[Mandy0726]

First let me say that I am a DVC member. I wish that Disney for the time being would put a halt on the DVC and concentrate on adding to the parks.

MK - I would love to see an improvement in Frontierland. More of feeling that one has entered into the years of old.

HS - As much as I like the hat, if they could find another place for it. I used to love walking into the park and looking directly down the street and seeing the theatre.

Epcot - A much needed new country.

AK - I cannot think of anything except for the safari. Always too long to wait.

I love WDW but, I think they need to concentrate on the parks more than the timeshares.

__________________

Lanyards are hidden hidden. Turn them on in your options

Mandy

My Countdown

Counting down to:

[Winkster]

Good comment about the DVC properties! I do think WDW is verdoing it with these - although I guess they more or less instantly pay for themselves and give huge profits so it's easy money.

As for the parks, here goes...

MK - It'd be a big thing but I'd love to see a dragon under the castle like DLP. The castle seems a bit of a non-event other than the shows. I'd also improve Frontierland and bring in better attractions instead of the old-fashioned stuff like the Tiki rooms and treehouse (someone had a great idea of making the Tiki rooms a Tiki themed restaurant instead).

On that theme, I'd also introduce more (and varied) table service dining options.

Another biggie but I'd like to open up Fantasyland to get rid of the bottleneck that always happens as everyone tries to squeeze past the rides there (ok, in reality this will never happen).

Finally, I'd quite like to see Tomorrowland renamed to more reflect the fact that it's yesterday's vision of tomorrow.

DHS - Firstly, make the park larger so it becomes a full day's attraction.

Bring back daily Fantasmic shows and scrap American Idol putting something new in it's place based on a recent Disney film.

Improve the backlot tour and maybe include more sets and sound stages.

I agree with the hat idea. I've never been a huge fan. Shame the Earful Tower can't be moved there as it's a bigger icon and you can still see the theater through the tower's legs!

Epcot - Improve the entrance getting rid of those awful leave a legacy slabs. Leave a Legacy was such a good idea (and I really regret not getting one) but the presentation of it is abysmal! Dull sharp jutting concrete is not an atractive way to welcome guests to a park!

I'd also make the flowers from the Flower and Garden Festival a permanent fixture as I think the park looks stunning (and so much better) during the festival. I'm sure Disney's horticulturists could find flowers that could bloom at different times of year to maintain the look (I'm ignoring cost here as you might be able to tell!).

I wouldn't add another country in the World Showcase but I would improve the American Adventure to reflect more of the different cultures within the USA.

I'd also update the older attractions such as HISTA and the Figment ride in Future World and would make the fountain and Innoventions areas less concrete and more welcoming.

AK - I'd try to make the park easier to navigate and would try to add more direct routes to get around.

I'd also expand and add more attractions as I think the park lacks big attractions.

I would also scrap things like the walk-through animal exhibits and make these more ride-based. Maybe cable cars over animal habitats or train rides through them (if it can be achieved without disturbing the animals). The animals seem to be ignored more in favor of the rides (that's how we do it anyway) so this would help prevent that.


I would also add more shops in to the Boardwalk area as it seems lacking in retail opportunities.

Overall, I'd like to see a centralised fast pass system where you can actually book fast passes for the day (on the day - none of this 3 or 6 month mess they've created with the DDP!). Maybe have a central hub (like the old booths underneath Spaceship Earth) where you can book several fast-passes throughout the day. YOu could stick to the current rules of only allowing one fast-pass issue for any time period but it'd save running back and forward across the park.

I'd also like a better DDP where the guest gets to chose what they want to include - appetizers, entrees, desserts, drinks (alcoholic or non), gratuities, table service, counter service, snacks etc. You should be able to build your own DDP online from a menu and price list of options and effectively build up a "bank account" of credits to use how and where you want.

