The Not So Magic Kingdom

I think the simplest explanation is if it's not broken, don't fix it. While Disney is constantly tweaking and trying to make improvements, these massive AI and other tech initiatives are expansive (the MagicBand and FP+ programs in the '10s reported cost over $1 billion). WDW is one of the most visited tourist destinations on the planet, and the potential for further growth is not as lucrative as other resorts in Disney's portfolio, so the cost to make technological advances doesn't have the ceiling to justify the up front costs of expensive and unproven technological upgrades. Also, with such a mature market and customer base, it's risky to continuously make major changes to the logistics and processes trying to squeeze out a few more sheckles out of guests' pockets.

Ultimately the smaller resorts offer a proving ground for some of this new technology and other upgrades to eventually be ported to WDW (and other resorts). For instance, the Frozen animatronics that are noted are being upgraded in EPCOT early next year.

Rob P: "At EPCOT, not MK I know , they use facial projections which is fast becomimg (sic) yesterday's tech."

Me: Don't these use facial projections on Mine Train and Tianna's?

Rob P: Comparing the wonderful plans there with those of MK's Cars Land and Villains Land is disturbing to say the least."

Me: What detailed "plans" have you seen for Piston Peak and villains that make you confident in that assessment?

It's kind of disturbing that there are no detailed plans, to be honest. We still know nothing about the Villains land ride lineup.

We know Villains Land is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2030.

This has got to be a troll. WDW has gotten way more, and continues to get way more, investment than DLR Paris. And its not even close.

Wow.
I have to resond to the-man26. For the record I've been a member of TPI for more than 20 years not 2 weeks and my comments are always genuine and based on information easily accessed on any number of platforms on the internet. My opinions are always given in good faith and are not trolls as you suggest.

On a more serious note and in answer to TH , who's views I do respect ,what I'm saying is that, based on information given thus far, the prospect of Cars Land does not fill me with excitement. Maybe it will turn out to be a thrilling ride. We don't know yet. But seeing some of the landscaping and tech advances that will be on offer at Disneyland Paris means I'm not, personally, so excited by the proposed developments at MK. Particularly as we've lost the Rivers of America to make way for it.

I sincerely hope I'm wrong and that MK does get the love it deserves. It's what we all want don't we ? All will be revealed in the fullness of time I suppose.

@Rob P: Your explanation does not gel with your headline. Your conclusive title for this thread ("Not So Magic Kingdom") is off the mark. Based on your last post, a more fitting headline would've been "Will the Magic Kingdom Expansions be as Wonderful as those in Paris"? Instead you chose a title which is definitively (and certainly prematurely) laced with criticism.

@TH

Or I could simply have added a question mark but , in true journalistic style, elected not to.
Keeps people guessing and, seemingly, upsets the more sensitive among us.
Happy Days.

DL used to be my favorite park, but as long as it has the pole barn haunted mansion shop that pollutes the aesthetics of the park, it is the worst.

@RobP: So you're trying to "upset" some people? Noted.

RobP, while many guests love thrills and the latest technology there are also a healthy percentage which get absorbed through immersion, family atmosphere and tradition so Magic Kingdom still retains the top spot to visit for myself and is always the most visited park in the world.

Admittedly, MK needs the occasional update which Disney have been very successful at over the decades and are continuing with the latest announcements.

I love all major theme parks but MK has a magic all of its own starting with the choice you make at the TTC. No other park gives you that heightened anticipation than MK or the thrill of immersion when you enter City Hall and Main Street.

I think Disneyland Paris's investment feels like a much bigger deal than it actually is simply because that resort is so attraction starved. Let's do a quick comparison of the last ten years and the next five for each resort...

-At the Disneyland resort, Disneyland has gotten a new nighttime spectacular plus a major overhaul to another, a new parade plus significant enhancements to two other parades, completely rethemed five different attractions and performed major overhauls on seven others, an entire new themed area, a new E-ticket dark ride, a particularly ugly gift shop, and a new animatronic performance. The park's only project on deck is another attraction upgrade. Over at DCA, they got a new version of their nighttime spectacular, rethemed two entire areas of the park plus added a new themed area (though one lacking an E-ticket), performed major rethemes on three attractions, added two new supporting attractions to existing lands, added a live stage show, and added two different smaller shows. Between now and 2031, they'll be adding a whole new themed area, expanding a second, adding a new D/E-ticket dark ride, and upgrading a classic attraction with a new version.

-At Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom was pretty neglected up until recently, but they've added a new E-ticket roller coaster, rethemed an E-ticket attraction, upgraded an animatronic show, got a new nighttime parade, and opened a new restaurant all in the past three years. Three attractions at the park are currently undergoing fairly sizable refurbishment projects, then after that they'll be opening not one but two brand new themed areas in time for the park's sixtieth anniversary. Epcot has majorly overhauled four different attractions (one of which was a complete retheme), as well as added two nighttime spectaculars (because the first flopped), a D-ticket dark ride, an E-ticket roller coaster, a B-ticket walkthrough, and a new restaurant. As far as I know, the only thing in development for the park is the new version of Soarin', but they've gotten a lot of love lately. DHS has added two entire themed areas and two new live shows, plus they've got three major upgrades on the way next year followed by a D-ticket coaster and surrounding miniland a couple years afterward. DAK got a whole new land eight years back and has just gotten a few shows since then (of varying types and scale), but they've got another entire land debuting in 2027.

-Compared to the US parks, what has Disneyland Paris been up to over the past decade? Disneyland Park has added a handful of shows and refurbished a handful of attractions (can't remember the exact count of either), but I think that's about it, with nothing of note in the pipeline as far as I'm aware. What about Studios? One new show, one major attraction rethemed, one new area, and a new entrance. They're essentially adding three new areas as part of their big park transformation, but in reality it looks more like one large area with three separate mini-lands.

I'm not here to say what Disneyland Paris is doing is bad, because they are getting a couple solid D/E-ticket attractions that will really build up the offerings at their lacking second gate. But if we look at the scale of projects going on in Paris compared to the scale of what's going on at Walt Disney World, the orders of magnitude are completely different, so saying WDW isn't getting as much funding is ludicrous. Plus, Paris's projects are much closer to completion...Piston Peak and Villains Land are still 4+ years out, and it's really only within the last year that the final realized version of a project is clear.

@TH
" So you're trying to "upset" some people? Noted "

No so at all. What I actually wrote was that it seems that my post seemingly upset the more sensitive among us.
You appear to have a history of being unecessarily argumentative or nit-picking in your posts so it's possible that you are one of those sensitive people. Ironically it's you that intentionally sets out to upset. Not I.

Some may not agree with my post which was made with all good intentions and I just hoped to stimulate some pleasant healthy debate without any unwarranted , frankly immature , sniping.

I have always respected others comments , including yours, even when I've disagreed with them. Perhaps you should consider that going forward.
Frankly grow up.

@RobP: Hey. When you're right, you're right. Happy holidays.

@TH
...and a Merry Christmas to you too and to all at TPI.

All water under the bridge now.