[Fun] Move Critter Country

[Jspider]

Haven't posted on the Disneyland section of these boards in an eternity.

Anywho I've been sitting around toying with a dream idea and I gotta say if I somehow had to do a miraculous change for Disneyland it'd be to completely tear down Critter Country and rebuild its attractions elsewhere in the park.

I've always been a bit jealous of the placement of Tokyo's Critter Country as it is essentially a land between Frontierland and Fantasyland if I'm not mistaken. Likewise at WDW I alway thought Splash Mountain was a nice counterbalance to Big Thunder Mountain.

Our current Critter country is riddled with development issues not seen when it was first built. The location is a dead end which causes odd traffic flows and bottlenecks from time to time. This is of course one of the major reasons for Pooh's general lack of traffic.

Splash Mountain itself doesn't really seem to have the capacity to meet with the demand for it most days (especially in summer). Fastpass does odd things to the rides capacity too and the ride isn't really in an easy location to return to since you have to go to a far corner of the park to get the fastpass and then return back to it later to actually use it.


I think Disney should build a new Splash Mountain on the edge of the river near the current petting zoo area, this would allow the attraction to feature WDW style seating along with a much more effecient Fastpass merge system. They could also include the animatronic Owl in the queue that Tokyo has. Most of the scenery and animatronics could be saved and moved over so that our Splash still has its own unique spice to it, though they could add the toad on the first lif that WDW has if they wanted. Rebuilding the ride could also allow them to outfit all the logs with RFID tags so that they could properly sync photos with the logs again.

Pooh could also benefit from this move. Either the attraction could greatly benefit as is from the new location simply for being near its other fantasyland breathern or it could be a great chance to finally build the Tokyo version of the ride. This way you really do get a nice easy gradient from Frontierland into Fantasyland using Critter Country as a midstep.



In such a dream world after this was all complete they could close down the Haunted Mansion and rebuild it large enough to feature the longer corridor of doors, music room and stairway effect from WDW. This way they could move the piano effect into the music room and declutter the attic enough to include the Hatbox ghost. Though I'd like to still keep little Leota on the speedramp exit rather then being part of the ride like it is in WDW. Then without Critter Country the ride can sit more proudly and maybe have a small cemetery exit out of the crypts and a gift shop that could sell photos with the hitch-hikers along with giving a permanent location for both Mansion and Nightmare merchandise. (the rest of the original Critter Country could become backstage.



Of course that's just me and my crazy dream of having my favourite best of everything all in one location. What to you guys think? Anyone else have any extreme makeover dreams?

[dead_Mau5]

Re: Move Critter Country

In such a dream world after this was all complete they could close down the Haunted Mansion and rebuild it large enough to feature the longer corridor of doors, music room and stairway effect from WDW. This way they could move the piano effect into the music room and declutter the attic enough to include the Hatbox ghost. Though I'd like to still keep little Leota on the speedramp exit rather then being part of the ride like it is in WDW. Then without Critter Country the ride can sit more proudly and maybe have a small cemetery exit out of the crypts and a gift shop that could sell photos with the hitch-hikers along with giving a permanent location for both Mansion and Nightmare merchandise. (the rest of the original Critter Country could become backstage.

Really doubt that to happen, HM isn't moving for minor add-ons.
It still sounds brilliant though.

[Bob Weaver]

Re: Move Critter Country

They need an exit-only gate from Critter Country, with a walkway/moving sidewalk to the Mickey & Friends parking structure. Critter Country and the M&F structure are not that far apart. This would help especially after Fantasmic shows ended, so that large crowds would not have to go back through Main Street and wait for trams - they could take a short walk to the M&F structure. The walkway could either be elevated or underground, with souvenir shops along the way.

I like the idea of expanding the Haunted Mansion and I think it would be an ideal candidate for the trackless ride system used in Pooh's Hunny Hunt in Tokyo. The original attic scene with the pop-up ghouls was excellent. I'd also like to see them take pictures of the guests during a lightning flash and have the software extract the faces, then project them onto ghouls that the guests pass by later on.

[mrfantasmic]

Re: Move Critter Country

The logs already have RFID tags.

[junglecskipper]

Re: Move Critter Country

no

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Re: Move Critter Country

This is the silliest idea I've ever heard proposed.

Tell you what. Get your parents to tear down their house and build another one in the back yard. So you can be set back further from the street. And have more room to play ball.

Then we'll move on to this slightly more expensive proposition.

