It’s been over a year since Disney CEO Bob Iger opened the doors to the new, reimagined Disney World where technology and innovation rule the ground. Since then, we’ve been treated to new attractions such as the incredible Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and the Maelstrom, a Viking ship that sails through the jungle of northern Germany. We’ve also seen the return of some classic rides such as Space Mountain and X-wing Blasters, which are back in action and ready for battle.
But what about everything else? The future of Disney World seems to be moving forward at warp speed. From Toy Story Land to Frozen Evergreen, the park continues to expand its collection of attractions and entertainment options for all ages.
Take a peek at how old some of the attractions are, and the condition they’re in:
Dark Arts
The dark arts are definitely a thing at Disney World. Be it the nefarious villainry of the “Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” the terrifying “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” or even the classic “Mummy, I’m Growing Up,” the dark theme and magic that define the Disney World experience are often the subject of nightmares. And it wasn’t just fantasy films that got the fright seal of approval – many rides and attractions are built on pure suspense and unpredictable circumstances. Take the Millennium Falcon ride, for example. The premise of the ride is that you are touring a museum that’s filled with priceless art and antiques. But there’s one piece of art on display that doesn’t belong there, and it’s the goal of the ride – to track it down.
On the way, you pass famous paintings by Renoir, Cézanne, and others, as well as magnificent statues and other antiquities. You’re on your guard the whole time, wondering whether or not to trust the curators. Are these really the missing pieces from the museum? Could this museum exhibit be a trick? Are you going to end up as the famous painting you’re on the search for? One of the ride’s most fascinating details is that the whole time you’re in motion, the track lighting makes the whole scene look like it’s shrouded in shadow. Even now, after riding the attraction a thousand times, I still get a thrill when I pass by the spotlights and glance at the dark arts gallery one last time before disembarking.
Family Matters
Another area of Disney World that was redesigned last year is the Tomorrowland section. Located between the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, this section of the park is all about celebrating family. From the “Together Forever” banner that flies over the playground to the elaborate costumes and decorations, it is easy to see how much thought went into making Tomorrowland a place where families can come together.
Even the food at Tomorrowland is designed to be shared by larger groups of people. Kids will love the colorful Macarons while adults can satisfy their sweet tooth with the gelato. And who doesn’t love a good picnic, especially when the blue sky and fresh air are available? One of the more innovative attractions at Tomorrowland is the Buzz Lightyear’s Electric Adventure. This is an omnibus of sorts, incorporating rides for kids and adults into one experience. While the kiddie ride is structured around an obstacle course of sorts – where kids help Buzz Lightyear as he patrols the cosmos looking for aliens – the adult version puts you in the driver’s seat of a space car, zooming around a dark lunar landscape. The whole family will enjoy this ride, which is reminiscent of older Star Wars films. Another interesting touch is that the audio for the adult ride comes from actual space probes, making the whole experience feel a little more real. And what’s more exciting is that this is one of the very first rides of its kind in existence and is operating on a limited basis while Disney engineers work to improve and fine-tune it. So, while you wait, you can take a walk-through tour of the ride, learning more about NASA and the space program.
Futurism
With all the shadow and mystery that is present at Disney World, it’s no wonder that the future plays a substantial role in the overall design and feel of the park. From the flying cars that drop you off at the entrance to the transparent corridors that allow guests to glimpse the future, it’s easy to see how much thought went into making this place about the future.
If you’re a fan of Blade Runner, you’ll feel right at home at Tomorrowland. The futuristic décor and neon-laced buildings that line the streets evoke visions of Rick Deckard’s fictional Los Angeles. It’s an interesting mix of modern and old, with a heavy emphasis on cool architecture that is both familiar and unique at the same time. And while it might not be practical to live in the future anymore, at least you can visit it any time you like.
Reruns And Remixes
These days, Disney World is all about reruns and remixes. Be it the Marvel Cinematic Universe that recreates the adventures of Spider Man, Ironman, or Captain America in a movie theatre that replicates the experience of being on the big screen, or the amazing Spiderman Experience where guests can become part of the action in the middle of the park. Or the incredible work that went into recreating the classic Disney song “Happy Birthday to You” with magic and technology, making it seem like it’s playing all along the corridor.
Sometimes, the recreation is so good that it feels indistinguishable from the real thing. Take the Pixar Pier expansion in Florida. While the attraction does feature some interactive elements and allows you to pet and feed the creatures on-screen, it’s basically a walk-through experience where you get to see and learn about Pixar stories through the eyes of their characters. It might not sound like much, but this is Pixar. So, even if you’ve seen the movies a zillion times, it’s still fun to see them recreated in this way. Especially since it adds an extra layer of meaning and draws more connections to the stories – both the good and bad ones.
And speaking of adding another layer of meaning, what about the Mystery Box ride at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa? On the surface, it is yet another dark ride that takes you on a journey through classic fairy tales. But as you make your way through the winding corridor, you come across little magic doors that lead to unexpected and creative endings. After you make your choice, a trap door opens and sends you plummeting down a flight of stairs – which may or may not have been designed to look like a mine shaft.
While many of the attractions and rides that you’ll experience at Disney World are still going strong, the park is obviously not error-free. As it has been over a year since the opening of this amazing place, it is entirely possible that there are some rides and attractions that are now out of date. So, it would be a good idea to do some research before you visit in case some of the old staples have been updated or replaced.