Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Discussion Thread

[jarmor]

3 hours ago, Garet said:

Why is this suddenly a thing for rides that have been around a while? I've seen more news articles on this issue this week than in my whole life. Is it because these rides originated in Asia? (Mario Kart from Japan and Tron from Shanghai). I know Asia can have pretty low limits, I've seen water slides here in Korea with a 90kg weight limit per rider.

Originated in Asia?!?  Stop listening to distwitter.  Vekoma had been making motorbike coasters long before one ended up in Asia.  No, the ride was not made for Chinese or any asian country.  And simply put, it's a thing now because we have gotten much fatter as a nation.  Coaster designs that we weren't getting in America are now here.  It's like how people blamed intamin because they couldn't fit the seats like they could on a beemer.

[bigboy]

8 hours ago, coasterbill said:

I would take all of this with a grain of salt. One person can post about it being restrictive on Twitter and there are endless horrible clickbait Disney blogs and YouTube sites that will cite that one tweet and make it a huge news story.

I would agree.  There were similar stories after FOP opened and I've heard little about it since.  I worried about my own ability to fit there and I do about Tron, but I have had little trouble with FOP.  I saw a YouTube video today from a guy making it on Tron on his second attempt.  His biggest issue was the size of his calves and the leg bar and he figured it out at the test seat with a helpful cast member.  For reference, his build (5'8", he said 42 inch waist and I would assume he was around 280 lbs) is similar to mine and I would have a similar worry about my calves.

[SharkTums]

Yeah, it just takes some practice to get on it if you have big legs or a big build.  Most people have not ridden a real motorbike coaster like this before.  That's the problem. They think they have! They think Hagrid's is a motorbike but it's not at all.  This Vekoma version is the real deal and you lay down like on a sport bike. I saw people yesterday refusing to get in the proper riding position and then getting angry that they couldn't fit.  If you can't get in the position or you have VERY large legs, just go ride in the back modified seats, no big deal.

[CaptainUnknown]

As this is the first WDW attraction with mandatory bunnies, how well does that system seem to work on a scale of Cedar Fair to Velocicoaster? Does the Shanghai version also have mandatory bunnies?

[SharkTums]

^Oh! Great question which I can answer!

The lockers were great! Better than VelociCoaster in a few ways...

- Bigger locker

- Bigger locker area (not as cramped)

- More lockers (so you're not waiting for a locker instead of waiting for the ride which I've seen a few times on VelociCoaster)

They use your magic band/ticket and it was a fast process. If you don't have a band/ticket (phone bluetooth app doesn't work as of now) they give you an RFID card.

There's also a little lighted cubby ON the bike itself where I would put my phone and keys. No metal detectors or anything so you can bring stuff with you as long as it's small. 

[Tim2009]

I found interesting video from ReviewTyme. 
Apparently, he is frustrated that Disney is making same ride in different place, like Runaway Railway, and Tron LightCycle Run. 

Some people say parks should have different, unique rides to make themselves special, but for Tron LightCycle Run, I disagree, since due to China's disastrous Zero-Covid policy, I became uncomfortable with visiting China anytime soon, so I hoped Disney could bring the Tron light cycle to the USA, and with that happening, I'm delighted to see it in Magic Kingdom, and I can't wait to go on it.

What are your opinion? 

Should Disney have different unique rides that could be experienced at only one park, or multiple parks so guests can ride it in their town without leaving to another country? 

[coasterbill]

The percentage of the population that plans to travel to more than one Disney resort is miniscule. I don't care.

[cfc]

^Yep--seriously, how many American Disney fans are going to visit Shanghai Disney? 

[Hilltopper39]

Yeah I could care less, but I do think it's kind of cool when they build slightly different versions of the same attraction. Like Tower of Terror what are there like 4 different versions using that same ride system across the planet? Space Mountains are all slightly different, there are more examples I can't think of but I always did appreciate those little changes.