[Mr. Potato Head]

Re: Move Critter Country

As great as it sounds, I highly doubt they'll rebuild another Splash mountain AND HM just for traffic flow. That's pretty much a waste of money that could be used elsewhere (Ahem tomorrowland) Sounds kind of ridiculous. More realistically, like it's been said, make a one way exit to M&F.

[Karalora]

Re: Move Critter Country

In the Frontierland thread from the other day I proposed an idea that would double as a traffic relief valve for Critter Country: turn a strip of the RoA bank between the railroad tracks and waterline into a hiking trail, with one end near the Hungry Bear and the other somewhere along Big Thunder Trail.

[Werner]

Re: Move Critter Country

I love this "dream makeover"! Yes, of course, it's not realistic, and of course it's not going to happen -- but IF it could be done (this is a dream after all) then YES it makes wonderful sense. Critter Country would be a nice transition from Fantasyland to Frontierland (although I'd argue that Big Thunder already does a pretty good job with its "fantastic" rock formations; I seem to remember a National Geographic article comparing Bryce Canyon -- Thunder's inspiration -- to a "fairyland created by Walt Disney" or something like that). I love the idea of expanding the HM and creating the bigger graveyard and especially the shops with Mansion-specific Merchandise (why they don't already have a bunch of it is beyond me...I'm sure there is a substantial market of fans like me). Anyway, neat ideas!

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Re: Move Critter Country

In the Frontierland thread from the other day I proposed an idea that would double as a traffic relief valve for Critter Country: turn a strip of the RoA bank between the railroad tracks and waterline into a hiking trail, with one end near the Hungry Bear and the other somewhere along Big Thunder Trail.

This is more practical. Or, build a new land beyond the berm from Critter Country to the Ranch.

[HiddenMickeyBook]

Re: Move Critter Country

Even though I don't use that parking structure, it would be a great idea to have an exit there. The only times I have seen it congested back there is when Winnie the Pooh and Tigger and friends are all out for autograph and photo ops.

A hiking trail through the Wilderness is a good idea as well. Of course there is the danger when the train passes by... it would have to be fenced off. hmmm, might need to rethink the 'where' of it.

I am not a fan of the Pooh ride, but I go on it just to amuse the grands and to see Buff, Melvin, and Buck.

A photo op inside Mansion would be a good idea also. Where would you put the purchase booth? There is no room at the ride exit - Splash Mountain is in the way. Is there room back towards the train station? Do you think people would go over there after exiting to look for their picture?

[Guest]

Re: Move Critter Country

I don't see why people are attacking this poor kids idea! I think that the logic behind critter country being moved to the BTR area is pretty good! Pooh as many people think would be much better suited in this area because it would be where many people want it, closer to the dark rides of Fantasyland. They could put a dual flume Splash mountain in to double the capacity, and aside from that there is nothing else holding this from happening.

Eventually, Splash will need a major overhaul and although not 100% feasible, if Disney really wanted to do something about the lines while opening up an area for large scale development, this would indeed be a good idea.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Re: Move Critter Country

Even if we could all lift the show building on our shoulders and set it down over there, I think it's better to have Splash and Thunder on opposite sides of the water, you think it's too congested now? Putting both e tickets together would be worse. So it's not a good idea. Sorry. I like J Spider, actually he usually has some very good ideas but I really don't think this is one of them.

[BoygunaSurf]

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Re: Move Critter Country

:lmao: Ha!

[villagecreator]

Re: Move Critter Country

The location is a dead end which causes odd traffic flows and bottlenecks from time to time. This is of course one of the major reasons for Pooh's general lack of traffic.

That could also be explained by the fact that it is a poor excuse for a watered-down version of the attraction seen overseas. (And some bitter people(me) refuse to ride it because that would be admitting that the bears were really evicted...lol)

[DLFreak71]

Re: Move Critter Country

This is more practical. Or, build a new land beyond the berm from Critter Country to the Ranch.

To me a more practical idea is tear down Toon Town

[oo_nrb]

Re: Move Critter Country

To me a more practical idea is tear down Toon Town

I think Toon Town could be cut in half and still serve its purpose well enough. Leave Roger Rabbit, move the western wall inwards, relocate the character houses to across the street from the attraction, and if needed Gadget's Go Coaster could be rebuilt next to Roger Rabbit. After that, half of the previously taken up Toon Town space is reclaimed .

[Guest]

Re: Move Critter Country

Even if we could all lift the show building on our shoulders and set it down over there, I think it's better to have Splash and Thunder on opposite sides of the water, you think it's too congested now? Putting both e tickets together would be worse. So it's not a good idea. Sorry. I like J Spider, actually he usually has some very good ideas but I really don't think this is one of them.

