A Familiar Situation... (Disney World Blues)

[DoppelV]

Lately I've been spending a lot of time inside the WDW parks while I'm here on the CP. Of everything I've seen, I happened to noticed one disappointing feature that reminded me of a problem another park had. Tomorrowland is dying.

When I visited the park in 1995, right after New Tomorrowland opened, it was beautiful, lively, and fantastic. In 2000, once again I remember a place full of life, well kept, and fantastic. However now, in 2005, Tomorrowland is a place that looks like it has spent a few years in the dumpster. I narrowed down the problems of this besieged land into three categories: attractions, upkeep, updating.

Attractions: Lack of Timekeeper and addition of new (terrible) Stitch attraction makes a barren and lifeless Avenue of the Planets. Buzz Lightyear...great attraction, poor show on the entrance (basically it looks permanently temporary). Indy Speedway...popular attraction, no logical theme.

Upkeep: Space Mountain queue and TTA areas...scratched displays, chipping paint, rust stains, faded paint. Tomorrowland proper is experiencing the same, rust stains, plant overgrowth. Mechanically...unique secondary attractions are not operating (Robo-Newz). At least the area is clean.

Updating: Regressing attractions: replacing E-Ticket Alien Encounter with lackluster Stitch. Not modifying TTA script to coincide with the new Stitch attraction. Continuance of Space Mountain post-show without Fed-Ex Sponsorship.

These are just a few of the things I've noticed about Tomorrowland at WDW. I for one find it very sad, because unlike a flawed retheming, the theme at Tomorrowland is and was very successful, this just seems to be an error in presentation and (?effort!?).

Any thoughts?

[Rainfully]

I actually had a dream last night that I was lead to a hallway in Tomorrowland that contained doors that opened to all the old attractions of Tomorrowland... how bizarre!

I hate the fact that they very first attraction you come accross on your right as you enter Tomorrowland is consistantly closed.

I agree that it just needs a little... something.

And I never even thought about it before, but it's true... the entrance to Buzz is quite lackluster.

They need to do something with the Galaxy Palace Theater and the old Skyway station... those areas are quite sad and a little creepy.

I really don't think that WDW's Tomorrowland is in anywhere NEAR as bad shape as Disneyland's. I mean... just as long as the TTA keeps running... and the Astro Orbitor stays where it is... (those are huge things for me)

All I know is that I hope that after Stitch has run it's course and its time for a new attraction... they gut the building and put in a whole new concept. It's had the same "round theater" seating arangement since the park opened. I'm not sure what... but that's why I'm not an Imagineer. That's your job.

[yoyoflamingo]

The two things that I would definitely like to see are the return of the Timekeeper (Perhaps with seats) and an addition in the Galaxy Palace Theater. It seems foolish to keep that huge space there when it is used so infrequently. I mean, when was the last time that they actually held a stage show there? (Not counting the Christmas shows).

[TheDisneyInquisitor]

The two things that I would definitely like to see are the return of the Timekeeper (Perhaps with seats) and an addition in the Galaxy Palace Theater. It seems foolish to keep that huge space there when it is used so infrequently. I mean, when was the last time that they actually held a stage show there? (Not counting the Christmas shows).

I believe they use it for Magical Music Days (in the summer). Although I would love if they'd tear it down and build something new, I'm afraid that they will also tear down the Carousel of Progress to make one big area. The last thing I remember seeing there was the show with the big head at the end.

-Michael

[yoyoflamingo]

Although I would love if they'd tear it down and build something new, I'm afraid that they will also tear down the Carousel of Progress to make one big area.

Good point

[DoppelV]

Although I would love if they'd tear it down and build something new, I'm afraid that they will also tear down the Carousel of Progress to make one big area.
-Michael

I would also like to see them convert it into something else. The area in Tomorrowland that I could see as potential attraction space is the old skyway building and the clear patch of land next door. Right now it's just used as a smoking area and it's slowly decaying. I think there is some real potential there. The one bummer would be a potential blocking of the Contemporary sightlines. However, I think the positives way outweigh the negatives.

