If you are a long time traveler to the Walt Disney World resort, after you get over your feeling of nostalgia while walking through the parks and riding the rides, there are times, if you are like me, that you think, “Wow, that ride could totally do with a make-over!”
I know that there are classic rides spread all over the Disney complex and I often scratch my head at why some rides get taken down and replaced while others remain. I think there was great outrage when Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was taken down in the Magic Kingdom but really, that was more because of the sentimental value of it rather than the ride itself.
When Disney rehabbed “It’s a Small World” they didn’t change the ride as much as they freshened it up and it was a nice change. It’s a classic and although the song will drive you crazy, it was nice to see that there wasn’t a lot of new dimensions added to the ride. However, wouldn’t it be nice to see a rehab of the beloved “Peter Pan’s Flight” with some new animatronics? That sword fighting scene is a little dull at this point and I would love to see Disney use the technology of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride in that scene.
“Space Mountain” in Florida got a rehab but not like the one in California. Personally, I would have loved to have the side-by-side seats on the rockets of “Space Mountain” for when I ride with my younger son. “Journey in to Your Imagination” in Epcot is something that should have been gone a long time ago or at least refreshed and updated! I know that Disney spent great amounts of money on rides like “Test Track” and “Mission Space” but if you look at Future World, overall, it is due for a MAJOR rehab.
Rides like “Ellen’s Universe of Energy” and the Imagination Pavilion really need something fresher in there to keep the lines moving faster at attractions like the mentioned “Test Track”, “Mission Space” and “Soarin”.
Over at Hollywood Studios, I think “Indiana Jones” has seen it’s day and it’s time for something else and the same for the backlot tour. They took so much of it away to make room for the motor car show but they never bothered to make what was left any better. Personally, I miss driving down the street with all of the houses from different TV shows and movies. I miss seeing “George of the Jungle’s ” tree house!
I do understand that all this refreshing and rehabbing costs money but for those of us who travel to the Walt Disney World resort every year or two would love to see something new. With Universal Studio’s new Harry Potter section, it’s really upped the competition factor and I know a lot of people have opted to go to Universal over Disney because at least there is something NEW at Universal.
Sure, we’re getting a Fantasyland rehab and while I am super excited about the Beauty and the Beast castle, I still think that there are massive amounts of rehabs and refreshing throughout the entire complex that needs to be done to keep people coming back, not just for sentimental reasons, but because there is something new and exciting that they just have to see.
I couldn’t agree more! Especially about the Peter Pan ride and Future World in EPCOT. The Peter Pan ride needs an over haul in general, saw lots of dust on things, and some of the stuff that’s painted looked cheesey and outdated. I would love to see a bit of technology to enhance what’s there, not to totally change it, but to make it better and a more updated, I have a feeling other wise this type of ride will disappear just like the Wild Toad ride, Snow White and others. :O(
what about the carousel of progress??? man, that one could definitely use some updating, even though it’s one we never miss riding year after year.
It’s not a ride, but that Drew Carey radio show attraction in HS is horrible, in my opinion. The only good thing is that you can get a chance to sit down for about 10 minutes. I don’t think that is up to Disney standards at all.
We have gone at least once every year for the past 7 years and I totally agree. Peter Pan needs a refresh and so does the Swiss Family Treehouse, as my kids say, who? They were thrilled at Disneyland to go to Tarzan’s Tree. Another thing Land has better than World is It’s A Small World, they have Disney characters in the ride! How awesome to see Lilo and Stich in the Polynesian area and Simba and Pumba in with all the animals, it was great! And while they enjoy running around the fort at Tom Sawyer’s Island this is another one that needs some help. They do love Journey Into Imagination but are not so impressed with the Universe of Energy or Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Nothing is ever perfect, but it is and always will be wonderful!