I voted 'Maybe.' Western River is up there in that Valhalla of unbuilt rides along with "Dragon's Tower" and anything from Discovery Bay. I keep that in mind because those rides carry a wistful quality as the ones that got away, which might circumvent objective scrutiny. I didn't think that a Pirates style boat ride would thrive amongst today's audiences, until Shanghai's version opened to high praise. So, perhaps there would be room for a western version of that ride. I can easily imagine the wide projection screens depicting a romantic sunset overlooking a windswept desert that stretches as far as the eye can see.
The idea appeals to me as I've always been a fan of the West, arguably the most American thing there is with all it's favors and faults. Currently society seems to be more preoccupied with the latter of those two. That would present some challenges; any depictions of Native Americans for instance, must be conducted with respect. However, that isn't to say that a romanticized vision shouldn't be used in other places. Most of us have been craving such fantasy, as exemplified by the fervor surrounding Tokyo's Beauty and the Beast attraction. Presenting our world with a dose of fantasy is what Disneyland used to do best. Western River might offer an opportunity to return to those roots and, to borrow the phrase, give us the West as it never was and always will be.
Finally, a word about Splash Mountain. I love the ride and really have no desire to see it go away. My vote holds on the fact that if something as ambitious as Western River were proposed I could see it as an even trade. I feel it's also worth reminding those who would be concerned about sensitivity issues in a western ride, how precariously close Splash Mountain is to such topics. At one point I suspected that in the internet age where trivia has turned to general knowledge, the source material for Splash would create controversy. Thankfully they remain separate and I imagine a thoughtful western ride could do likewise. There isn't much Frontierland left, especially now, and while that seems poetic there is a part of me that doesn't want to see the sunset just yet.
DL isn't about historical accuracy. It's about romanticizing history. Big Thunder is not an accurate representation of a gold mining experience.
