Figment and Dreamfinder were meant to be and SHOULD BE the ambassadors for Epcot. Remaking Journey into Imagination with modern technology would be such a triumph for the park. Putting Imageworks back upstairs with a new, modern take (including a modern rebuild of the rainbow tunnel) should be part of it. I would also say a Figment film or series of films should run at the Magic Eye theater.
My son is 28..a Disney World cast member and LOVES the country bears. He knows it word for word and still laughs at the dry humor.. loves it. He said he now understands people upset about splash mountain but he is happy it’s not closing.
Indiana Jones needs to be in Studios.. if I were able to tell them what to do... this would be my plan. First I would expand Galaxy's Edge to the Starcruiser and in that space between, I would move Star Tours to it. They can do more shops, more food and maybe dedicated meet and greet space. Once Star Tours is out of its current place, I would demo the building and then build a new version of the Mystic Manor ride from Hong Kong Disneyland, but theme it to the archaeology department of the school that Indy teaches at. The Backlot Express would be rethemed to the university cafeteria and the Tattooine Trader becomes a shop themed to excess items from digs.. That means Indy would extend from the Stunt Show through to Muppet place. With the buildings themed to a brick University, it would mean that there is a theme that feels like it extends Grand Avenue and Muppets Place out towards the front of the park. I have more ideas, but that is the basic
The stunt show has been rumored to be closing for decades. I think the rolling bolder is about all people know Indy for now. Tomb Raider won the epic rap battle and is surprisingly a more fleshed out character. DHS needs some Fox IP like Deadpool, Family Guy or Aliens. I doubt that they don’t start cashing in on those Fox IPs soon
If they don’t put Kronk’s spinach puffs on a menu in this new South America section at Animal Kingdom I will be crushed. Emperors New Groove is so under represented in the parks. And it was Disney’s first foray into that area of the world. Kuzco’s summer palace!
omg I feel ashamed that I didn't even think of Emperor's New Groove! That would be a way better fit than Encanto and Indy. Someone in these comments also suggested Up. if they're splitting IPs in the land's revamp, I'd much rather see Emperor's New Groove & Up than Encanto (I think that's a better fit for Magic Kingdom, personally) and Indy (which is just not a good fit for DAK at all imo lol... I think Indy would be better at Studios)
Gotta love the kids - as the late great Harlan Ellison once said - "Nostalgia is what they had for breakfast". In terms of "Disney's first foray" into South America, you may want to familiarize yourself with Walt's 1940's friendly neighbour tour of Latin America. See also "Saludos Amigos" and "The Three Caballeros".
I will miss the original Country Bear Jamboree as it is a core memory with my mother and was very sad when it was taken out in Anaheim. I am happy that they will not go completely away. Maybe like Sorin' they'll bring back the original every now and then.
I wish they would have found a way to make dinosaurs/prehistory work as a theme. The original concept of Animal Kingdom was about animals of the past, present, and imaginative (Beastly Kingdom). Personally, it felt like the theme and identity of Animal Kingdom was complete and whole when Avatar came to fill in Beastly Kingdom's place.
Can’t believe they will get ride of “Tough to be a Bug”. I loved that show. I love the interactions. No other ride has this type show. The end when bugs crawl out!! That is the best!! So sad 😢😢😢
It’s Tough to Be a Bug is a must do. The theming and location being UNDER the tree of life is perfect for that show! I started crying thinking about it being dismantled. It’s one of the greatest incorporations of screen and 4D and an animatronic with Hopper and Flick too. Trash IP shoving. I’m so upset about AK. And I’m going to miss Dinosaur. I thought it was always incredible and still believe when functioning it beats the Jurassic park ride down the road. Why can’t we update the concept instead of duplicating something that already exists? Why did we abandon the beasts plan that was originally made for this park? And why do we need to shove IP into every single land?
*Bugs are a really important part of our existence. We owe the functioning of our ecosystem to them. And I thought “Its Tough to Be a Bug” was just an incredible way to teach that to people through entertainment. ***ESPECIALLY as insects are in decline! And it’s threatening our planet. Environmental destruction could be imminent because of this! So I guess it’s fitting Disney is killing the entomology attraction. (Yes I am being dramatic)
No vent it out what your saying is true !! I don’t think Fisney should touch Dinosaur or it’s Tough to be a bug. These are iconic places at a fairly new park animal kingdom I mean the country bears lasted 50 years… cmon DW don’t throw away these two attractions
It’s not a must do for everyone. I have Sensory Processing Disorder and once was more than enough for me. It triggered all of my sensory issues and I won’t be sad to see it go. I do feel for the people who did love it, but for me personally, I’d like to stomp on it like every lanternfly I’ve encountered.
Tough to be a bug: old and tired. Update it. Zootopia? No. But remember Bug’s life is still IP. So the IP argument doesnt work. Old attractions should develop. Carousel of progress… walt’s favorite ….. dismantle it and get something new. Walt said the parks should always change.
This is the kind of content I live for. As much as the current version of the WDW Country Bear Jamboree is beloved, I'm glad that the Walt Disney World version is getting a refresh, especially since the original version still exists in Tokyo. I have always argued that every Disney park around the world should be different, filled with unique attractions, shows, and live entertainment. Instead of simply copying something from somewhere else, this show will be (for the time being, at least) exclusive to WDW.
In the clip they showed at D23, Mac Macnally is involved in the Country Bear remake - he is a long time Nashville musician and was also in Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer band!!!
"Original version still exists in Tokyo"... in Japanese. The first place I saw it was in Tokyo and it was something. I didn't fall in love with the Country Bears until I heard them in English in WDW.
I was sitting outside the country bear jamboree while my husband went to grab some frozen lemonade. I was sitting and absorbing it all in. I thought this day could not get better. He comes up to me with that jug you have and said Hey I got a free jug of Cola. (it was poured and someone changed their mind and rather than toss it was a gift from the mouse) So I started sobbing
As one of the young generations you were talking about in your country bear honest rant, I am 19, never got to see horizons, body wars, listen to the land, even mr toad (until I visited disneyland). But i watch those videos. I am fascinated and while i acknowledge it needed a change as it was outdated, it is still a part of the history of the park. We can introduce these beloved characters in a new way that helps bring the new generation in without losing the heart of the idea. So thank you for shouting us out and knowing we do care. We weren't around during a lot of old epcot/MGM studios and such but we still really care.
The Imagination Pavillion should include a Figment & Dreamfinder attraction PLUS a celebration of MAPO / WED Enterprises / WDI similar to Walt Disney Presents. We can all nerd out in EPCOT - who's with me?
I wish the beyond thunder mountain area would become the villains lair. They could develop a whole story about how it was discovered. You would have all kinds of possibilities with the houses they live in and have all kinds of fun with themed restaurants and lounges. How about a place called the Poisoned Apple? The possibilities are endless.
Yeah it’s be cool to get all the villains in on it, maybe have dr facilier’s fortune telling building near the entrance to blend into New Orleans/thunder mesa
Patricia, I love that your son loves the country bears so much. One of my Disney core memories will always be how much I loved that show the first time I saw it. My Disney travel buddy and I are nurses in an ER, and blood on the saddle is just, chef's kiss. We were laughing so much that we felt like we were being inappropriate. Good times! 🫶
I agree with you. These panels have shown that Imagineering is going in a positive direction. I just worry about Management’s hesitancy to greenlight anything. Far too much Blue Sky and far to few shovels hitting the dirt
I’ve been waiting for this! Ok, here we go….I’m glad they are changing up the country bears rather than us lose them. We kinda knew the songs that are currently in the show wouldn’t be around much longer. I’m glad they are re-doing test track with inspiration from world of motion which was my #1 favorite at Epcot when I was a kid (#2- Journey Into Imagination, #3- Horizons)…I was definitely happy to hear this. As for Indiana Jones…it makes sense and I think we knew that was coming too…ONLY because it’s the same track/ride vehicles (cuz you know…money) My biggest disappointment at the event was The Muppets! Am I the only one that perked up thinking they were slowly working up to a big Muppets announcement…and then nothing! Very disappointed 🤬
I knew you’d be on my side for country bears, Tom!! I saw so many comments saying it gives under new management vibes which I do understand, but the fact that they’re giving the bears some love and attention after so so long just tells me that current wdi does care about these old original IPs!! Those animatronics badly needed replaced and the fact that they’re going with the bears and not a newer IP thrills me to the core. You can always replace audio if this doesn’t go well but “future proofing” those animatronics means so much. They Are Listening to us I’m also so sooooo excited for test track 3.0, I never enjoyed 2.0 outside of its tron aesthetic and now that we’ve got tron itself in the parks, it just looks dated like you said. I always found the interactivity part of 2.0 very poorly incorporated and I never felt like it added any enjoyment to the ride, in fact my mom and I always go into the single rider line to skip it entirely. I miss the camp from 1.0 dearly and hope 3.0 will have some of that, but I am happy to have it homage world of motion. I’m going to wdw this week and hope I can meet figment!!! Hopefully the line will be much less than a few hours, but he is extremely important to me and my love for Disney, it would mean a lot to hug and get a photo with him. I’m tentative about Indy replacing dinosaur. Dinosaur is one of my favorite rides of all time, it’s so campy and charming but it does need a refresh pretty badly, and I think Indy is probably the best thing to replace it with. I’m a little concerned about how it’s gonna fit the theme of the park as a whole, but I’m tentative.
