Disneyland has a monorail problem, and the solution to solving that problem may determine what Disneyland Forward places inside the Hollywood Studios backlot at Disney California Adventure.
I vote for don’t move the monorail, put Zootopia in that space and use the area in the Simba lot for Avatar. Easiest fix that doesn’t require a difficult and costly reroute of the monorail.
Beat me to this... the more I see and think about this area, Zootopia might be an ideal fit for the park. And if the die is cast already for Avatar to come to Anaheim, I hope it's part of the parking lot closest to DCA.
you nailed it. Phase 1 will be eastern gateway + avatar in simba lot. Phase 2 will start in 2 years and will be fantasy springs at the stitch lot and zootopia in the backlot. OLC's exclusivity is 5 years and Fantasy Springs will open its doors in exactly that.
Yay! I’m so glad you mentioned Wakanda as a possibility 😺 I’ve said for the last couple of years, that the presence of the monorail track lends itself to that advanced society/futuristic setting. That being said, of late I have been leaning heavily towards Zootopia, on account of the ease of the blending from real world Hollywood buildings into that cartoon metropolis.
They make high speed rail for cheaper than monorail per mile. The problem is Disney waste money on contractors rather than hiring builders to work inside Disney. You can’t just employee engineers and make blue prints. They can pre fab sections on monorail in a Disney factory and put in for 1/50 of the cost.
My choice for an urban themed land would be Monstropolis. You’d get to keep Monsters Inc (one of the only family friendly dark rides in DCA) and possibly get the old rumored Doors coaster which I’d highly prefer to a lackluster Zootopia trackless ride. Then I’d put Avatar in the Simba Lot.
@@mikesteinkrauss9773 it won’t unfortunately but it’s the right move. Outside of flat rides, DCA doesn’t have a lot to do for the whole family. Granted, if we lost Monsters Inc for an Avatar boat ride we’d be losing one family ride for a much better one but you’re still at net gain of 0. Also Doors Coaster >>>>>>> Zootopia trackless ride that’s just a much lesser version of ROTR. Then the monorail would be a much easier work around. Although they’d still probably have to reroute or build around it for the Doors Coaster. Much easier solve though. Probably cost 1/10th of what an Avatar Land (which I’d prefer on the Simba lot) would cost and 1/2 of what Zootopia would cost. Also, and not that I care about this, I’m positive Monsters Inc sells more merch than Avatar and probably Zootopia too. Monstropolis is a high reward, low risk/ relatively low cost move.
Zootopia would definitely fit there perfectly and I do love seeing the monorail going by and we have to keep the monorail 🚝 so we can get construction updates!
Monster’s inc has enough popularity for that area to be transformed into Monstropolis, no monorail re-alignment required. If Disney buys Gardenwalk, maybe a second monorail would come to town?
The way you laid out makes it a no brainer for that spot, I could honestly see them even cheaping out and retheming monsters to zootopia since Disneyland already has Mickey and Minnie’s which is basically the same ride. It would play so perfectly with the monorail and be cost effective
Never considered Zootopia there, but let me tell you...I like it! I've always figured they'd just find a way to extend Avengers campus and continue the Marvel opportunities. Could you see them massaging the cityscape of Hollyood land to fit the Zootopia theme?
or that could completely change the monorail track, have it continue south and go to the new area being built in the Toy Story Parking lot using Hotel Way to cross over Katella, then returning via the same route and turning west to then return to the Downtown Disney Station by following Disneyland Drive. Could even add a stop somewhere in Cali Adventure so that it connects all the parks/areas.
Zootopia makes thy most sense and hopefully at The D23 event we will know more but for christ sake I dont ever want to see that Brickey disappointment face after the parks panel at the last D23 expo!
@@HeyBrickey, here’s what I got for my SECOND view of this amazing video: 0:25 - We have a monorail or theme park problem 1:54 - Take it to the Bridge 2:48 - Mind the gap 5:04 - A little Disney design trick 6:50 - Tunnel Vision (+keyhole) 8:01 - 100K subscribers? “I actually think that would be pretty awesome.” 8:23 - Urban Planning (Option 1: Wakanda/Marvel) 9:32 - I’m not teasing, your video is still perfect. 11:03 - Urban Planning (Option 2: This place a Zoo) 13:28 - This video is so perfect “there’s not a lot of room to edit it” 13:59 - Hyperion Theater 14:17 - A word from our sponsor 14:29 - Keep watching Disneyland Expansion series 14:48 - Brickey, I hope you know, “I appreciate you” (and I really hope my timestamps work) 😂
I always thought that the decision not to extend the monorail around and through DCA was both a mistake and a missed opportunity. The other design problem DCA has is the lack of transportation attractions to move guests deeper into the park. Don’t get me wrong the Red Car trolley is great but something needs to go down the parade corridor to Paradise Gardens. If there is to be an extension of that route into the Pumba Parking lot for Disneyland Forward, then it makes DCA foot traffic even more tiresome for many guests.
