Bad Theme Park Opinions I'm Tired of Hearing 

Speaking of embarrassing corrections, I misspelled "Controversial" in the first 8 seconds in the video.

Poseidon Entertainment should replace this video with an indoor roller coaster

It drives me UP THE WALL when people say “You just don’t like change.” Unbelievably ignorant and stupid thing to say. Folks, all progress is change but not all change is progress.

I always tell people this example. When I worked for Disney in the early 2000s a little sign that came loose. I offered to fix it with a zip tie temporarily and was told that was not “Disney look” by my manager and sat there for 20 minutes until maintenance got there to fix it properly. Can you even imagine looking at maintenance now that they’re still following the same play book? HELL NO. lol.

Rollercoasters are usually unique, thrilling, and exciting. Motion simulators with screens all start to feel the same and get redundant.

I hate pointless change that only ever seems to result in an empty shell of what once was. I recently went to Tokyo Disneyland and was genuinely amazed to see, among a myriad of new things, a Disneyland close to the one I grew up with in the early 00s. Funny how the most faithful Disney park (that I’ve been to) isn’t even owned and operated by them 🤣

Another thing people say that drives me crazy is when you are critical about something and they parrot the old“if you don’t like it, just don’t go. Shorter lines for me.“ It’s not even an argument. Just a dumb statement.

For the "it should have been a coaster" crowd, I think it's because for the 2 examples you gave, Mario Kart and Fast & Furious, those franchises are known for thrilling high speed action

I recently went on Ripsaw Falls and, after riding it for the first time in over a decade and having a blast, I actually became interested in learning more about Dudley Do-Right and watched every single short made. The next time I came back I realized just how much love was put into the ride with all of the silly references to the episodes. For instance, a billboard advertising Snidely Whiplash’s Log Jam Lager states it contains 2% marigold extract: most people would see it as a throwaway joke on foodstuff containing weird ingredients, but if you watched the cartoons you would know that Dudley Do-Right is so allergic to marigolds that he becomes completely harmless. I should also mention the animatronic for Nell is completely missing from the railroad tracks. I know the Mounties always get their man, but somebody got their girl before they did.

Toon Lagoon is one of my favorite areas to just be in. I skip the rides on many trips because of the amount of water they dump on you. I love Dudley's so sometimes I grab my poncho and get in line. The IPs don't particularly appeal to me themselves, but it's the charm that they bring. If Universal plans to change them in the future I hope they keep that cartoony charm. Also, Suess Landing is kind of a kids area but the IP is familiar to older generations like mine. I appreciate this land and its rides so much!

What i want out of a ride is for it to be fun, to be re-rideable, and to have at least moderately good theming/storytelling. The IP shouldn't matter as much if the attractions are pretty good.

My thing with Disney is most people never fell in love with the company for its rollercoasters, so why go out of the way to do something like that? I go to Disney not for thrills but for immersion. I want story and atmosphere. Not a 60 second experience I waited 60 minutes for.

"cat in the hat is one of the coolest dark rides out there" my man when we rode it in 2022 it smelled like pee

Even if people don't know who the specific cartoon characters are in Toon Lagoon, the theming and set decoration is so good that it just feels like stepping into a cartoon. A concept that I think is evergreen

Another pet peeve, you already mention is that Disney-quote "Disneyland will never be completed", which is used to justify Walt Disney World replacements of greatly themed areas and rides. Disney also said "The Florida Project gives us the blessing of space" but you never hear that quoted. Disneyland doesn't have the space but replaces less and adds more than WDW which is really odd to me. I appreciate that you put so much emphasis on capacity as I believe it is overlooked by many. I've earlier calculated that the hourly capacity of Magic Kingdom rose with only 10 % between 2002 and 2019 (when I did the calculations) but the attendance rose by 50 %. The top 5 people eaters are all attractions from the early- and mid 70s and the top 10 only had two attractions that weren't from the 70s (Little Mermaid and Splash Mountain, which is now closed but will reopen again soon and Tron is probably also up there in terms of capacity).

I didn’t like the opinions on this video. I think we need to replace this channel with a rollercoaster actually

Thank you very much for saying it. I also hate the absurd “Walt said it would never be complete, shouldn’t be a museum” argument for changing / ruining things that people loved, things that didn’t need to be changed.

