Magic Kingdom (General Discussion)

[belloq87]

I would like a Weyland-Yutani expo, with Xenomorphs and Predators crashing the party. Err more action-y than true horror to avoid a redux of Alien Encounter (though, given what some of the Imagineers who worked on that project have said lately, complaints about its scariness really weren't too much of an issue after all).

 

[HHN Maddux]

I would like a Weyland-Yutani expo, with Xenomorphs and Predators crashing the party. Err more action-y than true horror to avoid a redux of Alien Encounter (though, given what some of the Imagineers who worked on that project have said lately, complaints about its scariness really weren't too much of an issue after all).

Wait, what's this in reference to?

 

[DOOMBOT]

I think certain moves across the resort read to me a bit like the initial steps in a game of chess; repositioning certain pieces across the board before a big play.

1. A full Monsters Inc. land, with a potential venue for a show.
2. A new (hopefully) high-capacity and more energy/cost-efficient attraction where kids get to drive around in a car in Frontierland.
3. Notable updates and improvements to smaller offerings across Tomorrowland like Buzz and Carousel of Progress.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Speedway leave after the Cars expansion opens up. It's a whole lot of space over there right on the border of Fantasyland, and that leads all the way back to Tron and the Railroad.

A Space Mountain retrack also seems inevitable, and is my best guess for what they put under the knife after BTMR reopens.

All together, this list is potentially sizable and resembles the frog-in-a-pot and unadvertised "New Frontierland" improvements we've seen this decade.

1. Space Ranger Spin tech and visual upgrade
2. Carousel of Progress update w/ new scenes
3. Tron Coaster
4. Gradual land aesthetic updates; bringing it closer to the OG Googie-style
~
5. Space Mountain retrack
6. New Developments in the Speedway space
7. New Development for Laugh Floor space
8. New Devlopment for Alien Encounter space

I don't think anything here is out of the question. We'll just have to see what actually comes to pass.

 

[belloq87]

Wait, what's this in reference to?

It's from an outlet we generally don't like to link to around here, but if you search on YouTube for "Imagineers true story Alien Encounter," you'll probably find it. The AE project lead confirms a lot of things that had only been rumored for a long time.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I think certain moves across the resort read to me a bit like the initial steps in a game of chess; repositioning certain pieces across the board before a big play.

1. A full Monsters Inc. land, with a potential venue for a show.
2. A new (hopefully) high-capacity and more energy/cost-efficient attraction where kids get to drive around in a car in Frontierland.
3. Notable updates and improvements to smaller offerings across Tomorrowland like Buzz and Carousel of Progress.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Speedway leave after the Cars expansion opens up. It's a whole lot of space over there right on the border of Fantasyland, and that leads all the way back to Tron and the Railroad.

A Space Mountain retrack also seems inevitable, and is my best guess for what they put under the knife after BTMR reopens.

All together, this list is potentially sizable and resembles the frog-in-a-pot and unadvertised "New Frontierland" improvements we've seen this decade.

1. Space Ranger Spin tech and visual upgrade
2. Carousel of Progress update w/ new scenes
3. Tron Coaster
4. Gradual land aesthetic updates; bringing it closer to the OG Googie-style
~
5. Space Mountain retrack
6. New Developments in the Speedway space
7. New Development for Laugh Floor space
8. New Devlopment for Alien Encounter space

I don't think anything here is out of the question. We'll just have to see what actually comes to pass.

The Chapek era was rough, but it's amazing how quick they've turned around lately. I'm not a fan of closing down the RoA or Muppets, but they're finally doing things that should have been done years ago.

It's very clear to me that they're trying to get the western side of the park first before they update the TL side. Tiki Room has a permit that last a good chunk of next year... so we could see some improvements there.

Tomorrowland doesn't really need an expansion, just needs a refresh. Buzz and CoP desperately needed it.

 

[Cwoolboy]

It's from an outlet we generally don't like to link to around here, but if you search on YouTube for "Imagineers true story Alien Encounter," you'll probably find it. The AE project lead confirms a lot of things that had only been rumored for a long time.

