Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Discussion Thread

[KBrylczyk]

Yeah, Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island are getting axed for these expansions.  Here's a look at the overall area where they're going.  Basically all of that green space from Tom Sawyer Island and north, stretching from east of Caribbean Way, south of Floridian Way, and west of Center Drive is in play.  I'm assuming Cars Land will be TSI and west, Villains will be north of Haunted Mansion.

[Hilltopper39]

I'm a little torn on this expansion, on one hand I don't mind them removing Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America but I don't love the Cars property, especially in Frontierland? Thematically I don't really know how it's going to fit, but also I don't know if anyone even cares about that kind of stuff anymore. I will miss the ambiance of the river and that area in general, but if this turns into a lushly forested Grizzly Peak/Wilderness Lodge type area with a killer attraction then I don't think anyone will really miss it. 

 

Also after years of them teasing "what's beyond thunder mountain?" it seems kind of obvious now that that to even get to the land plots beyond you have to go straight through Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer's Island so I guess this shouldn't be that surprising.

[Satans Hockey]

Out of all the times I've been to the park I went on the boat once and didn't find anything special about it. Rarely ever saw many people using Tom Sawyer Island too. They need more rides that take up a decent amount of people and the cars ride helps there. I love the cars franchise though.

Also don't care if they eventually remove the hall of presidents either. I haven't been in there since I was a kid and I have 0 interest in ever sitting through it again.

[Chiselphane]

I absolutely adore Tom Sawyer Island but I can't deny that it's not popular and the real estate will be better used for other things.  I'm just sad I never got the chance to eat at Aunt Polly's.   And Villains Land is a dream project so definitely no complaints there!

[Zand]

For the low, low price of $449 you can skip every line at Magic Kingdom, as long as you've already ponied up $1k+ on a room.

That's $150 more than I paid for a national Six Flags Platinum Flash Pass that is good for 17 months

[mikeykaise]

when it takes a bank loan to go see a walking and talking mouse the business might wanna review ticket prices.... I'd love to visit the SW areas and Animal Kingdom but not gonna put myself in the poor house to do it though.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Makes me sad that many families will put themself into that position of income (i.e. poor house), once they start planning and paying for their WDW trips.

[Zand]

Unless the crowd levels ever start actually dropping at Disney, hoping for a price reduction is a pipe dream.

[CaptainUnknown]

4 hours ago, mikeykaise said:

when it takes a bank loan to go see a walking and talking mouse the business might wanna review ticket prices.... I've love to visit the SW areas and Animal Kingdom but not gonna put myself in the poor house to do it though.

I agree with this to an extent. Even with ticket prices being as high as Snoop Dogg on April 20th in a White Castle parking lot, the parks get a metric assload of visitors per day. So it's no question that a corporation would rather price some people out than lower ticket costs and cap attendance.

[KBrylczyk]

Nobody is forcing LLP on the guests. This is just another easy cash grab for the company.  Yeah, a single day ticket is pricey, but compared to the price of other entertainment options these days it's actually quite reasonable.  Would I rather spend $200 for a day at Disney or spend $200 for a 2-hour Broadway show?

Disney.  No question.  I'm a friggin IATSE Journeyman stagehand and I'd rather go to Disney than support my industry.  The last Broadway show I saw was A Strange Loop two years ago and that's only because I found a balcony seat day-of for $58.  Cursed Child I spent $156 on for the second row but that was entirely funded by my per diem budget while on tour.

[prozach626]

I think the lightning passes are great. The prices aren't for everyone. It's for those who are willing to pay for the experience. It's not mandatory. 

If you're taking out a loan to go to Disney, then you shouldn't be going to Disney.

[Nrthwnd]

Has anybody heard or seen recent news, that the Disney CARS attraction in MK won't be trackless and instead, be tracked like Racers in DCA? Just wondering, here.

[Haymaker]

4 hours ago, Nrthwnd said:

Has anybody heard or seen recent news, that the Disney CARS attraction in MK won't be trackless and instead, be tracked like Racers in DCA? Just wondering, here.

Trackless, they shared an inspiration story video on it recently

[Nrthwnd]

^ Have to contradict you, as several Disney World sites are now posting that a track-based ride will be created.

Here's a post headline from one of those sites:

"Walt Disney Imagineering Confirms New Cars-themed Rally Race Attraction Will Use Track-Based Ride System Despite Rumors" (BlogMickey.com)

That's what I've been finding. And I am kinda sad that it won't be trackless.

 

[Haymaker]

13 hours ago, Nrthwnd said:

^ Have to contradict you, as several Disney World sites are now posting that a track-based ride will be created.

Here's a post headline from one of those sites:

"Walt Disney Imagineering Confirms New Cars-themed Rally Race Attraction Will Use Track-Based Ride System Despite Rumors" (BlogMickey.com)

That's what I've been finding. And I am kinda sad that it won't be trackless.

 

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/cars-land-magic-kingdom/news/09nov2024-disney-reveals-trackless-all-terrain-ride-system-for-new-cars-attraction-at-d23-brazil.htm

I think its still up in the air, or a misinterpretation by the site you quote, as a trackless ride still follows a track (like racetrack). 

[Nrthwnd]

^ That's true. Once the foundation is laid, and they actually start building, we'll know soon enough.

[jedimaster1227]

Walt Disney World Resort has announced that Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin will receive updates including updated ride vehicles and blasters, gameplay enhancements and more!

