leader of the Club]

My vision for Tomorrowland involves giving the Speedway plot to Fantasyland for an Alice Mini-Land.
A version of the DL dark ride and the Wonderland maze from DLP to be precise. Maybe even a second Mad T Party similar to Dumbo's twin. Build outdoor seating for Cheshire Cafe in the current M&G space, and expand the menu to include more savory options than simply desserts. I've also kicked around the idea of retheming Cosmic Ray's to the Queen of Heart's Banquet Hall from Tokyo, but I'm not quite sold on it yet.

As for Tomorrowland... lean heavily into Sci-Fi and space travel.

• Keep Tron, Peoplemover, and Astro Orbiter pretty much as they are.
• Retrack Space Mountain.
• Turn the former Alien: Encounter space into a table service restaurant. I was thinking something similar to Space-220 but with more sci-fi elements. Spaceships flying by outside, alien menu items, etc. I'd move Sonny Eclipse here if Cosmic Ray's becomes part of Wonderland.
• Buzz gets a massive retheme into Stitch's Laser Blast, where we join Stitch on a mission to rescue his cousins from the clutches of Dr. Hamsterviel. I'd also expand the track into the current Monsters theater, adding a few more rooms.
• The rest of the Monsters space can be converted to M&Gs for Stitch & Angel, as well as some of the Fab 5 in Tomorrowland fits.
• Remove that awful stage that isn't used for anything and add a futuristic water feature that can double as a small fountain show.
• The COP theater is demolished and that plot becomes the entrance for a new Wall-E Dark Ride. We blast off with Wall-E and EVE for an intergalactic adventure that the whole family can enjoy. I'm thinking a suspended dark ride, similar to E.T. Adventure that should have better capacity than PPF.
• Tomorrowland Terrace gets a menu overhaul and is available for breakfast & lunch. Dessert parties remain.

This feels like a much more cohesive mix of IP than we currently have. Obviously, if Guardians went here instead of TRON it would be even stronger, but I have to play the hand I've been dealt.

And before we all come with pitchforks, I'd make sure that Carousel of Progress finds a new home. Obviously Disneyland and EPCOT are strong contenders, but I really like the idea of moving it to the old Main Street Theater plot. After all, COP starts around the same era as Main Street is set and both are arguably the resort's strongest ties to Walt.

 

[MickeyMouse10]

Yeah, I don't know why they put Guardians in Epcot. It seems like a way better fit for MK, instead of Tron.

Shows you that Disney really doesn't know what they are doing lately.

 

[Rambozo]

Monsters needs to go, hopefully it is going over to Hollywood. ...... But then again that would leave 2 vacant spots that need to be filled.

 

[Brer Panther]

I agree with @WaltWiz1901's ideas on what to do with Buzz and the Laugh Floor (I'd also move the Laugh Floor over to Hollywood Studios).

Get rid of the Speedway. Use the Fantasyland side for an Alice in Wonderland dark ride, use the Tomorrowland side for a dark ride called Mars Rover Racers.

The Stitch's Great Escape space is used for an Elio attraction.

 

[MickeyMouse10]

I agree with @WaltWiz1901's ideas on what to do with Buzz and the Laugh Floor (I'd also move the Laugh Floor over to Hollywood Studios).

Get rid of the Speedway. Use the Fantasyland side for an Alice in Wonderland dark ride, use the Tomorrowland side for a dark ride called Mars Rover Racers.

The Stitch's Great Escape space is used for an Elio attraction.

Alice should definitely get a dark ride in Fantasyland. But I'd steer clear of Elio, that's going to bomb pretty bad.

 

[Miru]

Alice should definitely get a dark ride in Fantasyland. But I'd steer clear of Elio, that's going to bomb pretty bad.

Even if it doesn’t bomb, I feel like a Stitch dark ride would work better because it’s overall more iconic/marketable.

Plus Disney doesn’t tend to make rides of movies that, while they didn’t bomb, weren’t well received by critics, either, like Chicken Little. I feel like doing well but the critics hating it is actually more likely.