I vaguely remember many years ago Tony Baxter making comments that re-routing the monorail for Indy was outrageously expensive, but Eisner and Wells were new and wanted to move aggressively. Worse, there is zero ROI for re-routing the monorail track. So I would bet on a tunnel for the monorail before relocating the track in Hollywood. On the other hand, in Tomorrowland it would make sense to remove the inner figure-8 of the monorail track to free up the area of Autopia/Subs - and that would be a significant long-term maintenance savings (with only a minor track reconfiguration to tie the outer monorail loop together). Zootopia "feels" right for Hollywood land, and I think your comments are smart about keeping it behind Monsters - which has proven to be endlessly popular.
Great video! I’m sitting there shaking my head saying yes I can see that, oh ya I can see that too. I think having a Zootopia would be great. Question how do you see the Monorail and the bridge from the new parking garage playing out?
I’m an Environment Artist veteran of the game industry who just happened to have visited Zootopia in Shanghai last month. The first thing I thought of when you posed the question was Zootopia. Having been there myself it really feels like it would fit the DCA vibe well with the night club facades. I remember that walkway being used for the night time party events they had in DCA with the DJ etc. I would hate to see Monsters leave (I think that IP would make an awesome land to build around the monsters attraction but I’m sure Disney doesn’t want to redesign a Monsters Inc land when they already have the Zootopia blueprint). Love these videos man, inspirational for someone like me in the creative space.
The thought you put into this is appreciated , along with the overhead views and graphics. So many options. All sound intriguing. If, and I realize it’s a big if, they kept Monsters Inc on the edge of Zootopia, is there enough room in the show building to change it to Tokyo’s version? I LOVE the idea of a Wakonda E ticket. Something’s gotta be done in Avengers Campus.
I hope Disneyland forward gives us some new lands that no other park has I like the idea of wakanda as a land it’s different and we will only have that
You better cook, Brickey! I always thought that the decision not to extend the monorail around and through DCA was both a mistake and a missed opportunity. The other design problem DCA has is the lack of transportation attractions to move guests deeper into the park. Don’t get me wrong the Red Car trolley is great but something needs to go down the parade corridor to Paradise Gardens. If there is to be an extension of that route into the Pumba Parking lot for Disneyland Forward, then it makes DCA foot traffic even more tiresome for many guests. Country Bear Jamboree in California Adventure I’m excited about all of the changes and updates, including Avatar! I haven't seen any mentions of Elemental as a possible urban center. I think Elemental is a very underrated Pixar film. Zootopia would definitely fit there perfectly and I do love seeing the monorail going by and we have to keep the monorail so we can get construction updates! Zootopia makes the most sense and hopefully, at The D23 event we will know more but for Christmas's sake, I don't ever want to see that Brickey appointment face after the parks panel at the last D23 expo! I’ll tell you what’s perfectly designed…this video! My choice for an urban-themed land would be Monstropolis. You’d get to keep Monsters Inc (one of the only family-friendly dark rides in DCA) and possibly get the old rumored Doors coaster which I’d highly prefer to a lackluster Zootopia trackless ride. Then I’d put Avatar in the Simba Lot. Absolutely fascinating! A ton of food for thought. It will be exciting to watch!! Love the creative problem-solving here - if they make the tunnel an experience it could definitely add to that attraction Im going to say it stays put and you have two options. Black Panther Wakanda or Zootopia both IPs have some sort of monorail transportation. Can't wait for this The thought you put into this is appreciated, along with the overhead views and graphics. So many options. All sound intriguing. If, and I realize it’s a big if, they kept Monsters Inc. on the edge of Zootopia, is there enough room in the show building to change it to Tokyo’s version? I LOVE the idea of a Wakonda E-ticket. Something’s gotta be done in Avengers Campus. I hope Disneyland Forward gives us some new lands that no other park has I like the idea of Wakanda as a land it’s different and we will only have that Are You Ready For Disneyland Forward To Change The Skyline! NHL Utah (AMAZING) Concept logos & jerseys Brodie Brazil Savannah Bananas Win First Game in Major League Park | Banana Ball Classic Game Highlight The Savannah Bananas OMG! Best Magic on Britain's Got Talent EVER! Top Talent or that could completely change the monorail track, have it continue south and go to the new area being built in the Toy Story Parking lot using Hotel Way to cross over Katella, then returning via the same route and turning west to then return to the Downtown Disney Station by following