I would rather have Zootopia take over Dinoland and Dinosaur. While Dinosaur is a childhood favorite of mines, I knew for years Disney has wanted to ret-theme the ride and land. I am just more disappointed that A Bug’s Life will not have any real representation in the park besides the occasional meet and greet. It’s Tough to Be a Bug was an opening day attraction and talks about how important bugs are to our world, fitting with the theme of conservation of Animal Kingdom. Between Bugs and Dinosaur, Bugs would be the one I would fight to keep. Absolutely agree with Tom that Disney should have gone with a variation of the original Blue Sky concept, though I would have just themed it entirely to Zootopia.
I agree with the statement that bugs over dinosaur. Dino is one of my fav rides in general but I feel like bugs deserves it’s opening day spot as a classic at the tree. Just need a revamp to make things actually work
I honestly wish they would just try harder to make Dinoland work. Add in a Matterhorn style coaster and dinosaur stage shows or photo opportunities with large dinosaur suits. Dinosaur usually has a wait time over 30 minutes, despite being so out of the way. Dinosaurs are cool.
I will say this, I really agree with Tom that Figment is EPCOT for me too. My first memory of the park is going with my mom when I was 10, and my dad had recently passed away. She took me there and when we rode Journey into imagination, it stuck with me the rest of my life. The songs the artwork and animatronics and of course figment. I still have the figment plush and my mother is 82 now still has the figment coffee mug we got that day. Special memories for sure.
I really wish they would just keep the two versions of Soarin at Epcot all the time. Split the queue so one theater does California, and the other would be Around the world. I feel like that would fit the queue theme too
“Let them cook” should not have given me the laugh it did, but you’re 100% right about giving imagineers a chance. It’s been a rough couple years but at the end of the day you can really see the care- we have to be able to trust again. Also beyond excited about the Test Track remodel, I love old Epcot - probably because how much my dad was. As he got to experience it as a teen back in the 80s and it’s just- oh it’s so nice whenever we get even a nod. So did my grandpa, I remember him being excited to show us journey into imagination when I was little. It was his favorite and … unfortunately it was the version we had today by the time I was a kid. After seeing videos online of the original- so sad I couldn’t experience it, and now understand why he was so excited to show it to my and my sister.
I think Raya would be an excellent fit for animal kingdom because they could bring dragons and mythical creatures back into the fold like originally intended. Real bummer about trading out Moana and Zootopia, for Encanto and Indiana Jones.
more proof positive Disney doesn't care as much about the ebb and flow of the land, or the theming, as much as they do the merchandise, and what IP's they can plop down. If it kind of fits the land, that's a added plus...
I am torn over Country Bears, because I am happy for the animatronics getting some love because seeing the animatronics in Japan made me realize how old and clunky ours were. But on the other hand I’ll miss certain songs and the humor. I love “Blood on the saddle” and “Mama don’t whoop Lil Buford” and the Belle’s “all the men”, and the finale of “ol slewfoot” but I also agree there needs to be an update as many of those songs are so old that a lot of the humor /messages within the no longer relates to the audience. My issues is that I don’t want to hear another show doing Disney songs- Philharmagic is already a Disney song revue and most of the other stage shows are as well. I hope that the Imagineers keep some of the old stuff and the Disney songs they do preform are songs that don’t get a lot of play in general in the parks/aren’t the from same 6 IP…although, a meta moment for Trixie to sing the part of “we don’t talk about Bruno” that inspired Isabella’s shots in that song 😂. I’m here for the cooking, I just hope whatever is done to the score and the queue (tokyo’s is soooo good) is indeed a plus up and not another “under new management”
I’m in my 30’s. I never saw country bears. Hadn’t even heard of them till this year. The new update actually makes me want to go see the new show once I get to go to WDW again. So ye I think it’s a good thing making updates. Definitely draws in new audience. It’s a band of musical bears. In real life singers don’t just stick to one show forever, they bring out new songs, new stage shows, new albums.
"Honest Reviews" and "Rants" are used by other UA-cam communities as well, not just Disney channels (e.g. book and media reviewers). I'm happy about the "Tropical Americas" concept, and am reserving judgement as to how they'll fit IP-based attractions into it until we have more information. I'd have been fine with Moana as well, but I would've wanted it to be a Polynesia/Oceania area with a Moana attraction instead of a whole IP-based land, which I think is more limiting (and a little tricky because you don't want to focus too heavily on human characters in Animal Kingdom in a way that thematically equates indigenous people with animals, a persistent racist trope). My hope is that we're getting this change because they recognize how excited everyone is for a villains land in Magic Kingdom, and are expanding upon that concept there. I also would have loved if the success of Encanto could've been used as an excuse for a new Colombia pavilion in World Showcase, and I'm frankly baffled they've tried to announce it for not one but two other parks now first.
Disney she redo the play area. It is incredibly hot, very limited seating & if you compare it to Camp Jurassic over in IOA, it is really small. They should add more shade, a water play feature and increase the capacity.
Disney owns Fox, Disney owns the Predator franchise- The first Predator movie takes place IN Colombia... so why not some kind of creepy thrill ride where you 'evade the predator'?! Come on Disney, put on your thinking mouse ears!!
I think a better re-theme for "Dinosaur!" for this Tropical Americas area would be "Yzma's Ride to the Secret Lair" from "Emperor's New Groove", which is set in Peru.
I think the best way to incorporate Encanto, which I seriously doubt is how they're going to do it, would be if Casita was basically an entrance to an animal trail type thing that you'd enter through the youngest kid's room. That makes sense to me, but I doubt there's room
@@libertysdaddy1514 Sleeping Beauty has three fairies, Cinderella a fairy grandmother, in Fantasia Mickey Mouse is a sorcerer, Hercules has gods and muses. Curses on Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, Tiana and the Frog... Your beliefs are your own, but I dont understand why you draw the line on just this particular film when magic is basically a Disney classic.
@@Tut_exe I understand all of that. I’m just saying the older movies was more about good vs evil this new stuff is blatant witchcraft using elements of real life sorcery. I agree what your saying it’s always been a part as it is the world Disney is not a Christian company lol I realize that I’m just speaking of the blatant all out witchcraft now. Frozen 2 Encantoetc etc Moana
So thankful for you and your channel’s efforts to campaign to maintain the reverence of Disney. In particular, I too am a huge fan of the Country Bears ❤️, truly childhood memories but also excited about new imagineers ideas in revisions. Love that they will be keeping the wonderful characters. Best of both worlds….🌸💕
It's good to hear about the incorporation of more detail and audio animatronics in rides, and not just solely relying on screens. A dark ride through Casita of Encanto would've been cool somewhere.
Tom is 100% right about Encanto I’m glad someone said it - it’s not a timeless IP. Doesn’t deserve its own ride let alone a land imo. Would take Moana or Coco over it any day!
Well unfortunately Disney isn't buying into the timeless approach these days. While Cars Land is timeless it's not yet at WDW. While Frozen is there's no World of Arrendale coming. Will the Moana concept be expanded to Adventureland instead? Jungle Book is timeless but they aren't doing anything with it at AK at all! These Timeless things are more timeless than Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land even.
I couldn’t agree more. Moana and Zootopia totally belong in Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom has been long over due for an update and to see them totally botch it is not right. What does Indiana Jones have to do with Animals and conservation. He’s already in Hollywood Studios why do we need him in Animal Kingdom. Keep up the good fight on this Tom!!!
I always wanted a South America/"the Americas" section in AK, but not at the expense of another land getting converted. I absolutely love Dinoland, and theres some good ideas they could've went with like making The Dino Institute being front and center in the land and offer a wide variety of dino meet and greets. I liked the idea of that moana log flume that was teased a while back and they could use that as another way to drag people into the area. Heck, they could even possibly theme it after The Good Dinosaur if they really want to lean in on IP. It just doesnt help that DINOSAUR was such a popular attraction in a park with very few rides. There was some better options to go with for Dinoland, but just shoving Encanto in there with an Indy overlay just does not make sense. If they were smart, they'd lean in on making it feel like you just entered Antonio's room, but Indy still sticks out like a sore thumb then. It wont work Disney, just fix up Dinoland.
Personally, I'd have gone with Pixar's UP for a South American land, especially because there's such an emphasis on exploration. There could even be a scavenger hunt type of game where you "collect" scout badges or something like that.
@@CinnamonGrrlErin1 I agree that Up would be a really good choice for that area! I personally am not a fan of Dinoland (though I do love Dinosaur) just because the theming seems kinda lazy imo, so I'm glad to see it on the list for an update. I realize I'm just one person though, and it's an area for kids, not for people like me lol. But hey, that's my opinion for whatever it's worth.
Keep dinosaur let it be stand alone and the restaurant be themed to the Dino institute story line. Keep that possibly update it …other side develop your crummy fad IP all you want just don’t touch my DINO.. or tree of life for that matter with might I add 2016 ip I mean this is ridiculous when it’s tough to be a bug came out it was 1998 it opened the same year the movie came out not almost ten years later kids have Zero clues as to what zootopia is and largely time is tickin won’t even have a clue what a Moana is…
Putting a reck it Ralph in dinoland makes as much sense as 2016 IP zootopia lol Disney you can do better than this everything had to be a movie IP crap.