I totally agree with your first point. I love most of the roller coasters at Universal, but I always wish there were more plain, easy-going, dark rides, similar to Magic Kingdom to break up the focus on thrill and/or 3-D effects.

Adding to your Toon Lagoon (IOA) discussion: 1) Many creatives and managers were 30-50 y/o in the mid 1990s when Toon Lagoon IP was chosen; 2) Those people were kids watching cartoons (Sat morn) in the 1960s-70s on FOUR CHANNELS; 3) many OLD comic/cartoon IP was syndicated and repeated endlessly on some channels; 4) So many mid aged or elderly probably loved Toon Lagoon initially PS: If you think that UNSTOPPABLE classic IPs cannot fall off --> Just ask people ages 20-40: what is MASH??

Never understood the mentality of 'Just replace X with a roller coaster' or 'That space should be used for a coaster!' when said space couldn't fit a kiddie coaster. My guy, you know what you get when you just try to cram full-size rides in anywhere you can? You get Six Flags Magic Mountain. You NEVER want to be Magic Mountain. MAGIC MOUNTAIN doesn't even want to be Magic Mountain. Also, I feel like change as a whole just needs to be... thoughtful. Things SHOULD change over time, but it should always have a good reason and there should be thought put into what it becomes. When you just shut things down or change them without thinking, you get the stagnation EPCOT had to endure for what felt like eternity. But that said, sometimes things NEED to change for a park to even survive; see also California Adventure, Disney's Hollywood Studios. Also, if you're gonna change things to do brand building/synergy, AT LEAST MAKE SOMETHING GOOD. PLEASE. Do it right and you can outlast the brand entirely... see here, Waterworld.) EDIT: WHO THE HELL IS TALKING TRASH ABOUT TOON LAGOON?! I will fight them in a parking lot! I WILL FIGHT THEM ON THE MOON!

What I also really dislike is that many people proclaim that you have to be positive about every change and if you're critical say "how can you know that, you haven't experienced it yet", while those people also haven't experienced it. Apparently it's allowed to have a positive opinion before it's done, but not a negative one. This is especially common when popular attractions get changed of replaced. I think you can put higher standards when a good ride is replaced, it should be at least a lot better than the thing it replaced. Especially when it's by choice (instead of e.g. a fire or when it's improbable to maintain).

On the "the ip doesn't matter that much" point, I gotta say I do not care whatsoever for Avatar (the blue people one) and think it is a horribly overrated film/franchise, but Pandora at Animal Kingdom is AMAZING. It's probably my favorite individual themed land behind the Harry Potter ones (granted, I haven't been to a Nintendo land or DisneySea yet)

Whose is saying Popeye ain’t revelant!? Just let me has me spinach and I’ll show ‘em what’s what! I’ll moiderate ‘em! I’ll lay ‘em amongst the sweet peas!

Cat in the Hat is a top tier ride. As someone who works in theater, the entire ride (as is forbidden journey) is lit with theatrical lighting fixtures and is so detail oriented with the backlight room , plus it being an AC’d area on a hot day makes it a must ride every time I go. As a teen growing up in Florida when we would go with friends in the winter riding the water rides was always a trauma bonding experience and standing shivering in the outside line for Spider-Man is still a core memory.

I know you’ve mentioned Meow Wolf before, but I’d love to see a video dedicated to talking about those attractions. I think they’re a very unique form of themed entertainment that has a lot of potential, and they seem to be looking to continuously expand with 3 locations already as well as a dark ride in Denver and in a mall in Texas

I'm in the camp that theme parks need to not always have new roller coasters. I've gotten annoyed at Busch Gardens making yet another roller coaster instead of something different and exciting. I guess it's a low maintenance thing.

I'm sick and tired of seeing the opinions expressed that you listed out. Your response was very thorough and well put. Now, when I hear someone not understanding that Horizons was a people eater, or that Toon Lagoon is amazingly themed regardless of IP, I'll send them to this video. Thank you for doing the work for the rest of us.

When people suggest rollercoasters, they are not thinking from a critical perspective on what's good for the park. It is explicitly for them, because they (presumably an enthusiast) want a roller coaster, and rollercoasters are popular with enthusiasts.

