Delivering an extensive catalogue of mind-blowing, heart-pounding attractions, mixed equal parts with some slow-moving, whimsical delights, the Walt Disney Company have covered just every type of attraction within their theme parks, except one.
For some time now, many have wondered whether Walt Disney World, as the world-class theme park empire it is, would ever consider creating their very own intense thrill ride to ‘compete’ with those on offer in their competitor’s parks across Orlando.
Let’s take a look at whether a thrill ride may or not may not ever be a viable option for Walt Disney World…
Before we get into any discussion, it must be said that Walt Disney World most certainly already have their own subsection of ‘thrilling’ coasters. Attractions such as Cosmic Rewind, Expedition Everest or Rock ‘n Roller Coaster lead as Walt Disney World’s most intense attractions, although these come with significantly lower height requirements when compared to competitors such as Velocicoaster and the Incredible Hulk coaster. Understandable, when you consider the stark contrast in the types of experiences these attractions offer in comparison to one another.
“It is my wish to delight all members of the family, young and old, parent and child.” – Walt Disney
From the very first moments of Disneyland’s conception, Walt Disney’s goal was always clear – to create a place so filled with wonder that it has the ability to enchant anyone, from the youngest of smiles to the oldest of souls.
No doubt, Walt Disney fulfilled this wish tenfold, with the Disney parks now serving as the ultimate playground and dream destination for just about any family.
This is, therefore, where Disney’s first counterargument towards the ‘need’ for a sky-scraping, thriller coaster likely lay.
By shooting for the dead centre of the market, Disney have created an all-encompassing experience that leaves no room for boredom from any member of your party. The idea of introducing a coaster with height requirements that would see a large portion of their clientele left out would likely cause some upset, especially since they have already established themselves as the leader in the family-friendly theme park game.
Hesitations toward a trip to Universal Studios, for example, may begin with discussions in the vein of ‘the kids won’t be able to ride very much’ (although, arguably, this isn’t necessarily true). With no such discussions happening surrounding a Walt Disney World vacation, Disney’s broadened scope keeps their attendance high by leaning into the title of the most family-friendly vacation spot in the world.
So why might Disney resist the addition of a big thrill coaster?…
Of course, the addition of one big coaster wouldn’t make the park any less family friendly but it would certainly set a precedent for future attractions, as well as shift the outlook of any potential visitors.
Alternatively, one could look at Disney’s central focus on theming as another key reason.
The Walt Disney World parks invite you to step from one magical land to another, seamlessly blending these areas with almost zero visual remnants of the land you have just left.
Now, imagine the impressively high ‘top hat’ section of Universal’s Velocicoaster rising proudly above one of the Disney parks. Elements such as this, which naturally occur when crafting a thrill coaster, would pose a much trickier challenge when trying to obscure these from the view of every other land.
Factors to consider most certainly, however, at the centre of this discussion is whether Disney even feel the need to branch into more extreme coaster experiences.
Aside from these big thrills arguably not suiting their brand, Disney’s focus is consistently on innovation and state-of-the-art theming. Rides such as Flight of Passage and Rise of the Resistance take you to new, previously unimaginable worlds in the physical, posing their own unique level of thrill and amazement without hurtling you through the air on a brightly coloured coaster track.
When you’re able to create thrilling experiences such as these, without the need to shrink the pool of potential riders, why shake it up?
But, let’s play devil’s advocate for a second…
It’s hard to imagine a towering coaster dominating the skyline of any Walt Disney World park as they currently stand, but if they were planning to add a thrilling, towering coaster – Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom seem like the most viable options for where they would fit in best.
However, with upcoming expansions such as the potential villain’s land that could see Magic Kingdom get an eerie new expansion, a thrill coaster here could serve as the perfect litmus test. Plus, given the land’s expected overall darker theme, this transition into a slightly scarier coaster experience would be easier to incorporate.
Orlando is already a hub for thrill seekers…
While some have argued that the impending arrival of Universal’s Epic Universe and its seemingly impressive lineup of coasters could put pressure on Walt Disney World, this level of competition is nothing new for Disney.
Walt Disney World has long thrived in the Florida theme park environment which is dominated by thrilling coaster experiences, all thanks to parks such as Sea World and Busch Gardens, as well as Universal Orlando.
There is no doubt that Universal have certainly been creeping up on Disney in recent years and now many are curious to learn whether the opening of Epic Universe will level the playing field for these two entertainment giants.
As it stands right now, it’s fair to say Disney are capable of staying ahead of the curve without the need to disrupt the status quo. However, who is to say what the next few years will bring and whether Disney will soon feel the need to up the adrenaline levels within their parks?
Should Disney add a proper thrill ride to Walt Disney World? Let us know your thoughts by voting in our poll or by leaving us a comment below.
