Through the subsequent decade, Walt Disney World goes to reimagine rides in Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom. In all probability a number of which can be overdue for substitute in addition to opening day originals in want of updates. This lists the sights which can be prime candidates to be overhauled and what we’d wish to see if or when that happens.
For starters, we all know extra experience reimaginings are on the horizon as a result of Disney has mentioned so. Whereas the corporate has plans to take a position $60 billion in Parks & Resorts over the following 10 years, CEO Bob Iger mentioned the spending can be backloaded. However he additionally indicated {that a} menu of recent issues will begin opening in 2025, and there’ll be a cadence yearly of further funding and elevated capability from then via the 2030s.
Equally, Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro has made feedback that they need to develop the footprints of the parks by constructing past the berm whereas additionally enhancing utilization inside them. Each of these items essentially imply experience reimaginings. One, as a result of enhancing utilization is “code” for reimaginings (or shenanigans like Genie/NextGen, however Disney has discovered from these errors).
There’s additionally the truth that the corporate has but to place shovel-to-soil, so it’d be unimaginable to open something on a daily “cadence” beginning in 2025 or 2026 that’s not a experience reimagining. None of this ought to be an enormous shock. We’ve all seen how “shortly” Disney builds new lands and sights. The unhealthy information is that correct enlargement at Walt Disney World will probably arrive nearer to 2030 than 2025.
The excellent news is that there are a dozen-plus sights which can be at phases of their life cycle after they want to be up to date. Effectively, perhaps this isn’t a optimistic out of your perspective–nostalgia is an enormous a part of the Disney expertise and alter to fan-favorites may be tough to simply accept.
Not solely that, however not each previous experience reimagining has been progress–some have been downgrades or lateral strikes. Experience reimaginings additionally will not be practically as “attractive” as park enlargement. A clean canvas is way more thrilling for its countless potentialities than even the incremental enhancements of a well-executed reimagining.
I get it, however I additionally disagree with that sentiment. I believe it’s the identical sort of pondering that fuels followers to maintain clamoring for a legendary fifth gate quite than, you understand, fixing and increasing upon the present 4 parks, 3 of which nonetheless want plenty of assist. (And the opposite of which has a very nice enlargement pad!) As thrilling as a fifth park is on paper, a lot of the funds can be blown on infrastructure and different issues that aren’t sights.
It’s a considerably related concept with experience reimaginings. Once I go searching Walt Disney World, there are simply a dozen sights which can be outdated and may very well be dramatically improved. This may very well be performed quicker and cheaper than fully-fledged enlargement, too. In a world the place money and time are finite and even $60 billion received’t go practically so far as some followers would possibly assume, reimaginings are key.
Anyway, let’s get all the way down to brass tacks and canopy the prime candidates for reimaginings at Walt Disney World…
Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster – I’m absolutely satisfied that this may occur within the subsequent few years. Reimagining Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster isn’t just the secure transfer, however it will be cash effectively spent. It presents a chance for Imagineering to simply inject new life in an attraction that’s inherently well-liked as a thrill experience, and would give the corporate one thing to market between now and 2026.
In our publish, Will Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Be Reimagined?, we cowl potentialities for the brand new theme in addition to why we strongly consider it will occur sooner or later. There are a number of causes for this, together with the reputational legal responsibility introduced by Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, who has now been named in two sexual abuse lawsuits within the final two years.
Additionally value noting is that Walt Disney World has nothing on deck for 2025 as an oblique “reply” to Epic Universe. Until Disney is simply going to ‘quit’ and let Common have 2025 (a technique that we identified would possibly make some extent of sense in Is Common “Beating” Disney?), they should begin shifting on one thing quickly.
Enter a redone Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster. Few sights have as a lot untapped advertising potential and may very well be performed in beneath a 12 months and can be a colossal draw with mainstream audiences. Although Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster is already fairly well-liked, I can’t consider some other rides that hit the ‘candy spot’ of an environment friendly reimagining and a marketable one.
Whereas I nonetheless assume that there are a number of viable reimagining themes, none has as a lot potential as Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster: Taylor’s Model. The curmudgeons on the market are going to right away scoff at this, as hating the favored factor has turn out to be a persona for some. I’m no Swiftie (she wouldn’t crack my private high 50 musicians), however I acknowledge that Taylor Swift is a juggernaut. (And in addition, not all the pieces must be aimed squarely at me.)