As a forty something mom who grew up on theme parks, and began watching your videos out of curiosity, I can say that I really enjoy them. At first I thought to myself “okay, here’s a young guy that needs to learn a little bit about talking to the audience.” But it didn’t take long for me to understand that you’ve got a talent for retaining facts and ferreting out history that most people don’t know or understand. You are correct in saying that a lot of people just parrot opinions without truly thinking them through, or trying to find out why that opinion is popular to begin with. I have come to really enjoy your channel, and the objective way that you approach your commentaries. While inserting your own preferences, you never try to sway your audience in one way or the other. I can appreciate this, in a world where most people push “taking a side”. I’m genuinely tired of a lot of the mega corporations giving the general public “good enough” and passing it off as acceptable instead of giving us “excellence” in our theme park experiences. I do believe there are a couple still really striving for that ultimate experience, but those willing to put forth the time and effort to hold onto multi-generational consumers become fewer and fewer every day in the face of corporate greed. It’s incredibly interesting to me to hear someone younger point these things out in a factual way. We need more intelligent people in this world instead of herds of sheep all following each other to the cliffside. Your open way of stating the facts is refreshing. I can see that quite a lot of research and effort go into your videos. Keep up the good work!❤

I think we’re all tired of the over reliance on IP - in fact, I think it puts you on the back foot as a ride designer. Like “I swear this is not just a callous money grab”

The irony is there are people now who criticize everything Disney does but then praises universal when they do the same thing 😂

I agree with your Toon Lagoon analysis. My first time at Islands of Adventure was back in 2005 for a school field trip. My friends and I knew who Popeye was, but we didn't know who Dudley was. We loved the ride so we asked our parents and our chaperones if they knew more about it. Sometimes things that are unknown but are also IP can end up drawing in new audiences.

I'm with you on the not every ride needs to be a coaster. Not everyone likes coasters. Not every member of a party may be tall enough to ride one. Sometimes you just want to enjoy yourself. Its ok for there to be more than one type of ride system.

Just wanted to say thank you for what you do. You are FAR from alone in all of the opinions you express, and it's nice to have at least one channel presenting them in a quality format amidst the ever-increasing sea of "brand worshippers".

Ive always been more for rides and lands to be refurbished than just replaced. Yeah i get needing new stuff, but what if sometimes rides just got updated with newer tec instead? Also Im excited for Epic Universe partly for now videos on it by you!

Disney current problem is that their parks are loosing their identity. One cause is the ip mandate. Why is frozen in epcot? Also introducing rollercoaster for the sake of it, would make Disney parks less Disney. Disney world has 4 themeparks and they should at least feel distinct.

7:02 this statement with the B-roll of the Frozen ride is perfection.

Supercharged should be a coaster though. Add a lot of screens and make it a street race. (Or at least, a fast and furious ride should be actually thrilling)

"you want another indoor coaster next to mummy and gringott?" Ding Ding Ding!!!

Love the thumbnail! The opinion I’m personally absolutely tired and annoyed of hearing is how Rise of Resistance is the greatest thing Disney has ever made, and that Galaxy’s Edge is great. Like have y’all forgotten the exceptional classic Disney rides with FULLY fleshed out scenes and impressive effects that have aged like fine wine? Rise is a good ride the first time, but I don’t think there’s much re rideability to it. A lot of the effects feel like gimmicks to me. People always tell me how it feels so immersive too, and while I can’t take away from their experiences, let’s not act like it’s the only Disney ride to feel immersive. Other Disney rides feel fully immersive thru their queue and ride. And the queue is the only thing I think really feels immersive, and is what’s most remembered. Far as I go, it’s a decent ride. Galaxy’s Edge doesn’t even compare to Pandora, much less Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, and Super Nintendo World for me, and I could write a whole other argument as to why. I say all this as a HUGE Star Wars fan. I agree fully with your Toon Lagoon one, as a Floridian, when I go to Islands, it’s always nice getting drenched at Popeye’s and Dudley to cool off on a scorching hot day 👍

Yes capacity! This is everything. It is the reason we have fast pass and Genie Plus. They have cut capacity out of the parks for the last couple decades

Your videos are some of the very best in the theme parks commentary ecosystem. The are informative and thought provoking. Well produced and enjoyable. Change nothing, ignore the contrarians and weirdos and opinion thieves.

"You can have an opinion, but I am legally required to inform you that you have an incorrect opinion."

