Originally Posted By FerretAfros I've always thought that the area between the TTA station and Space Mountain was a huge waste. It is about as interesting as a parking lot, except without the lines on the road. They even have parking lot street lights. They could build something there, but it would have to be a strange shape, and not too big. They didn't really touch the area past the station in the 30's rehab, except for a few metal palm trees by the TTA track. I don't know what they could add, but it couldn't be anyworse than what they have now.
Originally Posted By ChiMike I actually like the open-ness. Escpecially after alternating between DL's cramped TL. When Skyway was up it really was not an issue. They either need to repurpose the Skyway space or they will build an anchor attraction in that corner that will stretch into CoP (and hopefully Galaxy Theaters) space. The problem is that they still are not managing Space's queue well so that open space becomes very handy with moderate to large crowds in front of Space.
Originally Posted By leemac One of the MK's biggest issues is balance. WDI have believed for a long time that TL is too busy throughout the day which is why they have been pushing for a new E-ticket elsewhere in the park. There are four pads being looked at and only one in TL. I appreciate that TL is fairly expansive but the entry avenue can be horrifically congested and a new E-ticket in TL would only add to that. I think something on the west side of the balance would help the flow of guests better.
Originally Posted By tonyanton It always bothered me that they did not finish the re-theming of the TTA track on the west side of Tomorrowland. That open space would be a good spot for a cool fountain...bring a bit of water into the future.
Originally Posted By ChiMike Lee, what would you prefer? If (Big IF) I have the 'pads' right in my mind, I have always been a little skeptical of the Fire Mountain space just because of Splash & BTMR's proximity. Adventureland peaked my interest b/c of DL's Indy and on the other hand for the last 11 years I have been really anxious to see 20K dealt with. To me, TL outside of speedway/Toon (which I guess nowadays could be a different pad) has always been the least concern.
Originally Posted By Fe Maiden Skylardad, I enjoyed your post though there are two things you mentioned that I wanted to respond to. <<I have had the opportunity for several years to take my 8 and 5 year-old on countless trips. Unfortunately, many of the things I wanted to share with them have been removed. Examples: Horizons, WOM, Imagination (original), Mr. Toad, If You Had Wings/Dreamflight, 20K to name a few.>> As a first generation kid of WDW I kind of felt the same way as you did till we took our first trip with our son. I would have loved to have him experience rides like If You had Wings, but when I saw how much he was enjoying it on his own that I realized I don't want him to experience my vision of the MK he's having a blast and creating his own favorites, and memories that I'm sure he'll take with him for as long as I've held my own. Ironically, the ride he loves the most sits where my favorite ride used to be, If You had Wings. Knowing how much he absolutely adores Buzz and that ride I wouldn't want Wings back for anything. Thirty years from now when something else sits there, he'll probably bring his kids and talk about this simple little ride where you shot at these cardboard cutouts, but man what it felt like to be a really for real Space Ranger, there was nothing else like it! <Getting back to the long-term investment concept, wouldn't it be better to find a compelling, original story and start with something fresh? Replacing Timekeeper with a re-hash of Turtle Talk With Crush seems to be a waste of money. Why develop a duplicate attraction? If Disney wants to keep guests on their property for the guest's length-of-stay wouldn't variety be in order?>> I don't know why this Monsters Inc attraction has to be some rehash of Turtle Talk and why the technology can't be used again. In the heyday of Epcot there were two omnimover rides in the same area of the park one showing the history of communications while the other one showed the history of transportation. I missed the outrage over that. And let's be thankful that they only went to the mountain/coaster well three times. To me Turtle Talk is like some small experiment by WDI to see if the technology worked and it just so happened that the concept exploded. Why shouldn't they take it and build something on a much larger scale?
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I think the Monsters Inc could work. I agree, we are seeing the "toonification" of Tommorrowland. I also want to agree that there is a lot of territory available for expansion in Tommorrowland if Disney management was intrested ( which I don't think they are ). I also agree that there is crowding problems within the MK. Certainly the stroller brigade is not helping with that. When Walt envisioned the MK he stressed the importance of continually moving crowds. Hence his omnimover system rides and attractions as well as his skiway. Would it make sense to bring back the Skiway to further improve the flow of crowds in the MK. I think it would be beneficial and would be a welcome return to the MK. If there is a concern of objects being dropped from riders on to unsuspecting guests down below, I'm sure proper ride vechicles could be engineered to prevent any possibilities of this. The skiway could be themed like "Soarin". What better way to experience the sights and sounds of the MK from the air.
Originally Posted By ChiMike Tom: I agree with your post. MK is really under appreciated for how well it was designed. Not only in size, but it really improved on DL with moving people. The original integrity of the design has been messed with so bad that I don't think bringing the skyway back would have any impact. Between ODV, FP machines, queues on walkways, DVC, Meet & Greets, and strollers/ecvs, MK can now be more cramped than DL.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I disagree. I think the entire MK park would benefit from the return of the Skiway. The most popular rides in the MK are split up accross the various "lands". This often leads to criss-crossing the park to enjoy rides. Guests use the train to get to/ from several of the lands to avoid crowds. I really think that having a means to go travel around the park above the crowds is a good idea and can only help the bottlenecks that already exist in the MK.