In addition, I'd improve the food options to offer far more sandwiches and wraps. I often bang on about healthy eating but just making this change would be a huge improvement and would get me away from burgers for 14 days! And not those ridiculously huge slabs of bread that you get in places like Starring Rolls Cafe at DHS - just a normal sandwich like the Columbia Harbour House. Don't scrap the burgers, just add on a wrap and a sandwich to each counter service menu.

I'd also like to see more bus services introduced to make it easier to get from one resort to another without having to go via DTD. Maybe have an Epcot resort loop, a DTD resort loop and so on and then have busses that link the routes?

I reckon that'll do for now!

[ballcaptodd]

Also a DVC member, I don't want Disney to put a "halt" on it at all. The DVC brings immediate cash flow, and is one of Disney's largest revenue sources. I would agree, however, that some major changes would be nice:

MK - A Frontierland refurb would be great, and a Fantasyland refurb is already in the works.

HS - I like the hat, but wish it were more than a structure with a gift shop underneath. The Back Lot Tour needs a lot of work/additions, in my opinion.

Epcot - A new country or two would be nice.

AK - I have never waited more than 20 minutes for the safari. The trick is to get there before the park opens and head straight to it after they drop the ropes, or use a Fast Pass. The last time I was there (January) I waited only 20 minutes without doing either.

[Mandy0726]

Winkster,

You have great ideas! They should put you on the planning board.

[G00fyDad]

MK - Bring back the Skyway!

HS - Lose the Sorcerers Hat. Relegate it to the Backlot tour.

Epcot - WS definitely needs a new country. And FW could use a "House of Tomorrow" attraction with futuristic gadgets and stuff.

AK - They need to go forward with the intended Mythological animals. And yes, they need to do something about the lines for Kilimanjaro's Safari. WOW! Even in slow periods of the year it is a long line. I'd hate to see it when the park is at capacity.

[Kylie'smom]

I like the idea for a dinning plan that lets you choose the options you want!

I also think MK needs more table service restaurants.

HS should have more attractions based on recent movies.

I think at Epcot a TS restaurant at America would be awesome.

I haven't been to AK yet so I can't realy comment on that.

A bowling ally or skating rink in DTD would be fun also.

[Winkster]

Originally Posted by Mandy0726

Winkster,

You have great ideas! They should put you on the planning board.

LOL! Great - where do I sign up?

Originally Posted by G00fyDad

MK - Bring back the Skyway!

Oh yes - how could I forget?

Great idea GD!

[G00fyDad]

I remember trying very hard to get out to WDW when my wife and I first got together, before they shut down the Skyway, but she was not a Disney fan at all so I just could not seem to do it. She became a Disney fan when our daughter was born but did not fully understand Disney until our first trip. It is a shame that something (at least for me) that was as iconic of WDW as the castle or Space Mountain is now gone.

[Dismom]

So many ideas already posted.

Here goes

MK - I agree some updating is needed, especially Frontierland, I wish it really looked more old west.

I don't like the idea of changing the name of Tomorrowland, but perhaps updating it so it reflects what we think tomorrow will be like.

I agree we need more options for Table Service and I would like to see them bring in more character meals. CRT is hard to get and Pooh and Friends, well great if you have really little ones, because I wanted to eat at the Crystal Palace and thought my mom would like the restaurant I am going to make the best of the characters there, would have liked to have had one meal where characters are not there to enjoy the restaurant. So in Short I want more character meals in MK. Would have loved to see LTT bring them back.

Epcot - I happen to like the Leave a Legacy, besides I paid good money to do just that, thinking it would be neat for my kids to show their kids. I don't think it is ugly, rather futuristic.

I think another country or two would be great in World Showcase, even if they had to make a path and stager the country behind the other countries as I do not think there is space. I like the American Pavilion just the way it is, I feel it is supposed to reflect what America was like in the beginning, if we need to reflect what the USA is like now with it's diversity, well lets just add on to the back and make a gradual transition to modern USA.

I would not mind seeing something new and exciting added to Future World. Maybe a ride or walk thru that would really reflect what the future American Home will look like.

AK - I would like to see them add two animal sections: The first would be the Animals in Austrailia you know kangaroos and such. I would thing the land of Down Under would be a great asset.