This is the difference between Poseidon and most other theme park RU-vidrs. Not just saying what’s wrong but why it’s wrong and how to do better.

Your frustrations are how I feel about people and the entertainment industry. I've worked in film and TV for 15 years, done everything from broadcast TV station work to being a full-on producer. I've written, been published, designed, and coordinated major productions. The list is extensive. So nothing infuriates me quite like people who have never even set foot on a film set acting like they know more than the people making these projects. But because it's entertainment, it's presented in a similar manner. It's their opinions, so they can't be wrong... however...THEY CAN BE WRONG, especially when discussing the processes that go into everything. It's just amazing when I try to clarify things about the industry and some 48 year old house mom from bumblef, Iowa says I know nothing. It's mind numbing listening to people.

Definitely agree on all these points. My biggest pet peeve is always any arguments against my opinions that can be summed up as 'you hate change/anything new'. I want to see change in the form of new things being ADDED more often then 'new' things REPLACING things. Some of that is good, but they are focusing too much on it now to the detriment of the parks as it results in too much stuff not being up and running combined with more often then not a reduction in capacity when it finally opens.

Disney should turn the Epcot Spaceship Earth geosphere into the Death Star. Seeing as how history and legacy have no meaning to the company as it is now, and Emporer Igertine would love it

This video needs a rollercoster

I work in Toon Lagoon and I love it! Yeah, most guests may not know a lot of the characters, but the crazy artwork and whatnot makes it a nice place to walk through. There's soooooo many little hidden easter eggs. Heck, even the music changes depending on what you're standing next to yet it's the same theme. It's all very intertwined and I'd absolutely love to see this area get updated. Maybe even a new ride with updated effects showing off the comics. I don't know, but I've been full of ideas for this area to help it grow

2:56 I've never heard this in my life. What I do hear is that Galaxy's Edge should be re-themed to Star Wars. And it should.

i kind of disagree slightly with the rollercoaster point. like if they were to just throw one in randomly like they did with guardians, then its a horrible idea. but if a well themed and thought-out rollercoaster opened in an already themed land. for example, instead of smugglers run, then it would be a welcomed addition. like hagrids, or the velocicoaster for example

Whenever people say "They just need to add a rollercoaster." I point out how Cedar did just that to Knott's and while it was great at first the rush to fill that tiny park with thrill rides ultimately resulted in a few ride nearly too rough to ride, and half the park being down for maintenance at any given moment. You genuinely can got to Knott's on a weekday, do every big ride, a few small rides, and even a show or two in just a few hours, and then there's nothing else to really do because half the coasters are down.

Thanks for speaking the truth as always. Don't be discouraged by those claiming you're too negative, we need critical thinkers and there are way, way too few of them in this fandom.

You woke up an chose violence for this one haha. I mostly agree with your entire video. Only thing I disagree with is, other than location, you’ve gotta admit that Fast & Furious should be a rollercoaster. That makes more sense than so many others IMO

Great video, as always. I love how people don't seem to realize having to wait 3+ hours in line -OR- pay extra is just horrible design. I remember thinking an hour was too long a wait in the 90s, and bringing a book to read when solo queuing in the early aughts was unbearable. The book got a lot of funny looks though. 🤣

Just because the new Disney doesn’t have more original ip, and uses more movie brands in it. Doesn’t mean it’s not creative or not a lesser work of art. It’s not creative, and feels like commercial rather then a work of themed art. It’s because it’s not creative and feels like a commercial. There’s a lot you can do with the Guardians and time travel to teach history in a simulator ride like Star Tours.

I absolutely love highly thematic areas, and would rather have a very immersive land with easter eggs to explore and only 1 ride, than have a bland land with 3 coasters

I was absent-mindedly thinking about how the Dr Seuss attractions would be fascinating to encounter as a European millennial, since, outside of the now mostly forgotten (by everyone except Onceler fangirls) Illumination movies, his works are almost completely unknown here… and then you hit me with people complaining that they don’t know Hagar, the Phantom and *Popeye*!?! The “I don’t know the IP, therefore it’s not interesting” reflex is a real thing to contend with, but sheesh. Talk about limited reference pools.

Very glad and lucky to have enjoyed the Walt Disney World of the Miller/Walker and somewhat of the Eisner era. Left up to Iger, the park is devolving into a souless, dirty and low qualtiy cell phone generation nightmare. Heartbreaking to say the least.