I'm a huge AK fan - i AM happy that they are making it "Tropical Americas" and not JUST an IP. I can accept a less then perfect IP if they bring in flora, fauna and animals from the Tropical Americas. I'm not sure that any of these films fit it that great but perhaps they can pull it off. Hopefully it happens while I'm still young enough to enjoy it. Zootopia - I think that you made a good point about "mans fascination with humanizing animals". Personally, I think it would have made way more sense to put it out on rafikis - train to zootopia is so obvious. Bugs under a tree makes way more sense than a police station or DMV under a tree. I love it's tough to be a bug, but mostly because I think it's hysterical to watch others get scared by fake bugs - which probably says something about me.
In my opinion, I just want Dinoland to keep its dinosaur theme. They could modernize it while still keeping dinosaur related if they really wanted to, but it's not a relevant IP so of course their not going to do that.
Zootopia should replace Rafiki's Planet Watch. If possible keep the petting zoo or move the petting zoo? I personally would rather see Casita kept in MK's expansion, and I really haven't cared for either version of Dinoland retheme they've come up with so far... I do like the idea of incorporating another world area of animals and plants and south america/central america is what we're missing, but... I most agree that Encanto should be a Columbia pavilion in EPCOT.
I think the idea of having a central america land is far superior to having a blob land of moana and zootopia.. but I definitely agree that indy and encanto are horrible fits to the mantra of DAK. Perhaps if Indy is switched up a bit story-wise it can focus on the "intrinsic value of nature" as Joe would put it. Would've liked a hot pursuit ride though.
Creating ONE land that can promote Encanto, Coco and Indiana Jones...all at the same time?...is considered "genious" by Disney executives. It's mathematically 3x better than one land to promote Moana by itself.
On the positive side.. if they make a dark ride and focus on the flower / plant sister and the animal brother and Mirabel's connection with the people and the "house" or villa or earth and how we can make the earth better it could be really good!
All about maximizing return on investment unfortunately :-/. I’ve dreamt of a jungle book or beastly kingdom redesign, but it seems like that will never happen.
Not everyone goes to WDW every week or every year. We live in Indiana and try to go once a year when we can. Change is harder when you do not see it very often and you long for something from the past. Not everything needs to be replaced.
Yes. I live in Illinois. I got to ride The Great Movie Ride once and then next visit it was gone. I have seen the bug show only once and really enjoyed it. And what lives at the bottom of a tree, bugs..lol.
Fellow Hoosier here- i wanna try and get to Holiday World some year, and maybe back to Cedar Point- get back to parks that actually care about you and WANT you there...
Our first trip to Epcot was in 1999 for the Millenium. Test Track was new and undergoing a soft opening and my younger daughter who was 8 constantly insisted on us waiting in line in the hopes that it would open and we would be able to ride. I love the idea that they are rethinking the ride and possibly going back to some of the old concepts. I never had the chance to ride the original Figment but the character caught my heart and to me is Epcot. In 1999 Dinoland was phenomenal because they were working on the bones of the Trex Sue which we got to watch them do. I am looking forward to what they end up doing with that area. Thank you for all the backstories and history you provide to us.
Universe of energy Ellen’s energy adventure was one of my favorite rides I never knew UOE until Ellen’s adventure closed for cosmic rewind, UOEs kinetic mosaic is still stunning and you make the world go round creates a perfect preshow, all of UOEs music is now some of my favorite theme park Disney songs
I feel like I remember seeing a space before the graveyard that I thought was a good sport for him. But no one asked me. The candelabra and the chair with the hidden Donald are iconic.
A Zootopia show to highlight the biomes should use the same building structure as Carousel of Progress! That allows for several biomes divided into their own sections and can allow for a large audience capacity.
I want to hear what Tom would put in DinoLand as a replacement. Beastly kingdom? The jungle book? Imagineers are talented enough to create an original IP with story and excitement and contour that will keep people coming back. Just look at what they did with Expedition Everest. Anyone have any blue sky ideas in the chat?
You’re spot on about how Encanto and Indy don’t fit to Animal Kingdom at all. Though I disagree about Encanto’s staying power. A Columbia pavilion at Epcot would be perfect!
Paradise Falls from Up would be perfect at AK’s Tropical Americas - especially since Russell and Kevin and gang are already there! Angel Falls Venezuela South America influence!
I really think it's a great idea to update the Bear's show. Walt would have wanted the shows and attractions to stay current. Every time I've gone in the show its surprising to see more than a dozen people there. They've seen it over and over. Disney needs to bring fresh and update the concepts to bring in new crowds while keeping the history. I hope the show turns out great.
No I agree! That first plan was better! Ever since the rumors about Indy going into DAK, I have NEVER understood why anyone would want it in the park because he has nothing to do with animals. Encanto and Coco have nothing to do with animals or conservation and I know Zootopia has no message of conservation but it makes more sense for the same reasons you just spoke about. But yes, Tree of Life needs a new show and frankly, I’m surprised it’s not like some kind of…”Rafiki presents” animals, conservation or whatever kind of show.
I do have to say having listened to Tom's excellent thoughts on the AK expansion, I do feel much more reassured and cautiously optimistic about the Encanto and Zootopia additions than my initial panicked response. (Still feel that Moana and a full Zootopia land would probably have served the park better). But I can see how hypothetically both of these things might work *if* done right and Imagineers are able to do what they do before upper management meddles too much. If the Encanto expansion is a proper ride/attraction, it might actually work really well * if and only if* they center it around specifically Antonio (Mirabel's cousin who talks to animals) and not around Encanto in general/one of the more popular characters. Allow little Antonio to be our little host/tour guide as gives us an edutainment tour of his room and introduces us to his animal friends (i.e. ones native to the region in question, though we could also meet Bruno's rats, Luisa's donkey or some of the other animal characters in the movie) and shares facts about them. Sort of a Jungle Cruise-lite indoor edutainement dark ride with cool animatronic versions of real animals. Zootopia Tree of Life is a bit more awkward but could work or at least about equally to "It's Tough to be a Bug" which was never quite the vibe. Nevertheless, I am much much more anxious about Indiana Jones replacing Dinosaur. I think I has a slight potential to work as well. But only if they are willing to commit to crafting a new story for the ride and not just plopping the Disneyland version in. (I've never been to the DL version so I may be way off the mark but I thought it was set in India??). They could potentially do something with Central/Latin American mythology that incorporates an animal character/animal imagery specifically. The Aztec winged serpent god Quetzcoatl seems especially obvious given the obvious "snakes, I hate snakes" motif it would enable. It will still be tricky to find the balance b/w the IP and the animal/setting focused needs of the park but it seems plausible that they could hypothetically do it.
I have to admit I had to read the Country Bears news twice. First time I thought they were getting rid of it, then I realized they are just updating it with a new show.
The removal of lines is just hilarious. Context is important. If people take a line from a song, movie, or attraction and go do some action because a imaginary character said so, that is next level mental illness.
well unfortunately this is where we are- ppl are offended at damn near everything whether it affects them or not...Disney needs to make sure all the little snowflakes are protected from the real world
* Excited that Country Bears will stay * Not concerned about placement of hatbox ghost because he's not summoned by Mme. Leota in the new film so it fits that continuity. * Don't touch my candelabra. * I was going to chain myself to Dino but since Indy's replacing it, I will relax. * Will reserve thoughts on MK expansion until we get more details (probably 10 years from now).
Tom - my summing up of your report of D23 is I totally agree with everything you said. In the paycheque years we were ready to give up our DVC membership but now we are excited for our next visit and the future at WDW.
Thanks for the update, Tom. Dinosaurs are timeless, and a world the entire family can embrace together - I see it every time I'm in the park. Let's save Dino-Land since there is plenty of room for the new land(s) elsewhere. Disney will be glad they did, I promise you, and so will generations of fans. I get the ride mechanism is there for Indy, but Jesus, spend some of your profit on the new Indy ride, Disney, and make this a win-win for you and your guests. P.S. Dinosaurs are animals, and they live on in birds, so the connection is there. If the ride isn't coming across to guests, and I do see the confusion Tom mentions, then simply change the story-line to excite today's crowds. The problem is the ride is so "bumpy", and people get thrown around, they can't focus on any one thing and come out with "What just happened on their faces". Slow it down, but keep it exciting. You can also freshen up the carnival area with new Dinosaur attractions and "things" (as Walt would say). PLEASE keep Dino-Land, Disney, Mr. Iger, and Mr. D'Amaro. You WILL NOT regret it. Thanks for the platform, Tom and gang.
I respectfully disagree. Islands of Adventure does a much better job with their dinosaur land, thanks to JP. I would much rather see a great version of a different theme than a second rate area that Universal already does better.
I liked Maelstrom because of the viking port theme that represented Norway. World showcase should make you feel like you're in the country. Frozen is really for the kids.
Growing up on the Lion King Anniversary DVD they had a safari ride where you used your remote and they even had different variations on the lion king 2 and 1 1/2 Dvds I always felt like this could be a reality of sorts as an IRL ride maybe using something of indiana jones adventure tech with the randomization of storylines to give a feeling of different experiences everytime.
@@thegixlad27 I heard about that, if later we see a Land in Disney Studios Paris epic or amazing then it will become a huge slap to Animal Kingdom for not going that route.
