Subsonic Radio

While partaking in what has become my weekly ritual of sitting around in my pyjamas until well after noon I did some web searching to explore the cost of taking the family to Colonial Williamsburg either during Spring Break or over the summer. Anyway, it hit me... wouldn't a fifth park based on history be something Disney could really do right? Think about it, the different "lands" or areas could be different periods or categories of history. It was the idea that I came up with when we were driving from Orlando to Cocoa Beach.

And because it's Disney, no one would mind much if they left out things like torture for heresy, black plague, and the guillotine.

I believe this idea came up years ago and was readily shot down by locals and historians. But the idea that sprang up was about creating some kind of History Theme Park near the Bull Run battlefield. I dunno. I personally don't think Disney should ever touch on things like World/American history (besides the already existing attractions). I feel like they would butcher it just like the History Channel.

TikiTikiRoom wrote:I believe this idea came up years ago and was readily shot down by locals and historians. But the idea that sprang up was about creating some kind of History Theme Park near the Bull Run battlefield. I dunno. I personally don't think Disney should ever touch on things like World/American history (besides the already existing attractions). I feel like they would butcher it just like the History Channel.

A history park near Bull Run would be too close to Williamsburg to be profitable, I think.

I think it might be a hard sell, even for Disney. Probably not enough people interested in history to make it profitable...

History is a really touchy one too since a lot of the accounts are slanted to one side or the other, plus having to whitewash various elements. The main reason they probably don't build another full park is simply that they are possibly at the upper limit for, given the activites provided, the duration the average guest is willing to stay. I would also imagine that they do not get the same amount of repeat customers that DLR gets since more of their guests have to make a major trip, stay in a hotel, eat out, etc.

Hah I wonder if our friends from the UK ever visit Colonial Williamsburg, and if so, what their take is on it. Seeing as you mentioned the varying viewpoints.

"See, things were good before you screwed it all up"

I think a Holiday park would be neat. A special different area for Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Valentine, July 4th.

Goofyfan wrote:I think a Holiday park would be neat. A special different area for Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Valentine, July 4th.

And Hannukah, Ramadan (sp?), Dia De Los Muertos and other such holidays (can't forget those other religions and cultures!)

Sorry to say, but that will never happen. Disney is smart enough to realize that history is no place for them to be profitable.

As for a fifth gate in general... There was a ton of talk about different ideas a couple of years ago. I remember hearing things like Night Kingdom, a Pixar park, a thrill ride park etc. However, nothing will happen so long as there is work to be done in the 4 current parks. Just think MK got the fantasyland expansion that still has parts being built, AK is getting Avatar land (yuck) to keep things busy until 2015, EPCOT is in dire need of work, and DHS is probably also due for something as a present for the park's 25th in 2014.

Len90 wrote:Sorry to say, but that will never happen. Disney is smart enough to realize that history is no place for them to be profitable.

As for a fifth gate in general... There was a ton of talk about different ideas a couple of years ago. I remember hearing things like Night Kingdom, a Pixar park, a thrill ride park etc. However, nothing will happen so long as there is work to be done in the 4 current parks. Just think MK got the fantasyland expansion that still has parts being built, AK is getting Avatar land (yuck) to keep things busy until 2015, EPCOT is in dire need of work, and DHS is probably also due for something as a present for the park's 25th in 2014.

They're going with AVATAR Land.....friggin avatar land even though they could have stuck with the ORIGINAL plan of adding "Beastly Kingdom" into the mix. Man. That literally just makes me angry. Beastly Kingdom would have been so rad....i mean...there's a dragon STILL pictured in the AK logo.

Len90 wrote:Sorry to say, but that will never happen. Disney is smart enough to realize that history is no place for them to be profitable.

As for a fifth gate in general... There was a ton of talk about different ideas a couple of years ago. I remember hearing things like Night Kingdom, a Pixar park, a thrill ride park etc. However, nothing will happen so long as there is work to be done in the 4 current parks. Just think MK got the fantasyland expansion that still has parts being built, AK is getting Avatar land (yuck) to keep things busy until 2015, EPCOT is in dire need of work, and DHS is probably also due for something as a present for the park's 25th in 2014.

I'd be happy if they just made the Backlot Tour current again, and not completely lame!

cousininmiami wrote:

Len90 wrote:Sorry to say, but that will never happen. Disney is smart enough to realize that history is no place for them to be profitable.

As for a fifth gate in general... There was a ton of talk about different ideas a couple of years ago. I remember hearing things like Night Kingdom, a Pixar park, a thrill ride park etc. However, nothing will happen so long as there is work to be done in the 4 current parks. Just think MK got the fantasyland expansion that still has parts being built, AK is getting Avatar land (yuck) to keep things busy until 2015, EPCOT is in dire need of work, and DHS is probably also due for something as a present for the park's 25th in 2014.

I'd be happy if they just made the Backlot Tour current again, and not completely lame!

Agreed, same with The Great Movie Ride, some movies in there are classics, but a lot of them could use some updating and add in a few more contemporary films.

GoldenBear wrote:

cousininmiami wrote:

Len90 wrote:Sorry to say, but that will never happen. Disney is smart enough to realize that history is no place for them to be profitable.

As for a fifth gate in general... There was a ton of talk about different ideas a couple of years ago. I remember hearing things like Night Kingdom, a Pixar park, a thrill ride park etc. However, nothing will happen so long as there is work to be done in the 4 current parks. Just think MK got the fantasyland expansion that still has parts being built, AK is getting Avatar land (yuck) to keep things busy until 2015, EPCOT is in dire need of work, and DHS is probably also due for something as a present for the park's 25th in 2014.

I'd be happy if they just made the Backlot Tour current again, and not completely lame!

Agreed, same with The Great Movie Ride, some movies in there are classics, but a lot of them could use some updating and add in a few more contemporary films.

From your lips to the TDO mouse-ears ~ hint, hint!

cy1229 wrote:While partaking in what has become my weekly ritual of sitting around in my pyjamas until well after noon I did some web searching to explore the cost of taking the family to Colonial Williamsburg either during Spring Break or over the summer. Anyway, it hit me... wouldn't a fifth park based on history be something Disney could really do right? Think about it, the different "lands" or areas could be different periods or categories of history. It was the idea that I came up with when we were driving from Orlando to Cocoa Beach.

And because it's Disney, no one would mind much if they left out things like torture for heresy, black plague, and the guillotine.

I would LOVE to see something like this! I just saw a piece on 60 min. recently about how historically illiterate college students are these days, I was really shocked how little they know, and I'm not a historian by any means. I think if anyone could make history fun and interactive Disney could, and I find myself getting more interested in this stuff the older I get