Ohhhh, you're talking about Tom...and I don't mean Tom Morrow.

 

[DOOMBOT]

Does Adventureland need something new? It seems to me like the tightest and smallest of the key MK Lands, and plenty busy. Most of it is held up perfectly fine by classic nostalgic rides like Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room, and Pirates.

Most that I can see actively happening is removing Jack Sparrow from Pirates, and a general "Walt's original vision" type of update for it, like we got with Tiki Room.

 

[GAcoaster]

I think Jungle Cruise could EASILY be replaced and free up a lot of space. The ride is still problematic and only as good as the skipper you get. Its appeal has worn off over time...

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Does Adventureland need something new? It seems to me like the tightest and smallest of the key MK Lands, and plenty busy. Most of it is held up perfectly fine by classic nostalgic rides like Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room, and Pirates.

Most that I can see actively happening is removing Jack Sparrow from Pirates, and a general "Walt's original vision" type of update for it, like we got with Tiki Room.

Out of all the MK lands, it's the last one I would touch. I would prioritize Tomorrowland (post-Villains/Cars) and improve some of the facades in Fantasyland. The one thing I'd prioritize in Adventureland is the removal of the Magic Carpets. Add seating and shaded areas.

With that said, I don't think removing Jungle Cruise in favor of a massive land expansion is out of question. If they want a hotel north of the Grand Floridian (which it seems they are planning on), they'd likely want to advertise it as a "in-park" hotel.

 

[DrStarlander]

I think Jungle Cruise could EASILY be replaced and free up a lot of space. The ride is still problematic and only as good as the skipper you get. Its appeal has worn off over time...

I'm not rooting for Jungle Cruise to go away, but I could imagine the original at Disneyland being preserved with its vintage charm and then the one at Magic Kingdom being replaced by an updated indoor version of Jungle Cruise, using Shanghai Pirates technology. They probably wouldn't spend hundreds of millions on a non-IP attraction nowadays but there are a lot of cool effects and tricks they could do, go underwater with the piranhas, lava tunnels, tropical storms, hippos tugging your boat back and forth...giving Magic Kingdom a unique version.

The 230k sq. ft. of Jungle Cruise would be exchanged for a 150k sq. ft. indoor version plus they could then fit an additional 50k sq. ft. attraction like Mystic Manor (with S.E.A. story) entered where Bwana Bob's is in the colonial portion of Adventureland is, fleshing that mini-theme out. And both cold be unique to MK.

 

[HandsomePete]

WDW has never bulldozed an attraction that has both high utilization and mid-high satisfaction scores. Also all this blue-sky’ing beyond Adventureland needs to account for the access road that facilitates the parade and west half of Main Street.

 

[Jake S]

It would stun me to see Jungle Cruise closed at Magic Kingdom. People ride and enjoy the attraction and it has very high throughput. It’s, I’m sorry, not Tom Sawyer’s Island.

 

[belloq87]

Not to switch gears away from Adventureland, but there's no mention of the previously-announced Carousel of Progress refurb here:

New Details About What’s Coming to Walt Disney World in 2026 - Disney Parks Blog

Ten new and reinvigorated attractions and experiencesNine returning festivals and special events, giving you more than 200 days of supercalifragilistic-extra-lidocious fun; and lots of ways to create memories for the whole family with some of your best-loved Disney, Pixar, and Lucasfilm stories.

disneyparksblog.com

Oversight? Quietly shelved? I can't imagine it would be a 2027 project.

 

[Alicia]

Not to switch gears away from Adventureland, but there's no mention of the previously-announced Carousel of Progress refurb here:

New Details About What’s Coming to Walt Disney World in 2026 - Disney Parks Blog

Ten new and reinvigorated attractions and experiencesNine returning festivals and special events, giving you more than 200 days of supercalifragilistic-extra-lidocious fun; and lots of ways to create memories for the whole family with some of your best-loved Disney, Pixar, and Lucasfilm stories.

disneyparksblog.com

Oversight? Quietly shelved? I can't imagine it would be a 2027 project.