@@TheOnlyDiet11 because everything felt too much of 'look we got AMAZING plans but we really can't show you!' Or just updates of stuff we already knew about and stuff that are minor rethemes. Rethemes are great and they long needed to redo some stuff, but the stateside parks need far more then that, especially after they bungled the Epcot project the way they did. They are just buying time and trying to build up stock confidence as much as they can before they have to start writing those checks to Comcast that they can no longer weasel out of.
@@davidfitzsimmons2451 Yup - they are broke. Test track will happen because they got Chevy to foot the bill for it. Everything else? I wouldn't hold my breath.
Very true they can’t even put the money into keeping up the attractions they already have, Tom has to rant about the condition of things and then they might get fixed, the streaming services and other bungled Iger deals are sucking up all the available cash flow, they need to spin off the parks from the rest of the company so they can devote the time and money to it
I personally love Indiana Jones coming! I think zootopia would be brilliant in the animation courtyard area in Hollywood Studios! Totally agree about Encanto in EPCOT
Getting something for Pirates (which inspired my username) means a lot. Hearing that Paris was getting something Emperor’s New Groove makes me so happy. Getting ANYTHING at the parks even if it’s a restaurant means a lot. My mom and I love Disney and she keeps asking when Disney is going to add anything Kuzco, Kronk, or Yzma… we both agreed it was high time we book a Paris trip and this solidified it. I just wish we got something at the US parks with Emperor’s New Groove. I also love that Country Bears is getting some love. Yes it’s changing, but I agree they are respecting the history.
Omigod, if they manage to do a hybrid of the original World of Motion and Test Track that would be incredible. I know they can’t put back many of the scenes but if they were to add them back in as part of the pre-show prior to the design lab and put a few modified/condensed scenes back in that would be fun. Like the break test could be us narrowly avoiding the traffic jam and speeding away. Would love to have a modern version of “Fun to Be Free” (sort of how GotG has the opening chords of “Universe of Energy”) right before taking off for the speed test
This resonates with me so much. I thought there was no way i’d be able to sit through this whole thing but I did. I agree with everything you said, Tom… Zootopia and Moana were a much better fit and I am genuinely angry and upset that Disney Imagineering buckled down to the twitter mob. We were robbed of an incredible opportunity to have the city of Zootopia & the first Moana attraction and land ever built at a Disney park to be replaced with Encanto… which I agree, does not have the same staying power as Frozen, or Tangled, or Zootopia & Moana. Encanto fits as a Colombian pavilion at Epcot at most. I hope the Magic Kingdom expansion includes Frozen land, and I sincerely hope we see a Zootopia land materialize, it was the first Disney movie I ever saw in theaters and I feel robbed to still not have it in my favorite Disney Resort.
I think a Villains Land beyond great thunder mountain would be a good fit for MK. Have it mirror in a villain way Pandora Land. Mysterious by day but scary at night. So many ways to imagineer this
I feel it only it only fits in the Halloween parties but my opinion doesn’t count, Magic Kingdom is built to include the smallest of children, so if this is not done right, your going to have a bunch of frightened 3 year olds running around screaming and crying terrified, so maybe if this is so badly wanted and needed build an adult villains park that adults age 13 and up can enjoy.
@@adventureswithcrystal1817 I feel like once epic universe opens with Universal monsters land which is supposed to be more mysterious and brooding than Horror so it can cater to everyone. Disney will either confirm a villains land or something along that nature because if universal can pull of that concept then its possible for disney
It's one of the absolute worst ideas I've ever heard, and I have no idea how it even got started. The villains belong with the heroes in their individual stories, not all artificially lumped together.
Glad you are optimistic, Tom, about the Country Bears makeover. However, for me, until WDI proves that they can improve an older ride, which they haven’t done yet, I’ll be pessimistic. Look at Test Track. They are going back to World of Motion concepts because they can’t think of anything better than the original ride!
I was born in 1971 and I can't believe how much my parents sheltered me from. We loved Disney, but there are so many things we just didn't do because it was so obviously offensive. Change is hard, but I would like my kids to enjoy the country bears without having to excuse some "references". Thank you for your review and take.
Why should they if people are going to wait 5 hours to meet a character?? No reason to. Much more cost-effective to put a cast member in a costume, than redo an entire attraction.
I’m so saddened to hear the news about it’s tough to be a bug. Personally I think they’re making a huge mistake replacing it with zootopia in my opinion and not because I’m a huge fan of a bug’s life, the theming is so perfect for the interior of the tree of life. Even though the attraction can be a little bit scary for some who fear bugs in general. We have to keep in mind that insects play an incredibly vital role in the world’s ecology. Not including them in a park dedicated to animals would be a huge disservice. Not to mention their is already so little representation for A Bug’s Life in the parks especially since the closing of a bugs land another slip up of Disney to make way for a boring uninspired and unappealing avengers parking lot. Disney really should reconsider this. I think this is a absolutely horrendous creative decision on the company’s behalf.
The Tropic Americas land should definitely get some exhibits with jaguars, panthers, parrots, sloths, and anacondas instead, build a Rio-themed ride, and keep Dinosaur in half of the area as Dinoland. As for the Encanto and Indy rides, I'm going to guess that they would be built for Epcot (Columbia pavilion) and Hollywood Studios (future expansion) instead. As for the titles, I'm thinking they would be called “Encanto: Mirabelle's Casita Journey” and “Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Lost Zodiac.” If I had to guess for the plots, I'm sure that the first ride would take guests through the Casita on a musical trackless ride as you listen to the iconic songs, and the second ride would have guests try to hunt for the Lost Zodiac, a very powerful animal-shaped item that can destroy entire habitats, all protected by a power-hungry god. As for that Tree of Life Zootopia show, I think it could instead be a different non-Disney show that will tell the entire history of the evolution of animal life, from the prehistoric past, all the way to the present day.
Thats cool about country bear and the cut fat shaming lines. I always thought it was a cool touch/detail that they whispered to eachother during the show, did not know it was the cut lines.
I remember my sister and me standing outside, listening to the pirate barker bird, not wanting to go into the ride until we were sure we'd heard his whole spiel.
Figment and Dreamfinder were meant to be and SHOULD BE the ambassadors for Epcot. Remaking Journey into Imagination with modern technology would be such a triumph for the park. Putting Imageworks back upstairs with a new, modern take (including a modern rebuild of the rainbow tunnel) should be part of it. I would also say a Figment film or series of films should run at the Magic Eye theater.
I really think this is the way they are headed. I’d bet this is an announcement at the next D23
Genius! Brilliant! Acting! Truer words were never typed!
Omigod adding in an homage to WDI would be amazing! You can’t talk about imagination and not talk about the imagineers who make these parts possible
You have no idea how many times Disney has had Figment projects in development and canceled them.
@@drawwingwow😮😮
My son is 28..a Disney World cast member and LOVES the country bears. He knows it word for word and still laughs at the dry humor.. loves it. He said he now understands people upset about splash mountain but he is happy it’s not closing.
@@kylekeller3398 that’s what he said also..
Indiana Jones needs to be in Studios.. if I were able to tell them what to do... this would be my plan. First I would expand Galaxy's Edge to the Starcruiser and in that space between, I would move Star Tours to it. They can do more shops, more food and maybe dedicated meet and greet space. Once Star Tours is out of its current place, I would demo the building and then build a new version of the Mystic Manor ride from Hong Kong Disneyland, but theme it to the archaeology department of the school that Indy teaches at. The Backlot Express would be rethemed to the university cafeteria and the Tattooine Trader becomes a shop themed to excess items from digs..
That means Indy would extend from the Stunt Show through to Muppet place. With the buildings themed to a brick University, it would mean that there is a theme that feels like it extends Grand Avenue and Muppets Place out towards the front of the park. I have more ideas, but that is the basic
The stunt show has been rumored to be closing for decades. I think the rolling bolder is about all people know Indy for now. Tomb Raider won the epic rap battle and is surprisingly a more fleshed out character. DHS needs some Fox IP like Deadpool, Family Guy or Aliens. I doubt that they don’t start cashing in on those Fox IPs soon
If they don’t put Kronk’s spinach puffs on a menu in this new South America section at Animal Kingdom I will be crushed. Emperors New Groove is so under represented in the parks. And it was Disney’s first foray into that area of the world. Kuzco’s summer palace!
omg I feel ashamed that I didn't even think of Emperor's New Groove! That would be a way better fit than Encanto and Indy. Someone in these comments also suggested Up. if they're splitting IPs in the land's revamp, I'd much rather see Emperor's New Groove & Up than Encanto (I think that's a better fit for Magic Kingdom, personally) and Indy (which is just not a good fit for DAK at all imo lol... I think Indy would be better at Studios)
I never liked your Spinach puffs! NEVER!!!
Gotta love the kids - as the late great Harlan Ellison once said - "Nostalgia is what they had for breakfast". In terms of "Disney's first foray" into South America, you may want to familiarize yourself with Walt's 1940's friendly neighbour tour of Latin America. See also "Saludos Amigos" and "The Three Caballeros".
Absolutely! It is by far THE most South American representation in Disney...when thinking of the geographic location and culture.
Splash mountain type ride where right at the end before the large drop Yzma yells “Pull the lever!”
