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Which Disney Park needs the most fixing.

American Parks only.

From Zackiel Marsh
Posted August 9, 2011 at 8:44 PM
I was thinking about New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom and how they are trying to fix Fantasyland. Then I realized that Magic Kingdom is the least of their problems and other parks need help more than it does. So which do you think needs the most help.

IMO, Animal Kingdom needs a big expensive project to get it off it's feet. I really think it is just an overgrown zoo with some Disney magic in it but that isn't enough. Realistically you could
finish the park in less than half a day. I love watching animals, I love rides of all sizes, and I love shows but Animal Kingdom doesn't provide enough of any of them.

Personally I think it should build the Australia land to replace Camp Minnie-Mickey. They would have a major E-Ticket trill ride, two smaller family rides, a great show along the likes of Lion King(which would be moved to Africa) and Australian animal exhibits and AK would be a much better park


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Andrew Carrieri
Posted August 9, 2011 at 9:05 PM
For what its worth, I originally posted this in the comments for Mike Scopa's (www.allears.net) blogpost from July 23 in which he was discussing what things at Disney World need fixing:

In my opinion, Epcot as a whole needs fixing more than any other WDW park. The problem with Epcot in my book is that there is no real cohesive plan. What is the park's main goal? Is it to educate, provide thrills one cannot experience elsewhere, or provide worldclass cuisine? Even with DHS and AK, which get slammed frequently, one can at least get a sense of a central theme. Not so, IMO at Epcot.
On the education angle, it does this all right but there are major problems:1)Universe of Energy is totally outdated (it is stuck in 1996),2)Wonders of Life is dormant as Mike alluded too, 3)The Living Seas has been dumbed down with the Nemo theme, 4) Spaceship Earth has been dumbed down with the rehab, and 5) While the World Showcase movies are interesting I can just watch most of them on youtube and get the same basic experience.
As far as the thrills go, they are few and far between in my book. It seems like Disney just threw in a few mediocre rides to appeal to the masses. Soarin' is the most overrated ride I have ever been on (the view from above on Peter Pan at MK and ET at USF are far more well done in my book). Mission Space did nothing for me except making me sick. Test Track, while a good ride breaks down too frequently. To be fair, I have not experienced Sum of all Thrills.
On the dining aspect, the restaurants are pretty well done although overpriced. Personally, when I go to a theme park, I want to experience attractions, not eat a fancy dinner.
Finally, World Showcase rivals Dinoland as my least favorite area of any WDW park. American Adventure is the only thing that does anything for me there. The dining and shopping may be good but that is not why I come to a theme park. Frankly,if I want to experience a park concerning world cultures I'll go to Busch Gardens WIlliamsburg

From Anthony Murphy
Posted August 9, 2011 at 9:10 PM
I would go with DHS. I think it needs some TLC along with a new vision of how it goes forward. I feel its a bit of a mismash of rides with a weakening theme.

From Thomas Caselli
Posted August 10, 2011 at 7:48 AM
Wow Andrew, you are pretty negative on Epcot. It might need some attention but I don't think it is that bad. Right now I think Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom need some attention more then anything else, maybe a couple of new big attractions in each.

From Andrew Carrieri
Posted August 10, 2011 at 9:23 AM
Thomas-to each his own. I probably was harsh but I am just not a fan of Epcot. On my last two trips to WDW (8 days total), I went to the parks every day and spent a combined half a day over those two trips at Epcot.

From Flavio de Souza
Posted August 10, 2011 at 11:07 AM
Considering all Disney’s parks around the world, Disney Studios Paris is, by far, the one who needs most attention.

Considering only the American parks, I believe the west coast ones are OK. In the east, MK is already under big changes (although 3 of its 4 sibling’s parks are better than it, only Hong Kong Disneyland is inferior).

I agree with Anthony that DHS needs better theming, and agree with Zakiel that DAK needs more rides, but my answer to this tread is Epcot.

Epcot was my favorite park, but I have to admit that it lost it soul. It was a place where you could experience the future and travel around the world. Nowadays you can’t see any future experience anymore, many Future World pavilions are outdated and as Andrew stated many were dumbed down (I don’t think that is the case of Spaceship Earth).

The world showcase is the same for the last 20 years, no new country was added.

