The Parks

[Daikun]

Okay, so this has been making the rounds for a while, but it's starting to look like the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will be rethemed to be a Guardians Tower, at least in California.

I love GOTG as much as most people. It's one of the best super hero movies ever, and it's a treat from start to finish. And the comics run that the film is based off of is equally great.

This is one of the worst ideas ever.

That's a shame. I really like The Twilight Zone and didn't like GotG myself. I'm guessing they're changing it up so they don't have to pay CBS for the rights to the name.

Yeah, I don't like this idea, either, but I get why Disney is doing it.

[Avaitor]

I understand it, too, but it's still not a good move. The Tower of Terror is one of their richest concepts and greatest experiences. There are plenty of different ways to bring the Guardians into the park, and the licensing fees for CBS can't be that big.

This can happen in Orlando, even if they're not confirming it yet, btw. Under Universal's deal with Marvel, any characters that are a part of their area, Disney can't use in the east coast. Since there's no signs of the Guardians anywhere on Universal property, they are fair game. But the Tower has a more important history (and is more popular) in Hollywood Studios, and it might also be getting a bar, which might make this a west coast-exclusive.

[Avaitor]

It's official. Sigh.

Well, it's not happening in Orlando yet, at least. From what I understand, they're afraid of Hollywood Studios losing attendance with all of the changes, so they're trying to avoid closing as many big attractions as possible, so we're keeping our Tower, as well as Rock n' Roller Coaster (whose overhaul would have made more sense, IMO) for now.

Instead, the word around town is that they might take out Ellen's Energy Adventure at Epcot for a Guardians ride, complete with a new track. I would be less sad about losing that, but I'm not crazy about the idea of Epcot becoming increasingly IP heavy. Besides, I'd much rather see an update for that ride, with Ellen and Bill Nye commenting on what's been proven different for fossil fuels since it came out in the 90's.

[Daikun]

So this is happening.

[Daikun]

Tony Goldmark provides updates on Star Wars Land.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK-S4ese2dU

It looks pretty sweet!

[Daikun]

An Avengers ride might be coming to DCA.

[Avaitor]

Yep, the plan is for the Tower area to become a Marvel land. Universal's contract with Marvel prevents Disney from doing anything with most of their characters on the east coast, but the west is fine. And Guardians is also fair game here, since they weren't a part of Universal's contract. Same with Big Hero 6 and Doctor Strange, among some other less popular characters.

Oh, I got to do a preview of the Pandora stuff at Animal Kingdom a week or two ago. It was pretty cool, but I feel like I didn't get the full effect since I went at day time. But Flights of Passage is an awesome ride and makes you feel like you're in this big world. I do think it's a tight fit though. One of Universal's biggest problems that Disney hasn't shared in the past is that a lot of their rides are not meant for plus-sized guests, but this seems like that could be a similar problem. The river ride is just okay.

[Daikun]

Epcot is getting a major overhaul.

[Avaitor]

I just skimmed through this one, but I've heard of a lot of these rumors. The Ratatouille ride seems like the most likely case, especially with recent permits hinting towards that. Most of them sound like good ideas, although I don't think the Guardians are the best fit for Epcot- but better them replacing Ellen than us losing TOT.

[Daikun]

DCA is getting an Incredibles rollercoaster.

[Daikun]

Toy Story Land opens June 30.

Well, that's pretty sudden.

[Avaitor]

Not really, the speculation date was in like April.

[Daikun]

What the fuck?

[Daikun]

TWDC is planning to finish Walt's original vision for Epcot.

[Avaitor]

Blah.