"I hate anything new that's not good" is my thoughts exactly
Amazing!
Me too
Totally agree that Zootopia is weird inside the Tree and that neither IP choice they’re planning to replace Dinoland fits Animal Kingdom.
I will miss the original Country Bear Jamboree as it is a core memory with my mother and was very sad when it was taken out in Anaheim. I am happy that they will not go completely away. Maybe like Sorin' they'll bring back the original every now and then.
I wish they would have found a way to make dinosaurs/prehistory work as a theme. The original concept of Animal Kingdom was about animals of the past, present, and imaginative (Beastly Kingdom). Personally, it felt like the theme and identity of Animal Kingdom was complete and whole when Avatar came to fill in Beastly Kingdom's place.
I think one of the important parts of the Country Bears show is the exposure to real classic country music from the 40s, 50s and 60s
Can’t believe they will get ride of “Tough to be a Bug”. I loved that show. I love the interactions. No other ride has this type show. The end when bugs crawl out!! That is the best!! So sad 😢😢😢
It’s Tough to Be a Bug is a must do. The theming and location being UNDER the tree of life is perfect for that show! I started crying thinking about it being dismantled. It’s one of the greatest incorporations of screen and 4D and an animatronic with Hopper and Flick too. Trash IP shoving. I’m so upset about AK.
And I’m going to miss Dinosaur. I thought it was always incredible and still believe when functioning it beats the Jurassic park ride down the road. Why can’t we update the concept instead of duplicating something that already exists? Why did we abandon the beasts plan that was originally made for this park? And why do we need to shove IP into every single land?
*Bugs are a really important part of our existence. We owe the functioning of our ecosystem to them. And I thought “Its Tough to Be a Bug” was just an incredible way to teach that to people through entertainment.
***ESPECIALLY as insects are in decline! And it’s threatening our planet. Environmental destruction could be imminent because of this! So I guess it’s fitting Disney is killing the entomology attraction. (Yes I am being dramatic)
No vent it out what your saying is true !! I don’t think Fisney should touch Dinosaur or it’s Tough to be a bug. These are iconic places at a fairly new park animal kingdom I mean the country bears lasted 50 years… cmon DW don’t throw away these two attractions
I’m glad I finally got to experience It’s Tough To Be a Bug last spring the way you described, specifically by walking underneath that huge tree.
It’s not a must do for everyone. I have Sensory Processing Disorder and once was more than enough for me. It triggered all of my sensory issues and I won’t be sad to see it go. I do feel for the people who did love it, but for me personally, I’d like to stomp on it like every lanternfly I’ve encountered.
Tough to be a bug: old and tired. Update it. Zootopia? No. But remember Bug’s life is still IP. So the IP argument doesnt work. Old attractions should develop. Carousel of progress… walt’s favorite ….. dismantle it and get something new. Walt said the parks should always change.
This is the kind of content I live for.
As much as the current version of the WDW Country Bear Jamboree is beloved, I'm glad that the Walt Disney World version is getting a refresh, especially since the original version still exists in Tokyo. I have always argued that every Disney park around the world should be different, filled with unique attractions, shows, and live entertainment. Instead of simply copying something from somewhere else, this show will be (for the time being, at least) exclusive to WDW.
In the clip they showed at D23, Mac Macnally is involved in the Country Bear remake - he is a long time Nashville musician and was also in Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer band!!!
"Original version still exists in Tokyo"... in Japanese. The first place I saw it was in Tokyo and it was something. I didn't fall in love with the Country Bears until I heard them in English in WDW.
I was sitting outside the country bear jamboree while my husband went to grab some frozen lemonade. I was sitting and absorbing it all in. I thought this day could not get better. He comes up to me with that jug you have and said Hey I got a free jug of Cola. (it was poured and someone changed their mind and rather than toss it was a gift from the mouse) So I started sobbing
😍
Tom. Great show and criticism on what is happening at Animal Kingdom. Yes, both Indy and Encanto do not belong anywhere inside Animal Kindom.
I agree
As a country bear fan, I will miss the old show, but am more grateful they are keeping them and hope the new show keeps the charm.
As one of the young generations you were talking about in your country bear honest rant, I am 19, never got to see horizons, body wars, listen to the land, even mr toad (until I visited disneyland). But i watch those videos. I am fascinated and while i acknowledge it needed a change as it was outdated, it is still a part of the history of the park. We can introduce these beloved characters in a new way that helps bring the new generation in without losing the heart of the idea. So thank you for shouting us out and knowing we do care. We weren't around during a lot of old epcot/MGM studios and such but we still really care.
The Imagination Pavillion should include a Figment & Dreamfinder attraction PLUS a celebration of MAPO / WED Enterprises / WDI similar to Walt Disney Presents. We can all nerd out in EPCOT - who's with me?
All I know is that since the Play Pavillion apparently fell through, Hot Pursuit would at least be a worthy replacement for Hotel Heist.
I wish the beyond thunder mountain area would become the villains lair. They could develop a whole story about how it was discovered. You would have all kinds of possibilities with the houses they live in and have all kinds of fun with themed restaurants and lounges. How about a place called the Poisoned Apple? The possibilities are endless.
Yeah it’s be cool to get all the villains in on it, maybe have dr facilier’s fortune telling building near the entrance to blend into New Orleans/thunder mesa
They need a Villans PARK not a villans land
@@BrickTrek I'd much rather a dedicated Marvel Park than a Villains Land, but can see why that would be a good idea
@@carreck111 I'm not sure how much they could do with a park dedicated to Marvel in Florida though, with the whole Universal deal and all
Patricia, I love that your son loves the country bears so much. One of my Disney core memories will always be how much I loved that show the first time I saw it. My Disney travel buddy and I are nurses in an ER, and blood on the saddle is just, chef's kiss. We were laughing so much that we felt like we were being inappropriate. Good times! 🫶
I agree with you. These panels have shown that Imagineering is going in a positive direction. I just worry about Management’s hesitancy to greenlight anything. Far too much Blue Sky and far to few shovels hitting the dirt
We don’t know how far we are from anything
Blue Sky means they are concepting things, nothing official
Absolutely blue sky nonsensical
@@LordRaykenabsolutely nothing
@@SuperRedtiger1 agreed
I’ve been waiting for this! Ok, here we go….I’m glad they are changing up the country bears rather than us lose them. We kinda knew the songs that are currently in the show wouldn’t be around much longer. I’m glad they are re-doing test track with inspiration from world of motion which was my #1 favorite at Epcot when I was a kid (#2- Journey Into Imagination, #3- Horizons)…I was definitely happy to hear this. As for Indiana Jones…it makes sense and I think we knew that was coming too…ONLY because it’s the same track/ride vehicles (cuz you know…money)
My biggest disappointment at the event was The Muppets! Am I the only one that perked up thinking they were slowly working up to a big Muppets announcement…and then nothing! Very disappointed 🤬
Yup! They really pulled the rug out from under us there!
That and Hercules. What was that all about??
I knew you’d be on my side for country bears, Tom!! I saw so many comments saying it gives under new management vibes which I do understand, but the fact that they’re giving the bears some love and attention after so so long just tells me that current wdi does care about these old original IPs!! Those animatronics badly needed replaced and the fact that they’re going with the bears and not a newer IP thrills me to the core. You can always replace audio if this doesn’t go well but “future proofing” those animatronics means so much. They Are Listening to us
I’m also so sooooo excited for test track 3.0, I never enjoyed 2.0 outside of its tron aesthetic and now that we’ve got tron itself in the parks, it just looks dated like you said. I always found the interactivity part of 2.0 very poorly incorporated and I never felt like it added any enjoyment to the ride, in fact my mom and I always go into the single rider line to skip it entirely. I miss the camp from 1.0 dearly and hope 3.0 will have some of that, but I am happy to have it homage world of motion.
I’m going to wdw this week and hope I can meet figment!!! Hopefully the line will be much less than a few hours, but he is extremely important to me and my love for Disney, it would mean a lot to hug and get a photo with him.
I’m tentative about Indy replacing dinosaur. Dinosaur is one of my favorite rides of all time, it’s so campy and charming but it does need a refresh pretty badly, and I think Indy is probably the best thing to replace it with. I’m a little concerned about how it’s gonna fit the theme of the park as a whole, but I’m tentative.
Test track is sponsored so it will likely happen since someone else is paying for it. Everything else? I'll believe it when I see it.
7?
@@libertysdaddy1514 yeah, 7 : )
I would rather have Zootopia take over Dinoland and Dinosaur. While Dinosaur is a childhood favorite of mines, I knew for years Disney has wanted to ret-theme the ride and land. I am just more disappointed that A Bug’s Life will not have any real representation in the park besides the occasional meet and greet. It’s Tough to Be a Bug was an opening day attraction and talks about how important bugs are to our world, fitting with the theme of conservation of Animal Kingdom. Between Bugs and Dinosaur, Bugs would be the one I would fight to keep. Absolutely agree with Tom that Disney should have gone with a variation of the original Blue Sky concept, though I would have just themed it entirely to Zootopia.
I agree with the statement that bugs over dinosaur. Dino is one of my fav rides in general but I feel like bugs deserves it’s opening day spot as a classic at the tree. Just need a revamp to make things actually work
I honestly wish they would just try harder to make Dinoland work. Add in a Matterhorn style coaster and dinosaur stage shows or photo opportunities with large dinosaur suits. Dinosaur usually has a wait time over 30 minutes, despite being so out of the way. Dinosaurs are cool.
