David KrisoAnother summer at Walt Disney World is nearing its conclusion. In just a few weeks, kids will be heading off to school again. Kids will have to adjust to the classroom, after enjoying the beach, the pool, and visiting Walt Disney World. Once September begins, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween will be well underway. That’s not all. At D23 in Anaheim, CA, Disney announced big plans for park expansions. Much of these expansions will take place at the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Yet, there are some desired adjustments which guests hope to be made. These adjustments are not just for guests’ enjoyment, but they are for the long haul. CEO Bob Iger and Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Josh D’Amaro must take these adjustments into consideration. Not only must Iger and D’Amaro consider these adjustments for the guests’ sake, but to preserve the long-lasting magic which has spanned decades.
3) Disney’s Magical Express: Walt Disney World has returned to “just about” normal. It’s not perfect yet. When is Disney’s Magical Express ever going to return? Disney’s five standards are safety, courtesy, efficiency, show, and inclusion. Disney’s Magical Express was safe, it was a great form of courtesy transportation, it was over-the-top efficient, and its buses running on-time put on an incredible show. The moment Bob Chapek discontinued Disney’s Magical Express, those standards went out the window. With Bob Iger back at the helm, it’s time for Disney’s Magical Express to return. What is the hold-up? There is no reason why Disney’s Magical Express cannot be brought back to into service. Mears Connect Driven By Sunshine is NOT the answer. Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine completely misses the mark. It’s time to bring Disney’s Magical Express back. The time is RIGHT NOW.
2) No park reservations for Disney Vacation Club members: This has been an ongoing argument. However, there is a sensible solution to it. Not only is the solution feasible, it makes perfect sense. An earlier suggestion was for all guests staying on the Walt Disney World resort property not needing to make park reservations. Looking at the idea even deeper, some give and take is all that’s needed to make the situation right. The removal of park reservations for Disney Vacation Club members is an understandable adjustment. Disney Vacation Club members SHOULD NOT have to make park reservations, particularly those members who have length-of-stay passes. Annual passholders must make park reservations. That’s understood. Annual passholders can be from anywhere. Disney Vacation Club members pay good money for their memberships. Disney Vacation Club members can be annual passholders, too. Their yearly dues pay for the upkeep of Disney Vacation Club resort properties. Their dues also pay for the top notch service, unforgettable experiences, and the high-end attention they receive during their stay. Disney Vacation Club members as opposed to all other guests, receive the magical ‘x’ factor’ which makes their experience all the more memorable. Disney Vacation Club members are the ultimate Disney VIPs. By being Disney Vacation Club members, that should be the magical exception to the rule. That being said, they should not have to make park reservations. Disney Vacation Club members are greeted with the line “Welcome home!”. “Welcome home” truly means “Welcome home!”. If Disney Vacation Club members ‘wish’ to stay magical year after year, park reservations must be lifted. It’s feasible, sensible, and plausible.
1) Leave the “Rivers of America” alone! Just recently, at D23, plans were announced for park expansions at the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a Monsters Inc. themed land will be added. There, Disney will be building its first ever suspended coaster. No argument there! When Disney’s Hollywood Studios first opened in 1989, the park’s film making theme fascinated guests on a grand scale. The park was small, but Disney was determined to make adjustments; pivotal adjustments to “plus it”. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Dinoland USA will be reimagined and transformed into Tropical Americas Village. No argument there! At the Magic Kingdom however, the plan is to demolish the Rivers of America and turn it into a Cars-themed land, featuring two exciting attractions for family enjoyment. Wait, the Rivers of America is over fifty years old. If they demolish the Rivers of America, they’ll have to remove the Liberty Belle riverboat. Leave the Rivers of America and the Liberty Belle alone!
The Liberty Belle and Rivers of America, together, are timeless icons. They’ve been around since day one. Why must they go? Both attractions bring serenity not just to the park, but to Frontierland and Liberty Square all together. Both attractions accentuate the beauty of both themed lands. Removing the Rivers of America must be revisited, rethought, and re-reimagined. Before the bulldozers and backhoes come rolling in, Disney must reconsider what they’re doing. Can’t they build this new Cars-themed land in an another area of the park, so that the Rivers of America won’t be disturbed? What about the Tomorrowland Raceway? Why cannot that attraction be demolished and replaced with 2 Cars-themed attractions? It’s dated! After all, the Tomorrowland race cars are old, loud, and begging to be retired. If demolished, the Tomorrowland Raceway won’t be missed.
The Rivers of America should be left intact. Demolishing the Rivers of America is equivalent to desecrating a sacred temple. Sailing the Rivers of America aboard the Liberty Belle is like exploring a botanical garden. Along the banks of the Rivers of America, guests like to stop and take in a breath of fresh air, peruse their park maps, and catch up with family. What’s wrong with that? The Walt Disney World Railroad tracks ride parallel to the Rivers of America, staying in sync with Frontierland’s storyline. What’s wrong with that? Tom Sawyer Island, on the other hand, is old in the tooth. Yes, it needs to be replaced. There’s no argument replacing Tom Sawyer Island with a new story experience. Can’t Disney do something like that, rather than completely removing two iconic attractions? Before Disney makes the biggest mistake ever, it needs to “dig a little deeper” and revisit its construction plans. The Rivers of America and the Liberty Belle should be and MUST be left alone.
Another era is about to take shape at Walt Disney World. Expansion plans at three of the four major parks are officially in the works. Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be getting Monster-size addition, Dinoland USA at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be getting a tropical treatment, and at the Magic Kingdom, the Rivers of America are being drained? This cannot happen. Disney must reimagine its plans and make adjustments. Turning guests off is the last thing Disney would want to do. Worst of all, guests who love riding the Liberty Belle riverboat will be beyond unhappy. Epcot has World Showcase Lagoon, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has Echo Lake, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has the Discovery River, and the Magic Kingdom will have NOTHING? That cannot happen! In addition, Disney’s Magical Express must be brought back. Guests’ patience is running sheet thin, way thinner than the ice at Blizzard Beach. Disney Vacation Club members, along with length-of-stay passholders, should not need to make park reservations. Life isn’t perfect, but Disney can make the adjustments to make good things happen. The Rivers of America don’t have to disappear forever. Guests should not have to deal with frustration getting to and from Orlando Airport. Except for annual passholders, park reservations should be a thing of the past. Disney has been known for making adjustments. Adjustments are meant for making things better, not draining guests’ spirits.
