One of the original lands in Walt Disney's original theme park, Disneyland, Tomorrowland has changed more than any other land in the park over its more than half a century. Tomorrows have their way of becoming yesterdays, and any land devoted to the future must change frequently to avoid becoming a relic of the past.
Disney ditched the land in Paris, crafting a "Discoveryland" based on the then-futuristic fiction of Frenchman Jules Verne instead. And today's Tomorrowlands at Disneyland and Walt Disney World increasingly are becoming "Science Fiction Cartoon" lands, with attractions such as the Buzz Lightyear shoot-'em-ups.
Changes are coming to Tomorrowland. Walt Disney World's getting a refreshed Space Mountain and a new Star Tours is on its way to Disneyland.
But what would you like to see? What's your dream Tomorrowland attraction?
Don't forget that tomorrow-becomes-yesterday problem. Your dream for a $100 million extravaganza ain't gonna fly if it's gonna look out of date in a decade. Keep that in mind as you craft your idea.
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...I do know that part of any Tomorrowland expansion (at WDW) should include the removal and replacement of both Stitch's Great Escape and the Tomorrowland Speedway. Not sure what would fit in Stitch's small footprint, but the Speedway has a huge footprint for a coaster, giant dark ride, or even a long sought-after (but never accomplished) Spider-Man killer. No matter what else happens, those two attractions MUST go.
But what attraction would I really like to see added to Tomorrowland? I need to do some more research....
The beauty of the attraction is that everything inside the tubes and the junctions would be projected, so as we as a society advance technologically, the overlays inside the ride could simply be updated to make the theming fresh. The ride system itself would never have to be changed, just the overlay projected throughout the totally immersive attraction.
As for the narrative, I envision it as the next step in the Carousel of Progress/Horizons mold, as it would tell the story of how we advance to this futuristic society where travel by tubes is a common, everyday occurrence, and showcase how the people of this possible future live and work in their day to day lives.
Hey, it may seem a bit hazy, but trust me, what I see in my head is amazing, I just seem to be lacking the writing skills necessary to convey the idea clearly in this post! But, you get the idea: Horizons meets Rock 'n' Roller Coaster meets Star Tours, or something like that! =)
Oh, yeah, and I would call the ride Progress City Adventure or something cliched like that!
As for the current Tomorrowland, I really do not see a problem with having Buzz there. He fits in perfectly and the ride seems widely popular with groups.
I wouldn't mind seeing the People Mover placed in DL. Its functional and oddly a fun ride at MK. Tomorrowland does have an Astro Orbitor and toSpace Mountain in each.
I would like to see Disney do more dark rides, but with aliens or something
My thoughts: One of the most under appreciated Disney properties (franchises) has been Irish author's book series 'Artemis Fow' (look it up). An attraction based upon this franchise would be a perfect fit (transition) between Fantasyland and Tomrorowland.
It might also have a feature where people can devise their own products of the future.
What is your problem with Pixar movies and characters at the Disney parks?
Pixar is now part of Disney. John L. has Disney in his blood.
I see these kinds of comments from people on several blogs and it feels like some kind of puritanical streak.
Let the Imagineers do what they do best: imagine.
TH: blue sky disney reports that disney bought the rights to make a movie out of Airman, by Eoin Colfer(like artemis fowl)
The ride could best be accomplished by using the People-Mover track and an Indiana Jones style car. The ride car could look like Tron lightcycles and seat about 4 ( 2 rows of 2 ). It would be self-contained with no windows and each car would contain a monitor that shows what path the lightcycle is taking in "virtual world" while the real world is just the way they deliver the motion of the ride. As the lightcycle negotiates a turn in reality, the hydraulic system of the car would make it tip over while onscreen the bike would be taking a huge turn at high speed. ...or if you want to say that lightcycles were never capable of such turns, then let the hydraulic system snap the bike into a sharp turn as onscreen we see the bike make a sharp 90-degree turn.
It's a contemporary license thanks to the new movie.
It uses an existing track.
It uses existing Indiana Jones ride technology.
I have to wonder why they've never done this yet, even before the Tron movie sequel was announced. Now that it has been made public, let's hope it makes this ride all the more a possibility.
R. Niles: That's a great issue: How do you transition Fantasyland into Tomorrowland?
Simple. Toy Story. Buzz Lightyear + talking toys. Technically this has already been done, just not at the most like place between the two lands. Until then, the Sub ride is a pretty good transition. :-)
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