Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is full of well-loved attractions. Most visitors can’t get enough of Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. Thrill-seekers find a big place in their hearts for Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and even the less-thrilling rides like the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover have a lot of devoted fans. But some of the park’s other rides seem to have overstayed their welcome and could really use a complete redo. Here are some of the attractions that could be overhauled, as well as some ideas on how to make them even better:
1. Carousel of Progress
This Tomorrowland ride, which features the song “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” hasn’t been updated in more than 20 years. And while the ride was created by Walt Disney himself for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, it could use an update for these modern times. Instead of serving as a “tribute to nostalgia” in Tomorrowland, why not have the final scene incorporate some current or even futuristic technology? It wouldn’t be too hard to update the Audio-Animatronics’ outfits and change some dialogue every few years. That would give a jolt of life to this ride, which many visitors seem to now skip.
2. Astro Orbiter
Another frequently skipped ride in Tomorrowland is this one, which is basically just a ripoff of Dumbo the Flying Elephant. But where Dumbo now has a circus-themed area where kids can play (and adults can rest) before they take flight in a pachyderm, Astro Orbiter only has a slow-moving line that leads to an incredibly short ride in a cramped vehicle. The ride’s height makes it different from Dumbo, but that’s just about the only thing that makes it exciting. Disney could decide to go the Dumbo route again by adding a second Astro Orbiter, as well as a futuristic-themed play area. Each vehicle could be programmed to move in more directions and a feature could be added where the riders could “shoot” laser beams at the other ride’s cars, kind of like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin or Hollywood Studios’ Toy Story Midway Mania. Any of these improvements might make Astro Orbiter move from the “can skip” list to the “must ride” list.
3. Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade
Since Frontierland is rumored to be expanded (much like Fantasyland was) in the next few years, this small-scale attraction might be due for an overhaul too, especially since Disney has cracked down on guns in its parks. After mass shootings were reported last year, Disney decided that toy guns — and even water squirters — couldn’t be brought in and would no longer be offered for sale on the property. So it might make sense for Disney to step away from a “shootin'” attraction, even if the guns in the game don’t actually shoot pellets or projectiles. And if guests still want a “shooting” experience, they can head over to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, where it won’t even cost them $1 for 35 shots. In place of the Shootin’ Arcade could be a more modern arcade, with video games, air hockey and Skee-Ball, like the popular arcade at the Contemporary Resort.
4. The Enchanted Tiki Room
The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room has been around for decades, and it was even renovated and updated in 1998 as The Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management. But in 2011, the show was reverted back to the original. Disney probably isn’t likely to close this attraction anytime soon, since the company has continued to update it with the latest audio, lighting and show-control technology, but it still remains a show that many visitors can easily pass by. However, if Disney wanted to attract more guests, the company might consider turning the space into a new Adventurers Club, the very popular but now-closed nightclub that was a part of Pleasure Island. The Tiki Room birds and other Audio Animatronics could mingle with guests much like the ones at the old Adventurers Club did, and wouldn’t it be much more fun to listen to their songs while enjoying a drink at the same time?
5. Tomorrowland Speedway
This ride is probably the one that looks like it’s the most fun, in terms of the cars and the track, but actually turns out to be the least fun in the Magic Kingdom. Sure, kids love having the chance to “drive” a car, but between the vehicles being difficult to steer and pedal, and that lovely gasoline and lawnmower motor smell, it’s easy for this ride to give most visitors a headache. And it’s also very easy to bump the cars in front of you, or the rail, or be bumped yourself. So how can it be improved? Make the cars electric and easier to glide down the track. This would eliminate the cars’ fumes and still put the controls in the drivers’ hands. The scenery along the course, as well as the queue area, could be updated as well (perhaps with a “Cars” theme or an even more futuristic “Meet the Robinsons” one), and some mini hills could even be added. These updates might make more visitors climb into the driver’s seats.
All of these rides are still beloved by many Disney park fans, but they each have some room for improvement. Are there any other attractions that you’d like to see overhauled? Share your ideas below!
