This topic will continue to expand and evolve over time, just like Disneyland itself. If you have any comments or suggestions, I'm eager to hear them!
Whether you like it or not, Disneyland changes all the time, and probably more than you realize. If you're like most people, this is both good and bad. We all have things we like and would never, ever change, and others we don't like or can't believe haven't changed or gone away.
One of the examples worth mentioning is what happened to Pirates of the Caribbean when they changed it by taking away some of the supposedly politically incorrect scenes and adding the Captain Jack Sparrow stuff. While I don't have a big problem with the subtractions, the additions seemed much too commercial, like it's a "sponsored" attraction. For the record, I usually can't stand sponsored attractions because they feel like a commercial. However, I do understand that it brings in the funds to build, continue, or enhance the experience. In this particular instance, I think some improvements could happen without taking away the original charm and authenticity. I won't speculate how. The Shanghai Disneyland version seems incredible, but I don't know if giving the Anaheim version similar attributes would help or hinder. You can all dream about this on your own.
Now, then. Keeping tens of millions of people happy each time they visit, and wanting to come back again and again, well that's got to be a nightmare, and it's super expensive. Disney hires an enormous amount of incredibly creative and talented Imagineers and such, and I'm pretty darn sure they pay lots of attention to what people say in the social media and "expert guests". Since everything Disney does in the parks is terribly expensive, these changes can't just be done on a whim. Any mediocrity would likely backfire. And each time they do something monumental, then it's really hard for the next project to impress. And it really becomes harder each time to be original. There are lots of other theme parks doing some great things. But short of these attractions being simply themed or unthemed roller coasters or slow boat rides or virtual reality big-screen motion simulators or giant video games, the choices become very limited. The old-time classic stories have been exhausted, pretty much, at least ones that are family-friendly. The newer stories and space/future/weaponry themes are soon going to saturate every theme park to excess. Parades and live shows probably offer more chances for innovation and variety, but they don't usually stick around for many years unchanged, short of "Fantasmic!. And that particular show works long-term because it changes constantly throughout the 20-odd minute show, and it's really stunning. Any off-the-shelf rides just don't cut it here. They learned that lesson big-time at DCA, and even though some of those mundane rides still exist in both parks, they frankly take away from the unique Disneyland experience that nobody else comes close to matching. As much as some people want only thrill rides, they're not the right guests for Disneyland. They have lots of other options.
So here are some of the things I predict will or may happen at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in coming years:
ATTRACTIONS THAT WILL STAY PRETTY MUCH FOREVER:
The Castle. This is the ultimate symbol of the park. It won't go away unless the rest of the park goes. Heck, even if the park goes away and it becomes an office park or condos, the castle will remain as a historic monument, maybe along with the Matterhorn and Main Street, and probably the Railroad as a way to get around.
Pirates, though they may tweak it a bit, and maybe somehow make the queue a bit more interesting, but just a bit. I think they may get Fastpass, but this is all up in the air last I heard. The wait really isn't that long, so it's not critical.
Haunted Mansion, probably will remain unchanged except for the overlays they have, which I don't care about. Maybe they could allow rich sleepy overnight guests somehow. They already have dinner parties there once in a blue moon.
Railroad. This would probably still be Walt's favorite attraction if he were still with us. Everyone needs this whether they actually ride it or not. And the diorama is quite underrated, maybe even unknown to many guests.
Splash Mountain, which should stay exactly the same in my opinion. Is there any ride that can make you happier? Or happy and wet at the same time?
Big Thunder Mountain RR, which just finished refurbishment with a few tweaks. No reason to make it go away.
Matterhorn. No changes. It's just a bit rough on the bones and muscles. Fastpass is coming!
Space Mountain, which changes now and then but won't go away. They need to keep it from becoming too Star Wars-y. Or Star TREK-y.
Main Street will look this way pretty much for eternity, and the shops bring in lots of money.
Jungle Cruise. They'll tweak it a bit, but the ride will stay there. I just wish the jokesters would be better. I would encourage them to make it a more peaceful, appreciate nature kind of experience, or maybe make it darker, thought this would alienate the little ones. I could see them doing an Avatar or similar makeover in the future. Just don't take away the lush vegetation.
Peter Pan. No big changes. This ride is wildly popular, but doesn't take up a lot of space. Needs Fastpass, though.
Teacups. Not a lot of space used, but popular, nostalgic and not expensive to maintain. I could see them moving it to another area if they need to for some unknown reason.
Mr. Toad, Pinocchio/Snow White/Alice rides. I sometimes see speculation that these might close, but the most they'll do is make them different but similar stories or enhance them. They're pretty much integrated with the castle. I may be wrong. But there will be tons of resistance if they try to shut 'em down. This would be a bad move even if the rides aren't among the most popular.
Small World. This isn't going away or changing much. Even people who hate or pretend to hate the song would hate to see it go. Maybe like a friend who drives you nuts but who you would miss. The exterior alone is worth having even if the interior became a different thing.
Riverboat. This is needed for ambience, more than as an actual moving boat. Not going anywhere. Except In a big circle. Maybe they can have it as a stop for Star Wars Land.
Indiana Jones. This may eventually get re-themed, but there will be at least one more Indy movie, so I figure it'll stay mostly as is for many years, and no matter what it eventually could become, the world's greatest queue should never change substantially.
Enchanted Tiki Room. This is a great one for everyone, but especially good for those who don't ride rides. I can't see it changing. It also forces people to buy Dole Whips.
Radiator Springs Racers. This will probably never change. Nor should it.