Disneyland Drive. Could even add a stop somewhere in Cali Adventure so that it connects all the parks/areas. Great video as always Hey Brickie! One area for improvement: because many of your viewers (including me) have never been to Disneyland, it would be nice to have some more Google Earth/Satellite views. Because I don't know the ins and outs of the park, it can sometimes be hard to follow the architecture and engineering of the park. I vaguely remember many years ago Tony Baxter making comments that re-routing the monorail for Indy was outrageously expensive, but Eisner and Wells were new and wanted to move aggressively. best, there is zero ROI for re-routing the monorail track. So I would bet on a tunnel for the monorail before relocating the track in Hollywood. On the other hand, in Tomorrowland, it would make sense to remove the inner figure-8 of the monorail track to free up the area of Autopia/Subs - and that would be a significant long-term maintenance savings (with only a minor track reconfiguration to tie the outer monorail loop together). Zootopia "feels" right for Hollywood land, and I think your comments are smart about keeping it behind Monsters - which has proven to be endlessly popular.
I so enjoy your brain storming sessions. There is one more option that could be far better for the monorail but more expensive. Have the hotel bound track bend to parallel the return track as it passes the main gates -ala WDW Magic Kingdom. Then at the "Indie" curve it would continue across the Tram loading area and in-between the World of Disney Store and Grand Californian on a diagonal. They could build a new station platform there between the two buildings across from the tram area, resulting in a "Transportation Hub". Move the ticket booths there and you have a TTC Disneyland. As it leaves through the G.C. Courtyard it would rejoin the old route at the west tunnel hotel then looping back past what was the old - original DLH station. Time the running of the trains right and you could have 2 passing in front of the main gates at the same time. Just a thought. Thanks for the discussion.
Great video as always Hey Brickie! One area for improvement: because many of your viewers (including me) have never been to Disneyland, it would be nice to have some more Google Earth/Satellite views. Because I don't know the in's and out's of the park, it can sometimes be hard to follow with the architecture and engineering of the park.
Loving this series! Can’t wait for more of your fabulous videos and insight. I hope Disney plans something that gives us views of some land from the monorail and not more in between buildings. Similar to the Tomorrowland views or Epcot views at WDW. Thank you for all you do for us!
Great ideas Brickey. I think zootopia would be amazing. They could retheme monsters Inc to a zootopia ride if they wanted to include it in the land. Could the monorail be raised higher? After crossing the bridge it gains elevation and goes over the buildings on Hollywood blvd, wraps around the hyperion and then turns onto Harbor to take you to the 3rd gate!
Zootopia is EXACTLY what I was thinking of!! Although why don’t you think the monorail can go south? The bus route would no longer be used, and I am not even sure if the drop off could stay there after the changes, so plenty of room to work with back there as I see it.
Very interesting thought process and well laid out explanations of potential growth. Having just watched Marvel timeline and origin movies that i haven't watched and still feel that the Avengers campus can be more immersive than it is, having the expansion of the Marvel universe and expanding the Avenger campus can be a huge area ie Galaxy Edge to include more characters and feeling of being apart of their world.
The tunnel option seems to be the best and cheapest option. It wouldn't require a retrack of a section of the monorail and could potentially give a sneak peak behind the magic of the future land similar to the Peoplemover.
I really appreciate these breakdowns what could be arriving to the parks after the exciting news of approval from the city! It certainly will be a challenge to arrange these future new lands and the monorail. I would be so stoked for a Zootopia land!
Hey Brickey! I’m one that is thrilled about Avatar as I loved visiting it in Animal Kingdom. It was so great. Of the two other ideas, I’d much rather see zootopia as it’s a perfect fit and DCA could use a little more whimsey.
if they need to, i could see the monorail going inside a covered tube, then avatar land could have branches or whatever coming out of the tube, it can be disguised. have it pass through a building, anything to cover it up
How about instead of extending the backlot area north, they extend Tomorrowland south. Redoing Space Mountain to the new one they are making overseas and add in a (hopeful longer) version of Tron Lightcycle Run would be a great much needed update to Tomorrowland and wouldn't clash with the monorail. The currrnt bus drop off point would be perfect for roller coasters because they are dead center between the two parks so it would not effect noise concerns with surrounding residents.
