We’ve seen the past, and we’ve seen the present. If you’ve been reading this series, you’ll know that I think that the “classic” Disney theme parks and attractions were all in line with this so called “Disney Standard.” Although many of these attractions may not be all that exciting by today’s standards, they were innovative in their time.

As for the present parks and attractions, I provided evidence last week to back up my view that in recent years, the quality of the Disney theme parks and attractions has seen a decline. Apparently, I’m not alone in this assessment, as the newer parks are seeing significantly lower attendance levels.

But how will things be in the future? Well, first we have to take a look at what is currently in development. We’ll start with entire theme parks. Currently, the only Disney theme park in development is Hong Kong Disneyland, scheduled to open late 2005 or early 2006.

The initial park will open with just four lands: Main Street, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. This will be the first Disneyland-style park to be constructed without a Frontierland (or Westernland, as it is known in Tokyo). Similarly, classic attractions will also be missing from the roster: The Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad… Just to name a few…

Of course, plans can always change, and the park can always add attractions after it has opened. But still, the thought of even building a Disneyland-style park without these attractions is just baffling. It would be a different matter entirely if they were building unique and new attractions instead, however that does not seem to be the case either. It seems as though Hong Kong Disneyland will open with only a handful of classic attractions, some with slight modifications, but many missing altogether.

I’ve always wanted to visit Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland and now Tokyo DisneySea. But I’m just not getting that desire to visit Hong Kong Disneyland based on this information. I think this park will continue the downward trend of the quality of the more recent Disney theme parks, and the attendance will most likely reflect it.

Now let’s take a look at some of the attractions currently under development. At the Walt Disney World Resort, we have quite a few: Soarin’ over California at Epcot, Stitch’s Great Escape at the Magic Kingdom, Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Lights, Motors, Action! at the Disney-MGM Studios. At the Disneyland Resort, a new and improved Space Mountain will open in 2005, and Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters is coming to Tomorrowland. Beyond that, it has been announced that Tokyo DisneySea will be getting a coaster, and work is already in progress on a version of Tower of Terror for that park. Likewise, it has always been speculated that Walt Disney Studios Paris will get their own version of Tower, however nothing official has been released to indicate that.

Let’s start with the Disneyland Resort. There are currently two “new” attractions in production for Disneyland Park. Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters will be very similar to the Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin attraction at Walt Disney World. This is a great family attraction, and it is said that this version will have a new interactive element that will allow internet users to log on and play along. As for Space Mountain, yes, they did completely gut the building and are installing a totally new track, but the kicker is the track will be the exact same layout as the original. A new load station is being designed along with some new special effects, but other than that, not much appears to be different. Therefore, it is really hard to classify either of these attractions as being “new.”

Moving on to Walt Disney World. If there is any bright spot in this story, it is located here. Soarin’ Over California and Lights, Motors, Action! are clones imported from California and Paris respectively. Therefore, they are not new attractions. However, Stitch’s Great Escape and Expedition Everest are totally new attraction concepts.

Let’s start with Stitch’s Great Escape. While this attraction will build on the technology already used for the Extra TERRORestrial Alien Encounter that it is replacing, the experience will still involve a completely new storyline and a new animatronic figure of Stitch which is said to be one of the most complex figures ever created by WDI. I have mixed feelings about this redo, as I always enjoyed Alien Encounter. However, I do feel that if done right, this really could be a great addition to the Magic Kingdom. We truly will have to see.

As for Expedition Everest, I feel this may be the beginning of the rebirth of quality Disney attractions. From all that I know about Expedition Everest, it will combine a great story with a thrilling ride experience and a totally themed environment. Those three components have the potential to make a really great attraction, and that is something that Disney’s Animal Kingdom desperately needs.

My view on the direction that lies ahead is this: I believe that the Parks and Resorts Division is finally going to start to create unique and innovative attractions for their parks. It may be hard to see right now, but I think that the management is finally beginning to realize that if you want to make money, you have to spend money.

While I am a little leery about the Hong Kong project, and I’m a little disappointed in the number of attractions that are being cloned, it is encouraging to see risks being taken in recent years to create new and unique experiences. Just a few of these include Mission:Space, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, and Expedition Everest.

Mission:Space and Mickey’s PhilharMagic have already proven to be a success. I think Expedition Everest will be as well. Perhaps these attractions are the beginning of great new things to come. Of course, successful attractions will continue to be duplicated at other parks around the world, but as long as they are mixed with innovative and creative new ideas, I think the parks are well poised to take it to the next level.

What that level is, no one really knows – except maybe the Imagineers!

Here’s to hoping they can once again knock our socks off for many years to come!

That wraps up this series. I hope you have enjoyed this “Journey Into Imagination.” Until next week, I’ll see ya real soon!