Popeye is about to get a major popularity boost with the character entering the public domain.

Fast and Furious supercharged needs to become a rollercoaster if it's going to be themed after Fast and Furious...

The real problem comes from bad justification of their opinion that is worse.

I have a video idea. What if you became the CEO of Disney? How would you change the parks? If you want you could make it a series, also doing Universal and SeaWorld etc.

As always Poseidon, very well-crafted video! Your analysis of EPCOT's opening-day attractions and capacity definitely stuck with me, as well as the comparison to DHS (yikes). Your references to Cosmic Rewind were also telling. I love Toon Lagoon and Seuss Landing (especially) as well.

That "no new IP =bad park" take is so painful when my home park is Efteling...

It drives me CRAZY when people say that Rafiki’s Planet Watch in Animal Kingdom needs to turn into Wakanda, or frankly, go anywhere. It’s literally the ANIMAL HOSPITAL. Not only would they have to spend however many millions of dollars building a land there, they would also have to relocate and rebuild specialized veterinary equipment for exotic animals. Insanity. Stop saying it. Shut up and take the train back there next time you’re at DAK.

The Capacity arguments are the worst. People complain about long lines, then accept rides being torn down to be replaced by new rides that often have equal or less capacity, achieving nothing. Worse is when "capacity" is used to raise prices or other wise charge customers more as a "deterrent" to lower crowd levels. But at the same time if attendance drops the parks freak out and complain about low attendance and then use that to raise prices too.

Controversial or Controvserial? 0:07 😮

A counterpoint to your first part- all of Frontierland. Seriously, Walt was all about exploiting his IP and Frontierland was nothing but a showcase for his (then) biggest tv IP, Davy Crockett. Are you seriously going to argue that it was something deeper? How about the parts of Disneyland that are gone like the Disney circus and Aluminum Hall of Fame. Are you going to argue those were anything other than corporate synergy? A real bad take is "Walt would never have stuck an IP in X". That's most of what he did! The only reason there weren't more is Disney didn't outright own that many IPs at the time Disneyland was started and certainly not enough to fill Epcot (which was design-locked long before the Disney Renaissance).

My only real gripe would probably be the use of projection on animatronics and screen work like at the Fast and Furious intro. In earlier videos they looked pretty seamless. I've compared older videos to recent videos of attractions like F&F, Runaway Railway, 7 Dwarfs Mine Coaster, etc and I noticed how worn and obvious the effect now looks. I was wondering if theres any way they plan to fix or remedy this issue.

Thank you for calling out these people that dont understand and are ruining THEME parks.

one of the biggest ones for me are the Disney apologists who insist that Disney can do no wrong and that everything they do is great. No critical thinking skills on a lot of people, apparently. Those sorts of "Disney adults" are the worst lol

"Universal could easily retheme Toon Lagoon into Bikini Bottom." No. While I grew up with SpongeBob as a child, with very, _very_ few exceptions, the franchice has never been enjoyable since the first movie, and has become nothing more than a cash cow for Nickelodeon, and a honestly solid meme generator for the internet. Toon Lagoon is an eclectic melting pot of timeless classic cartoon and comic characters who are iconic and entertaining enough to remain relevant, even if it's out of nostalgia. For e.g. a perfectly timed bomb explosion in Boris Badenov's face will always be infinitely funnier than Squidward Tentacles getting gratuitously and grotesquely mutilated trying to move a sofa.

I don't think they should just slap a roller coaster everywhere, but I think galaxy's edge could use an outdoor rollercoaster where you're on the speeder bikes from Empire strikes back and has tons of practical effects like ewok animatronics. I know it wouldn't thematically make sense but still a cool idea.

As a classic cartoon fan, I DESPERATELY wanna go to Toon Lagoon. I feel like I'd instantly die upon entry, God forbid they get rid of it! Especially before I can go!

Any criticism = toxic Must defend multibillion dollar company with life! In truth if ya love something constructive criticism and competition is GOOD FOR IT!!!! There’s definitley bad and toxic criticism of anything out there but I’m tired of shills enabling companies bad decisions.

Disney needs to do SOMETHING with the people mover track that’s jsut decaying outside of the show building locations, it’s honestly a very sad eyesore.

