One Ride CAN make the difference!
Expedition Everest is a success! (already, even if the official opening date is 7th April) And it is a success not only for Disney but also for the guests loving Disney and its Theme parks. Animal Kingdom has been the park that could be found at the bottom on many peoples list. With Everest this has changed for sure. The park is crowded (during previews, and will be once Everest officially opens) with first time and returning visitors, all because of that one “special one of a kind ride”. No clone, no copy but a new experience. Sure, it is a roller coaster, no big massive drops, no records being broken, but the Yeti and the mountain giving it such a great appeal that everybody wants to see it… The benefits for Animal Kingdom are endless. More visitors is more business and more attention. Everest might be the attraction bringing in the guests, but how many will now stay longer and experience other rides, watch the parade, or even spend some extra on food while they are there? Good move from Disney? Best move ever! And they know it…
What makes a good park? A park with that special ride like Everest. Now, after the ride has been put in place and the positive effect it has Disney can start doing what it does best. Expand with magic! The success of Everest could well bring back glorious times for the Imagineers. Why? Because after Everest rumors have started to bring more of the same, more of a difference. More Animal Kingdom expansions? Why not. Everest might be the first step towards making this park go on the same level as the other parks (Although in my opinion this park is a Imagineering masterpiece already). The success of this E-Ticket ride might have opened the doors to the rumors floating the web. Beastly Kingdom might be back on the drawing table. Not just back on the drawing table, but back and bigger then ever with a new show, an big new E-ticket and 3 to 4 smaller rides. This would put Animal Kingdom on the map of many theme park enthusiasts around the globe. Making the park a full day experience, so many wrongly accuse the park of not being at the moment. (I can walk that park for days. It is not all about the rides, so many have a tendency to forget this). First signs of this are already visible as the opening times will change. During Spring Break the park will be open from 8:00am to 8:00pm. (not all rides, but for sure Everest, Dinosaurs, etc.). These might also transpire (surely) into the summer opening times.
You see this is what I always talk about. It is that one special, new, one of a kind, never seen before, ride that makes the people come in. Clones? Yes add them, but look what Everest did for AK! Give every Disney around the globe the special treatment it deserves and it will be noted from al around the globe. People come from far when it is something entirely new!
Will all this impact the rest of Walt Disney world? Might not be the reason but with the rumored plans on the table for MGM it sure looks like it. Indiana Jones will close, eventually, but not before some other new rides and shows will be put in place. Rumored are a new E-ticket. (source Screamscape)
Imagineering is said to be working on a new hybrid design that will take popular elements from the California, Tokyo and Paris attractions to come up with an all new ride experience
Star Tours II, again being rumored to be replacing the old movie and experience, and a new show. After that the new rumored Indiana Jones ride might see day of light too. (source Screamscape)
Promising future? I would say YES. I for sure will try to get to Walt Disney World even more as before. I can’ wait to see Everest for myself, can’t wait to see al those rumored new rides see day of light. Can’t wait to experience the WDW again and again. Can’t wait for this Disney future.
March 17th, 2006 at 12:47 pm
I was in DAK in January during my holidays in Orlando. But the attraction wasn´t finished. But it looked awesome. I think it´s great and I hope that I can ride it on day.