Disney announces three new attractions for Orlando

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Disney executives Friday announced details of three new attractions for the Orlando resort that they plan to open in the next three years. They include Stitch's Great Escape at the Magic Kingdom, Soarin' Over California at Epcot's Land pavillion and a car stunt show at Disney-MGM.

Read more from The Orlando Sentinel.

Wouldn't Expedition Everest make that four attractions? Nice to see that each park is getting something new... I'd rather see the existing parks get new attractions rather than another new park.

------------------
-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

Yes, but I think Expedition Everest has already been previously announced.
matt.'s avatar
Its telling me I need to register to read the story.

Is Stitch's Great Escape a new dark ride?

I believe that Stitch's Great Escape is a re-theming of the Alien Encounter ride. This dissapoints me, because this was a great ride, and actually 'something for the adults' to do at Magic Kingdom. The first time I experienced it, it scared the shat out of me. Oh well, I guess that Disney is doing what they feel is best for the park, but I will miss the original ride.

I personally find it kind of strange that they are still calling the glider simulator at Epcot Soarin' Over California. I would have thought that they would try and theme it to Florida. They could have had it fly over the everglades, the Florida Keys, Kennedy Space Center, etc. This just doesn't make much sense to me. Once again, I guess they're making what they consider the best decision for their parks, this should still be a good attraction.

------------------
"Every day is a bad day on Hollywood and Vine!"

I agree whole-heartedly that the Soarin' ride at Epcot should NOT be the same film as California. What they should do is make a new film and then switch out the versions in the future. If this ride goes into other Disney parks you could have four or more different films that could rotate, keeping it from becoming stagnant.

Seems like a missed opportunity if they don't.

Soarin over California is an amazing ride. Every time I ride, guests end up clapping at the conclusion of the ride. You don't get that very often in California (or outside of CP for that matter). This ride really seems to be the biggest hit in DCA, and rightfully so, its the best ride there.

But it really doesn't belong in Florida. I guess, financially its the easiest thing to do, but considering the possibilites that ride system has, its kind of dissapointing decision. I know I would be thrilled to see a Soarin' over the World rather than Soarin over California.

------------------
Knotts Halloween Haunt- Everyone has to go sometime....

When you take into account the cost to "create" a new film, its easy to see why Disney is using the old film. Plus, it probably looks good for Disney's bottom line because it ammortizes the cost to create the ride over two attractions instead of one.

------------------
-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

It's pretty disturbing finding people complaining about Soarin being the same show as DCA's version, considerring it's one of the most expensive rides ever built. Also take into account that EPCOT just opened Mission: Space and theyre already getting the ball rolling on another major attraction. Be happy with what they're doing, is there any other park on this planet that would begin work on a $40 million attraction BEFORE thier previous $100 million attraction opens??? ;) And I'm sure they'll shoot a new film for the ride a few years down the road. Think about how long it takes to think up a storyline, shoot, edit and roll out the final film, YEARS. They're probably looking at concepts right now and will just use the Cali theme until they have a new reel of film to use.

And I wouldn't be too suprised if they have a few more things theyre working on over at EPCOT. Ellen's Energy Adventure and the Living Seas are no doubt on thier way out, hopefully we'll see TDS's StormRider attraction in the Living Seas (Would fit PERFECT) and Ellen's pavilion can die for all I care... it's terrible. I absolutely love everything about EPCOT except that damned pavilion, the ride system is sweet but it's all executed horribly, it just needs to die! ;)*** This post was edited by ThePhantomLives 10/13/2003 3:18:26 PM ***

I would imagine that a new film would be used when a new film for DCA is shot, perhaps something that is more relevent to both parks. As it is, I think this will be a fantastic addition to Epcot, which seems to take a lot of heat for not offering much beyond exhibits (not that that is such a bad thing, though).

------------------
-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

I am not saying that it won't be a good ride. I am sure it will be excellent. But, here you are in Epcot (in Florida) at the Land and you are going to ride a "Soarin' over California" ride.

