In dreaming up a to-do list for Disney World, we are limited only by our collective imagination... and the Walt Disney Company's budget. Given the increasingly troubled prospects for ESPN, Disney's former cash cow, that second limitation likely will keep the parks from adding much beyond what's been announced already anytime soon.
But it costs nothing to dream. (Well, at least not on Theme Park Insider. YMMV at WDW.) Still, in offering my wish list for the resort, I will consider Disney's ESPN money woes and limit my items to things that already exist at another Disney theme park somewhere in the world. Now, I'm not just listing my top 10 favorite non-WDW Disney attractions. Instead, I've tried to give some thought to providing a list of things — from big rides to small details — from other Disney parks that would enhance the experience of visiting the Walt Disney World Resort.
10. Main Street Cinema
Let's start with something that need to come back to Disney World. Disneyland continues to show classic black-and-white Mickey Mouse shorts on its Main Street USA, but Disney World replaced its Magic Kingdom Cinema with a shop in 1998. Yet, as Walt was so fond of saying, "it all started with a mouse," so it would seem appropriate the company should again devote a tiny space on Main Street to show visitors the films that launched the Disney empire.
One of Disney's under-appreciated gems closed with the rest of the Animation pavilion in Disney's Hollywood Studios last year and the DisneyQuest version is on the chopping block along with the rest of that facility. Animation Academy lets visitors follow along with a Disney animator, learning how to draw a Disney character on their own. And they get to keep their drawing as a free souvenir to take home. It's a lovely, interactive attraction that continues to win fans in California, Paris, and Hong Kong. Orlando always should have an Animation Academy, too.
8. A "Little Red Wagon" Main Street Corn Dog Cart
"Corn Dog Nuggets" at Casey's just aren't the same as ordering a hand-dipped, full-sized corn dog outside on Main Street, like you can do at Disneyland. Consider this the original food truck. Surely it wouldn't cost WDW too much to bring one to the Magic Kingdom. I'll betcha that fans would love it as much as they do in Anaheim.
7. Railroad Dioramas
Yeah, I know that Disney has dinosaurs in the Energy pavilion at Epcot. But I have yet to meet a Disney World fan visiting Disneyland for the first time who didn't wish that the Magic Kingdom's railroad included something like the Grand Canyon and Primeval World dioramas. Disney copied the animatronic displays for Tokyo Disneyland and likely could do up something even more impressive for Walt Disney World. If Disney can slap Frozen into every freakin' space on property, it can put an extra set of dinos into the Magic Kingdom, too.
When I worked at Pirates in the Magic Kingdom, I lost count of the number of times that guests asked me how to get to the Blue Bayou. Why not just give people what they so obviously want and build them another high-priced table-service restaurant at which to spend their money (or double Disney dining credits)? Yes, the recent addition of the Skipper Canteen might have reduced the demand for another TS restaurant in Adventureland, but I'll bet that guests would still fill the Bayou, if they could.
Disclaimer: My visit to Tokyo Disney made me a curry popcorn junkie, and I'm hurting for a fix. So keep that in mind as I make my umpteenth pitch for Disney to bring Tokyo's flavored popcorn varieties to America. Of course, this happening probably would lead to Fastpass+ queues for popcorn stands throughout the WDW parks, so I guess I should be careful what I wish for.
Tokyo Disneyland has shown what the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay would look like on the Orlando version of the Haunted Mansion, so that's no obstacle to making this happen. And surely the Christmas version of the Country Bear Show remains stored somewhere in the back rooms of the Magic Kingdom utilidors. If WDW managers are concerned that holiday visitors would be upset to miss the "regular" versions of these attractions, why not instead consider that an opportunity to upsell those visitors to a bounceback trip? Disney does this all the time with much flimsier excuses.
As far as I am concerned, Disney can never have enough musical animatronic indoor high-capacity boat rides. And with its delightful theme song and classic narrative, Tokyo DisneySea's Sindbad ride would make for a far more welcome (by me, at least) addition to Epcot's World Showcase than a Frozen overlay on Maelstrom.
2. Mystic Manor
Disney World needs a next-generation trackless ride, and Mystic Manor is Disney's best. Where to put it is the big question, but if Disney wants to turn its most critical fans into a bunch of adoring, drooling groupies, the announcement that it would be adding Mystic Manor somewhere in Walt Disney World likely would do just that.
