Tomorrowland re-do?

[tielo]

The amount of duck tape that is used in Space Mountain to support the tracks and building would make it more profitable for Di$ney to buy the factory (announcement D23).
But harsh reality aside, this ride is old, rough and a hazard. So what if we get the accompanying Dole Whip shaped building that goes better with the whoopee cushion that is Tron. What if we get a pre-show that we had in Alien Encounter (best attraction Tomorrowland ever had) and then are off to visit the alien world in the new coaster using a horizontal lift with a spaceship above us and lazers presenting the tractor beam that pulls us up in space. Then we go trough space and worm holes to end up at their planet. Arriving in the station we found out that the alien that once got into the auditorium has come to their planet and slaughtered everyone. Blood dripping from walls, corpses ripped open and a bloody set of Mickey ears that we can buy later in the giftshop. But wait this is a fakes station (yep rip off Universals' Mummy ride) and of we go to end up back on Earth.

 

[Brian G.]

I do find it kinda funny how Space Mt went down for a major refurb about 15 years ago, and fans were upset that it didn't get an overhaul, and now fans are arguing over what should be preserved.

 

[SkiBum]

I do find it kinda funny how Space Mt went down for a major refurb about 15 years ago, and fans were upset that it didn't get an overhaul, and now fans are arguing over what should be preserved.

It is funny but it is consistent with human nature.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I do find it kinda funny how Space Mt went down for a major refurb about 15 years ago, and fans were upset that it didn't get an overhaul, and now fans are arguing over what should be preserved.

Well again define “Major overhaul”. I’m all for it!

 

[belloq87]

I do find it kinda funny how Space Mt went down for a major refurb about 15 years ago, and fans were upset that it didn't get an overhaul, and now fans are arguing over what should be preserved.

I don't think there were too many who wanted a completely new layout at the time, just the same kind of luxury treatment that Disneyland's refresh got not too long before that (namely onboard audio).

Everybody (virtually) has been on the same page that the ride -- at minimum -- needs to have its track completely rebuilt.

 

[Brian G.]

I don't think there were too many who wanted a completely new layout at the time, just the same kind of luxury treatment that Disneyland's refresh got not too long before that (namely onboard audio).

Everybody (virtually) has been on the same page that the ride -- at minimum -- needs to have its track completely rebuilt.

I don't think that really changes the point I was making.

Whether it was a new layout or just Disneyland-level enhancements, the discussion back then was still about the refurb not going far enough.

Now the conversation is much more about preserving what exists. That's the shift I was talking about.

 

[RegLind]

(Comment deleted)

 

[mccgavin]

To Disney fans, change is bad.

Not enough change is also bad.

And then there's the changes they've worked themselves into believing are confirmed based on forum rumors. Those are the ones that really don't like.

The Disney Parks community is not a monolith. When you have a community that is this large and this old, there isn't always going to be an agreement about what is best for the parks. There are opinions being conveyed from people of very different demographics and age groups all at once.

I'm not saying anyone has to like or dislike what Disney has done or is rumored to do, but I don't prescribe to the argument that the community is full of contrarians that swing back and forth on what they want. Someone who has nostalgia for classic WDW is likely going to have a different opinion on something compared to a younger crowd that may want to see more contemporary properties be represented in the parks.

There's a lot more nuance than what you are letting on...

 

[belloq87]

Bryan Cranston and Jamie Lee Curtis are going to be the major voices for the Carousel of Progress update. Will open spring of '27.

 

[belloq87]

Given that the D23 panel had a little dedicated Space Mountain conversation for Paris and Tokyo, and no mention was made of MK's, perhaps the scope of the alleged imminent redo is not going to be as all-encompassing as some had thought?

ETA: The word percolating over on Magic is that Disney wants to see the reception to Tokyo's complete redo before deciding between going with totally new ride, or just a rebuilding what's already in there.

But who knows.

 

[kingcooger]

Given that the D23 panel had a little dedicated Space Mountain conversation for Paris and Tokyo, and no mention was made of MK's, perhaps the scope of the alleged imminent redo is not going to be as all-encompassing as some had thought?

ETA: The word percolating over on Magic is that Disney wants to see the reception to Tokyo's complete redo before deciding between going with totally new ride, or just a rebuilding what's already in there.

But who knows.

I have grown very curious about this line of thinking since Tokyo usually has some form of exclusivity built into their new rides

I mean, Disney has done trackless vehicles since Pooh and B&tB, but not with those specific IPs

And rumor has it Disney might utilize the Peter Pan Neverland Adventure vehicle for the Villains ride

So my question becomes, where’s the line on Tokyo’s exclusivity?

 

[rabbitsmoon]

I would be shocked if Earthrise came to the US. That's the most designed-for-the-Japanese-market ride we've seen since Baymax. I'd also be shocked if the response they're supposedly waiting for is anything less than rapturous. The ride looks incredible!