Love or hate her, there’s no denying Taylor Swift’s recognition–she transcends pop stardom. Disney already introduced “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Model)” to its Disney+ streaming service, so there’s already a longtime relationship. There are additionally rumors she’ll have a future position the MCU. (Maybe Disney may kill two birds with one stone, making this a Marvel and Taylor Swift curler coaster?!)
Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster: Taylor’s Model is the one attraction overlay that may carry a completely new viewers to Walt Disney World. Simply take a look at what occurred with the NFL, as Swifties watched “discovered soccer” and watched whole video games only for glimpses of the famous person. This reimagining alone may very well be a legit reply to Epic Universe by way of drawing energy, which is sorta miserable, nevertheless it’s additionally correct.
Sew’s Nice Escape – There are a number of sights I debated together with on this listing that probably received’t make it to see the 2030s–together with Star Wars Launch Bay, Disney Junior Dance Social gathering, and several other different theater and stage present areas–the issue is that almost all of them will likely be essentially reworked into one thing else, and thus redeveloped quite than reimagined.
It’s an analogous story right here, however the distinction is that Imagineering is boxed in with the previous Sew’s Nice Escape house given what’s adjoining and above it. So the constructing received’t be torn down, and there’s a superb likelihood that the following occupant makes use of an analogous structure to profit from the restricted footprint right here.
As for what may substitute Sew’s Nice Escape, there are a number of choices. Essentially the most boring of which might be importing Sew Encounter from one of many worldwide parks. It’s mainly Turtle Speak, however with Sew (who’s an alien, not a turtle). An alternative choice can be one thing related, however with Baymax as a substitute of Sew. There’s additionally Pixar’s Elio in 2025, which is a science fiction movie and thus may conceivably match into Tomorrowland. The issue with Disney sci-fi movies, although, is that they’ve a 50/50 shot at flopping.
DINOSAUR — Walt Disney World followers will debate the demise of Dinoland and Dino-Rama for many years to come back. Followers are already unhappy concerning the probability of shedding DINOSAUR, which looks as if an inevitability at this level even when it’s not 100% official. I additionally suspect that, over time, an after-the-fact fondness will kind round Dinoland as an entire–followers will miss the extinct space much more when wanting again via the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia.
The factor is…these people are sorta proper! Scientifically talking, dinosaurs are the awesomest animal of all-time, edging out hammerhead sharks and the T-800. There are dozens of slam dunk concepts involving dinosaurs in theme parks that may’ve been wondrous to behold. None of them have occurred or will occur, which I believe is really a disgrace.
With that mentioned, DINOSAUR simply isn’t it. The experience has a lot squandered potential, and even its diehard followers will understand this as soon as Indiana Jones Journey opens. As a lover of dinosaurs, I might’ve liked to have a DINOSAUR with the standard of Indiana Jones Journey. However that’s not what we acquired, and as such, DINOSAUR is due for a reimagining.
I simply hope someday down the street, Disney offers Imagineering the funds and freedom to create a dinosaur land that actually wows. Jurassic Park and Common don’t have a monopoly on the idea. Imagineers may create an authentic theme park IP with dinosaurs that knocks our collective socks off!
Disney & Pixar Quick Movie Pageant – There are additionally a number of totally different movies in EPCOT that might make this listing, however the one one which ought to be an pressing precedence is the Disney & Pixar Quick Movie Pageant. The fabric right here is satisfactory and value watching, making it a good choice if you happen to’re craving air-conditioning or trying to escape a storm. However on the finish of the day, these are actually simply Disney and Pixar cartoon shorts that you could possibly watch on Disney+ at house.
Although it’s higher than some EPCOT movies, the explanation a reimagining ought to be prioritized right here is as a part of a bigger-picture Creativeness pavilion overhaul. The #1 entry on this listing is, spoiler alert, a reimagined Journey into Creativeness with Figment (and Dreamfinder). That experience plus a redone ImageWorks plus one thing worthwhile within the Magic Eye Theater may breathe new life into this nook of the park.
As for what ought to substitute the Disney & Pixar Quick Movie Pageant, the apparent candidate is an Inside Out present. That might give the pavilion an authentic character in Figment for the followers, plus IP drawing energy for informal visitors. It doesn’t should be a lavish manufacturing–one other 3D movie may conceivably work–however I’d like to see a Bing Bong Audio Animatronics determine.