Epcot is not the place to cross selling Disney or Pixar movies and characters. Stop with it. Bring the dream of a better future back to Epcot. Disney could rely with some few companies in good shape (financially and innovatively) to revamp future world. Apple could take care of Imagination Pavilion. Google or Facebook could do the same with the old Communicore, or create a new Cyberspace Pavilion in the place of WOL. NGO, with the assistant of internet donors could sponsor Land and Living Seas.

Growing economies like Brazil, Russia and India could sponsor new pavilions at WS.

From Andrew Mooney
Posted August 10, 2011 at 11:01 AM
For me it's Animal Kingdom and DHS. Animal Kingdom needs a non-animal land taking the place of Camp Mickey-Minnie. I'm a huge fan of mythical creatures ala Beastly Kingdom This way the park can operate full time with the animal exhibits at the back closing early.

To me EPCOT is one of my favourite parks. Disney is about brining guests into a unique land and I believe that World Showcase is one of Disney's best themed zones. Disney is also addressing the lack of rides in WS by adding Kim Possible - which for kids and families is a lot of fun.

From TH Creative
Posted August 10, 2011 at 2:17 PM
I concur with Flavio's opinion on DSP.

Mr. Carrieri writes: "What is (EPCOT'S) main goal? Is it to educate, provide thrills one cannot experience elsewhere, or provide worldclass cuisine?

I respond: Why can't it be all of those things?

Additional thoughts: I would not put another dime into DAK until the Yeti is fixed. I also prefer adding zoological exhibits over attractions.

I would add another big fat attraction or show to DHS. But I imagine that will happen after Fantasyland, after Brazil and before the 50th anniversay in 2021.

From Andrew Carrieri
Posted August 10, 2011 at 2:45 PM
TH Creative: You're correct. I will also say that I would rather go to a theme park for actual rides (i.e coasters, themed experiences, etc.)or shows than educational experiences so Epoct will likely always be at the bottom of my list of Disney Parks. I would, however, enjoy Epcot a heck of a lot more if Disney made an effort to keep Future World somewhat cohesive/up to date and added more substance (non-food based) to World Showcase.
As for your AK points, IMO the park has enough zoo-type exhibits as is. You have two nature trails, the Oasis, a bird show, Rafiki's Planet Watch and the safari. They could add more animal exhibits where Rafiki's PW is now though. I also think that the park has close to enough rides/attractions but would like to see one-two more major attractions added. Finally, I know I am in the heavy minority on Everest but I still think the ride is a great coaster even without the Yeti. On my last trip (Dec 2008), for example, I went to AK every day of my trip specifically to ride Everest. Obviously, a functionable A-mode Yeti would be great but it is not a necessity to me like it is to others.

From Daniel Etcheberry
Posted August 10, 2011 at 5:26 PM
All of Disney World's parks (except Magic Kingdom) need fixing.

Animal Kingdom: the Yeti needs to be fixed, or otherwise the ride loses the climax that was built from the queue. It's like riding Jaws with a shark that doesn't move.

Disney Hollywood Studios: change the Indiana Jones show for the Disneyland ride. Make some changes to The Great Movie Ride (the Tarzan portion is a joke and the Alien part needs to be scarier.) Get rid of the Studio Tour (fake!) and add Radiator Spring Racers (it would be part of Pixar Place.)

Epcot: Bring back the old Future World attractions (with updates.) It's also time to add a new country at World Showcase.

From Andrew Carrieri
Posted August 10, 2011 at 6:38 PM
Daniel-Just curious. If you were to add Radiator Springs Raceway to DHS, would you eliminate Test Track from Epcot (from what I have heard the attractions are pretty similar)and replace it with an updated version of the old World of Motion?

From Anthony Murphy
Posted August 10, 2011 at 8:01 PM
I think the three youngest WDW parks need something to improve a bit:

EPCOT: Good Theming and Solid Storyline, but pretty much void of Thrill rides

DHS: Great Rides, but I feel that they should work on theming (the biggest issue of the three)

AK: Great Rides and Theming, but still needs more.... AK does well with the small amount it has!