Tower of Terror. This is changing to Masters of the Universe. Same ride, different atmosphere. I like it, but I don't. I would vote for keeping it Twilight Zone. There's a reason to go to Florida to experience the original. The way it's built, it can never be a different type of ride, just themed differently.
Soarin'. This is a good experience for almost anyone, and they need attractions like that. They could probably have several different experiences on rotation to keep you coming back.
Grizzly River Run. I can't see them being rid of this, but I could see some enhancement or re-theming down the road.
ADDITIONS
Star Wars Land is DEFINITELY happening, being built now, and should be here in 2019. This is very exciting. I must admit I'm not into the whole Star Wars thing that much, but based on the plans we see, it's gonna be full of great atmosphere, probably equal to or more impressive and immersive than the depth of any of the best lands throughout the parks. It won't be cold and austere and largely empty of rich atmosphere like I feel Tomorrowland is currently. I presume they're spending hundreds of millions on this entirely new land, the biggest land yet, and when you spend that kind of dough, you get great stuff. ON THE OTHER HAND, they could really get carried away with Star Wars taking over the parks. They pretty much will have two lands totally or somewhat dedicated to Star Wars, and they need to keep things at bay.
Marvel Land. This hasn't yet been formally announced, but it'll be coming to DCA near Tower of Guardians. It seems that it will take away part of the Hollywood area, and take up space where the existing shuttle drop-off is now, but going away.
THIRD PARK
Having a new, third park in Anaheim will likely happen someday, but probably not begin construction for at least 10 years. This will take a lot of planning and expense, obviously. The only two practical possibilities for location that come to mind are the existing Toy Story parking lot kitty - corner from DCA, and the Angels astadium, but I bet against that. I think they'll do the first one, though it will be smaller than the first two parks, and they'll need a bridge or shuttle system of some sort to connect them. Now, logic tells me that they won't create a new park until they see how Star Wars Land impacts Disneyland, and continue expanding DCA, to the point where it's near capacity. They have a ways to go on that. They sure won't do it unless the profit is there, and profit is frequently an iffy thing. The balance between ticket prices and attendance is tricky, and a part of the big picture. Theming could be all sorts of things, like Toy Story or some yet - unknown movie franchise, maybe an Epcot/Westcot thing, who knows? But they won't have much room to pack a lot in, so it needs to be carefully planned. Since they're building a shiny new parking garage in the vicinity just to the north and behind all the motels, that just might be a hint that something big will be coming. Lots of why they might or might not do this depends on profits from movies and Shanghai and Paris Disneyland parks, and the questionable future of TV interests. Anyway, don't hold your breath.
CHANGES
Tomorrowland. Well, I've never been that crazy about it, and plenty of people think it's just never reached its potential. Some of what's there just doesn't impress. They really need to get rid of the Innoventions/America Sings building once and for all. I gather that most of the really intense Disney guests don't have much fondness for this building, no matter what they do with it at each re-working, and scratch their heads about why it's taking up valuable space. So I would say that assuming Disney finds the money (and at the size Disney is now, they should be able to fund this), this circular building should be going away or becoming a major attraction within the next 10 years. Much of the rest of Tomorrowland will be reworked almost as a given. These little touch-ups that keep happening won't cut it much longer.
Autopia. I don't know how popular this attraction is, how much capacity it has, or how much nostalgia it holds. But it takes up tons of space, which has to be on the minds of the Imagineers. It may be tremendously exciting to little kids that want to drive, and it really is important for the little ones to have their say without the balance of the parks being too much about teens, adults, and old folk. Toon Town is ok, I guess, but for kids between, say, 8 and 12, Autopia is probably more fun than I can imagine. So my prediction is that it will stay for another 8 to 10 years or more and be evaluated from time to time. I can imagine they might take some of the size down as they'll probably build something next to or merging into Autopia.
Mr. Lincoln. I've heard thoughts about making this the same kind of attraction but with Walt Disney instead of Lincoln. I'd like that. They could also have it double as a theater for movie premieres. That would be great, and would keep lots of people out of the crowds for a couple hours. And what a way to sell popcorn.
Star Tours. Terribly popular, but with Star Wars taking over, maybe in a few years this needs to become an INCREDIBLES or Ironman, or some other take-your-pick attraction.
Tom Sawyer Island. I don't know how many people it can hold, but if they can divert some crowded areas over here with some magic, that would be win-win.
MAYBE GOING AWAY
Storybook Land. As much as I love this attraction, it's probably not popular enough. It's one of the most unique attractions at any park around the world, so I figure if it leaves there will be a huge sense of regret. Luckily, they could save everything and build it again pretty easily. Too bad more people don't appreciate the natural stuff in this context. And the lurks buildings are so fun.
Winnie the Pooh. I don't know if they need this for the little ones, but it's a ride the young and old can enjoy. Teenagers probably hate it. Just doesn't get lots of attention. They could do more with it I think.
Astro Orbiter. This off the shelf ride just seems like an easy-out or even worse, an embarassment. It doesn't take up much space, but really takes away from the concept of a potentially impressive entrance to Tomorrowland. You can ride things like this at almost any carnival.
People Mover. This track will lowly go away unless they figure out how to use it in a good way. But it's probably not safe enough as it is and would need to be rebuilt.
WISHES
I wish the Monorail would go 200 miles an hour, but never will. Darn.
I wish the castle weren't pink. Other colors would be more better.
I wish there was more stuff to do in Toon Town.
I wish there were more vegetarian options in both parks. But it's better than Florida, and much better than almost any other theme park in the world.
Send me suggestions!