After all the work at Piston Peak and Villains, I have trouble believing they'll go right to dumping half a billion dollars on a new Space Mountain. Calling up Vekoma for a butter-smooth new family coaster to replace the Arrow jank in the existing building seems a lot more likely.

Also, the jury's still out on whether or not the Earthrise vehicles spin, but it seems to be taking at least some visual cues from Cosmic Rewind. And MK's already got Tron next door. So I don't think that version of Space Mountain would fill the same gap in Florida that it will in Tokyo.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Likely SSE got pushed forward over SM?

 

[Jake S]

So my question becomes, where’s the line on Tokyo’s exclusivity?

It seems that it's a project-by-project situation, though I think you're onto something on the distinction between ride vehicles / system vs. a full attraction. Have we ever seen a Tokyo attraction fully cloned somewhere else? We've certainly seen the ride system deployed elsewhere (Journey to the Center of the Earth, all the Trackless rides, etc.).

 

[rabbitsmoon]

I've always wondered if there was exclusivity in Tokyo, or if the Disney-owned parks lacked the money/ambition to try.

I've heard about exclusivity agreements at the China parks, but I figured that's because of the deal they have with the government.

 

[Jake S]

I've always wondered if there was exclusivity in Tokyo, or if the Disney-owned parks lacked the money/ambition to try.

I think it's both. There are typically time-limited exclusivity windows (I've heard 5-7 years, but never publicly) ... and then yes, it's a matter of whether Disney is willing to spend $100 million to build Pooh's Honey Hunt in the United States (no, no it is not).

 

[belloq87]

I have grown very curious about this line of thinking since Tokyo usually has some form of exclusivity built into their new rides

I mean, Disney has done trackless vehicles since Pooh and B&tB, but not with those specific IPs

And rumor has it Disney might utilize the Peter Pan Neverland Adventure vehicle for the Villains ride

So my question becomes, where’s the line on Tokyo’s exclusivity?

I would be shocked if Earthrise came to the US. That's the most designed-for-the-Japanese-market ride we've seen since Baymax. I'd also be shocked if the response they're supposedly waiting for is anything less than rapturous. The ride looks incredible!

After all the work at Piston Peak and Villains, I have trouble believing they'll go right to dumping half a billion dollars on a new Space Mountain. Calling up Vekoma for a butter-smooth new family coaster to replace the Arrow jank in the existing building seems a lot more likely.

Also, the jury's still out on whether or not the Earthrise vehicles spin, but it seems to be taking at least some visual cues from Cosmic Rewind. And MK's already got Tron next door. So I don't think that version of Space Mountain would fill the same gap in Florida that it will in Tokyo.

Yeah, the speculation is not that Disney would clone what Tokyo is getting, but more that they want to see the general reaction to a total replacement. I've not seen any realistic suggestion that Magic Kingdom's building would be demolished. And it shouldn't be, because it's a remarkable, groundbreaking design (and feat of engineering) that has plenty of room inside for a new coaster if they want to go that route.

I still hope it's just a rebuild instead of a redesign. I think we'd be trading away something that is unique (the single-file seating, the dual tracks, the more aggressive layout with drops) for something that probably would not be all that unique in the WDW coaster arsenal.

I forget exactly where I saw it, so I can't give proper credit, but there was a video within the last week talking about "modern" Disney coaster designs, and how they really try to avoid much airtime in their layouts (because loose articles are too much of an issue in Disney's mind), and I fear we'd end up with something very similar to Disneyland's Space Mountain layout (lots of turning!) instead of the unique design we currently have.

Likely SSE got pushed forward over SM?

Depends on how quickly SSE is actually happening, but I also wouldn't necessarily expect these to be comparable projects in terms of expense (unless SSS's ride track really does get redone).

 

[rabbitsmoon]

I forget exactly where I saw it, so I can't give proper credit, but there was a video within the last week talking about "modern" Disney coaster designs, and how they really try to avoid much airtime in their layouts (because loose articles are too much of an issue in Disney's mind), and I fear we'd end up with something very similar to Disneyland's Space Mountain layout (lots of turning!) instead of the unique design we currently have.

Oh man, that's so interesting to hear! Gets at the exact reason why I prefer the WDW Space Mountain to Disneyland's.

I'm with you that I'd prefer a rebuild, but I wonder what company would do it. Is there any precedence for someone redoing an old Arrow like this? Maybe some ambitious company could tackle this and Matterhorn simultaneously.

 

[Freak]

I think MK’s Space Mountain just needs a rebuild of the track. I wouldn’t mind the side-by-side seating either. It’s the OG version so I don’t think it needs that much drastic updating. The layout is pretty good as is!

DL’s Space Mountain, however, needs a total overhaul. It’s smooth, yes…but it’s kinda boring. There are hardly any drops. It’s mostly gradual dips and LOTS of turns.