From Phil B.
Posted August 11, 2011 at 7:34 AM
I would say AK, as beautiful as it is, needs the most love right now. The Yeti problem will not get resolved until another large scale, people eating, E-ticket opens at the park. So the need to go full steam ahead with another land is imperative there. Either Beastly Kingdom or Australia and which ever one it is, it needs to have an E-ticket on the scale of Everest, preferably another sit down dining experience and most importantly of all, a night time event. They should have dibs on the East Coast version of the World of Color, but of course themed appropriately for AK. Complete the filling out of the land with a counter service food choice, well themed meet and greet, a couple minor attractions and either another walk through animal exhibit or show and you finally make AK a full day experience. Oh, and then the Yeti gets fixed :)

From Daniel Etcheberry
Posted August 11, 2011 at 7:53 AM
Yes Andrew. World of Motion was one of those old rides that made Future World a unique place to be.

From Kelly Muggleton
Posted August 12, 2011 at 8:40 AM
I would have to agree with Andrew. EPCOT does nothing for me. I just dont understand it. When I was much younger the wow factors for the park came from the fountains, the light up glittery walkways, the fireworks and World Showcase.
Now...I am perfectly happy not to visit at all.
If I did visit it would be very late in the day to go on Mission Space and watch Illuminations (and see those wonderful walkways!)
If there was more cohesion it would definitely be more of a draw for me.
Quite simply put, I love MK, I love DHS and I really enjoy Animal Kingdom (not quite love)...but Epcot...meh, I'm fine thanks.

However saying that, my love for DHS means I would adore seeing it have some extra attention in a non-Pixar form. The scalebacks in the 'backstage' tour were a crime (the house facades were brilliant), the Muppets could use some love (even in the shop - where's the merch!). Even putting something like an updated version of the Monster Sound Show back in its old home would show that the Disney Team were giving DHS the love and time it deserves!
In my own humble opinion obviously :-)

From Carrie Hood
Posted August 12, 2011 at 8:34 AM
Honestly, Epcot and I'm a HUGE fan of the park. It's been my favorite since I was a child and it still is even to this day. Naturally I'm a huge supporter of it and always shall be. However I know it's a former shadow of it's once amazing self, so many pavilions and parts need help and updating.

Just a few quick examples:

Wonders of Life is just rotting. Do the same thing it was originally about "Healthy, Active Lifestyles!". There has to be some company out there with the money and drive to push that into a few million heads a year?

The Land, it's doing okay but it really does need another type of show somehow. Put in live action show like "Legend of the Lion King" rather then just a film. If you don't want to do that, make it interactive like "Monsters Scare Floor" is! That should haul people in the doors, I'd wait for that one!

Imagination: Opening the playground again! Update it! It's not hard and it won't even cost you a small carnival attraction! Put in the interactive play technologies out there. Teach kids they can go outside and explore that big thing we call a "world" again. Also, someone put that Channing dolt out of his misery already!

Add in a new country or two to World Showcase while your at it. As much as I love dropping a few hundred between China and Japan, something new to buy would be nice!

From Dan Babbitt
Posted August 12, 2011 at 10:10 AM
Im with most of you with DHS needs some fixing by adding rides and updating a few shows and rides there.

But changing the theme is to drastic and wouldnt make sense because the park is set-up into 2 parts. The City and backstage.

Hollywood Blvd, Echo Lake and Sunset Blvd encompass the City of Hollywood. While the rest of the park is the backstage area. There are 4 main dividers used to tell you that you have moved from Hollywood to backstage and they are 2 security posts: One right next to Backlot Express restaurant and the other in between American Idol and Great Movie Ride before ABC Comissary. The others are the Arch's to Animation Courtyard and Pixar Place.

With this said after getting this the park totally made sense to me.

-What I would do is revamp and modernize the Great Movie Ride with movies that were made recently but keep the show how it is at the end.

-Backlot Tour needs to go opening space for Marvel Studios. But I would keep the boneyard as a walk through because I would think quests would love get closer and take pictures in front of Walt's Plane and the snow speeder from Star Wars!

-Expand Pixar Place to where Ones Man Dream and Narnia are currently placed and get rid of those 2 attractions. Moving One Mans Dream to where it should be: MK Main Street USA. Then add Monster Inc roller coaster and another kids omnimover to this section.

-Indiana Jones Stunt show needs to go because of the Light Motor Action which draws more guests and put in the Indiana Jones ride from DL.

-How about fastpass for Fantasmic! Thoughts?