[NemoZorro]

I can't understand why Timekeeper and Carousel aren't refurbed and open more. They are both people eaters, and a little TLC would go a long way. Also a little advertising for them would help. I really miss both of these being out here in AZ, and wish DL had them.

However, as much as I hate saying this, if they aren't going to do the above, they would be better off redoing both areas.

[TheDisneyInquisitor]

Carousel is still fully operational. Unlike Timekeeper, it is not on seasonal status (it got taken off seasonal status back when AE closed). I believe DTroops reported that the CoP will get a minor refurb sometime this year, but I could be wrong. Timekeeper's fate is much worse though. Although I personally like it, unless it is the summer and pouring rain, it simply does not get crowds.

[yoyoflamingo]

I think just add swivel seats in TimeKeeper would go a long way to keeping the crowds happy.

[aimster]

The've been doing minor upgrades to Carousel of Progress... new seats and carpet in the theatre and the like.

[figment1986]

I believe WDW wanta a theater like the Hyperion built in MK.... and rumor says they were looking at the Tomorrowland stage area... if they do this.. at least don't remove COP... and make it fit the city of tomorrow/retro theme... and while you do this... add something there for TTA and redo Buzz's entrance to be somewhat like DL's... (add a hallway and have you enter through the corner of the building.. and fix the queue..)

[DoppelV]

I think with as much time and effort put into Alien Encounter, I think the Stitch conversion is more like a perversion of the former attraction. I've been talking with a fellow cast member recently and came to an interesting idea. Why couldn't Alien Encounter's previous pre-show and story be converted to Stitch? Maybe change the transport pre-show to have Skippy not be fried. Maybe even keep one of the (very few) funny things about Stitch and have Skippy be teleported with a side effect of excessive gas buildup!

X-S Tech's demonstration goes awry when they pick up Experiment 626. They think it's just a minor malfunction, but when Stitch goes crazy, they have to find a way to send him back where he came from. He could still spit, drool, jump on guests, pat their heads, and maybe even do some more unusual things, like tear apart electrical cords, and create realistic mayhem.

That would be a much better attraction that would preserve the Tomorrowland theming, and the Stitch storylines. It seems like such a waste to through away a good concept.

[BigPigletFan]

Any thoughts?

CoP rocks! It doesn't need any changes... well, except for the talking stove maybe? And how about new, non-90's clothing on the family? Oh, and maybe a few new seats would be nice and some tweaking on the AA's I'm should would be good. But other than that... "No Touchy!!"

And as stated before and many, many, many other countless times Space Mountain needs a rehall. Not even a refurb anymore. Close it. Gut it out. Re-do it. Make is sparkle and shine like Disneyland's. I don't want to be stuck in the 1970's anymore... give us music!! And hopefully someone will get the memo that playing with chroma key isn't fun anymore. It's outdated.

[DoppelV]

CoP rocks! It doesn't need any changes... well, except for the talking stove maybe? And how about new, non-90's clothing on the family? Oh, and maybe a few new seats would be nice and some tweaking on the AA's I'm should would be good. But other than that... "No Touchy!!"

I couldn't agree more, get new seats, a spit shine here and there, but other than that, leave it alone!
I guess the only show change I would do would be to get the electronics companies involved and see if they would agree to bring in some prototype stuff. That would be kinda cool. The last scene was meant to be changed. All of the other ones I would just spiffy-up, that's it, no changes.

I love the carousel, I think it's an incredible show, and I wouldn't get rid of it at all, in fact, I would make it more prominent in Tomorrowland!

[figment1986]

And as stated before and many, many, many other countless times Space Mountain needs a rehall. Not even a refurb anymore. Close it. Gut it out. Re-do it. Make is sparkle and shine like Disneyland's. I don't want to be stuck in the 1970's anymore... give us music!! And hopefully someone will get the memo that playing with chroma key isn't fun anymore. It's outdated.

I got it.. they can play 70s inspired music on the ride... lol after a refeebishment of curse... that would make space mountain beter!


LOL LOL LOL