[jarmor]

I mean, I kinda get it.  It would be nice to have unique and solitary rides and attractions at each park as the world has gotten smaller and more accessible.  However, my argument is more so towards disneyland CA and disney world.

[prozach626]

I'm positive most guests aren't even aware there is a WDW in China, let alone the chances of them ever visiting.

I hate myself for even replying.

[A.J.]

We have news out of Destination D23 for all sorts of new stuff coming to Magic Kingdom!

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2023/09/new-country-bear-disney-songs-pirates-lounge-hatbox-ghost-coming-to-magic-kingdom/

Country Bear Jamboree will be getting new songs and the bears will be performing a new act!

Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty told the Destination D23 audience that when the show debuts, the bears will be reinterpreting favorite Disney songs in different genres of country music – like rockabilly, bluegrass, pop-country and other styles. 

Imagineers are envisioning the new take as a homage to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and they’re working with Nashville musicians to get the authentic country sound.  The popular attraction will continue to have the fun and friendly tone and same characters.

 

In late November, the legendary Hatbox Ghost will be materializing in the Haunted Mansion attraction in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

The iconic grim grinning ghost will appear in the Haunted Mansion attraction as you pass the Endless Hallway, welcoming himself inside from the swinging wake in the cemetery and grinning at passing Doom Buggies.

Imagineer Daniel Joseph joined Josh on the Destination D23 stage over the weekend for the announcement and shared details about the arrival of Hatbox Ghost. 

 

Also, a new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge is coming to Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida. 

This first-of-its-kind experience will extend the story of Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.  Imagineers are currently in the design process and more details will be coming.

[Satans Hockey]

I got on Tron last week, ended up in one of the very last boarding groups for the night so was thinking we might not make it on but ended up getting lucky and getting assigned to the front row. The launch is awesome and hitting the outside part at night was visually really cool. 

I liked the theme of racing against the orange team but was definitely hard to notice all of it on only 1 ride since you go by it all pretty quick. I do wish the ride was a bit longer and would definitely have liked to ride it some more but that aspect is what it is. 

Looked like a lot of work was done on the Splash to Tianas conversion on the outside portion but it's definitely weird going to the park and not seeing the ride. There's a lot of green around what you can see from the walkways by it. I'm just hoping the new ride is fun. 

I know Genie+ is a big topic of annoyance on a lot of Disney boards but I wouldn't ever visit the parks without it. We saved 4 hours alone just from Pan, Mansion and Winnie the Pooh ride and meeting Mickey. With how little we actually go to the parks any lines we can skip waiting on is a real bonus for us. 

[Zand]

Going to be in Orlando next week and ended up buying tickets to After Hours on Monday. The price point is, on one hand, kind of insane. On the other hand, when you factor how much a day ticket plus Genie+ costs, it's not that far off and the idea of being at an empty Magic Kingdom for a few hours plus free snacks and drinks was too good to pass up.

Has anyone else been to one of these yet?

[Haymaker]

12 hours ago, Zand said:

Going to be in Orlando next week and ended up buying tickets to After Hours on Monday. The price point is, on one hand, kind of insane. On the other hand, when you factor how much a day ticket plus Genie+ costs, it's not that far off and the idea of being at an empty Magic Kingdom for a few hours plus free snacks and drinks was too good to pass up.

Has anyone else been to one of these yet?

We did the 2021 post covid Halloween party that was essentially an after hours event. Everything was a walk on except SDMT I believe (due to overflow from day guests)

[Zand]

We did After Hours on Monday and it was a really great event, but somehow even 6 hours, 3 of which were in a totally dead park, didn't feel like enough! Part of that was our fault, the wife insisted on dinner at Be Our Guest which was at 9:00 and kind of ran over into the After Hours portion of the night. Also we watched the second fireworks show, then rode Astro Orbiter before heading to Tron. I feel like everyone watching the fireworks all marched right over to Tron afterwards which resulted in us probably hitting the line when it was at its longest (40 mins). 