No I mention of the Castle repaint either. Might just not any have any new info to release yet.

 

[DOOMBOT]

The one thing I'd prioritize in Adventureland is the removal of the Magic Carpets. Add seating and shaded areas.

I don't see much reason for this tbh. It represents a major Disney Renaissance film and adds a smaller offering to a land that really doesn't have space for one anywhere else.

Part of why Magic Kingdom works so wonderfully despite being the most heavily trafficked park on the planet is the sheer abundance of smaller and less exciting offerings. Lots and lots of things to soak up those crowds. The WDW parks need more rides like Magic Carpets imo.

 

[AustinT]

I think Jungle Cruise could EASILY be replaced and free up a lot of space. The ride is still problematic and only as good as the skipper you get. Its appeal has worn off over time...

This is one of the craziest theme park takes I've seen in a minute Jungle Cruise is a classic, iconic attraction that's one most people visitng Disney for the first time make a point to get on.

I could imagine the original at Disneyland being preserved with its vintage charm and then the one at Magic Kingdom being replaced by an updated indoor version of Jungle Cruise, using Shanghai Pirates technology.

This seems equally as crazy to me. Disney isn't going to bulldoze a non-IP attraction (I know the movie. It kind of failed to start a film franchise like Pirated did, so it's essentially a non-IP), just to rebuild a more modern version of it. IF it ever got bulldozed, which I think is highly unlikely, it would most likely get a popular IP attraction like Moana or something equally as dumb that breaks up the land's cohesion.

 

[DrStarlander]

WDW has never bulldozed an attraction that has both high utilization and mid-high satisfaction scores.

It would stun me to see Jungle Cruise closed at Magic Kingdom.

This seems equally as crazy to me. Disney isn't going to bulldoze a non-IP attraction

I think the certitude people have about what Disney would or wouldn't do is shocking, haha.

If I came on this forum in 2018 and said: "I think it's possible they'll get rid of the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and Liberty Belle and replace it all with a Cars off-road vehicle attraction that takes place -- not in Radiator Springs -- but in a new made-up Cars-themed National Park"...okay, that's crazy.

Disney isn't going to bulldoze a non-IP attraction (I know the movie. It kind of failed to start a film franchise like Pirated did, so it's essentially a non-IP), just to rebuild a more modern version of it.

Tokyo Disneyland's Space Mountain? I know that's OLC but within the realm of what could happen in a Disney park, it's an example.

And aren't people hoping they build a new Journey Into Imagination ride?

With Jungle Cruise, a globally-recognized brand, rebuilding an essentially 70-year-old attraction (design) with an updated version with high-end animatronics and controlled-environment special effects is "crazy"? I don't think so at all. I'm not saying it's likely, but it is far from crazy.

Also all this blue-sky’ing beyond Adventureland needs to account for the access road that facilitates the parade and west half of Main Street.

I just pasted the Shanghai show building in, didn't customize to the shape of the area.

 

[Jake S]

I think the certitude people have about what Disney would or wouldn't do is shocking, haha.

To be clear: I don't think Disney is afraid of killing sacred cows ... but I would be stunned to see them close an actual-factual popular attraction that, again, has incredible throughput. Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Belle were nowhere near as popular as Jungle Cruise is.

 

[DOOMBOT]

If I came on this forum in 2018 and said: "I think it's possible they'll get rid of the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and Liberty Belle and replace it all with a Cars off-road vehicle attraction that takes place -- not in Radiator Springs -- but in a new made-up Cars-themed National Park"...okay, that's crazy.

Honestly ... I never thought this was crazy at all. Bold, sure; but it definitely fits established patterns across Iger-era Disney World.

I think we might see some smaller changes to JC to bring it up to modern sensibilities, but the real pitch for a modern renovation of Jungle Cruise came and went with the movie some years ago. That was our big shot for that, and it bombed. Unless Moana takes up residence there, Jungle Cruise is staying put for awhile.