D23 Announcements UPDATED

I guess the era of the imaginative dark ride is completely over. That's very sad to me. I have nothing against any of these announcements (well, I'm a little bummed about The Great Movie Ride), but it just seems like roller coasters and simulators for everyone!!! Yeah...yawn. I'm sorry but I just feel that even the best themed coaster is still just a coaster, and a simulator is a copout. I'm just old school (read "old and grumpy") I guess. Oh well, I'm not their target demographic, I'm sure. (although I have taken all the kids and grandkids to WDW, so I DO spend a fair amount of coin there.) Oh well...

Stu29573;2504428 wrote: I guess the era of the imaginative dark ride is completely over. That's very sad to me. I have nothing against any of these announcements (well, I'm a little bummed about The Great Movie Ride), but it just seems like roller coasters and simulators for everyone!!! Yeah...yawn. I'm sorry but I just feel that even the best themed coaster is still just a coaster, and a simulator is a copout. I'm just old school (read "old and grumpy") I guess. Oh well, I'm not their target demographic, I'm sure. (although I have taken all the kids and grandkids to WDW, so I DO spend a fair amount of coin there.) Oh well...

The Mickey Ride will be a dark ride. No simulators.

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BrerGnat;2504440 wrote: The Mickey Ride will be a dark ride. No simulators.

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I hope so, but the name sounds a lot like a coaster to me. Hopefully not...

Stu29573;2504444 wrote: I hope so, but the name sounds a lot like a coaster to me. Hopefully not...

I didn't get the impression it was a coaster, but a more slow moving ride system with screens, but not screens? The description was rather vague.

Stu29573;2504444 wrote: I hope so, but the name sounds a lot like a coaster to me. Hopefully not...

It is not a coaster... it is supposed to be a trackless system...

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Fusillejerry;2504445 wrote: I didn't get the impression it was a coaster, but a more slow moving ride system with screens, but not screens? The description was rather vague.

Supposed to be combo of screens and sets... SUPPOSED to be...

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No coaster= good.
Screens= ick... but maybe ok...
Have to wait and see!

Had to jump in here and make a couple comments.

It's great to have new and exciting things coming. I mean don't get me wrong the very nostalgic Disney little in me will miss UoE and even GMR but last trip I rode UoE knowing it was probably the last time. Mammals are getting hairier...

I like how well rounded all of these announcements seemed to me. Ride news, hotel news, restaurant news, transportation news. It's like one big shot in the arm for WDW even if it is a few years away.

I am a little surprised they are going ahead and closing GMR before at least something else is open over at the Studios-talk about not much going on over there right now. Dead zone.

Sounds like I need to at least try to watch Tron, Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Dulcee;2504417 wrote: I would love to see Mulan as host in China! She's the favorite "Princess" in this house. Her and Mushu don't get nearly enough love in the parks!

That an add chairs to the theater.. Who wants to stand for any movies..

One of the reasons I choose Disney over Universal is because of the ability for us to go on 90% of the rides as a family. Wasn't that Walt's vision to begin with? I like the iconic rides and so does my family. That is what makes Disney for me.

I love the idea of the addition of Star Wars Land. Being the mother of two boys and two girls I am excited that Disney finally brought something on board that will appeal to my boys. However, I miss the original MgM/Hollywood. When it first opened it was my favorite park. I loved the original backstage tour. (Remember the giant bees in front of the blue screen) I miss the Monster Sound Show. Now it seems like they are trying to compete with IoA. In my mind GMR was "the" ride that represented MGM/Hollywood.Now that the GMR is closing I am struggling to decide what to do with the little ones when everyone else is on Rock and Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Star Tours, etc. I guess there are some shows that they can watch. However, for now there is only ONE ride for shorter guests. I feel like they should have kept the GMR open until Pixar was completed. I don't understand the need to close yet another attraction until they open something new.

I understand that Epcot is supposed to evolve. However, instead of that they are just marketing their newly acquired "merchandise". Marvel at Epcot, really? I loved that Epcot had it's own unique characters. I love Frozen, but it belongs at the Magic Kingdom, not Epcot. IMHO Epcot went downhill as soon as they changed the original Figment ride. I think that the new dark ride in France seems fun. but that's because there wasn't really an attraction there to begin with. Why does it have to be based on a movie? Why didn't they ever consider a ride that was some sort of dark ride through the streets of Paris? I think the changes in Epcot are more of a reflection in a change in the "kids today". I thought the Universe of Energy taught a great lesson about conservation and non-renewable resources. However, I guess most kids today think someone else will save the planet for them. Or perhaps there's an "app" for that? I just hope it doesn't crash once a week like My Disney Experience. I am sad that this generations of Imagineers can't come up with their own ideas.