1. A new Epcot entry plaza
Okay, a complete entry plaza that can be plugged immediately in front of Epcot doesn't exist already at any other Disney theme park. But plenty of elements that could be included in a new plaza do exist elsewhere in the Disney parks. Let's acknowledge that the Leave a Legacy Mausoleum is a depressing eyesore that needed to go long ago. Disney knows how Buena Vista Street helped enliven California Adventure and should do the same for Epcot by creating a new entry plaza that celebrates the spirit of discovery that the park was designed to honor. There's plenty to borrow from Tokyo DisneySea, including Fortress Explorations, Port Discovery and the Mediterranean Harbor that Disney could fuse to begin the needed process of transforming Epcot's Future World into a more welcoming visual environment.
If you've visited some of the Disney parks outside of Orlando, what would you like to see Disney bring from them into Walt Disney World?
Previously:
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Now, the only other Disney park I've visited is Disneyland, so 3/4 of my changes will be from that park.
I desperately want Indiana Jones Adventure. Indiana Jobes Stunt Show is fun, but nothing compared to Indiana Jones Adventure. I would fly all the way back to Anaheim just to physically experience that ride again. ??
I also want their version of POTC. I still love Florida's version, but there's no question that California's is superior. The only things I would keep is the cool queue line in the colonial fortress and omit the swamp scene at the beginning to match the theme better.
I also want Toontown back. Wouldn't it make sense for the world's largest and most popular Disney resort to allow you to visit the home of the company mascot and the mouse who started it all? Plus the theming for that land was just too perfect.
And lastly, I agree with Robert's idea about bringing Sinbad, but I have an idea that will really "plus it." ?? Instead of using Sinbad, why not use Aladdin? I think this would be a much better idea for 3 reasons.
1) Aladdin is much more well known and loved than Sinbad.
2) Universal Orlando already has a Sinbad attraction. Words cannot describe how pissed off I would be if these two resorts can share Sinbad but not Marvel.
3). Now that the show at DCA is gone, the Aladdin franchise is without a proper theme park representation. There's so much more possability for an Aladdin ride than just a cheap and lazy Dumbo clone.
Convert the Dinoland area of Animal Kingdom and make it an archaeology adventure area by putting Indiana Jones into the lacking Dinosaur ride, and retheme the area into searching for dinosaur bones and history. It would fit the Animal Kingdom theme better, be educational and have more popular attractions.
And a big yes on the Blue Bayou! PotC in Orlando is not the same ride without it.
And another big yes on Animation Academy.
WDW have many table service restaurants. Does the Magic Kingdom need The Blue Bayou? How about they increase the Pirates rides by 5 minutes and they get a new restaurant. I often regard this version as much too short compared with the original.
The problem with the Epcot entry plaza is the whole Future World feels like an entry plaza with the huge Innoventions buildings on both sides. If they want to demolish these increasingly unnecessary exhibit space and install a more theme park like themed entertainment, shopping, and eating space, I will welcome this development.
Yes to Railroad Dioramas. Since we are talking about dinosaurs, I propose the dinosaurs are moved from the Animal Kingdom Dinosaur attraction.
WDW is obviously missing.... The Indiana Jones Adventure.
And its missing a trackless ride like Mystic Manor. Another haunted style attraction belongs in Epcot for it lacks E-Ticket attractions and it could sit between the various empty country pavilion slots in World Showcase.
Ratatouille would be a good choice next to the France Pavilion.
Missing is lost in translation features from the original Disneyland. Like I mentioned previously, Pirates is missing the original's length and The Blue Bayou. The Haunted Mansion is missing a real elevator. They should put in a real elevator and change the queue location to make that happen.
It'd be physically impossible for MK's Haunted Mansion to have an elevator like Disneyland's. That would require digging underground which you can't do in Florida because of the water table. That's why no one who lives here has a basement and why they had to build the Utilidors above ground and then place the actual park right on top of it.
How were Walt and company able to create so many classic attractions without the benefit of an ESPN cash cow? Answer: he didn't make stupid decisions.
Ultimately, it comes down to good taste and a mindset that puts people first.
Actually, any additions for the countries on the right side of the world showcase in Epcot would be nice.