Originally Posted By ChiMike The problem is, unlike the trains, is that with MK's skyway the wait just couldn't justify the transportation benefit. For some reason waiting at TL wasn't too bad, but Fantasyland waits always seemed to be miserable. Maybe it was the difference in physical make-up of the two queues. Even on moderately crowded days I could roundtrip the two stations walking faster than (1) standby wait. I'm all for people moving attractions and I enjoyed the MK skyway much more than DL's - with the change of height and direction, but it was much more of a "ride" than an efficient people mover. I miss the skyway too, I just think there have been worse removals, and for that matter worse additions. They need to do something with the two FL stations and MK's TL one.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey If they ever brought back the Skyway, they need to theme the tops of the show buildings. Nothing killed the fantasy for me like seeing raw, plain concrete rooftops.
Originally Posted By oc_dean <a href="http://webcookie.net/disney/walt" target="_blank">http://webcookie.net/disney/wa lt</a>%20disney%20world%20-%20may%202003/tomorrowland%20skyway%20station%201.jpg Lovely! Ain't it?! :~
Originally Posted By oc_dean urg! If you all paste in the rest .. you get a "lovely" shot of the Skyway station.
Originally Posted By oc_dean Another ariel view .. a little clearer than my GoogleEarth shot..... <a href="http://www.mickeynews.com/Columns/images/Tomorrowland.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.mickeynews.com/Colu mns/images/Tomorrowland.jpg</a> This pic shows how demolishing the Skyway station .. and placing new attractions behind the railroad track CAN help with the crowding problems that have just been mentioned.
Originally Posted By oc_dean Don't you all just "dig" this photo? <a href="http://www.disneypix.com/Pana-Vue/DisneyWorld/Tomorrowland/WDW-662" target="_blank">http://www.disneypix.com/Pana- Vue/DisneyWorld/Tomorrowland/WDW-662</a>%20-%20Land%20of%20the%20Future.jpg.htm
Originally Posted By Skylardad Fe Maiden - I'm glad you enjoyed the post. I enjoyed and respect your opion as well and I would like to respond too. I have some very strong opinions about the "old school" Disney I remember as a kid (and early adulthood). Memories created by a company and a cast of thousands that made me feel like I was welcomed and transported into a world that was truly magical. I would like to see a return to that style of management - not just for attraction developement but also how the guest should be respected and thought of as a valuable asset. I agree with you that the joy you see on your kids' face when they experience an attraction (like Buzz) that has replaced one we adored as kids is more special than bringing back our past. I am all for forward thinking, change and updating as long as it is done with the same integrity and passion as the original attraction was given. I also feel that in some cases attractions don't have to be destroyed in favor of new ones. I think there have been cases where attractions could have been expanded on rather than replaced. This would enable us to share our cherrished memories with our kids AND give them the opportunity to create their lasting memories (while increasing variety and the value of our ticket). The reason WDW and DL have remained a strong force in the vacation business for 50 years is they started doing things right from the start - by being the best at what they do in every way. It is those experiences and memories that have had each generation bring a new generation to the parks (and so on). WDW management needs to remember this formula - which is why continued developement for attractions(like my proposition for Tomorrowland)and services is critical. While the other parks recently saw some added attractions, they are neglecting the park that is THE draw to the resort. The majority of vacationers come to WDW for the Magic Kingdom first and filter on to the other parks (or the competition). And this is why dedicated developement needs to be equally shared with the other parks too. Let's get going on the Beastly Kingdom at AK; revive the Wonders of Life (or its new incarnation)and World Showcase at EPCOT; and overhaul the Studios with some dark rides and a real working studio again. 30+ years ago the parks were driven by imagination, inginuity, story, dedication to service, plussing the experience in every way. I do not see this kind of dedication in WDWs current management and a majority of its cast. Lately, it seems to be more about reduction and cost-cutting without regard to the guest's perception. I know there is a cost to produce everything that is experienced at WDW. But I also think that with some imagination and inginuity many of the plusses (big and small) WDW had once featured can be restored.
Originally Posted By oc_dean Another shot of the Skyway.... <a href="http://potw.disneypix.com/potw/090602.htm" target="_blank">http://potw.disneypix.com/potw /090602.htm</a>
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<If they ever brought back the Skyway, they need to theme the tops of the show buildings. Nothing killed the fantasy for me like seeing raw, plain concrete rooftops.>> I agree the rooftops look terrible. But you can see the rooftops when looking out the Castle Windows, the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House and Astro Orbitor.
Originally Posted By leemac Mike I agree with your earlier points. I don't see TL as being a priority for MK. I would prefer to see something on the west side as it will assist guest flow immeasurably. I doubt if Fire Mountain will ever resurface again. That corner of the park is a zoo at the best of times. I personally feel that a big attraction in Adventureland would be the best scenario. I also think it would help WDI get away from the character-based attractions that are so prevalent at the moment. The space is also gigantic.