Tomorrowland is essentially a dead concept. If anything, Disney will likely shrink it eventually (i.e. by replacing the Subs/Autopia area with Fantasyland expansion). They've tried and and tried to make "Tomorrow" a viable long-term theme, and they haven't succeeded. Beyond that, there's no profitable IP that ties into it, which makes the idea dead on arrival. Why would Disney invest in that when they could keep catering to the hordes of people eager to spend money on Disney princesses, Marvel, Star Wars, etc?
that would make for a huge zootopia area. The one in Shanghai is less than 5 acres. I believe this property if expanded to the shuttle area land is closer to 10. If they did a zootopia in this area it would be great if they expanded the idea by adding another biome to the land. Preferably the rainforest area which could be placed further away from Hollywood street.
Cool, missed this excellent episode… all those make sense, though I don’t love any of those IPs. … in Any event, all of those can back-up nicely into a reimagined/ even integrated(?) Tomorrowland. I love the thought of tying the parks together; And not wasting the space between. Pix-Marvel-morro-land that whole side. All fun speculations, but I keep seeing that DisneylandForward artwork (saying nothing remotely concrete), clearly showing no more Monorail Station in DTD. What could that mean?
I really like the idea of putting Zootopia in the Backlot area (although I would prefer it to be rethemed to the Muppets). My one hesitation is that it looks really tall, and I worry about the visual impact on the Esplanade. It would be weird to be in the Esplanade and see the Zootopia cityscape. The same problem applies to Avatar and Wakanda. Anything they might build in the transportation zone runs the risk of permanently changing the whole "inside the berm, outside the berm" feeling of leaving the world of today and entering the world created by Disney.
Something to consider is that monorails cost tens (maybe 25?) of millions of dollars per mile to build (5000/foot?). Realigning a monorail line means tearing down a monorail line and rebuilding it, which will be very expensive.
I agree, zootopia would make more sense than figuring out cohesive sight lines for avatar. Though, zootopia doesn't hit the American taste as much as the Asian markets. I would think elemtal would fit just as well as zootopia, but would also become timeless. Not because of the IP but because of the design. Cars land is a great example that you don't have to appreciate the IP to appreciate the land
The 2nd version of Westcot showed the monorail heading South towatds Katella and go around to the 2 hotels. Tokyo Disney Resort has a monorail that surrounds the Disney bubble and is low enough to go behind the Steam Ship in the American Waterfront. If the monorail is chosen as the future for the DLR then it will serve the new Eastern parking garage, the Toy Story lot (expansion) and run on the perimeter road on the South side of DCA. The Hyperion Theater is in no danger as there is a road behind it.
I vote for either Zootopia or Avengers Campus expansion for the Hollywood area, there are so many possibilities for what they could do for more attractions, plus with how popular X-Men is I would LOVE an X-Men presence.
Due to the monorail requiring a maximum turn radius that is not much less than what is already here, Disney will not try to edit it inside DCA. Here is another option, albiet not cost effective. They remove the monorail from going through DCA and route it around the outside of DCA. It goes down next to Harbor Blvd, cuts across the backlot area of RSR, makes a right turn up Disneyland Drive cutting right in front of the Pixar Hotel and then connects with the track right before the station. This would free all the land in Hollywoodland and allow Disney to create whatever they want there. The Buena Vista bridge becomes a land fixture due to the rail being removed. also, the edit zone that was shown in this video is dependant on the revival of the bridge/security entrance over Harbor Blvd that was shot down by Anaheim and the neighboring hotels. Otherwise, you will have an enormous traffic jam of everybody coming into the parks from Harbor Blvd
Wakanda would make sense, but so would genosha from the X-men comic. Both are more futuristic urban environments that would fit with the connection into avengers campus.
What do you mean a 3rd e ticket for avengers campus. They don't any any "inside" the campus. Guardians is not inside the land and spiderman is a c ticket at best.
What if they hide the monorail by having it go through an attraction? Like how the rail road has a sneak peak into Tiana’s? One way glass would prevent it spoiling the avatar ride.
Monsters Inc could even be added to Tomorrowland. It's already at MK Tomorrowland. They could also do a park to park gate between Tomorrowland and Hollywood for Park Hoppers only.
