The old Skyway and Disney roller coastersWalt Disney World: What happened to MK's SkyWay? And could Disney have Mega-roller coasters?
From Bruce Morgan
You did an excellent job answering my question about the Diamond Horseshoe. Can you also tell me why the Skyway closed? Posted October 26, 2005 at 10:37 PM Another question: why hasn't Disney created a major roller coaster ride? Don't get me wrong; I love Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain RR. And I think Splash Mountain almost qualifies as a work of art. I'm aware that Disney pushed the card a bit with Space and the Rock n Roller Coaster, but there aren't any Disney rides that are of the same caliber as Montu or the Kraken. I usually tell people that the reason they don't make coasters like the Montu is that it's in keeping with Walt's idea underlying his original theme park plan, that is, to offer attractions that both parents and kids could enjoy together. A three year old couldn't ride a Montu type coaster, but the same kid could certainly get on the People Mover or the Goofy coaster at MK. Then again, I wonder what would happen if Disney placed an awesome THEMED roller coaster in maybe the AK or MGM on the same caliber as Montu or Kraken. I mean a mega-coaster with the Disney touch. I betcha these parks would be packed if they had 3 or 4 of such rides. The key would be having it both themed AND thrilling. Of course, the Magic Kingdom could keep their coasters low-keyed in keeping with Walt's original idea. What do you think?
Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond. From Adriel Tjokrosaputro
I think Skyway is closed because it can be dangerous. Just think if the car is falling and it strike the people below... Disney needs somethin new, something better than the Skyway.Posted October 27, 2005 at 3:18 AM Disney-MEGA coaster? That will be great. California Screamin', Space Mountain: Mission 2, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, and Expedition Everest are just a beginning. I'm sure someday Disney will build MEGA coaster. Maybe it's not as great as Six Flags' or Universal's but I'm sure the theming is better.
From Russell Meyer
Disney will never build a "mega" roller coaster. Their audience is very family oriented, and what parent is going to want to ride a coaster that their kid cannot ride with them. Disney has never been in the market of building the tallest of fastest roller coasters, but in recent years, they have expanded beyond the "kiddie coaster" market with Rock n' Rollercoaster, California Screamin', and Expedition Everest. I also think any future Disney coaster, like current ones, will have a well-defined story, and it's just hard to tell a story when you're flying by things at 80 MPH.Posted October 27, 2005 at 6:33 AM
From Bruce Morgan
I made that point in my post about the original intent of Walt's: to provide family entertainment where all members of the family could ride and enjoy attractions. But let's face it. Disney has evolved over the years in every department. I certainly don't think everything Disney does qualifies as "family entertainment". There are many Disney movies - even animated movies - that I wouldn't let my three year old son watch, e.g. The Black Cauldron, a film that I myself enjoy. And they have went beyond the kiddie ride as you noted and pushed the card with TOT and RNR coaster. Obviously, I can't take my three year old son on either one of those rides - and wouldn't if I could. So age groups are left out. Posted October 27, 2005 at 6:30 PM BUT, what happens when my kids are teenagers. It would be nice to go beyond the tame rides like those in the MK & MGM. We've been to other parks - BG, SeaWorld, IOA, UA, Dollywood -where we couldn't ride all the rides; yet, my wife and kids loved these parks anyway. Having bigger and faster roller coasters hasn't stopped these parks from being family oriented in their own unique ways. I can't wait until my kids are older so we can experience some of the mega-coasters together. That's my point: I'd like for Disney to provide something for me and my future teenagers to experience as a family, something a bit heavier than Space Mountain, RNR Coaster, BTM, Test Track, etc. As far as a story, Space Mountain really doesn't have a story does it? Yet, it is "themed". There's no telling what Disney could do in the roller coaster universe if they tried. The efforts thus far already have been fabulous, even though they've been "lighter". Look, I absolutely adore WALT DISNEY WORLD!! To me, there's nothing like it in the world. I've enjoyed the parks, most of the resort hotels, the water parks, the dinner shows, the recreation, many dining experiences, etc....overall I would rate the Disney experience 10/10. I'd just like to see what they could do if they really went for the roller coaster fanatic....i know whole families that would bust the gate down at Disney to get to the coaster if they would do something the caliber of The Incredible Hulk, Montu, Kraken, etc.. I'd just like to see it.
From Chris Walton
True, Disney is evolving...to the point where Walt's dream is ultimately going to be crushed (just as his dream of the EPCOT community has been already). Disney does not need to give in and start building collosal MEGA coaster thrill rides, they have other avenues to take to keep drawing in the massive crowds. Besides, they are already doing a great job with rides like Tower of Terror, Rockin' Roller Coaster, Test Track,Mission:Space,and the upcoming Expedition:Everest,just to name a few. With Eisner gone and Roy Disney being more involved (hopefully), I'm sure we will see big things to come from Disney in the coming years!Posted October 27, 2005 at 6:33 PM
From Anthony Murphy
I think they got rid of the old Skyway because a mantience worker died on it and they just felt that it was not worth keeping it up because something else could happen. Disney wants to make rides that almost EVERYBODY can ride on. Yeah, I know Mission Space is a ride for the adults, but Disney also likes to tell a story of some sort with their attractions. Why did they get rid of Alien Encounter? I think because it was not family oriented!Posted October 27, 2005 at 6:49 PM
From Bruce Morgan
I do want to make it clear that I absolutely LOVE everything ride that has been and will be mentioned. I still get excited waiting in line for such rides as Space Mountain and Tower of Terror. Posted October 27, 2005 at 6:55 PM Another thing: I may have given the idea that I would like to see Disney turn into an amusement park. NO WAY!!! The reason I keep going back to Disney has nothing to do with any coaster factor. I enjoy what they have done in the past and are doing now with Space, Test Track, etc. To be quite frank, I can only enjoy so much of the mega-coasters. 4 or 5 in one day is plenty for me when I'm at parks with those kinds of coasters. In fact, I don't even consider myself a mega-coaster fanatic at all. But that doesn't make me want to change my mind about seeing what Disney could do in this area. Thanks for responding guys!!!! I love Disney!!!!
From rick stevens
Disney does not really need a Mega Coaster, it would be fun, but not necessary. I don't go to Disney for the fast rides, I go for the atmosphere and the themed rides. When I want fast rides, I go to Knott's or Magic Mountain. Disney is not really in competition with these parks, they are in competition with Disney and attract a different group. Posted October 27, 2005 at 10:37 PM My kids loved Disney until they hit their teens. Then they sequed into the faster parks. Now that they are hitting adulthood, they are gravitating back to Disney. Please don't let Disney loose their prime objective, family oriented fun.
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