I disagree. There would be flow to the whole thing and if the ride was dual flumed or had its capacity increased, it could handle the larger crouds. Also the line would have to be moved from the main throuroughfair and the BTMT extended.

In cc, the bottleneck forms from backflow and narrow pathways, and that wouldn't be a problem here. As a side effect, the conjestion in Adventureland would also be positively impacted.

[Jspider]

Re: Move Critter Country

Even if we could all lift the show building on our shoulders and set it down over there, I think it's better to have Splash and Thunder on opposite sides of the water, you think it's too congested now? Putting both e tickets together would be worse. So it's not a good idea. Sorry. I like J Spider, actually he usually has some very good ideas but I really don't think this is one of them.

You remember me? haha I can't let down people who like me lol. This one isn't as chewed through an idea as alot of my others usually are since I like to include more feasibility. It's cool to be remembered but scary to know I have a bar of quality to live up to haha .

Overall this one is kinda a lets just redo everything the right way type deal. The Mansion suggestions were I really leave the probability behind and just say what I really want.


I don't see how Splash near Thunder is any different then Splash near the other two Etickets its at right now. Honestly there's a huge problem with Jungle/Indy/Pirates/Mansion/Splash all sitting side by side I'd say.

It's a narrow pathway that passes people on attraction to attraction until they hit a dead end and then you essentially get traffic that feeds backwards through the area creating odd bottlenecks. As it stands Thunder Mountain trail is one of the emptiest parts of the park and yet the path is wider back there if I'm not mistaken and could handle crowds better.

It certainly is a bit weird having those two side by side, if you've ever been to WDW you know the risk. However they will both be set relatively far apart compared to the WDW setup as Splash would still have to hug the railway to fit with its traditional setup. This puts it fairly close to the back of the current petting zoo.

As it stands Thunder doesn't actually have any kind of big wait. I've never seen the line climb above 45min in the busy summer. So the line doesn't really spill out all over the place like Splash's line does (youknow backed up to Mansions Exit).

And as I was stating you wouldn't actually physically move the ride. You'd simply construct a brand new show building that has the same flume type as WDW's and you can route the new Queue to have a direct walkway in for fastpass people along with more comfortable areas for standby. Even if you didn't do something as ornate as the animatronic owl for Tokyo, the sepearated lines would make things much more comfortable for fastpass people who wouldn't have to walk as far and standby people who can have more armspace and enjoy all those signs that set the story up.

The basic pattern would be to build most of the base of the ride and finish off the exterier while opperating the origional and once the main mechanics of the new ride are done you simply ship out all the decorations and animatronics to the new ride. After all Disney's done it before .

Moving Pooh could work the same way unless Disney really wants to take the opertunity to step up and do it right. Then we've got three Etickets next to each other . Pooh could benifit by going inside the park were the main petting zoo space exists anyways. This would be a huge boom for the ride right there as it would no longer exist in one of the farthest corners of the park.


As for the origional Critter Country area. I recommend it go to being some kind of backstage area with a portion of it dedicated to patching in scenery lost on the other side of the river (along with providing more for the train). Potentially this backspace could be for the animals since that would be what most of the new Splash would cut into.

It is poor design and a huge mistake to have the park go so far back into a dead end like that and actually works against the origional wheenie idea Walt had. If Splash were in a new location it would push more people through the circle layout of the park.

This would also potentially ease up traffic in Adventureland as many people pass through it as a means to get to Splash. Instead more people would choose the lesser used Frontierland gate. Also you would have less people pushing around the RoA at night durring Fantasmic AND the Haunted Mansion would look earier standing as a dead end.

Likewise you block the origoinal dead in with a nice graveyard type setup or a gift shop. This works because New Orleans is crying for a balance between the Pirates and the Mansion/Nightmare merchandise. This allows the gothic stuff to have a more oppropriate store for it and also frees up space so maybe New Orleans can have its christmas store back.



However the reason I doubt my own proposal is we're talking new ride money for something that probably wouldn't end up being new ride level marketable. But it would make a HUGE difference in the flow of traffic for the park.

As it stands Disney still opperates most of the park as a one for one, every new thing that oppens shuts down something else. So they might as well factor it in logistically. And I admitedly don't care for the petting Zoo, I think those belong in real Zoos not theme parks. Also new rides tend to add more capacity but Disneylands capacity is pretty solid right now and they can't really squeeze too many people through Mainstreet durring the busy times so they might as well focus on service and crowd flow.



Of course all of this is purely driven on my desire to have the best everything always