At D23, when it comes to the theme parks, the Disney suits promise one incredible experience after another. Sometimes they deliver. Many times, projects are cancelled, and even sometimes, projects are a bust. Imagineering may come up with incredible ideas but they are often budgeted to death. California Adventure 1.0, Hong Kong Disneyland at opening, or Walt Disney Studios Paris come to mind? Maybe you're still stinging a bit like I am over the "new" Epcot.
Now, they're ready to take on Disney's Animal Kingdom with new attractions. Sure, it's sad they gave up on dinosaurs and Countdown to Extinction aka Dinosaur. But who came blame them? Universal owns Jurassic Park / Jurassic World and they own dinosaurs just like Disney owns mermaids.
Which all brings us to Tropical Americas. I'm not too trusting that the suits will do Encanto justice. This isn't Tokyo Disney Resort and the Oriental Land Company. What should certainly be a ride on the scale of Haunted Mansion may end up being another Ariel's Undersea Adventure. Yet, with Epic Universe on the way- the one everyone is excited about and for good reason- it is an encouraging sign that Imagineer Joe Rhode has been brought back into the fold to map this expansion out. And then there's Indiana Jones.
Now, this is something I am excited about! A brand new story that isn't Disneyland's original or Tokyo Disneysea's next chapter. Perhaps this new adventure will feature new effects previously unforeseen in the States. Thinking specifically here of Jack Sparrow's first appearance in Shanghai Disneyland's incredible Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure or Mystic Manor's artifact transformation when that magical little music box is opened.
They'd better get it right this time. Most of Epcot's revisioning fell flat, and Disney's Hollywood Studios needs more help than what's planned. if they want to counteract the Universal problem. Indiana could be just what the doctor or should I say professor ordered. I'm hoping it is!
