For our purposes today, however, I am going to discuss what may or may not be announced for our "home resort," Walt Disney World. Internet speculation has been rampant, especially since there has been little insider information leaked this go round (by comparison, last time, the blueprints for the Fantasyland Expansion were available online over a month before the convention).
Let's start with some "blue sky" rumors, that don't stand a chance of being announced:
1) Announcement of a 5th gate
This one is every fan boy's dream, but it's not happening, nor is it logical. Two of Walt Disney's World's four parks (Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios) are badly in need of expansions, less they become known as half day parks. As it stands, the only reason anyone sticks around Hollywood Studios all night is for Fantasmic. Disney should be focusing on these two parks before they think of adding a 5th.
2) Monorail Expansion
Another longstanding online dream, this one also has no chance of actually happening. Partly for the expense, and partly because of the logjam a monorail breakdown would cause. Think about it, if just one monorail breaks down and needs to be towed back to the maintenance bay, EVERY single monorail on the beam has to go back to the bay to get out of its way. You'd be talking literally thousands of guests who could be stranded for over an hour. Not feasible.
3) Beastly Kingdom comes to Animal Kingdom
Yes, I know it was in the original plans for the park, but it's not happening. This ship has sailed. Let it go.
This next set of rumors is still pretty far-fetched, but stands more of a chance of happening than either of the above:
1) Expansion of Pixar Place
In a previous post, I discussed how easily Pixar Place could be expanded, mostly be re-theming already existing areas. As it stand right now, Pixar Place consists of one attraction (Toy Story Mid Way Mania), a meet and greet with Buzz and Woody, and a bathroom. Surely, the company's most popular film division deserves more.
2) A new country for World Showcase
For awhile, Brazil was a hot rumor, but that chatter has quieted down. There is room in World Showcase for anywhere from 6-8 expansions, some smaller than others. A new country would be most welcome, but only if it brought more than just a shop and restaurant. It must bring an attraction, which would drive the cost up. For that, Disney would need the host country (or a company from that nation) to sponsor it. That involves lots of money. Believe me, if they could line up a sponsor, the construction equipment would already be there.
3) Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye comes to WDW
As much as I would LOVE this to happen (replacing the dated Indiana Jones stunt show would be great), it probably won't. Forbidden Eye is by far the best dark ride Disney's ever done (and my second favorite ride of all time, behind only Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (TRAITOR! - mike), and it SHOULD be in WDW already, but instead, we got a cheaper version with Dinosaur. I'd love for Disney to correct their error, but it won't happen.
Finally, here's a list of what may be realistically announced tonight:
1) Monster's Inc. Coaster comes to Hollywood Studios
I'm really holding out hope for this one. The plans already exist (it would move into the area adjacent to and beyond Toy Story Mania), and site work has been done. Imagineers are just waiting for the ok. It would really help with crowd dispersal, and further the idea that the "thrills" are at Hollywood Studios.
2) Fantasmic refurb
Seriously, the show at WDW is a joke compared to the one in Disneyland. After watching the show in Disneyland, I have no desire to ever see it in WDW again, unless there's an extensive refurb. The dragon is a joke, the middle ten minutes are dreadfully boring, and the Pocahontas scene has never really worked. The show is going down for 2 months in January, and speculation is rampant that it's more than just routine maintenance
3) New Magic Kingdom parade
Time to retire those floats. Disneyland gets a new parade every year, and WDW has been using a variation of the same daytime parade for a decade. With the 40th anniversary coming up, now would be the perfect time for something completely new.
4) Announcement of the Grand Floridian DVC
Construction has already started, and everyone knows it's coming, but Disney continues to deny it. Time to let the cat out of the bag.
5) More Next-Gen technology
Tom Staggs hinted about this in his annual report. It would involve the ability for guests to "schedule" parts of their vacation before they left home- reserve fast passes, set up times for character meet and greets, etc. It's not that exciting, and this better not be the biggest announcement of the day.
6) Refurb of an Epcot pavilion
Imagination and Energy are the two most likely candidates. Imagination contains a nostalgic 3D film that can't play forever and a dark ride that's a shell of its former self. Energy contains one long, very boring dark ride (that sadly, is a vast improvement over its predecessor).
7) Test Track refurb
Lots of internet chatter on this, specifically about making it more interactive. Guests would have the chance to read about various tests as they wait in the queue and make their choices about what "experiences" they want before boarding the ride. It would more re-rideability to the attraction, an idea WDW has been moving towards a lot recently, with attractions like Star Tours 2 and Toy Story Midway Mania providing new experiences each time.
And so...what do I think they're announcing? Here's my final list of guesses:
1) Monster's Inc. Coaster (this is my "go big or go home" prediction, but I'm holding out hope)
2) Test Track refurb
3) Fantasmic updates
4) New parade for the Magic Kingdom
Be sure to check in to the blog tonight. I'll be live blogging during the speech by Tom Staggs, offering my immediate reactions to what he says. Afterwards, I'll write a more detailed analysis of what he announced.
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