I will say this, I really agree with Tom that Figment is EPCOT for me too. My first memory of the park is going with my mom when I was 10, and my dad had recently passed away. She took me there and when we rode Journey into imagination, it stuck with me the rest of my life. The songs the artwork and animatronics and of course figment. I still have the figment plush and my mother is 82 now still has the figment coffee mug we got that day. Special memories for sure.
I really wish they would just keep the two versions of Soarin at Epcot all the time. Split the queue so one theater does California, and the other would be Around the world. I feel like that would fit the queue theme too
“Let them cook” should not have given me the laugh it did, but you’re 100% right about giving imagineers a chance. It’s been a rough couple years but at the end of the day you can really see the care- we have to be able to trust again.
Also beyond excited about the Test Track remodel, I love old Epcot - probably because how much my dad was. As he got to experience it as a teen back in the 80s and it’s just- oh it’s so nice whenever we get even a nod.
So did my grandpa, I remember him being excited to show us journey into imagination when I was little. It was his favorite and … unfortunately it was the version we had today by the time I was a kid. After seeing videos online of the original- so sad I couldn’t experience it, and now understand why he was so excited to show it to my and my sister.
I think Raya would be an excellent fit for animal kingdom because they could bring dragons and mythical creatures back into the fold like originally intended. Real bummer about trading out Moana and Zootopia, for Encanto and Indiana Jones.
more proof positive Disney doesn't care as much about the ebb and flow of the land, or the theming, as much as they do the merchandise, and what IP's they can plop down. If it kind of fits the land, that's a added plus...
I am torn over Country Bears, because I am happy for the animatronics getting some love because seeing the animatronics in Japan made me realize how old and clunky ours were. But on the other hand I’ll miss certain songs and the humor. I love “Blood on the saddle” and “Mama don’t whoop Lil Buford” and the Belle’s “all the men”, and the finale of “ol slewfoot” but I also agree there needs to be an update as many of those songs are so old that a lot of the humor /messages within the no longer relates to the audience.
My issues is that I don’t want to hear another show doing Disney songs- Philharmagic is already a Disney song revue and most of the other stage shows are as well.
I hope that the Imagineers keep some of the old stuff and the Disney songs they do preform are songs that don’t get a lot of play in general in the parks/aren’t the from same 6 IP…although, a meta moment for Trixie to sing the part of “we don’t talk about Bruno” that inspired Isabella’s shots in that song 😂.
I’m here for the cooking, I just hope whatever is done to the score and the queue (tokyo’s is soooo good) is indeed a plus up and not another “under new management”
I’m in my 30’s. I never saw country bears. Hadn’t even heard of them till this year. The new update actually makes me want to go see the new show once I get to go to WDW again. So ye I think it’s a good thing making updates. Definitely draws in new audience. It’s a band of musical bears. In real life singers don’t just stick to one show forever, they bring out new songs, new stage shows, new albums.
"Honest Reviews" and "Rants" are used by other UA-cam communities as well, not just Disney channels (e.g. book and media reviewers).
I'm happy about the "Tropical Americas" concept, and am reserving judgement as to how they'll fit IP-based attractions into it until we have more information. I'd have been fine with Moana as well, but I would've wanted it to be a Polynesia/Oceania area with a Moana attraction instead of a whole IP-based land, which I think is more limiting (and a little tricky because you don't want to focus too heavily on human characters in Animal Kingdom in a way that thematically equates indigenous people with animals, a persistent racist trope). My hope is that we're getting this change because they recognize how excited everyone is for a villains land in Magic Kingdom, and are expanding upon that concept there. I also would have loved if the success of Encanto could've been used as an excuse for a new Colombia pavilion in World Showcase, and I'm frankly baffled they've tried to announce it for not one but two other parks now first.
Boneyard is a huge hit with kids. It's cruel to get rid of it
Cruel and just plain rotten!
It is in the Indian Jones section so I could see them keeping/incorporating it in.
Disney she redo the play area. It is incredibly hot, very limited seating & if you compare it to Camp Jurassic over in IOA, it is really small. They should add more shade, a water play feature and increase the capacity.
If only they could make an animated movie that’s about disney’s relationship with bugs, it could maybe be set in the a bug’s life universe
Colombia also has one the most diverse rainforest in the world. Nearly half the country is part of the Amazon Rainforest.
Disney owns Fox, Disney owns the Predator franchise- The first Predator movie takes place IN Colombia... so why not some kind of creepy thrill ride where you 'evade the predator'?! Come on Disney, put on your thinking mouse ears!!
I’m glad I have the original Country Bear LP Record so the original can live on
An hour and ten minute Tom Corless rant? Oh hell yeah! Love ya Tom!
So glad the bears are at least staying. As long as they don't take away Big Al. I'm going to miss him singing Blood on the Saddle. 🩸 🎶
I think a better re-theme for "Dinosaur!" for this Tropical Americas area would be "Yzma's Ride to the Secret Lair" from "Emperor's New Groove", which is set in Peru.
Let em COOK!
Daddy Josh 😂😂😂 literally dying. You win the internet today.
I think the best way to incorporate Encanto, which I seriously doubt is how they're going to do it, would be if Casita was basically an entrance to an animal trail type thing that you'd enter through the youngest kid's room. That makes sense to me, but I doubt there's room
Encanto is All witchcraft trash… I don’t like besides the great music.
@@libertysdaddy1514 You realize that magic is not real, and that sorcery and magic has been a staple of Disney movies since Snow White, right?
@@Tut_exe the Bible says it’s very real and it’s not for anyone.
@@libertysdaddy1514 Sleeping Beauty has three fairies, Cinderella a fairy grandmother, in Fantasia Mickey Mouse is a sorcerer, Hercules has gods and muses. Curses on Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, Tiana and the Frog... Your beliefs are your own, but I dont understand why you draw the line on just this particular film when magic is basically a Disney classic.
@@Tut_exe I understand all of that. I’m just saying the older movies was more about good vs evil this new stuff is blatant witchcraft using elements of real life sorcery. I agree what your saying it’s always been a part as it is the world Disney is not a Christian company lol I realize that I’m just speaking of the blatant all out witchcraft now. Frozen 2 Encantoetc etc Moana
So thankful for you and your channel’s efforts to campaign to maintain the reverence of Disney. In particular, I too am a huge fan of the Country Bears ❤️, truly childhood memories but also excited about new imagineers ideas in revisions. Love that they will be keeping the wonderful characters. Best of both worlds….🌸💕
It's good to hear about the incorporation of more detail and audio animatronics in rides, and not just solely relying on screens. A dark ride through Casita of Encanto would've been cool somewhere.
Tom is 100% right about Encanto I’m glad someone said it - it’s not a timeless IP. Doesn’t deserve its own ride let alone a land imo. Would take Moana or Coco over it any day!
Encanto is all about THE MESSAGE
Well unfortunately Disney isn't buying into the timeless approach these days. While Cars Land is timeless it's not yet at WDW. While Frozen is there's no World of Arrendale coming. Will the Moana concept be expanded to Adventureland instead? Jungle Book is timeless but they aren't doing anything with it at AK at all! These Timeless things are more timeless than Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land even.
We thought Encanto was boring, very colourful but boring and probably not worthy of creating an area, at most a meet and greet.
I enjoyed Encanto more than Coco. But neither are particularly great.
@@happymaskedguy1943 This exactly how I feel. Feel the same about Moana (although in that case I didn't like it at all).
I couldn’t agree more. Moana and Zootopia totally belong in Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom has been long over due for an update and to see them totally botch it is not right. What does Indiana Jones have to do with Animals and conservation. He’s already in Hollywood Studios why do we need him in Animal Kingdom. Keep up the good fight on this Tom!!!
I always wanted a South America/"the Americas" section in AK, but not at the expense of another land getting converted. I absolutely love Dinoland, and theres some good ideas they could've went with like making The Dino Institute being front and center in the land and offer a wide variety of dino meet and greets. I liked the idea of that moana log flume that was teased a while back and they could use that as another way to drag people into the area. Heck, they could even possibly theme it after The Good Dinosaur if they really want to lean in on IP. It just doesnt help that DINOSAUR was such a popular attraction in a park with very few rides.
There was some better options to go with for Dinoland, but just shoving Encanto in there with an Indy overlay just does not make sense. If they were smart, they'd lean in on making it feel like you just entered Antonio's room, but Indy still sticks out like a sore thumb then. It wont work Disney, just fix up Dinoland.
Personally, I'd have gone with Pixar's UP for a South American land, especially because there's such an emphasis on exploration. There could even be a scavenger hunt type of game where you "collect" scout badges or something like that.
@@CinnamonGrrlErin1 KEVIN!
@@CinnamonGrrlErin1 I agree that Up would be a really good choice for that area! I personally am not a fan of Dinoland (though I do love Dinosaur) just because the theming seems kinda lazy imo, so I'm glad to see it on the list for an update. I realize I'm just one person though, and it's an area for kids, not for people like me lol. But hey, that's my opinion for whatever it's worth.