Missed Big Thunder which is a bummer as it was down when I circled that end of the park. Also missed Pirates for some reason. Like I said, those 6 hours go very quickly. But walk on Jungle Cruise, Mansion, Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs, etc was really fun and it was a cool atmosphere in the park late at night. It was borderline bizarre on the Adventureland side of the park which was totally deserted. I would definitely do this again for Magic Kingdom and, as someone who very rarely gets to Disney, I also feel like it would be totally worth it to do this at Hollywood Studios. 

Just a heads up, and everyone else might already know this, but be aware that the Monorail stops running before the park closes and you have to take the ferry which had a line and it was almost 2 am when we got to the car.

[prozach626]

I've heard 5-years-old is about the perfect age for Disney. This year, we've planned Pensacola and back to Holiday World. She doesn't ride roller coasters. I only want to go once to check it off the list. I'm pretty sure children's services gets involved if you have a middle class salary and don't visit once.

Thoughts?

[Haymaker]

1 hour ago, prozach626 said:

I've heard 5-years-old is about the perfect age for Disney. This year, we've planned Pensacola and back to Holiday World. She doesn't ride roller coasters. I only want to go once to check it off the list. I'm pretty sure children's services gets involved if you have a middle class salary and don't visit once.

Thoughts?

Any age. We did a day at MK with my daughter when she was a year and 9 months old and i'll never forget the look on her face and her reactions when she met Mickey the first time. Plenty of rides she could do too. 40 inches is the first major benchmark for the majority of rides. Only a few are higher - RNRC (48), Space Mtn (44), FOP (44) and Everest (44)

[Haymaker]

Forgot new rides since my kids were that age... Guardians is 42, Tron is 48

[prozach626]

She'll be 42 by next year for sure. She's tall and lean. But, she's in the "afraid of everything" stage when it comes to roller coasters and log flumes. She even went through a phase where she was afraid of tunnels.

The two roller skaters we went on made her terrified of roller coasters. Those things are epic pieces of shit, so she thinks all of them are "too bumpy" now.

She's riding Rookie Racer this year. She may not want to, but she is. My dad made me ride the Ninja and look where we are now.

[bigboy]

I think any age works, but we waited until my daughter turned 5 and did a huge, no-expense-spared trip for her birthday week.  If there is a perfect age, I would say it's that and I say that knowing that 5 people could respond to that question with 5 completely different answers.  She was in awe of everything even without a wide knowledge of all things Disney, loved the characters, had the stamina for the marathon days, and didn't get real antsy waiting in lines (she's probably worse with that as a 13 year old).  She's a competitive cheerleader so we've gone every spring since 2021 and we leave for her 6th trip in 9 days.  Getting in a couple of trips early on has made these more recent trips a lot more fun.  We pick and choose what we like to do and we don't have the nagging feeling that we have to do all the things.  At the end of the day it's Disney.  Even if you screw it up, it's still better than a good day at work.

[A.J.]

Disney has announced that Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom will open on June 28th!

https://wdwnews.com/releases/tianas-bayou-adventure-opens-june-28-at-walt-disney-world/

“Drop on in” with Princess Tiana this summer, as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort on June 28!

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure invites guests to join beloved characters Princess Tiana, Mama Odie, Louis, and all-new friends on a thrilling adventure, all set against the music and excitement of a New Orleans celebration. This new attraction will feature dozens of Audio-Animatronics figures, a foot-tapping soundtrack, and a celebration where everyone’s welcome.

They got music, it’s always playin’

Music is at the heart of New Orleans, and guests will be tapping their toes all throughout the attraction thanks in part to adorable critters, who play instruments made of natural materials found in the bayou. Tiana’s new friends include an otter, a rabbit, a racoon, a beaver, a turtle and more. Their spirited stylings will turn the bayou into a party with Zydeco, Rara, and Afro-Cuban music authentic to the region of New Orleans. There will be new, original music alongside favorite tunes from the film, created in collaboration with award-winning artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard.

