Hearing the recent chatter in the Disney community
about a possible closing of both American Idol and the Indian Jones stunt show
to make way for Star Wars Land, inspired me to engage in a bit of Armchair
Imagineering. Obviously some of these
are for laughs. But, there are a few
things that I really would love to see happen.
You can choose which are which! Thanks
to @horizons1983, @365DaysofDisney, and @EmilyWDW for encouraging the
creativity!
MY IDEAS
(Disney feel free to use any/all sparks of
brilliance. Also, I wouldn't turn down a
Dole whip as a thank you.)
*American
Idol becomes American Gladiators. Still
uses guests as contestants! Just sign
this waiver and you're in. Welcome to
TOURIST THUNDERDOME!
*Indiana
Jones becomes Hoth, but Anna and Elsa from Frozen make appearances. ~Do you want to build an AT-AT?~
*Star
Wars Cantina Bar!!!! I call this the
"Poly Distraction"=Rip out something nostalgic and replace it with a
cool bar so guests can drown their sorrows. (i.e. gutting the Polynesian Resort
but adding a Trader Sam's lounge.)
*Streets
of America brings back live action shows (look up Youtube videos for Dick Tracy
and Ace Venture previous shows). I'd
like to see super heroes randomly appearing.
Spiderman jumping around from building to building?? YES PLEASE! Ok I know.
Disney can't use the super heroes in park, blah blah blah blah blah...Contracts
Schmontracts!! I'm a lawyer. Trust me!
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If only we had SOMEONE who could save us?? |
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*Ewok
Village (this is what I wanted to see happen in AK instead of Avatarland). But, nobody bothered to ask ME.
*Animation
Courtyard needs SOMETHING. Disney
started as animation. What in that area
reflects that? Answer: NOTHING! So,
let's go with what started it all...a mouse.
Line the path on both sides with 10 foot Mickey through the years
statues in chronological order.
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It's just soooo sad. ~sniffle~ |
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*Fix
up the Animation Attraction. Keep the
memorabilia. Keep the animator's
academy. But how about we show some
animation? Remove the character meet and
greet area (seriously, why is that there??).
Put in a bunch of small screens similar to the old Magic Kingdom Main
Street Cinema. Show the animation! Running loop of "The Reluctant
Dragon" movie in its own side theater? SOMETHING!
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This Part is Still COOL. |
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*Sound
Stages that have been sitting empty forever and definitely need a refurb. Yes, it would be great to see actual shows
filming there again, but nobody is coming to Florida to film.
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A Beautiful LIE! |
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I'm embracing the Pixar theming of the
area. Continue with the oversized Toy
Story ideas from the exterior and the TSMM queue line. Create an attached Pixar Dining
Experience. Oversized Andy's Room
similar to the Movies Resort but where the toys all come to life around you
(yes, character dining). A few themed
dining rooms a la Be Our Guest would work nicely. How about a Sid's Room addition?...same dark
vibe as the West Wing of Be Our Guest!
The
sound stages have the room to build big high sets
OR
Every
Pixar movie has a room concept to pull from.
Monster's Inc. laugh factory employee lunch room, Cars Cozy Cone Motel
Diner, Incredible's home, along the waterfall in UP. So many choices!
Luxo
jr. lamp on each table!
This
would work best as a character meal, but we all know that DHS could use some
good quick-service. Themed Pixar Rooms
might be a nice addition to that.
Comment
from @horizons1983 "but they already have a Pizza Planet."
Ummm...NO! That is NOT a Pizza Planet. That is an embarrassment!
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I NEVER loved YOU! |
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*The
Hat. *sigh* Preference #1 is to obviously rip it
out. But, if there is some reason that it
can't be removed, how about it serves a more interesting purpose than merchandise/pins? I used to think this would be a great
location for guest services. Seems easy
to find and is a central location. But
that might be too practical for reality.
So, I revert back to the need for decent quick-service again. The hat is small so it would have to be
something served out of carts easily. I
present a unique concept ~drum roll~
MAC
N' CHEESE WITH TOPPINGS BAR! (at least 20 options)
Mac
n' cheese is everywhere now. It tops hot
dogs, burgers, is mixed with pot roast in Fantasyland, how about a Make Your
Own Custom Mac n' Cheese? Get the bowl
of the mac n' cheese base, choose your toppings, and receive a portable bowl of
yummy goodness.
Currently
the Hat is slowly stealing my soul. Mac
n' cheese may begin to heal that.
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Go AWAY HAT! You're BOTHERING ME! |
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No, REALLY HAT! MOVE!! |
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DAMNIT HAT NO!! |
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DHS
definitely seems to be in a much needed transition phase. I miss the "behind the scenes of the
making of movies" theming throughout the park. That is definitely gone now. I think that if it becomes a park with an old
Hollywood front entrance then split into a Lucas Land/Star Wars land and Pixar
Place/animation themed park, it will be a more focused attractive park. Better than nothing?
In
short, DHS ya gotta get your life together.
Figure out what you wanna do.
Become a productive member of the Walt Disney Company. You have great potential. Do something with your life!
*Off
Topic Bonus Concept: Adventurer's Club becomes a dinner show. If reopens with an open door, people will
only go there and the rest of Downtown Disney/Disney Springs will crumble
again. It will unfortunately have to
come back as a ticketed reservation event to exist without overtaking the rest
of the (boring) area.
Check
back soon for my Armchair Imagineering of Animal Kingdom/Avatarland!