Zootopia! I think Pandora is going in the "new Land" I like your reasoning for wakonda. I think it's very thought out. However, they have already built Zootopia plans exist already for that land. My Reasoning for this is, (other then Wakonda) Everything that has been teased or talked about so far already exists somewhere in the world. But that's just me :)
You’re thinking to small. As the monorail approaches the new land it connects to a led screen, hologram sheet cover that makes it look like a long banshee. Then as it leaves it detaches and resets. Is it doable? Yes. Will it take the full $60bil investment? Also yes.
Some interesting perspectives. I for one would like to see monsters stay so zootopia makes sense The problem is where does avatar fit in dca? Would Disney have to gull to retheme grizzly river run and soaring. I hope not. That’s my favorite part of all of dca
Don't have the monorail go through DCA. Problem Solved. They're going to have to change it anyway, DisneyForward and the New Park is going to take the spot of the Monorail Exit in DTD. Every Track outside of Disneyland is going to be Reworked or (In DCA case) bypassed. Yes, you won't get the AMAZING (I'm being sarcastic) look into DCA but lets face it. Was it that great in the First place? Defiantly not like Disneyland.
What if the monorail had a crazy change made pass over the bridge and the Normal rout in Hollywood but goes through the grand Californian and comes down on the left of paradise bay and passes over Pixar pier. I think it would give it a lot of energy then crosses San Fran sokyo and behind the little mermaid show building and makes its way to Disneyland forward DCA. Then to Downtown Disney and then to Disneyland park forward and reconnects with the og loop there
Hey bricky. I love your videos I think zootopia the best bet for DCA and I like your idea about Frozen land and Avatar land going on the other end of the parks for the Disney forward.
It could be a good area for a Disney Villians land as well. But Zootopia would be the logical choice. I think Disneyforward is going to be Avatar and Frozen. But I don't rule out a Lion King land.
But why does the monorail have to move? what is the reason? what is your source of inspiration for moving the monorail? My thoughts are as so: Keep the monorail, Hollywood studios is next to avengers campus and IF Wakanda is coming, why would you put it anywhere other then in Hollywood Studios. Wakanda into Avengers Campus can be an extremely seamless transition. So in my opinion if Pandora is going anywhere(if it a land and not an experience), if anywhere its not in DCA.
My pipe dream is for them to put autopia underground and build something over top of it like how magic kingdom is built. They could place tron over the top of part of it and avatar over the section nearer to its a small world.
Not sure what the Disney Co has in store for DL Forward, but I do know that the new land at DisneySea in Tokyo is so lavishly themed (as Tokyo's 2nd Disney park from 2001 in general is), it makes DCA 1.0 (also from 2001) & 2.0 come off like even more of a weak sister. So whatever is done to the NE corner of DCA, it had better be wa-aay better than what's there right now. However, the Oriental Land Co in Japan doesn't mind opening its wallet, whereas the Disney Co in the US isn't quite so generous.
Are there any timed exclusives to that Zootopia land in Shanghai Disney? I'd love it DCA as a Monster's replacement and reuse of all of that dead space. And then give all that bigger expansion space from the bus lot being used to restore Tomorrowland to it's fullest potential.
Could totally imagine a big "Judy Hop Try Everything" reveal moment AS YOU RIDE THE MONORAIL when it enters into DCA to get you hyped for that mini land too.
Is there any chance Grizzly Falls and that whole surrounding area gets repurposed for whatever they're planning for the Avatar experience? I could see them getting crazy and repurpose soaring as a fly through Pandora experience with a new movie and then an updated water ride using the existing GRR ride system if it could be expanded into a show building? Probably not enough room in the end, but dang - early entry from the California hotel would take on a whole new value at that point!
What if it wasn’t full Disney movie IP, and they just created some new stuff around something like Rock N Rollercoaster? (from WDW) No need to change the street at all, and the monorail doesn’t need an edit either. I hope it’s not Pandora or Wakanda. Out of the 3 mentioned I’d vote for Zootopia, but I’m not too excited about that either. *edit* Or what about the Guardians coaster from Epcot, & just continue Marvel all the way to the front gate bus area? Or Tron!! 😂
Look NO further! I've got something new that's 10x better than Avatar. It's NOT exactly based on an IP, but rather a Disney TV show that I'm working on. Is that any different?
With Disneyland forward and Disney now owning the Pixar hotel; it does not really make sense for the monorail to cut back. They could loop it around to the pier and have it connect to more things. They c9ule bring it out to s walnut.
They put new lands in virgin territory. That’s why Zootopia would be a better fit in Hollywood Pictures Backlot since the warehouse hangars can be easily retrofitted with new facades. That never used cafeteria in the back can fit the new dark ride. Monsters can remain as a resident in Zootopia.