In addition to musical critters, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure welcomes talent voices from the film as they reprise their roles, including Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen, Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis, and the one and only Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana.

Grab somebody, come on down

As guests float through the cypress trees and Spanish moss of a beautiful Louisiana bayou, they may see some familiar faces as part of the dozens of entirely new Audio-Animatronics figures. Along with Princess Tiana, Louis and Mama Odie, keep an eye out for Eudora, Charlotte, Prince Ralphie, Prince Naveen and others. Between Disney’s iconic storytelling, technologically advanced Audio-Animatronics figures, and a thrilling 50-foot drop, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has enough fun for everyone!

As Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Princess and the Frog” makes its home in the Crescent City, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is more stuffed with authentic NOLA artistry than Charlotte is with Tiana’s “man-catching” beignets! Artwork from Louisiana artist Malaika Favorite will delight guests as part of the queue, and guests can see an original metalwork weathervane from third-generation master blacksmith, Darryl Reeves and his apprentice, Karina Roca. New Orleans artist Sharika Mahdi’s artwork has inspired the attraction from the beginning. And, for some lagniappe (a “little extra”) guests will have a nose full of the sweet scent of beignets being kept warm in the oven – reminiscent of strolling through the French Quarter – as part of the attraction queue.

Dreams do come true in New Orleans

The heart of Tiana’s story reminds guests that everyone has the potential to make their dreams a reality. With teams of Imagineers, Disney Animation artists, cast members and Louisiana artisans working together, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is sure to pass a good time when it opens at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida on June 28, 2024, and later in 2024 at Disneyland Park in California!

[prozach626]

Looks like trash compared to the original. I'm glad they paved over nostalgia to replace an attraction that offended almost no one for something that looks completely lukewarm.

[A.J.]

Hey everyone! Lots of stuff to talk about from D23, so here we go!

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/cars-area-announced-magic-kingdom/

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/new-nighttime-parade-magic-kingdom/

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/villains-land-announced-magic-kingdom/

 

First up, Disney announced an expansion to Frontierland with Cars attractions, to begin construction in early 2025!

One is a quicker-than-quick racecar who eats losers for breakfast, and one is a tow truck with a heart of gold. Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater are racing into Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort!

At Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro, with the help of Tow Mater via video call, announced that a new area inspired by the Pixar Animation Studios film “Cars” will be coming to a reimagined section of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom. “The American West has always been about keeping your eyes on the horizon … believing in yourself, carving your own path, and striving toward success. That goes for miners in the mountains, bears from the country, a princess from the bayou … or a racecar from the big city,” Josh told the crowd.

Don’t get too comfortable in Radiator Springs because it’s time to leave the pit stop and head west into exciting new frontiers. On this adventure, guests will be able to experience not one but two exciting new “Cars”-themed attractions.

One attraction will invite you on a thrilling rally race through the mountains. Take on wild terrain as you race across the landscape climbing mountain trails, dodging geysers and — Mater’s favorite — splashing through mudholes. 

But what about smaller racers? The second attraction will be geared towards them and will be fun for the whole family.

Get ready to start your engines! Work on this new space in Frontierland will begin in early 2025.

 

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Also, Disney announced that a new nighttime parade will be coming to the park!

Picture this: you’re nestled on Main Street, U.S.A. with your loved ones getting ready to watch a nighttime parade come to life right before your eyes. Maybe you’ve got a churro or a Mickey Ice Cream bar in hand, or are eyeing a nearby popcorn cart, who knows! But the lights dim, the music swells, and now you’re watching a brand-new nighttime spectacular at the Magic Kingdom Park.

You don’t have to imagine this for much longer, because in summer 2025, a brand-new parade will make its way to the Most Magical Place On Earth.