Another idea would be to put Crush's Coaster from Paris next to the Finding Nemo musical and replace the dreaded Chester & Hester section. Maybe have some displays of exotic fish from around the world. All this mixed with what's actually coming to AK soon (Pandora, ROL) would really put AK over the top. Imagine the night scenery.
To continue my earlier screed on demolishing the Innventions buildings, replace them with themed stores, restaurants, entertainment, and flat rides.
As for Pirates and The Blue Bayou, perhaps they can attain the impossible. Either put the restaurant at the bazaar shops or the entrance queue line where there is plenty of space. Convert the entrance and exit to one location like at Disneyland. The restaurant patrons will enjoy the view of the guests passing them by while seeing them exit the ride on the other side. The unseen hidden segment will be dressed up and will lengthen the ride by a few minutes. Everyone wins.
"Never forget it all started with a mouse." Main St. Cinema and Animation Academy for the win!
The Little Red Wagon and hand-dipped corn dogs for example, are very unique to California. Let's keep it that way. If you want a hand dipped corn dog then make your way to Disneyland or California Adventure. The Florida don't deserve a quality product like this because it won't be appreciated.
Blue Bayou is for obvious reasons not in Florida because there is no New Orleans Square. How does a New Orleans restaurant fit in the theme of Adventureland? It doesn't and one shouldn't make suggestions to add attractions or restaurants that break the continuity of a themed area.
Furthermore, by design, the ride system for Pirates does not allow a similar setting for a restaurant, which in my opinion, is one of the big draws to the one in Disneyland.
Mystic Manor has no place in Florida. We've got a Haunted Mansion and Japan deserves to a have a unique attraction found only there.
Main Street Cinema is a really bad suggestions. Aside from the marquee it really adds nothing of interest for today's guests. I respect its place in Disneyland history, but its omission in Florida is not a loss. If you're going to have a Main Street Cinema attraction then it should be worthy of ones time. What you're suggesting is exactly what irks the fans- doing something on the cheap.
Holiday overlays have been well discussed and appeal in markets where the majority of the attendance is comprised of locals. But another reasons why Magic Kingdom is not likely to get overlays is that the "Holiday" version of Magic Kingdom is a very lucrative, hard ticketed special event. Management in Florida is not interested in giving away the holiday experience. If you want to experience Christmas fun in the Magic Kingdom, then they want you to pay for it.
Lastly, flavored popcorn would not be a hit in the United States, despite your love of it, Americans don't love flavored popcorn like the Japanese. I have a lot of experience with popcorn sales and flavors, and even when the flavor is AMAZING, sales never come close to matching sales of the traditional buttered, salted variety. So it basically backs up with is known- Americans are boring and don't like change.
I do however agree that it's time for the Leave a Legacy Mausoleum to go. That is a good suggestion.
It's ok, Anon. I thought your idea to introduce. More flat rides to WDW is at least worth considering. Maybe they could do something that isn't just another spinner. And then maybe use some Disney-style theming (maybe some AAs or make it an indoor ride and add tons of effects) to make it not feel like just another flat ride.
1. LAND!
Ok, done :)
Disney World does have its own version of Blue Bayou. Its San Angel Inn.
As much as enjoy Indy, it is a clone of Dinosaur (I know it is reversed, but Dinosaur would be the older of the two if Indy makes it to DHS).
I always thought that Imagination could be redone in a Mystic Manor style. Use Figment instead of that Monkey and you should have a hit!
@136: How do you have a Blue Bayou in Adventureland? The same reason you have a Magic Carpets spinner in Adventureland. New Orleans is in a swamp. The Arabia desert is not. And the magic carpets are spinning next to the thatched roofs of the Tiki Room. The Pirates ride is still called the same name (Pirates of the Carribean) although it originated from the bayou at Disneyland. A stretch yet the bayou was featured prominently in the movies too. The Spanish fort theme might just remain. Only the restaurant will be called The Blue Bayou.
2. Ratatouille. Loved, loved this ride. WDW should be breaking ground already. And the restaurant is awesome, too.
3. Indiana Jones Adventure! Why don't we have this yet? Now that Disney owns Indy, it's a no-brainer.
4. Animagique from France. Can't understand why they didn't put this in DHS years ago. Also, the animation pre-show there is amazing, too (Main Street Cinema?).
5. Haunted Mansion Holiday. I'm convinced that WDW could do a light overlay with gradual changes each night as Jack takes over the Mansion. That wouldn't require closure.
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