Annoying opinion: Disney fans passing off their newest ride (whether it be rise, CR, etc) as the greatest ride on earth and the end of all innovation in theme parks. LIKE WHAT?? THE MOST MEDIOCRE THING ON EARTH GETS THIS MUCH CREDIT???

There’s a fair few videos of yours that I strongly disagree with, but you are absolutely correct here; both on account of people misattributing Walt’s words, as well as how unbelievably stupid it is to genuinely believe that an opinion can never be objective fact.

While I agree with a lot of this video, I do think it’s a little strange to say people don’t care about Guardians. The amount of Guardians merch I see people wearing in the parks seems to disagree

I am tickled by #9 in your list of shame. I met Roy Rogers once when I was a kid, and that's my least famous claim to fame. xD

Now I hate the Mario kart ride, not because it’s not a rollercoaster, but because it was basically advertised as one despite being slower than an airport baggage claim converter belt.

I thoroughly enjoy, and generally tend to agree with most of your opinions/assessments (though I rarely comment). This time is no different, however, this time I felt the need to comment. I am a well travelled enthusiast, having ridden well over 1,000 coasters at ~ 283 locations in 16 countries. Yet, I would never consider myself an “expert”, as the more I learn and discover, the more I realize I don’t know. Here, an old adage comes to mind: “All theme parks are amusement parks - yet, not all amusement parks are theme parks”. Some are quasi-related, as they can’t find a singular identity. A majority of “enthusiasts” nowadays cannot differentiate between the two, and usually equate them, and are just “park enthusiasts”. For me - a “theme park” has to have an all-immersive experience, consistent from beginning to end in the “land” or “area” of the park I happen to be in. Giving an area a “western” theme, with the obligatory cowboy hats/guns and a sign with a snake - yet the shops are generic and the ride-ops having the same uniforms throughout the whole park, does not equate to the immersive experience of theming. IMO - there are very few “theme parks” in the United States, and none of them are perfectly consistent. The better ones that come to mind: DL, MK, IOA, AK, Gilroy Gardens, SDC, DW, BGW, BGT and the Legolands (I might include the Peppa Pig park, but I haven’t been there). Many have lost their identity and/or their way: KBF, USF, DCA, EPCOT, HS and DCA. Then there are parks that had an identity and are now trying to change them: the Sea world parks and USH. I consider all CF and SF parks to be expensive, glorified carnivals (not bad by any means, just facts). In 1999, IOA set a new standard for “theme parks” everywhere!! When I visited IOA during the preview days in April ‘99, my friends and I all noticed a specific thing that set them apart from everyone else - the walkways. They were all painted, stamped and textured to match the theme of the land, and had matching trash receptacles and benches. All other parks (aside from the “Main Streets” in DL and MK), had concrete or blacktop walkways. Within 2 years, ALL Disney parks had new walkways, and themed trash receptacles. Talk about impact! Dark rides and shows, stores and restaurants, all play an integral part of what makes up theming. A complete “dark ride” (queue/preshow/ride/exit) is what makes a memorable experience. A “standout” roller coaster will not make or break a theme park, but it can make or break an amusement park. Thank you for your videos, and the work you put into them.

Last time I was at Toon Lagoon with my family, my dad gushed about how much he loves the section because all the characters are from comics he grew up reading, with many being some of his favorite characters of all time. For that reason alone, I hope Toon Lagoon stays the way it is forever.

This is hands down my favorite RU-vid Chanel. Also I really enjoy when you visit small Parks. I'm sure that gets expensive though. About 35 years ago my Parents took me to a Park in Kansas City called "Worlds Of Fun". As a rare kid who Absolutely Loved Epcot I found certain theming of WOF to be an interesting distorted mirror of Epcot. I recently went back to WOF with my kids and found that Cedar Fair parks has not kept up with that brand of theming. The Point: The entire time I was in the park i could almost hear your voice narrating my disappointment and the potential of the park. LOL Keep up the Great Work!