The second is a Polar area, I know this one would be expensive if Disney had to keep those animals cool, but zoos do it so why not Disney. You have so much polar, all those animal from the north, then the penquins in the south.

With both they would not be just about the animals, because Disney would make the landscaping as near to the original habitat as possible, then you would have all the possibilities of the eating area that those two climates present.

I would like to see them bring in something that would celebrate Disney and his love of Nature. When I was growing up, Disney was just as much about nature as he was animation. Disney recently did the nature movie and could start with an attraction along those lines.

DHS - I am in the minority, but I like the hat just where it is, I think it really ties in with Fantasmic, speaking of which, I do wish they would go to at least 3x per week if not every night and get rid of Drew Cary and A I. Put something else in their place that is more in tune with Disney and Movies, perhaps really emphasis Pixar.



I know nothing much specific here, but I am doing good to do that much.

[pianoajd]

Bringing back the skyway sounds like a great idea!

Being as young as I am, I never got the chance to ride it.

For Epcot, maybe they should update Soarin' to reflect Florida. Is that in the works?

DHS--Give me more Pixar. We need more Pixar there!

AK--They need to make something that will make me stay there longer. It only took me 4 hours to ride all the things I wanted to ride.

And those are my two cents.

[Curious Alice]

What would I like to see in the WDW parks?

ME!!!

Besides, that...

MK: Bring back the skyway and Mr. Toad. Add the Alice in Wonderland ride. Remove the Stitch attraction and put in something that's actually cool! Winkster, that was me who suggested the tiki restaurant. I like the name Tomorrowland for its retro-futuristicness (lol...like my new word?). Doesn't Disneyland have a ride inside the castle? That would be cool.

Epcot: I wish they'd start Leave a Legacy again. I would definitely buy a spot! It would be fun if Soarin changed themes every couple of years instead of always being over California. Think about soaring over Europe, for example. I completely agree with Winkster on American Adventure. I think I've had several rants on TD about this in the past. I do think they should add another country. Imagine Australia with a Great Barrier Reef attraction. Or Egypt with a scary pyramid ride. Or Thailand with it's amazing architecture and food, like red curry and pad thai . Or Greece with a beautiful 360-degree film of the Greek islands and a restaurant with Greek dancing and plate smashing! Or Russia with a virtual tour through the gorgeous Winter Palace. I could go on...

DHS: Dump Drew Carey already! Put in a WALL-E attraction of some sort. Poor WALL-E, so under-represented at WDW. And Dismom, I kind of like that hat, too.

AK: I love the polar idea, Dismom! It would also give people a way to cool off. Winkster, I like the walk-throughs, but I think they could be improved. There are too many times when I've walked through and saw nothing. And I agree that AK really needs help in the food department. I think all the parks need Columbia Harbor House-style restaurants with healthier food.

OVERALL: Make the shops more special and interesting! It's kind of annoying to see the same stuff in store after store after store. Keep the big ones, like the Emporium and Mousegear. A big main shop like that should be near the front of every park. But mix up the smaller shops. I like that MK has a specific Tinkerbell shop. AK does a good job of having unique merchandise, like leopard-spotted water bottle holders.

[Dismom]

For an additional country I have said it before and I will say it again, The Netherlands or Holland as most know it by. I have the whole thing figured out from gifts to food to rides, so wish it were possible.

I also like the idea of bringing back Mr Toad and the Skyride, but I would have to add 20,000 leagues under the sea.

[Curious Alice]

Originally Posted by Dismom

For an additional country I have said it before and I will say it again, The Netherlands or Holland as most know it by. I have the whole thing figured out from gifts to food to rides, so wish it were possible.

I also like the idea of bringing back Mr Toad and the Skyride, but I would have to add 20,000 leagues under the sea.

Definitely! I can see a beautiful area with tulips, windmills, wooden shoes, and wonderful cheese!

And yes, I forgot about 20,000 Leagues!