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/new-space-ranger-spin-updates-coming-to-disney-world/

Calling all Space Rangers! Exciting updates are on the horizon for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, including a new show scene, updated ride vehicles and gameplay enhancements. Here’s what you can expect from this iconic Tomorrowland attraction next year.   

Brand New Scene

As their adventure begins, guests will now be greeted by an all-new character! This friendly robot — aptly named “Buddy” — was created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios to play a key role on the Star Command team.  

As a support-bot, Buddy makes sure departing Space Rangers are fully prepared for their mission, enthusiastically providing encouragement, final system checks on their Star Cruisers and a chance to hone their blaster aim. This will be a great time for guests to check out some of the new, interactive target features before blasting off to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg and save the galaxy. 

New Ride Vehicles

Star cruisers will also receive a face lift with a new design inspired by the colors of Buzz Lightyear and Star Command. Each enhanced vehicle will also now come equipped with video monitors that provide real-time scoring updates and other exciting features.  

Handheld Blasters

Each ride vehicle will now include handheld blasters for better aim, helping guests to score even more points. These new blasters will be perfect for our younger riders, allowing them to participate more in the experience.  

And, if you’ve ever wondered where you’re aiming (don’t worry, you’re not alone), these enhanced blasters will now include an always-on laser and come in two different colors per star cruiser, in addition to new lighting, sound and vibration effects, so players know where they’re aiming throughout the mission.  

Interactive Targets

The static Z targets found in the attraction today will be upgraded with new technology that will allow them to react and light up when hit. It also opens the door for a few other ideas Imagineers have in mind.  

Work on these updates recently passed an important milestone, as fellow Imagineers were invited to participate in a playtest of the new targets, blasters and gameplay ideas. Playtests are a critical part of the design process, where the project team is able to try out variations of a concept in a real-world setting, gaining critical insights into which ideas work best and how the experience can be improved. It’s all part of delivering an out-of-this-world experience for our guests. 

“Everyone had a great time, and our team learned a lot,” project creative director Justin DeTolla said. “We’ve been working on this project for quite some time now, so it was exciting to see it all come to life for the first time in the field.”  

To prepare for these updates, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will temporarily close in August and reopen next year. Star Command, over and out! 

[Garet]

It looks similar to the upgrades in Hong Kong, when they changed it to Ant-Man. Part of that though was vehicles all followed a set rotation, are they also removing the ability to turn and rotate your own vehicle here? 

[cfc]

Great! Shooting dark rides have come a long way since this attraction first opened, and It'll be good to see the original Buzz Lightyear get an upgrade.

[DannySixFlags]

Is Ken Mitchroney going to stay as Zurg?? Because that's the first voice Zurg ever had...

[jedimaster1227]

Walt Disney World has revealed new details regarding the Pirates of the Caribbean-themed tavern coming to Magic Kingdom Park, The Beak and Barrel.

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/the-beak-and-barrel-new-details-from-pirates-of-the-caribbean-tavern/

It’s time to raise a glass and let out a hearty shout – The Beak and Barrel opens later this year in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park! Established by the legendary pirate rumrunner, Captain Meridian “Merry” Goldwyn, and her talkative first mate, Rummy (more on them below), this lively pirate pub will soon welcome swashbucklers, scoundrels, bandits and buccaneers of all ages from every corner of the seven seas. 

Meet Rummy

As Merry’s trusted companion and first mate, Rummy serves as the tavern’s quartermaster keeping an eye on the place from his roost high atop the bar. Although retired from seafaring life, Rummy is a dutiful crewman to his beloved Merry, ensuring everything is ship-shape, sharing tales of piracy and leading the bar in a rousing toast or two.  

Eagle-eyed Disney fans may notice that Rummy bears a striking resemblance to the original Barker Bird that previously sat at the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean but flew the coop some time ago. 

The Mess

The largest and central space at The Beak and Barrel was once the mess hall for Spanish soldiers and is now known appropriately as “The Mess.” Long tables span the room, allowing for pirates to gather ‘round and tell their own tales, while an imposing anchor covered in candles and dripping wax hangs high above.  

A large bar anchors one side of the room, cobbled together from salvaged portions of a cursed shipwreck. At its center, the skull-shaped stern holds an impressive collection of grogs and brew. Guests may also spot the Enchanted Rum Bottle, which was gifted to Merry by the enchantress Tia Dalma and seemingly serves as the source of the tavern’s specialty brews, or Rummy hobbling along the bar’s ledge, greeting the patrons and keeping a close eye on the crew while Merry is away.  

Captains’ Quarters

Inside the Captains’ Quarters, visiting pirates can enjoy a taste of the finer life, which was once the living quarters of the Spanish Comandante. However, the fine artwork and drapery hasn’t escaped slashing blades or burn marks over the years by rambunctious pirates, and in some places, faded spots on the wall are all that remains of now plundered portraits.  

Above the fireplace are mounted five miniature ships in glass bottles, rumored to represent pirates from every corner of the world banding together to defeat tyranny. Keep a weathered eye out, as these mysterious bottles have been known to come alive and engage in a fearsome battle.  

There’s still plenty more to be discovered inside The Beak and Barrel, but that’s enough for today. Be sure to stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details, including the opening date and a first look at some of the sea-worthy selection of drinks and bites fit for pirates of all ages coming soon. It’s a pirate’s life for us!

[prozach626]

Interested to know more about the enchanted rum bottle.