Keep dinosaur let it be stand alone and the restaurant be themed to the Dino institute story line. Keep that possibly update it …other side develop your crummy fad IP all you want just don’t touch my DINO.. or tree of life for that matter with might I add 2016 ip I mean this is ridiculous when it’s tough to be a bug came out it was 1998 it opened the same year the movie came out not almost ten years later kids have Zero clues as to what zootopia is and largely time is tickin won’t even have a clue what a Moana is…
Putting a reck it Ralph in dinoland makes as much sense as 2016 IP zootopia lol Disney you can do better than this everything had to be a movie IP crap.
🏰One good thing about Encanto NOT being “planned” for MK is that it leaves more buildable land space-hopefully for more Villain’s Land (someday 😔).
I'm a huge AK fan - i AM happy that they are making it "Tropical Americas" and not JUST an IP. I can accept a less then perfect IP if they bring in flora, fauna and animals from the Tropical Americas. I'm not sure that any of these films fit it that great but perhaps they can pull it off. Hopefully it happens while I'm still young enough to enjoy it.
Zootopia - I think that you made a good point about "mans fascination with humanizing animals". Personally, I think it would have made way more sense to put it out on rafikis - train to zootopia is so obvious. Bugs under a tree makes way more sense than a police station or DMV under a tree. I love it's tough to be a bug, but mostly because I think it's hysterical to watch others get scared by fake bugs - which probably says something about me.
Been waiting for this video. All the flavors of WDWNT video styles in one video.
In my opinion, I just want Dinoland to keep its dinosaur theme. They could modernize it while still keeping dinosaur related if they really wanted to, but it's not a relevant IP so of course their not going to do that.
Zootopia should replace Rafiki's Planet Watch. If possible keep the petting zoo or move the petting zoo? I personally would rather see Casita kept in MK's expansion, and I really haven't cared for either version of Dinoland retheme they've come up with so far... I do like the idea of incorporating another world area of animals and plants and south america/central america is what we're missing, but... I most agree that Encanto should be a Columbia pavilion in EPCOT.
I think the idea of having a central america land is far superior to having a blob land of moana and zootopia.. but I definitely agree that indy and encanto are horrible fits to the mantra of DAK. Perhaps if Indy is switched up a bit story-wise it can focus on the "intrinsic value of nature" as Joe would put it. Would've liked a hot pursuit ride though.
I really need to see Tom’s childhood bedroom now 😂😂😂
Creating ONE land that can promote Encanto, Coco and Indiana Jones...all at the same time?...is considered "genious" by Disney executives. It's mathematically 3x better than one land to promote Moana by itself.
On the positive side.. if they make a dark ride and focus on the flower / plant sister and the animal brother and Mirabel's connection with the people and the "house" or villa or earth and how we can make the earth better it could be really good!
All about maximizing return on investment unfortunately :-/. I’ve dreamt of a jungle book or beastly kingdom redesign, but it seems like that will never happen.
@@kevinfraser7815 I totally agree. A Jungle Book journey boat ride through the story is a misopportunity!
It’s so refreshing to see that you are not in Disney’s back pocket Tom and friends. Your channel is one of the most trustworthy out there.
Not everyone goes to WDW every week or every year. We live in Indiana and try to go once a year when we can. Change is harder when you do not see it very often and you long for something from the past. Not everything needs to be replaced.
Yes. I live in Illinois. I got to ride The Great Movie Ride once and then next visit it was gone. I have seen the bug show only once and really enjoyed it. And what lives at the bottom of a tree, bugs..lol.
Fellow Hoosier here- i wanna try and get to Holiday World some year, and maybe back to Cedar Point- get back to parks that actually care about you and WANT you there...
Well said!
Our first trip to Epcot was in 1999 for the Millenium. Test Track was new and undergoing a soft opening and my younger daughter who was 8 constantly insisted on us waiting in line in the hopes that it would open and we would be able to ride. I love the idea that they are rethinking the ride and possibly going back to some of the old concepts. I never had the chance to ride the original Figment but the character caught my heart and to me is Epcot. In 1999 Dinoland was phenomenal because they were working on the bones of the Trex Sue which we got to watch them do. I am looking forward to what they end up doing with that area. Thank you for all the backstories and history you provide to us.
What an exciting period of time to be at WDW! 🤩
Universe of energy Ellen’s energy adventure was one of my favorite rides I never knew UOE until Ellen’s adventure closed for cosmic rewind, UOEs kinetic mosaic is still stunning and you make the world go round creates a perfect preshow, all of UOEs music is now some of my favorite theme park Disney songs
I feel like I remember seeing a space before the graveyard that I thought was a good sport for him. But no one asked me. The candelabra and the chair with the hidden Donald are iconic.
A Zootopia show to highlight the biomes should use the same building structure as Carousel of Progress! That allows for several biomes divided into their own sections and can allow for a large audience capacity.
Thank God I have off today!! We live for the ORIGINAL HONEST REVIEW! ;)
I want to hear what Tom would put in DinoLand as a replacement. Beastly kingdom? The jungle book? Imagineers are talented enough to create an original IP with story and excitement and contour that will keep people coming back. Just look at what they did with Expedition Everest. Anyone have any blue sky ideas in the chat?
You’re spot on about how Encanto and Indy don’t fit to Animal Kingdom at all. Though I disagree about Encanto’s staying power. A Columbia pavilion at Epcot would be perfect!
Paradise Falls from Up would be perfect at AK’s Tropical Americas - especially since Russell and Kevin and gang are already there! Angel Falls Venezuela South America influence!
I hope that they have South American animal enclosures in the new Animal Kingdom land. I think that would help quell a lot of people's worries!
like, for r actual animals? or Brazillian tour groups...
Snake exhibits in front of Indiana Jones… lol
I really think it's a great idea to update the Bear's show. Walt would have wanted the shows and attractions to stay current. Every time I've gone in the show its surprising to see more than a dozen people there. They've seen it over and over. Disney needs to bring fresh and update the concepts to bring in new crowds while keeping the history. I hope the show turns out great.
Well said
They can keep that ghost in his box, bad placement and keep the floating candelabra
Last time I went into Country Bears, I thought "They're changing Splash Mountain but not this show?" lol
No I agree!
That first plan was better! Ever since the rumors about Indy going into DAK, I have NEVER understood why anyone would want it in the park because he has nothing to do with animals. Encanto and Coco have nothing to do with animals or conservation and I know Zootopia has no message of conservation but it makes more sense for the same reasons you just spoke about. But yes, Tree of Life needs a new show and frankly, I’m surprised it’s not like some kind of…”Rafiki presents” animals, conservation or whatever kind of show.
I do have to say having listened to Tom's excellent thoughts on the AK expansion, I do feel much more reassured and cautiously optimistic about the Encanto and Zootopia additions than my initial panicked response. (Still feel that Moana and a full Zootopia land would probably have served the park better). But I can see how hypothetically both of these things might work *if* done right and Imagineers are able to do what they do before upper management meddles too much. If the Encanto expansion is a proper ride/attraction, it might actually work really well * if and only if* they center it around specifically Antonio (Mirabel's cousin who talks to animals) and not around Encanto in general/one of the more popular characters. Allow little Antonio to be our little host/tour guide as gives us an edutainment tour of his room and introduces us to his animal friends (i.e. ones native to the region in question, though we could also meet Bruno's rats, Luisa's donkey or some of the other animal characters in the movie) and shares facts about them. Sort of a Jungle Cruise-lite indoor edutainement dark ride with cool animatronic versions of real animals. Zootopia Tree of Life is a bit more awkward but could work or at least about equally to "It's Tough to be a Bug" which was never quite the vibe.
Nevertheless, I am much much more anxious about Indiana Jones replacing Dinosaur. I think I has a slight potential to work as well. But only if they are willing to commit to crafting a new story for the ride and not just plopping the Disneyland version in. (I've never been to the DL version so I may be way off the mark but I thought it was set in India??). They could potentially do something with Central/Latin American mythology that incorporates an animal character/animal imagery specifically. The Aztec winged serpent god Quetzcoatl seems especially obvious given the obvious "snakes, I hate snakes" motif it would enable. It will still be tricky to find the balance b/w the IP and the animal/setting focused needs of the park but it seems plausible that they could hypothetically do it.
I have to admit I had to read the Country Bears news twice. First time I thought they were getting rid of it, then I realized they are just updating it with a new show.
I really enjoy your videos. They’re so refreshing. I’ve been a disney fan forever
Happy for all these additions/changes. Would also love SpectroMagic to come back! I know they'd have to remake the floats, but would be so worth it! ❤
The removal of lines is just hilarious. Context is important. If people take a line from a song, movie, or attraction and go do some action because a imaginary character said so, that is next level mental illness.
well unfortunately this is where we are- ppl are offended at damn near everything whether it affects them or not...Disney needs to make sure all the little snowflakes are protected from the real world
* Excited that Country Bears will stay
* Not concerned about placement of hatbox ghost because he's not summoned by Mme. Leota in the new film so it fits that continuity.
* Don't touch my candelabra.
* I was going to chain myself to Dino but since Indy's replacing it, I will relax.
* Will reserve thoughts on MK expansion until we get more details (probably 10 years from now).
Tom - my summing up of your report of D23 is I totally agree with everything you said. In the paycheque years we were ready to give up our DVC membership but now we are excited for our next visit and the future at WDW.
