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Post by oldhalfelf on Jun 27, 2023 16:19:25 GMT -5
The following business article is interesting, and may alarm other Magic Kingdom Liberty Belle riverboat fans: www.thestreet.com/travel/disney-world-considers-nuclear-option-change . It seems to me that at least four questions are lurking here: 1. What will guests get in return? 2. When? 3. Is this an idle rumor or a stealthily authorized trial balloon? 4. If authorized, is this part of a continuing anti-Frontier Land campaign for political correctness? I.e., first against shooting galleries, then Country Bears, then Splash Mountain, and now against Mark Twain, the U.S. westward expansion via the Rivers of America, and the sometimes self-sacrificing Tom Sawyer . . . . To be honest, I would give up Liberty Belle before the WDW Railroad, but I don't want to see either one disappear.  |
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Post by a1000monkeys on Jun 27, 2023 17:49:17 GMT -5
Disneyland did an amazing job filling in the back of the Rivers of America. I was skeptical about the project at first but it exceeded my expectations. Doesn't sound like the same thing would work a Magic Kingdom as there do not appear to be sufficient access points to the back so they would need to fill in the front.
I don't love the idea but it depends on what replaces the area.
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Post by brp on Jun 27, 2023 18:09:14 GMT -5
We do like the Liberty Belle, so not a fan of this. As with other things Disney, though, if it happens we'll look forward to what they add and how we can take advantage of it rather than complaining (not saying that there are complaints in this thread, but I do expect them if something of this magnitude came to pass).
Cheers.
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Post by nickys on Jun 27, 2023 23:29:01 GMT -5
Those “Blue Sky” plans that were announced a couple of years ago to create the new mini Lands in MK would require at least some of the Rivers of America to be filled in, and half of what is now TSI used. Fort Langholm should be able to be kept according to the concept art released at the time.
However the article is re-hashing news that is 2 years old now. 🙄
I’d be sad if TSI were to be bulldozed, I think it’s an oasis of calm in the over-stimulation of MK. If it happened for something worthwhile it would be one thing, but the plans that were announced seemed to be much more akin to the Moana water area they’re doing at Epcot. I don’t think they included any new rides, just theming, restaurants and meet and greets. That would be a waste of effort and not worth getting rid of Rivers of America for.
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Post by tomandrobin on Jun 28, 2023 7:33:15 GMT -5
This is tough.....The River Boat and Tom Sawyer's Island are iconic in MK. A product endorsed by Walt himself. Some legacy stuff has to stay. Having the ability to add more attractions is always worth a look. And knowing Disney, this has been looked at many times.
Also to note, its been at least 7 years since the last time I was on the island and maybe 16 years since I rode the boat. Perhaps they could to a partial reworking of the river, making the boat ride half as long. Losing the attraction on the island.
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Post by bakerworld on Jun 28, 2023 9:14:49 GMT -5
Tom Sawyer's island was a favorite destination when the kids were young. When we returned on a 'girls vacation' with my sisters, my daughter insisted we had to take them because neither had experienced the island. They both regretted they had never taken their sons and grandsons to visit the attractions. The Liberty is just a nice relaxing feature but the young people don't seem to understand the village features that can be seen from the boat. If Disney does bring this to fruition a little bit more of exposure to history will be lost.
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Post by krisephillips on Jun 28, 2023 10:08:22 GMT -5
I always thought the Tom Sawyer area could be better utilized. When rumors of the Splash Mountain retheme first surfaced I always wondered why they would not repurpose the island area as "the Bayou" and put Tiana's Place there for dining and possibly a ride. Could keep Rivers and Liberty Belle and continue to offer the ice cream cruises with characters as they had previous and kept Splash Mountain as it was.
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Post by johnb on Jun 28, 2023 10:50:00 GMT -5
No restaurants, gift shops, etc. so from the WDW bean counter perspective, it's wasted square footage.
It's been a few years since we've been to Tom Sawyer's Island, but we did ride the paddle boat last year and it was an enjoyable break from the rest of the park.
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Post by cpnkirk on Jun 28, 2023 14:14:56 GMT -5
Looking at google maps, it looks like that would make a good gateway to the rumored new land (villains land, I think it was?) that has been mentioned. With the space currently taken by TSI and the river, they could probably put in a shopping/dining area that leads to the new land beyond the RR. Possibly even another small type ride (dark ride, indoor theater or something similar). The larger ride(s) from the new land could be beyond the RR. A walkway over the RR would be a popular spot to stand and watch the trains, as well (maybe even a good place for photopass photographer).
I think it could work - I'm sure that many would miss the boat & TSI, but things do change. Personally, I'm still bummed that 20K leagues under the sea ride is gone.
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Post by Brian5581 on Jun 30, 2023 3:04:22 GMT -5
Loss of the nostalgia is of course regrettable, but I haven’t done the island or the boat in more than 10 years myself…. Likely a good idea to rethink things for greater usage,
But yes, not new news, even officially stated as a rumor at the last D23 Expo.
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