DL's Greatest Achievement in its Post-Walt Lifetime

[fo'c's'le swab]

There have been many groundbreaking decisions made at DL since Walt Disney's death. Attractions have been created that revolutionized the industry; changes have been made to the infrastructure that has completely changed the way people view and experience DL; changes in Park operations that have shifted public perception, and consumption. But what has been its most impactful, in your opinion?

I offer many choices, and it will not be an easy decision; nor was it meant to be. I would ask all to consider what is most important to them about Disneyland before making your choice. Are thrills most important? Or maybe access to Disneyland is the most important element to you personally? Ease-of-use? Efficiency? Value? Thematic continuity? Quality story-telling?

All these elements will need to be weighed before a decision is made, as this list will pit attractions vs. park operations vs. infrastructure policy changes that all occurred after the death of Walt Disney.

Not included on the list, and excluded from this discussion are DCA (as Walt has no tangible connection to this Park), and any attractions created during his lifetime, with the exception of the Haunted Mansion (which was finally conceptualized after his death, unlike POTC).

I encourage all to support your selection by posting your reasoning behind your choice. I would also like to ask the MODS to give extremely wide latitude to 'off-topic' discussions/debates on this thread, as many subjects may need to be explored. I, personally, consider nothing off-topic in this discussion.

Choose wisely!!

[aashee]

I chose wisely but was locked out! Walt would NOT approve. hehe

[fo'c's'le swab]

Sorry all--the voting is now open. Apologies for the technical delays/inconveniences. Apologies also to the kind few whose thoughtful posts were lost in the creation of the new poll.

[Pirate Lover 68]

My post got deleted?

[fo'c's'le swab]

Originally Posted by Pirate Lover 68

My post got deleted?

Technically not yet (it is still visible in the old 'closed' thread), but I don't think it has long to live; if you want to say goodbye to it, now would be a good time. You could always clone him and repost him here...

[Wren]

Tough choices you got there foc but I just had to vote for Indiana Jones. That ride is probably the best example of what a perfectly themed, enjoyable, ground breaking and technoligicaly progressive ride should be at any Disney park. Nothing made since then has come close to it except perhaps the Journey to the Center of the Earth ride at TDS

[sir clinksalot]

I don't think there is really one thing over any other ones that would be considered great achievements.

Some achievements are greater than others (the E-tickets), other things aren't universally considered achievements (AP's, Fastpasses).

I honestly think the greatest achievement A.W. (After Walt) would have to be the resurrection of Disney Animation in the late 80's/90's. But with anything, it comes and go's and even that era had to end.

[Wren]

Originally Posted by sir clinksalot

I don't think there is really one thing over any other ones that would be considered great achievements.

Some achievements are greater than others (the E-tickets), other things aren't universally considered achievements (AP's, Fastpasses).

I honestly think the greatest achievement A.W. (After Walt) would have to be the resurrection of Disney Animation in the late 80's/90's. But with anything, it comes and go's and even that era had to end.

The ressurection isnt a Disneyland acheivement though.

[fo'c's'le swab]

Originally Posted by Wren

Tough choices you got there foc but I just had to vote for Indiana Jones. That ride is probably the best example of what a perfectly themed, enjoyable, ground breaking and technoligicaly progressive ride should be at any Disney park. Nothing made since then has come close to it except perhaps the Journey to the Center of the Earth ride at TDS

Its inclusion on the list was a must, of course. I suspect it will get a lion's share of the voting, and why not?

[mousechild]

If I were allowed to vote twice I would give second place to the elimination of the ticket book system.

[fo'c's'le swab]

Originally Posted by sir clinksalot

I don't think there is really one thing over any other ones that would be considered great achievements.

Some achievements are greater than others (the E-tickets), other things aren't universally considered achievements (AP's, Fastpasses).

I honestly think the greatest achievement A.W. (After Walt) would have to be the resurrection of Disney Animation in the late 80's/90's. But with anything, it comes and go's and even that era had to end.

In the context persented though, Gregg, if it were an absolute necessity to single out one decision as DL's wisest (in the list provided), what would it be? True, Disney animation's rebirth with the Little Mermaid was vital to success we see Disney enjoying now. But leaving the Disney Studios alone for the moment, what would you say DL's greatest post-Walt move was?

[Wren]

Originally Posted by fo'c's'le swab

Its inclusion on the list was a must, of course. I suspect it will get a lion's share of the voting, and why not?

Well it was a tough decision, it was between that or the Haunted Mansion for me.

If you ask me though AP's arent an acheivement haha.

[mycroft16]

Well, my 2 cents worth says Indiana Jones. I don't think I have been on a ride that more completely envelops you in the story with such a dense layer of details and then rewards you with one of the more thrilling rides I've ever been on. It is a must do for me any time I'm at the park and I love just letting myself get lost in the story being told to the point where it can get a bit creepy in there late at night. It is a beautiful example of what can be done when the "history" of the ride is made a priority so that every little detail has a reason for being where it is. It was not detail for detail's sake, but detail because that's the way it really would be.

[Dirton]

The change from attraction tickets to admission tickets was one that had to be made as the world changed, and theme parks spread so i couldn't consider that as an option, though i wonder what would have happened if they hadn’t.

Anyhow, Indy is to me the top of Imagineers game. They took a small little section in adventureland and remade it into one of the greatest rides of all time. It really immerses you in the world of Adventureland and Indiana Jones. More so than any other ride in Disneyland. Not even pirates involves you like Indy.

[fo'c's'le swab]

Originally Posted by mousechild

If I were allowed to vote twice I would give second place to the elimination of the ticket book system.

If we were in Florida, I'd allow it. But the poll was created in California where there still occasionally can be found the 'one man (woman)/one vote principle'. Sorry.