[Mandy0726]

I agree with the shops. Also what I would like to see is merchandise that us older and fuller figure can wear. Such as tees - they are for the young or for the bigger woman. They do not have them for the in between.

[Laughing Dragon]

First and foremost, MORE SEATING! Especially at the bus areas. After walking all day it's horrible to have to stand with aching feet waiting for a shuttle. More benches would definitley be nice.

As to the parks: I'd expand Fantasyland, which right now is kind of pitiful. It ought to be the best land of all, but it's full of rides that are either too kiddie or too dated. Plus the land itself is way too small, you'd really think that the land that represents that quality that Disney is best known for would have more to offer. It does have some wonderful features, however; when I go to WDW, I don't miss Mickey's Philharmagic and the fireworks shows. They are truly magical and truly Disney. We need more attractions that have that same spark. I have heard about some plans to expand on the land, including a Dwarf Mine Train, which would totally rock, especially if it's a dark ride with AAs and lots of dips and curves. I think Peter Pan's flight needs some major updating. It's a wonderful, charming ride, but Walt would have torn that sucker out and rebuilt it by now, with 3D imagery (imagine flying through the London sky a la Soaring!) and updated AAs. And the Pooh ride...that is an embarrassment, especially compared to the Japanese version. Rip THAT sucker out and build it right. I'd also have a Pinocchio puppet theater, with real puppet/marionette shows; Sid and Marty Kroft did puppet shows in the Six Flags parks for years and they were terrific. Anyway, there's lots of potential for Fantasyland that IMO has yet to be realized. Hopefully its magic will someday be fully explored and expanded upon.

Disney Hollywood Studios is a wonderful park; my favorite of all of them. Its atmosphere, architecture, shops and rides are just about perfect for its theming. But I'd put in more classic Disney-era Hollywood attractions, including a Toon Diner with cool effects, clever architecture and menus. I'd update the Great Movie Ride; it's seriously lame now. I can't think of anything else that needs to be done to that park at the moment. I really love it, and anyway, how could the Imagineers top themselves after building the sublime Twilight Zone Tower of Terror? It's hard to, well, imagine...

Epcot is delightful as well, but I'd just like to see more non-gift-shop-based attractions. Most particularly, I'd love to see something done in Great Britain...its area seems woefully inadequate, given Britian's great legacy of fantasy authors and creators and their contribution to the Disney pantheon. Perhaps Narnia could find a small home there? And since it's been announced Disney is doing a remake of Yellow Submarine...well, frankly I'm not too crazy about that idea, but a Yellow Submarine ride in Great Britain would totally ROCK. When I was last at the World, I saw a Beatles-inspired rock band playing in Great Britian and it was so much fun! The band was great and it was really a highlight of my trip. More should definitely be done with the Fab Four.

And how about something with Ireland? And Scotland? Talk about magical atmosphere - those lands are notorious for those qualities. An Irish tea house, perhaps, with leprechauns and Celtic music, and a spooky Scottish castle, complete with fog and torches, something like that, would really enhance the British area. Anyway it's fun to think about.

The more scientific side of Epcot is pretty perfect the way it is. I can't think of any way to improve it.

Animal Kingdom - MEH! What a bore. It looks neat in some areas, and the Tree of Life and its underground theater are cool, but everything else is a letdown. ESPECIALLY Expedition Everest with its malfunctioning Yeti that you can barely see, and the lame film clip showing him ripping up the tracks that is obviously animated and not at ALL convincing. It's a failure as a ride IMO. A decent roller coaster maybe, but big deal. The only way Animal Kingdom will be worth a return visit for me is if Beastly Kingdomme is revived, with its unicorns, dragons etc. And Disney had better start seriously thinking about that if it wants to compete with Universal's Harry Potter attraction. The next time I go to Florida, I may very well give WDW a pass...and go to Universal for the very first time, JUST for the Potter attractions. The Disney folks had better take note. For the first time ever, its claim on magic is being seriously threatened. I hope it can come up with a way to counter it. We'll see...