I am so glad the Speedway is safe in Magic Kingdom. Phew! I like a lot of the updates in the MK. Love the Little Mermaid ride. I am glad that for the most park they keep the iconic attractions and add on instead of take away for the most part. I can understand the appeal of Winnie the Pooh over Mr. Toad. I do miss Snow Whites Scary Adventure but as long as they don't touch It's A Small World I think I can forgive them.

I know it sounds insane but I was so disappointed in these updates I almost regretted booking a trip. That and the hassle of trying to plan ADRs and Fastpass+ for 10 people has put me over the edge.
I spent less time planning our shore activities for our Mediterranean Cruise. (That I booked less than 180 days out and was still able to eat a decent dinner)

I am certain that this trip to Disney will be my last for awhile. I want to see the new Star Wars land but don't plan on visiting until it has been open for at least a year. We only go every three years or so anyway but this time it may be more than three years before I go again.

Maybe this is what Disney wants? To eliminate an entire generation of fans? I know it's not just me. Is this what it's like to get old?

JanetMegan;2504453 wrote: I am a little surprised they are going ahead and closing GMR before at least something else is open over at the Studios-talk about not much going on over there right now. Dead zone.

I agree whole-heartedly with this statement. When I get there after Thanksgiving, there won't be enough in this park to last half a day. I may only go one afternoon/evening to try to get in a showing of Fantasmic!

PopPhan;2504487 wrote: I agree whole-heartedly with this statement. When I get there after Thanksgiving, there won't be enough in this park to last half a day. I may only go one afternoon/evening to try to get in a showing of Fantasmic!

I was planning my Sept FP this weekend and I think we'll just hit it right at 9am one day and ride RnRc, FP ToT, TS and STours and leave. 2-3 hrs tops.

Although I also have great nostalgia for the old Dark Rides and miss most of the classics that are now no more, I am still pretty excited to see so much being planned right now. As a kid back in the early 80's going to Epcot was like going to a giant Science Camp and I loved it, couldn't get enough! I can see how some are strongly opposed to the recent changes and introducing more movie themed attractions to their old Epcot Center

I definitely agree with what everyone is saying about the GMR going down before more attractions are up and running at DHS. We are going in Sept and I would have loved to ride it one or two more times before it was closed. I have very fond memories of riding GMR on a big family trip back in 2004. It was with my sister, her husband, my 3 nephews, my wife, our two small children, my mom and my stepdad. I just always recalled how much my stepdad enjoyed that attraction. My Stepdad passed away a few years later so I couldn't help but think of him every time would ride GMR since. Sadly a couple years ago we suddenly lost my Mom, and my sister just passed unexpectedly last year at 49 y/o. It would have been nice to take 1 last ride just to remember a truly great trip one more time.

With mixed feelings of course I did like the idea of Mickey getting his own ride. It sounds to me like its going to be a slow moving ride through various cartoon scenes with flipping and changing multi level screens to give an effect similar to 3D. This all sounded good until I saw that they are going to use the new shorts animation instead of the classic Mickey and Minnie style Animation. I know this new animation is popular with little kids right now, I am just not familiar with it as my kids are now 19. I really hope they find a way to still throw some classic Mickey in as well.

mgmnut;2504502 wrote: This all sounded good until I saw that they are going to use the new shorts animation instead of the classic Mickey and Minnie style Animation. I know this new animation is popular with little kids right now, I am just not familiar with it as my kids are now 19. I really hope they find a way to still throw some classic Mickey in as well.

I will say my 3 year old LOVES the new short animations. He watched this channel nonstop when we were on our trip last month and has continued his love affair with it at home. My husband is also a pretty big fan now.

Y'all - I am excited about the new live theater. I read it will be "located just behind Main Street and will be accessed via the new walkway between The Plaza Restaurant and the Tomorrowland Terrace. This new theater will be similar in style to the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure."

What a great addition to MK! Can't wait!