From TH Creative
Posted August 12, 2011 at 5:14 PM
I get creepy feelings about noisy attractions around the critters. Everest is fine, but I would urge Disney to use its resources to go biologic and place the critters in environments where people can linger --- as opposed to parading by on a tram.

From chris cona
Posted August 12, 2011 at 9:11 PM
Leave magic Kingdom and hollywood studios alone leave the countries alone in epcot but change or make new rides and add something big to animal kingdom I do 4 rides there and I'm done

From Daniel Smith
Posted August 13, 2011 at 2:16 AM
Both "Australia" and "Beastly Kingdom" could be incorporated together! Don't forget, Australia was built on the "dreamtime" from the Aboriginal People. Dreamtime is also a wonderful name and the Aussie mythical beasts create incredible storytelling! Australian mythical creatures include the Dirawong, Drop Bear, Muldjewangk, Tiddalik, Wagyl, Yara-ma-yha-who, and my favourites, the Yowie, Bunyip and Rainbow Serpent. As well as the creatures, there are so many legends, like that of the famous Three Sisters (now turned to stone in the Blue Mountains near Sydney). Also, imagine having part of the park with free roaming Aussie animals you can freely interact with (koalas, kangaroos, emus, etc.). Disney execs should take a look at the Australian Reptile Park for a winning combination :) An e-ticket ride based on the Bunyip and Rainbow Serpent has incredible potential!

From Daniel Smith
Posted August 13, 2011 at 2:28 AM
Further to my last post, Tiddalik could be a great new water ride (a great story precedes it). Take a look at this page for the story of Tiddalik (the frog who drank all the world's fresh water!) and they had to make him laugh to release all the water back! Great story for children too!!

Here is the link...

http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-australian-mythical-creatures.php

From Tim Odom
Posted August 16, 2011 at 11:40 AM
In my eyes, Animal Kingdom needs a huge overhaul. When I go to WDW, it's the one park I feel I can either completely skip or just spend half a day in.

I hear what people are saying about DHS and EPCOT, but Animal Kingdom has something those 2 parks lack: Dinoland USA. Dear lord, who thought this abomination was good for a Disney park? I mean, there might be countries you skip in EPCOT, but you can still look around for a long time (and it is a great 'rain day' park.) DHS needs to tighten it's theme, but unless you are not a thrill ride person, there is no 'dead zone' in that park like Dinoland USA is in Animal Kingdom.

And if that was not enough, then on the other side of the park you have a second area, Camp Minnie-Mickey, which exists just for the Lion King show. Seriously, 2 lands that are near useless, an E-ticket ride with it's big effect messed up, and just not enough to do in the park. Really, I go there and ride 3 rides (Safari, Everest, and Kali River Rapids), and see 1-2 shows (Lion King and Nemo, both of which I have seen enough that I can miss them.) Honestly, if it were just me going, I would get a 3 day ticket with park hopper, using extra time to hit the few Animal Kingdom attractions I find worth it.

From Nick Markham
Posted August 17, 2011 at 4:09 PM
^I think they just needed a place to put Dinosaur: The ride in. Still, it could use an ultra-refurb.

From Tom Ewart
Posted August 17, 2011 at 7:26 PM
I think that Disney should revamp the transportation system between parks, like either expanding the Monrail or put some kind of park hopping LIM Coster where you could really "Hop" from one park to another in a minute or two--you could put a few loops in or underground tunnels... you know transportation for the adrenalin freak crowd, Make the transition from park to park kind of a thrill ride as well. Maybe make it available to Disney resort guest to drive people to stay on property and have a park hopper pass to keep the lines shorter.

From travis traymoore
Posted August 17, 2011 at 9:50 PM
Dinolands ok i wouldnt get rid of it and I wouldnt get rid of camp minnie mickey either DAK has enough land to grow without the need of demolishing either land. I think they should add beastly kingdom but without a wooden coaster and a journey to the center of the earth typre ride and maybe australia with a few exhibits and a water ride

From Mark Fairleigh
Posted August 18, 2011 at 9:54 AM
Definitely DHS. The park was put up in a hurry by Eisner to beat out the opening of Universal Studios and it shows. The layout is insanely chaotic and so much more could have been done with the overall concept.

From Dan Babbitt
Posted August 19, 2011 at 8:28 PM
What do you mean?

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