I'd say a major reason that Popeye, Do Right, and R&B have relevance in the millennial consciousness is because they all had live action movies in the 90's and early 2000's. The only reason I, a thirty-something, am familiar with Dennis the Menace is because I had the 1993 film on VHS. The animated shows could sometimes be found on TV Land or Cartoon Network, and while they may be available on streaming services now, you're not likely to know they're there unless you're actively looking for them because they aren't advertised. None of this is to say that Toon Lagoon should be leveled due to declining cultural relevance. Splash Mountain was based on a film Disney has largely disavowed since it's last theatrical re-release in 1986, with no official hard copies available except outside the US. It was nevertheless a much beloved ride. Toon Lagoon could be too if Universal hadn't left it for dead. Make it looks less like the setting for a creepypasta and reintroduce these characters via new cartoons and/or a marketing nudge from streaming, perhaps an "Oldies" category filling TV Land's old niche. Nostalgia still sells, but there are decades other than the 80's.

Personally, I would say most people wanting the Mario Cart ride to be a roller coaster are not considering its placement in any park at all, but are rather expressing their opinion on what kind of ride would best encapsulate the game source material. I agree that a themed roller coaster fits the spirit of the fast, chaotic racing game better than a dark ride does.

You are the best of the best!! I just started to watch you yesterday. What a delight to have open and honest opinions without watching you eat a cheeseburger or a new sickening new cupcake!! Many thanks to you!

14:31 I love this point! I have no issues with all new attractions being based on IP on its own. However it seems like often times Disney is building uninspired low budget lands and attractions and slapping IPs on them to attract visitors. One thing I loved about IOA is you don't have to be familiar with the IP's to enjoy the lands and attractions they offer. I've never read Harry Potter or seen any of the films and yet I enjoy the attractions, love browsing the shops, and drink tons of butter beer.

The people saying Dudley Do-Right is a better themed experience than Splash Mountain are some of the most insane people ever.

The comment of "oh it's a screen ride" is so tiring to me. USO often is called out on it but people glans over the fact that the experiences in the different rides are (mostly) unique. Now Disney themselves pushed out a slew of screen based rides out it is surprisingly quiet showing the hypocrisy.

As a coaster enthusiast, I always want to see new coasters. ALWAYS! However, after thinking about it for a moment, the reason I like coasters is primarily because they are the only unique rides in their parks. Disney and Universal are an exception to this, and Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland is probably still one of my favorite rides of all time. When Disney was creating high quality experiences, the immersion was always more entertaining. At Six Flags, I know a dark ride isn’t going to live up to the thrill of any coaster they add. At Disney, I spend the majority of my time enjoying dark rides. So I guess you proved your point that I’m wrong that a coaster is always the fix…however, I will never complain when a park announces a new one. 😉

I think the people who defend whatever decisions Disney makes are doing it because they feel like their own decision to continue to visit the parks is being attacked. It's perfectly acceptable to say that you don't like the price hikes, the app-ification of the experience, the loss of on-property hotel perks or some of the newer rides, but that you still think it's worth it to ride The Haunted Mansion again.

As somebody who didn't know who Popeye was until I went to the park, I can safely say that I did not care the first time I rode the water rapids ride, it's honestly one of my favourite rides still, to this day.

Definitely getting old because I have seen many an episode of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Dudley do right, and George of the jungle!

Hot take, Autopia IS a waste of space. So is the current "launch bay". Both should be mowed down and replaced with something more thematic to tomorrowland. Yes i even would argue finding nemo should be included in the removal.

I agree with most of the things u mentioned, for example I only know about popeye but I still love toon lagoon, the theming is so immersive but I think it's also the nostalgic part for me, I would be devastated if they change everything. On the other hand, idk why I'm actually excited for the princess and the frog ride?? maybe it's because I've only been to splash mountain once and I loove TPAF movie? like maybe it would've been better if they built a completely different ride instead of re-theming. I just hope the new ride mix well to the frontier/adventure land theme so that my immersion don't get ruined sorry for bad english

The more Disney focuses on IP the less of a difference there is between them and Universal. Which is not a good thing.

As of 2024, Disney is also still clearing the stink from the atrocious Bob Chapek years.

You have the most intelligent, well-thought-out discourse on amusement parks that I have ever seen on the internet. As an old fogey, I resent the "You are just afraid of change"mantra. I love Disneyland, and I'm okay with new attractions being added, but I despise new people coming in and altering or covering what the original designers came up with. The original creators of the Haunted Mansion came up with a classic, and people loved it. It never needed improvement. Go invent your own attractions and see if they become classic.😢