Magnificence and the Beast: Reside on Stage — This stage present retelling Magnificence and the Beast in condensed kind is actually as outdated because the animated film itself. It’s gratifying, doing an satisfactory job with choreography, performances, and dramatic styling. Typically simple-but-good is greater than sufficient.
The issue is that Magnificence and the Beast: Reside on Stage simply feels outdated. Every little thing about it simply offers off Nineties vibes. It’s the totality of all of it, and the way it contrasts with newer diversifications of animated films that provides it away. So many extra fashionable productions have come and gone at Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line that may very well be plugged into DHS and can be a breath of contemporary air, comparatively talking.
To that time, I’d like to see this changed by a kind of DCL productions. My favourite is Tangled: The Musical, which might even be an amazing choice given how underrepresented Tangled is within the parks. However even the newer Magnificence and the Beast or Frozen musicals from DCL can be improbable. I’d want that to a montage present, however am not essentially averse to one thing like Mickey and the Magician, which is an unbelievable manufacturing.
Peter Pan’s Flight – This experience’s enduring recognition and the truth that it instructions a number of the longest wait occasions in all of Walt Disney World means it shouldn’t be changed by a completely new experience idea. Flying over the streets of London and Neverland is a timeless lightning-in-a-bottle expertise that ought to by no means go away.
As a lot as I like the brand new Peter Pan’s By no means Land Journey in Fantasy Springs, I wouldn’t need to lose the straightforward attraction and delight of Peter Pan’s Flight for it. (Not that it issues, since By no means Land Journey would by no means slot in such a small footprint and I can’t see Disney spending “OLC cash” on considerably related attraction when Peter Pan’s Flight continues to be so well-liked.)
As a substitute, Peter Pan’s Flight ought to be plussed with projection mapping and different lighting results–as has been performed in Anaheim, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo. Updating infrastructure so the flight is much less jerky and smoother would assist with suspension of disbelief. If we’re actually daydreaming, changing the experience system completely with bigger automobiles to enhance hourly throughput can be wonderful. (That’s most likely a stretch, although, because it’s the kind of replace that may set off security and accessibility modifications.)
Imagineering acquired it proper with Peter Pan’s Flight many years in the past, so that is extra a modernization than a fully-fledged reimagining. Through the years, Imagineering has performed precisely that with Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean, plus different Fantasyland classics at Disneyland. It’s time Peter Pan’s Flight left its datedness within the mud and acquired an opportunity to fly greater. (If current experience refurbishment rumors are to be believed, this one goes to occur…to a point.)
Spaceship Earth — The final attraction standing from EPCOT Heart’s authentic slow-moving darkish experience slate. Spaceship Earth was scheduled for reimagining again in 2020, which was overdue even then. The monitor is in tough form and the descent offers off deserted mall vibes. The present model of the attraction, (partially) redone in 2007, is now the longest-running incarnation of Spaceship Earth.
The best way this experience communicates to visitors–particularly within the finale–likewise feels antiquated. Ironic and disappointing provided that it’s an attraction about communication. Humanity’s shared story is a compelling one and the experience’s location inside EPCOT’s iconic geodesic sphere is admittedly cool, however Spaceship Earth squanders a lot of its potential. Particularly the clunky conclusion that fails to encourage.
The “Story Mild” reimagining that was slated to happen in 2020 was controversial, with many purists cringing at the opportunity of character IP being added. No matter occurs at this level can be a unique idea than that, and truthfully, I’m prepared to roll the cube. The present state of the second-half of the attraction is embarrassing, the script is drained, and the tacky screen-based ending is atrocious.
Spaceship Earth deserves higher, and diehard followers shouldn’t must concern a reimagining as a result of the tip consequence would possibly, one way or the other, be even worse. Personally, I’d be completely nice with a fiber optic gentle path ‘main’ the way in which via the present scenes, plus the addition of an all-new finale. No have to reinvent the wheel (or movable sort printing press?), simply add readability to what’s communicated and an exclamation-inducing finale.