Tom you have the voice of us Disney hardcore fans ! Keep speaking your mind and keep going on with the show!!!🥰
Thanks for the update, Tom. Dinosaurs are timeless, and a world the entire family can embrace together - I see it every time I'm in the park. Let's save Dino-Land since there is plenty of room for the new land(s) elsewhere. Disney will be glad they did, I promise you, and so will generations of fans. I get the ride mechanism is there for Indy, but Jesus, spend some of your profit on the new Indy ride, Disney, and make this a win-win for you and your guests. P.S. Dinosaurs are animals, and they live on in birds, so the connection is there. If the ride isn't coming across to guests, and I do see the confusion Tom mentions, then simply change the story-line to excite today's crowds. The problem is the ride is so "bumpy", and people get thrown around, they can't focus on any one thing and come out with "What just happened on their faces". Slow it down, but keep it exciting. You can also freshen up the carnival area with new Dinosaur attractions and "things" (as Walt would say). PLEASE keep Dino-Land, Disney, Mr. Iger, and Mr. D'Amaro. You WILL NOT regret it. Thanks for the platform, Tom and gang.
I respectfully disagree. Islands of Adventure does a much better job with their dinosaur land, thanks to JP. I would much rather see a great version of a different theme than a second rate area that Universal already does better.
UNIVERSAL DOES NOTHING BETTER THAN DIS ESP NOT 90s Disney
I just want an Indiana Jones popcorn bucket lol
I liked Maelstrom because of the viking port theme that represented Norway. World showcase should make you feel like you're in the country. Frozen is really for the kids.
I can’t believe they don’t have a lion king ride! They only have a show
Neither is there a Jungle Book open river boat ridehrough the story with Baloo singing. :(
Growing up on the Lion King Anniversary DVD they had a safari ride where you used your remote and they even had different variations on the lion king 2 and 1 1/2 Dvds
I always felt like this could be a reality of sorts as an IRL ride maybe using something of indiana jones adventure tech with the randomization of storylines to give a feeling of different experiences everytime.
Probably will happen at Disneyland Paris as a land in the future!
@@thegixlad27 I heard about that, if later we see a Land in Disney Studios Paris epic or amazing then it will become a huge slap to Animal Kingdom for not going that route.
Yes! The exact video I was hoping for after this weekend 😂
I finally got it in my head, how the Country Bears singing “Hakuna Matata” would be like.
Congratulations Bob, you did it! You somehow gave us a worse and less excited D23 announcements then the last year!
This D23 was pretty good though
I can understand not being happy about the animal kingdom placements, but how was this worse? Most of the announcements were pretty good
@@TheOnlyDiet11 because everything felt too much of 'look we got AMAZING plans but we really can't show you!' Or just updates of stuff we already knew about and stuff that are minor rethemes. Rethemes are great and they long needed to redo some stuff, but the stateside parks need far more then that, especially after they bungled the Epcot project the way they did.
They are just buying time and trying to build up stock confidence as much as they can before they have to start writing those checks to Comcast that they can no longer weasel out of.
@@davidfitzsimmons2451 Yup - they are broke. Test track will happen because they got Chevy to foot the bill for it. Everything else? I wouldn't hold my breath.
Very true they can’t even put the money into keeping up the attractions they already have, Tom has to rant about the condition of things and then they might get fixed, the streaming services and other bungled Iger deals are sucking up all the available cash flow, they need to spin off the parks from the rest of the company so they can devote the time and money to it
I personally love Indiana Jones coming!
I think zootopia would be brilliant in the animation courtyard area in Hollywood Studios! Totally agree about Encanto in EPCOT
Getting something for Pirates (which inspired my username) means a lot.
Hearing that Paris was getting something Emperor’s New Groove makes me so happy.
Getting ANYTHING at the parks even if it’s a restaurant means a lot.
My mom and I love Disney and she keeps asking when Disney is going to add anything Kuzco, Kronk, or Yzma… we both agreed it was high time we book a Paris trip and this solidified it.
I just wish we got something at the US parks with Emperor’s New Groove.
I also love that Country Bears is getting some love. Yes it’s changing, but I agree they are respecting the history.
The Tom Corless movie just dropped 🎬🍿
Omigod, if they manage to do a hybrid of the original World of Motion and Test Track that would be incredible. I know they can’t put back many of the scenes but if they were to add them back in as part of the pre-show prior to the design lab and put a few modified/condensed scenes back in that would be fun. Like the break test could be us narrowly avoiding the traffic jam and speeding away. Would love to have a modern version of “Fun to Be Free” (sort of how GotG has the opening chords of “Universe of Energy”) right before taking off for the speed test
This resonates with me so much. I thought there was no way i’d be able to sit through this whole thing but I did. I agree with everything you said, Tom… Zootopia and Moana were a much better fit and I am genuinely angry and upset that Disney Imagineering buckled down to the twitter mob. We were robbed of an incredible opportunity to have the city of Zootopia & the first Moana attraction and land ever built at a Disney park to be replaced with Encanto… which I agree, does not have the same staying power as Frozen, or Tangled, or Zootopia & Moana. Encanto fits as a Colombian pavilion at Epcot at most. I hope the Magic Kingdom expansion includes Frozen land, and I sincerely hope we see a Zootopia land materialize, it was the first Disney movie I ever saw in theaters and I feel robbed to still not have it in my favorite Disney Resort.
I think a Villains Land beyond great thunder mountain would be a good fit for MK. Have it mirror in a villain way Pandora Land. Mysterious by day but scary at night. So many ways to imagineer this
Would also fit for the Halloween Party.
I feel it only it only fits in the Halloween parties but my opinion doesn’t count, Magic Kingdom is built to include the smallest of children, so if this is not done right, your going to have a bunch of frightened 3 year olds running around screaming and crying terrified, so maybe if this is so badly wanted and needed build an adult villains park that adults age 13 and up can enjoy.
@@adventureswithcrystal1817 I feel like once epic universe opens with Universal monsters land which is supposed to be more mysterious and brooding than Horror so it can cater to everyone. Disney will either confirm a villains land or something along that nature because if universal can pull of that concept then its possible for disney
It's one of the absolute worst ideas I've ever heard, and I have no idea how it even got started. The villains belong with the heroes in their individual stories, not all artificially lumped together.
Glad you are optimistic, Tom, about the Country Bears makeover. However, for me, until WDI proves that they can improve an older ride, which they haven’t done yet, I’ll be pessimistic. Look at Test Track. They are going back to World of Motion concepts because they can’t think of anything better than the original ride!
The new name is "Tom's Honest Rant". Thanks for all the great videos
Tom’s honest RANT ™️
I was born in 1971 and I can't believe how much my parents sheltered me from. We loved Disney, but there are so many things we just didn't do because it was so obviously offensive. Change is hard, but I would like my kids to enjoy the country bears without having to excuse some "references". Thank you for your review and take.
They give people a Figment meet and greet but no money for a refurb for the ride. But enjoy that Indy decades-old overlay. 😂
Why should they if people are going to wait 5 hours to meet a character?? No reason to. Much more cost-effective to put a cast member in a costume, than redo an entire attraction.
Disney about to be both creatively and literally bankrupt. Great episode Tom
I’m so saddened to hear the news about it’s tough to be a bug. Personally I think they’re making a huge mistake replacing it with zootopia in my opinion and not because I’m a huge fan of a bug’s life, the theming is so perfect for the interior of the tree of life. Even though the attraction can be a little bit scary for some who fear bugs in general. We have to keep in mind that insects play an incredibly vital role in the world’s ecology. Not including them in a park dedicated to animals would be a huge disservice. Not to mention their is already so little representation for A Bug’s Life in the parks especially since the closing of a bugs land another slip up of Disney to make way for a boring uninspired and unappealing avengers parking lot. Disney really should reconsider this. I think this is a absolutely horrendous creative decision on the company’s behalf.
*sees this video* ,*pops popcorn* ,*fires up home theater*
I'll believe it when the projects finished and I'm standing in it. Too many projects have been announced and then canceled.
The Tropic Americas land should definitely get some exhibits with jaguars, panthers, parrots, sloths, and anacondas instead, build a Rio-themed ride, and keep Dinosaur in half of the area as Dinoland.
As for the Encanto and Indy rides, I'm going to guess that they would be built for Epcot (Columbia pavilion) and Hollywood Studios (future expansion) instead.
As for the titles, I'm thinking they would be called “Encanto: Mirabelle's Casita Journey” and “Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Lost Zodiac.”
If I had to guess for the plots, I'm sure that the first ride would take guests through the Casita on a musical trackless ride as you listen to the iconic songs, and the second ride would have guests try to hunt for the Lost Zodiac, a very powerful animal-shaped item that can destroy entire habitats, all protected by a power-hungry god.
As for that Tree of Life Zootopia show, I think it could instead be a different non-Disney show that will tell the entire history of the evolution of animal life, from the prehistoric past, all the way to the present day.
the lost zodiac has to be a cat. (if you know, you know)
The design of the World of Frozen is incredible!
Thats cool about country bear and the cut fat shaming lines. I always thought it was a cool touch/detail that they whispered to eachother during the show, did not know it was the cut lines.
I remember my sister and me standing outside, listening to the pirate barker bird, not wanting to go into the ride until we were sure we'd heard his whole spiel.