Magic Kingdom (General Discussion)

[SkiBum]

I'm glad somebody probably fought for the train to be at least partially operational (because you know Disney's preference probably would have been to close it entirely), but man... the thing just opened back up after TRON! To have it be compromised for another five years (optimistically?) is a real bummer.

It is why I made sure to ride the train on my most recent trip.

 

[Mad Dog]

Just at MK for a few days during last week's heat. Even though ROA are closing soon, there were only a very small handful of guests taking the rafts to Tom Sawyer Island. Way too hot for trekking over there. We thought about it both days since its soon closing, but we both said the Island had long ago lost its luster and entertainment value to us. Even the girls, 10 and 11, when we took them to the park last June had zero interest in going on the island. Just not worth the trip in the extreme heat.....and an added reason for shutting it down....even though it has some nostalgia value. But....it's time has come.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Just at MK for a few days during last week's heat. Even though ROA are closing soon, there were only a very small handful of guests taking the rafts to Tom Sawyer Island. Way too hot for trekking over there. We thought about it both days since its soon closing, but we both said the Island had long ago lost its luster and entertainment value to us. Even the girls, 10 and 11, when we took them to the park last June had zero interest in going on the island. Just not worth the trip in the extreme heat.....and an added reason for shutting it down....even though it has some nostalgia value. But....it's time has come.

I hate that you’re right.

 

[TheGentTrent]

Mods feel free to move this post to the appropriate thread, delete, or do whatever, but Hall of Presidents reopened today in case anyone cares.

 

[saint.piss]

How unfortunate

 

[UniversalRBLX]

The Hall of Presidents is one of the greatest attractions conceived and created by Disney. Whether or not you like who is included, it's a heck of an achievement in spectacle and technology.

Whether or not Hall of Presidents is a good choice for it's current location inside of the world's most well known theme park... I'm not sure. That theater is massive, in a prime location, and shows don't fill up as much as they used to. (Muppet*Vision had higher crowds and ran every 20 minutes or so.) But, HoP should be preserved somewhere, whether at Epcot or gifted to a museum in DC.

I'd hate to lose HoP at MK, but I also think there's a benefit to replacing it with a show that sees larger crowds in a park seeking more capacity. I also wouldn't mind Disneyland's new Walt animatronic here in a new show. (Ideally, I'd want Walt to host a new version of the Carousel of Progress).

 

[TheUniC6]

The Hall of Presidents is one of the greatest attractions conceived and created by Disney. Whether or not you like who is included, it's a heck of an achievement in spectacle and technology.

Whether or not Hall of Presidents is a good choice for it's current location inside of the world's most well known theme park... I'm not sure. That theater is massive, in a prime location, and shows don't fill up as much as they used to. (Muppet*Vision had higher crowds and ran every 20 minutes or so.) But, HoP should be preserved somewhere, whether at Epcot or gifted to a museum in DC.

I'd hate to lose HoP at MK, but I also think there's a benefit to replacing it with a show that sees larger crowds in a park seeking more capacity. I also wouldn't mind Disneyland's new Walt animatronic here in a new show. (Ideally, I'd want Walt to host a new version of the Carousel of Progress).

Many years ago IIRC they were rumors about a Muppets show taking of the Hall of Presidents.

 

[GA-MBIT]

I was listening to the Defunctland patreon podcast and they were discussing how the image of Disney as being necessarily entwined with American culture, up and into having each new President do a speech for the Magic Kingdom, has significantly waned over the decades.

"Disney's America" was a pretty significant turning point, and honestly another was the death of Walt himself. It was his energy to cement himself as an American cultural legend that spurred him into projects like the '64 World's Fair with Robert Moses, the city of EPCOT, and a lot of the work that would later be repurposed into theme park attractions on both coasts, Hall of President's included. I think Eisner tried to carry on that energy, for better or worse; but I believe Iger didn't care anywhere as much and just followed the growth of the company above all else.

I'd argue that it feels like Disney is just another company these days. Even touchstone Americana like Star Wars, Muppets/Henson, Pixar, National Geographic, or The Simpsons feel like they've lost a lot of their prestige or relevance, and are just some more brands and IP, in a cultural ecosystem littered with brands and IP all begging for your attention and money.

Walt Disney World is still the biggest American vacation spot, and some holdovers from that original deeper connection still exist ("I'm going to Disney World" at the Superbowl), but I believe Hall of Presidents meant a lot more to the company even 20 years ago than it does now. I agree that it should be preserved in some form, but I also believe it could go and it wouldn't be some massive hit to the company's core. I believe that core rotted out a long time ago.

 

[GAcoaster]

I think Iger still cares about the brand and the legacy-- as long as it's good for the business.

I'd argue that it feels like Disney is just another company these days. Even touchstone Americana like Star Wars, Muppets/Henson, Pixar, National Geographic, or The Simpsons feel like they've lost a lot of their prestige or relevance, and are just some more brands and IP, in a cultural ecosystem littered with brands and IP all begging for your attention and money.

That's also a symptom of the changed media landscape. When anyone can become a media sensation all by themselves, corporate produced media (for better or worse) lost relevance overall.

 

[GA-MBIT]

I think Iger still cares about the brand and the legacy-- as long as it's good for the business.

