Originally Posted By sjdimon OK - we are now just days away from the extended closing of the Railroad and the Rivers of America (and a lot of the surrounding area) - to make way for the new Star Wars Land. There are rumors flying around that the River Boats will never return (I sure hope that is not the case) - or that the river will be so short that it will not be able to support all of the current level of traffic - so one or more of the Boats will not be back (again - a real shame if that is the case). The mere fact that they are at least *trying* to save as much of the river as possible is (to me) a good sign that they feel strongly enough to save the River Boats. As I get older, I can appreciate the River Boats; the Train Ride; in other words the attractions that are more Family Oriented (what Walt had in mind). I am not saying that the Star Wars Land will not be done brilliantly - but at least from what I have heard, the attractions may not be ones that the whole family can enjoy together. So - what do you think? Will the river boats be back? Will the new Star Wars land be something for the entire family, or will it only be fully enjoyed by thrill-seekers?
Originally Posted By 9oldmen From what I've seen, the construction isn't going anywhere near Fowler's Harbor OR the Twain/Columbia dock, so I don't see why either watercraft would go away. Also, if they don't bring them back, but they do bring back Fantasmic! then the show will obviously have to be considerably altered. As for the new Star Wars attractions, they will probably be mild thrill rides with the usual safety warnings and height/age restrictions. But anyone will be able to experience the ambiance of the area. I know of someone who has visited the "Harry Potter" area at Universal, and was unable to ride "Forbidden Journey" due to their "proportions", to put it lightly, but still enjoyed visiting the are anyway. So, yeah, unless they REALLY plan on altering F!, the boats will NEED to come back.
Originally Posted By hopemax I have serious doubts that the Canoes will come back. It seems too much of an area of liability that the lawyers would like to eliminate while they have an opportunity. I think the hourly capacities of the two larger boats will be greatly missed during this closure, and so they will return. Especially, considering the masses that will descend when Star Wars opens. Although, with a shortened loop people will be returned to pathways/seeking another attraction more quickly, so whatever release valve they represent, they will be less effective at is as they are now. But maybe more people would be interested in a 12 min loop vs 18 min.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I said this on another thread, but you need most or all of that 18 minute loop just to unload/load one of those big boats and get it started before the other one is ready to pull in. We were on the Columbia and they stopped us at the TSI suspension bridge because the Twain was loading too slowly and the dock couldn't take us. If they keep both big boats (and I really hope they do), they may actually have to slow the speed of them down, at least on the days when both are running.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I also agree that the canoes will go away, but I also agree they will bring back the Twain and the Columbia on a shortened route. Maybe offsetting the days that they run on all but the busiest days?
Originally Posted By PetesDraggin To answer the question of the OP, I have no idea what to expect when, and if, all of these attractions return of the lengthy refurbishment. Nothing that Disney does surprises me anymore because I have no idea what they are actually trying to accomplish. I applaud their efforts to update the park and add in new lands, rides, attractions, etc for newer audiences. However, they are going about this in a way that makes going to the DLR an extremely frustrating experience. So when the dust settles, the only thing I can be certain of is that the parks will be even more crowded than they are now with a minimal amount of added capacity, which scares the bejeezus out of me.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I don't know what to expect, but I hope that everything returns. The canoes are one of my favorite simple classic pleasures in the park, so I would personally miss them even though I know it's not the most popular attraction. To me, the big question will be the rerouting of the railroad. The 'concept' map shown on MiceAge shows the railroad hugging the boundaries of Frontierland, like how it currently stays close to the river. However, rail cars can't make tight turns, so I don't think it will be able to navigate a sharp S-turn near the existing Big Thunder Ranch/BBQ. I wouldn't be surprised if a portion of the SW land extends south of the tracks in that area
Originally Posted By monorailblue Considering the curves going into and out of the roundhouse, I don't think there's any significant problem with the route imagined in the MiceAge article. I don't think they'd go to all the expense of truncating the island only to leave the RR running through the land.
Originally Posted By Disneylandfan85 >>Considering the curves going into and out of the roundhouse, I don't think there's any significant problem with the route imagined in the MiceAge article. I don't think they'd go to all the expense of truncating the island only to leave the RR running through the land.<< But I think they only go through those curves twice each day - once in the morning coming out for the day and once at night when the day of operation has ended.
Originally Posted By 2001DLFan <<I said this on another thread, but you need most or all of that 18 minute loop just to unload/load one of those big boats and get it started before the other one is ready to pull in. We were on the Columbia and they stopped us at the TSI suspension bridge because the Twain was loading too slowly and the dock couldn't take us. If they keep both big boats (and I really hope they do), they may actually have to slow the speed of them down, at least on the days when both are running.>> I'm guessing that the boat route around the RoA will be about 15-20% shorter after the modifications. So the boats will have to slow the appropriate amount to make up the difference.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance "Is all of this worth it for Star Wars? Surely there had to be less-invasive options on the table, or perhaps there weren’t any considered because the Walt Disney Company simply doesn’t care about the history it simultaneously destroys while profiting from. The thread of hope here is that Disney has officially promised the river and all of its attractions will eventually reopen. Thematically, rumors are circulating that the River will come back with major scenic enhancements. Still, whispers persist that some features may not return. It wouldn’t be a problem for Disney to wait until mid-2017, just before the River reopens, to say that the project grew during construction and more of the river, Island, or a ship were lost as part of the project’s evolution. They’d have an excuse that nobody could argue with and it would be too late for fans to protest or the public react – the damage would already be done. " --MiceAge Oh, brother!
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>perhaps there weren’t any considered because the Walt Disney Company simply doesn’t care about the history it simultaneously destroys while profiting from<< As always, Mice Age avoids hyperbole the same way a Kardashian avoids the spotlight.
Originally Posted By ecdc >>As always, Mice Age avoids hyperbole the same way a Kardashian avoids the spotlight.<< LOL. That's great.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan The new renderings suggest that all that Mice Age drama was… dramatic. Not only is the Mark Twain returning, the new enhancements to that area are going to be very cool and beautiful. By adding numerous waterfalls, a beautiful train trestle, and other visual elements, the Walt Disney Company is showing that it simply doesn't care about the history it's destroying. LOL!
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance LOL!!! I have a feeling the drama won't be ending here. They will find someting to question or lose sleep over.
Originally Posted By monorailblue Those who despise their commentary will also continue to read it and then come to LaughingPlace to complain about it. There are some things are you can definitely rely on.
Originally Posted By Bellella Wishful thinking, based on the new renderings: The D-land railroad will return, with some major rehabs done to the dinos in Primeval World. The Columbia and the Mark Twain will both be back, albeit with a slower speed. Tom Sawyer Island will somehow be able to maintain all of the features of what we all love about it, and the Fantasmic backstage area, while somehow dealing with being slit up a treat. Fantasmic will return with both boats, with the only change being a resurrection of a certain witch from the deep. As for Star Wars land, maybe they can accommodate Star Tours and all the meet-and-greets and give Tomorrowland a chance to get out of the movie-franchise quicksand it's been in for the past 30 years and actually focus on the FUTURE. Just hoping, anyway.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I've mentioned this before, but I'll say it again. I don't despise Miceage. I enjoy their picture updates most of the time. However, sometimes they go way overboard and when they do, it's fun to point it out.