Buzz Lightyear’s House Ranger Spin – I like the concept of Buzz Lightyear’s House Ranger Spin as a shooter experience that really makes use of bodily present scenes to make it participating for visitors who need to benefit from the attraction passively. A number of the staging, props, and Audio Animatronics are actually cool. The interactivity is enjoyable, and Walt Disney World may use extra sights like this. I personally want gamified sights like this–ones which can be gratifying whether or not you play or not, because it provides multigenerational enchantment.
Sadly, this drained darkish experience hasn’t been modernized in over twenty years. It’s nonetheless a reimagined experience of one other reimagined experience (with some remnants of its predecessors, Delta Dreamflight and If You Had Wings, nonetheless in place). The parks in Anaheim, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai have all since iterated upon and improved the Buzz Lightyear shooter experience, and it’s long gone time for Magic Kingdom to comply with go well with.
Whereas essentially the most logical transfer is changing the blasters and a few targets, I’d truthfully wish to see this experience reimagining go a step additional and turn out to be one thing totally different completely, a la Ant-Man and the Wasp: Nano Battle at Hong Kong Disneyland. Walt Disney World already has one other Toy Story interactive recreation experience–and heck, a whole land. Make this Sew’s Slimers (or Plasma Blasters) or retheme it to some obscure Marvel character to whom Common doesn’t have the rights in Florida. An alternative choice is ready to see how the Wreck-It-Ralph shooter that’s changing Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters at Tokyo Disneyland seems. Cloning that might make sense!
Tomorrowland Speedway – Excellent for individuals who need to benefit from the stench and cognitive impairment of car exhaust, Tomorrowland Speedway is noisy, smelly, and simplistic. The flip aspect is that Tomorrowland Speedway is a ceremony of passage attraction for teenagers that’s deserving of its place in Magic Kingdom.
Again earlier than we had a child, I felt like I “wanted” to defend Tomorrowland Speedway with a purpose to be balanced and never one of many dreaded, out-of-touch Childless Millennial Disney Adults. Now I’m free to say what I actually assume beneath the duvet of parenthood: Tomorrowland Speedway is a waste of valuable actual property. There’s nothing Disney can do to distinguish it from dime-a-dozen go-cart rides. It’s time to exchange Tomorrowland Speedway utterly.
Tokyo Disneyland “traded” their model for Fantasyland and Tomorrowland enlargement that includes a Magnificence and the Beast E-Ticket, indoor theater, and Baymax flat experience. There isn’t that a lot house right here, however Disney may nonetheless achieve this a lot to make Fantasyland and Tomorrowland circulate higher and modernize this stretch of the park. The Baymax flat experience plus one other main Fantasyland headliner may substitute it, whereas additionally making TRON Lightcycle Run circulate higher with the remainder of the park.
I’m skeptical Disney has the need to tear out Tomorrowland Speedway, so on the very least, modernize the fleet and add higher present scenes. Use that sponsorship with Normal Motors to make Tomorrowland Speedway much less embarrassing.
Journey into Creativeness with Figment — Now again in meet & greet kind and shortly to have his personal function movie, Figment is extra well-liked than ever. It simply is smart to reimagine Journey into Creativeness. It would generate goodwill amongst WDW diehards and forge new followers within the course of.
It’d be one thing that may outline the EPCOT transformation, tying it collectively right into a extra cohesive challenge. Figment would turn out to be the face and mascot of the new-look EPCOT, elevating the in any other case underwhelming central backbone within the course of. Oh, and it’d be a license to print cash–simply consider the merchandising potential!
Figment is well-liked not for the prevailing attraction in its present sorry state, however due to the unique Journey into Creativeness. If something, the truth that the experience and its star character nonetheless have a robust maintain on adults of a sure age many years after they disappeared speaks volumes concerning the indelible impression they left on the youth of the Nineteen Eighties and Nineties.
The unique Journey into Creativeness was mesmerizing. Above all else, it was imaginative, as cliche as that may sound. As a younger baby, I used to be spellbound by the unique, its characters, and the evocative scenes they inhabited. It was a timeless attraction that captivated visitors, sparked their imaginations, and solid lifelong Walt Disney World followers. Recapturing that misplaced magic and spirit of creativeness would have the identical influence right now, proving that rides don’t want film IP to be large successes. That the theme parks, themselves, are a type of mental property.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Do any sights at Walt Disney World strike you as being prime candidates for experience reimaginings? Something you assume our listing “snubbed” that ought to be slated for substitute or a minimum of an replace? Do you agree or disagree with our selections? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