I think he cares about accessing and maintaining entertainment brands, but not about posturing the company as a forward-facing innovator in a general multi-market sense, or as a core element of the American experience in the way that Walt or Eisner did.

Iger could never pull off, and would never approve of a "Wonderful World of Disney, hosted by Bob Iger". We'd never see anything like Tomorrowland, Disney's America, the original early Pixar developments, or anything that bold come from his Disney. You could argue the merits, performance, or quality of any of that work, but I do believe it to be true regardless. Disney as it exists now stays in it's lane, in a way that Walt and Eisner strived to swerve away from; sometimes to disastrous and incredible results.

 

[belloq87]

Beak & Barrel Opening August 29th, First Look at Menu

Walt Disney World has announced an opening date for the Beak & Barrel bar, along with a first look at the menu

blogmickey.com

 

[Jake S]

oh hell yes. i didn't think it'd be open in time for my trip!

 

[LPCaptainDeath]

oh hell yes. i didn't think it'd be open in time for my trip!

SAME! So excited to try and see this during either of my MK days in October!

 

[Mad Dog]

Sounds like a fun theme, entertaining and something Adventureland needed.

 

[GAcoaster]

Cool photo from a WESH viewer from the Contemporary:

 

[TheUniC6]

Hopefully this means the ball gets rolling on Cars and Villains soon:



Over on WDWMagic there is debate on when the WDW stuff announced at D23 2024 opens. Encanto is confirmed for 2027, but some users over there speculate that either Cars and Monsters will both open in 2028, leaving Villains for 2029, (if we explicitly go on the "everything will be completed in 5 years" remark from Josh) or Monsters 2028, Cars 2029, and finally villains for 2030.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Hopefully this means the ball gets rolling on Cars and Villains soon:



Over on WDWMagic there is debate on when the WDW stuff announced at D23 2024 opens. Encanto is confirmed for 2027, but some users over there speculate that either Cars and Monsters will both open in 2028, leaving Villains for 2029, (if we explicitly go on the "everything will be completed in 5 years" remark from Josh) or Monsters 2028, Cars 2029, and finally villains for 2030.

They already started with removal of wetlands and beginning the draining process of clearing out Rivers of America. While Disney can be finnicky with their deadlines, I (foolishly) believe them when they say everything open within 5 years.

By this time next year I fully expect major infrastructure/land grading to be worked on for the project with foundation work for Cars prioritized. So I think it's reasonable time frame for it to open by 2029. Heck, Avengers at DCA has already gone vertical at lightning speed.

 

[TheUniC6]

They already started with removal of wetlands and beginning the draining process of clearing out Rivers of America. While Disney can be finnicky with their deadlines, I (foolishly) believe them when they say everything open within 5 years.

By this time next year I fully expect major infrastructure/land grading to be worked on for the project with foundation work for Cars prioritized. So I think it's reasonable time frame for it to open by 2029. Heck, Avengers at DCA has already gone vertical at lightning speed.

I think Cars could make a 2028 opening because in essence it's just an outdoor track.

 

[LPCaptainDeath]

Howdy, pardners… you folks oughta keep all hands, arms, feet and legs inside the train, ‘cause this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness!

In 2026, the iconic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen with new magic – and today, new details were shared about what to expect the next time guests take to the tracks in search of adventure.

The story of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad dates back to Olden Times, or rather, Golden Times, during the early days of America’s first major gold rush. When Barnabas T. Bullion struck gold in the Big Thunder region, he saw a future full of riches and hustled to start the Big Thunder Mountain Company.

However, them shiny dreams rarely come without a cost, and Bullion quickly found himself in a battle with the forces of nature and in a whole heap of trouble. One day, strange and unexplainable things started happening. Machines failed. Cave-ins shut mines down.

No matter how deep the miners dug into the heart of the mountain, the forces of Big Thunder fought back. And when the attraction reopens next year, the unsuspectin’ passengers who board the runaway trains will learn just how wild the wilderness can get.

Shine and Polish on a Magic Kingdom Classic​

The mountain attractions at Disney Parks around the globe are iconic for a reason – they are beloved by fans old and new for the stories they tell, the thrills they give, and the memories they make.

The rumblin’, rollin’ fun of Big Thunder Mountain here at Disney World is currently undergoing a mountain-top to cavern-deep refurbishment meant to keep the classic attraction in tip-top shape, ready to delight guests who want to ride the rails for years to come.

New Magic Thunderin’ In​

In addition to the action and adventure guests know and love, Big Thunder Mountain will reopen with new magic for fans to discover.

One such moment comes when the trains rattle their way underground to spectacular natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools, shimmering and illuminating iridescent stalagmites (the ones on the floor) and stalactites (the ones on the ceiling).

The Rainbow Caverns certainly are beautiful… but they ain’t as friendly as they first appear. In fact, that menacing rumble from deep within the mountain may be a sign that we ain’t welcome.

There’s more new magic for guests to discover once Big Thunder Mountain Railroad returns in 2026, but you’ll need to hang on to your hats and keep an eye out for more news, comin’ soon!

 

[Jake S]

Boy, that Barnabus T. Bullion sure looks familiar...