Broadway darlings — and former Disney Live Entertainment Cast Members! — Rachel Potter and Eden Espinosa graced the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event stage during Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase panel with this monumental announcement. The all-new parade “Disney Starlight” is coming next summer!

“Disney Starlight” will continue the nighttime spectacular legacy started by the “Main Street Electrical Parade” using the latest technology to tell new stories about the characters you love. All of this is brought to life by the magic of the Blue Fairy, in addition to beloved characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios films “Peter Pan,” “Encanto,” “Frozen,” and more.

 

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And finally, Disney announced a brand-new land for the park themed to the Disney Villains!

Once upon a nightmare… A place where poison apples are aplenty and magic potions can ruin your whole day. For all those things hiding in the shadows, it’s time to join them as we lift the veil on a forthcoming Villains Land at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Resort.

As Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced during Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, this new land will be home to the Disney Villains we know and loathe from our favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios classic films — “Which means happily ever after may feel like just a distant dream.”

The evil ambition of all these Villains means that the possibilities are endless for the stories that can be told — and visitors to the dark and thorny land should be prepared for whatever chaos might come their way. 

The new land will encompass all your dreams- er, nightmares. The space will be home to two major attractions, dining, and shopping on an incredibly twisted grand scale. “Be prepared, you poor unfortunate souls,” Josh teased. “It’s going to be a fearless new vision for what a Disney experience can be.”

You might have just felt a shiver run down your spine. That’s because preparation is already underway at Magic Kingdom for this new land. Maybe think twice before you indulge in that next shiny red apple…

 

On August 12th, Disney released more details surrounding the expansions at Magic Kingdom, including the closure and removal of Tom Sawyer Island, the Mark Twain Riverboat and the Rivers of America.

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/new-details-revealed-expansion-magic-kingdom/

This past weekend at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro revealed exciting new details about what’s coming to Walt Disney World. In addition to getting up close and personal with monsters and villains, soon you’ll be able to explore the uncharted territory of the great outdoors with an expansion in Frontierland themed around Pixar Animation Studios’ “Cars.”

It’s time to leave Radiator Springs and head west into exciting new locations. To make way for this completely new frontier, the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be transformed into vast and rugged terrains for a rally race with some of the world’s most iconic racers. 

“We are thrilled to create this original Cars adventure and put our guests in the driver’s seat as we—quite literally—explore a new frontier in Frontierland,” shared Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World Portfolio Executive Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering. “Part of pioneering this new story includes tapping into the themes of exploration and adventure that inspire so many of us to keep propelling forward. Anytime we touch Magic Kingdom, we recognize the massive responsibility that exists to get it right and tell stories that connect with our guests.”

The new area will bring you along for the ride (pun intended) with a brand-new thrilling rally race through the mountains, climbing trails, and dodging geysers, in addition to a second attraction geared towards fun for the whole family.

Ahead of work revving into high gear next year, guests will have plenty of time to experience the charm and nostalgia of Frontierland as it is today.

And cruising just around the bend, guests will be able to venture Beyond Big Thunder Mountain into an all-new land dedicated to Disney Villains. Inspired by the wicked characters fans know and loathe, the multi-acre expansion will include two major attractions, plus dining and shopping. Walt Disney Imagineering is pushing creative boundaries to dark and mysterious levels to bring this new, first-of-its-kind land to life.

Together, these new additions to Magic Kingdom will represent the largest expansion in park history. 

[bert425]

from the people I see losing their minds online about the "charm of Disney going away forever!!!!!". . .it seems they dropped more details this A.M. that the Cars land expansion will be replacing Rivers of America & Tom Sawyer Island.

 

anyone have confirmation on that?


If true, I could see that easily - I love the Riverboat and that trip around the river, but have never even been to the Tom Sawyer Island.  So if they are looking to use space to get more people into an area they aren't currently utilizing to the fullest?   I get it.  

as noted, I love the Riverboat, but not everyone rides it, or even stops at it.