I like the future this ride might have though. Soarin over:

the Grand Canyon

New York City

the Alps

Hawaii

It has some real possibilities.

janfrederick's avatar
There is a show that comes on PBS every so often called "Wings over ...". It's the same concept as the California Sorin' film, but with a mellow narrator talking about the sights along the way. The films are about an hour in length. I'm sure it doesn't take 'years' to put them together...then again, I'm sure helicopters with steadycam cameras are fairly common. Does anybody know what type of camera they use for shooting the ride film? Different film size? Different lense?

Anyhoo, I'd love to see a "Soarin'" ride that lasts an hour. Then again, I wouldn't be spending like I should ;)

------------------
"I go out at 3 o' clock for a quart of milk and come home to my son treating his body like an amusement park!" - Estelle Costanza

Anyone hear more about that Animal Kingdom hyper coaster they are building in that cleared land over the canal back by Asia? It is supposed to be up and running 2005, they had a lot of the land cleared last month when I was there last, so, hopefully they are on schedule!
Jan,
Soarin is on IMAX film, the same as at any IMAX big screen movie theatre.

------------------
Touchè, teacher, touchè.

Coasterbabe, you're talking about Expedition Everest, which is like, half coaster, half indy-jones @ DLR ride. Not a full-on coaster.
are you sure, I mean, my friend works there and tells me the scoop of it all. I mean, he could be wrong, but he has been right with all the other juicy info (Rockn Rollercoaster, Shrek, etc). But, I am not sure, that's why I asked. That would be a HUGE disapointent, but I guess it would be cool. I haven't done the Jones ride, but wouldnt that be a lot like Dinosaur where you ride around in the car and junk? Well, we'll see in 2005. Thats why I asked. Thanks.
Expedition Everest is not a hyper coaster. The mountain is 200' tall. The coaster is not.

Expedition Everest is a roller coaster. It's a pure-bred roller coaster. It's from Vekoma. It will not have EMVs.

The Indiana Jones Adventure and Dinosaur are the same exact ride. They have different sets and different motion control profiles.

I'm excited about the new attractions -- though that excitement is tempered by knowing that it'll be the same film as the DCA version of Soarin' and that Alien Encounter is closing.

------------------
--Maddie--
What do I Listen-To?
Hot stuff.

ok, well, my bad, jeesh. I read it too fast when it was coasterbuzz news April 24th. Besides, I should know better to think Disney would put something that "thilling" into their parks. Anyway, then that's a damn shame. That is horrible that they are putting that same type of ride in there if it is going to be like Jones. Waste of money and time. Dino was excellent, dont get me wrong.

I guess all my money and time will continue to go to IOA & BGT. That's just me though. I get excited for new rides, but I need my coasters. That's what gets me to a park- 'cause after a while, they get boring unless theres that true adreneline rush-filled coaster sitting there, waiting for me.

I'll have to have a chat with him and get the scoop of what this (seems to be a huge disappointment) is all about. - come on, i was getting all excited. what a shame.oh well.

Well, Expedition Everest is going to be a coaster. Not a hyper, but that doesn't mean it won't be worth checking out. Disney messes up sometimes, but when they do a coaster, they are pretty good about not screwing it up.

------------------
-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

janfrederick's avatar
ThemeDesigner said:

Jan,
Soarin is on IMAX film, the same as at any IMAX big screen movie theatre.

Ahh...I see. I grew up on the Imax theater at Great America. I didn't realize that all the other ones were smaller until I went to the one at Balboa Park here in San Diego. The screen was about the size of California Soarin'. But if you sit anywhere near the side, the experience isn't quite what I'd come to expect on the world's largest screen.

Anyhoo, Imax films are produced quite often so the movie would be relatively cheap (they don't need to invent new filming technology). Do you think they use accelerometers to record the accelerations of the aircraft while it is filming and use the data as a base for programming the ride. Anyone know how they do it? Or do they tweak until they get it right?

My point being, how much are they really saving by keeping the same movie? It just seems kinda strange to put in a movie about Califonia only at Epcot. As mentioned earlier, why not a hangglider flight around the globe?

------------------
"I go out at 3 o' clock for a quart of milk and come home to my son treating his body like an amusement park!" - Estelle Costanza

You must be logged in to post

POP Forums - ©2024, POP World Media, LLC
Loading...