Tomorrowland Overhaul?

[km2435]

yeah, i kinda like the idea of yesterday's tomorrowland. Kinda like a throwback. It'd be interesting to see what they do with it, however, it's in dire need of a makeover.

[Alex_Toto_Disneyland]

BRING TOMORROWLAND AS IT WAS IN THE 60's, I mean the White buildings, Peoplemovers, and Adventure Thru Inner Space (i think..)

[tomserwin]

^ You mean have a Tomorrowland of the past? To be seen as a vision of the future fourty years ago?

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Tomorrowland is about imagining the POSSIBILITIES of the future. And the possibilities of the future today are very much what they were 40 years ago.

True things like the internet and cell phones are commonplace now, but what about space exploration? We haven't ventured outside Earth orbit in a manned space flight since the early 70s.

What about cleaner burning fuels and advanced-design cars? They dreamed of that back in the days of gas shortages, rationing, and A & B days. I don't see how the dream is any different today.

Consider robotics and the furthering of the idea of 'progress' - where automated machines further take over the work in the home. We still are ever looking for ways this can be done.

What's really different is that we've lost that hopeful optomism about the future that they had 30-40 years ago. I certainly think that in order to regain that hopeful optomism, that era needs to be looked at and some of the hopes that have gone away be brought back. Not a bad idea at all to look to the past in order to find a direction for the future.

-- PMM

[tomserwin]

^ I suppose. But now-a-days all people really care about is feeling good for themselves by thinking they are helping the enviorment by not helping the enviorment. The focus on technology today is not about space travel or rockets. People want cars that run on water as long as it doesn't effect them in any way. No one has "that hopeful optomism" because new technology is about military advancement. Last time that I checked, Tomorrowland was about a peaceful future. It's hard to imagine a peaceful future that's going to turn out well for mankind when mankind is devoted to destruction.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

You think mankind is devoted to destruction now? What do you think 40 years ago was like with the recent WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Cuban Missle Crisis, Cold War etc etc etc. And they still managed to have a hopeful vision of the future...

-- PMM

[tomserwin]

No, I think mankind has been devoted to destruction since it's beginning. However, I think that matters have been a lot worse since WWI. Personally, I don't see how we are any more or any less hopeful now as we were then. I think that Walt's vision of the future was positive in his parks, but in the real world we were just as cynical as we are now.

[scorchy96]

I think one of the challenges in creating a futuristic Tomorrowland is that a lot of current scientific achievements are in the biotech/medical realm and are quite controversial, cloning and stem cell research being particularly prominent. Although I think it would be really wonderful to show the doors which could be opened through such research, I know they are still such "hot button" topics that I would imagine they would spark a great deal of debate amongst guests.

With that being said, another really cool option would be using solar panels as theming within the area and showcasing new energy and fuel technology that will better our environment. If Tomorrowland is going into the future, the environment is the best area of science to focus on.

[tomserwin]

How about the latest science of agriculture? I know that's not exciting but it could spice up Tomorrowland a little bit with some variety, even education.

[km2435]

Yeah, maybe do a replica of that ride in Epcot, Living with the Land. It was educational, and interesting at the same time!

[ryguy222]

Why would you put educational stuff in there? Epcot was mainly that kind of stuff, and people didn't like it. The attendance was a lot lower then it is today. Thank goodness we have history.

[Curly06]

I still want my rumored Mission:Space clone where Innoventions is!

[elisokool16]

I know it seems like nothing is going right in America right now, especially with the war, so it is hard to become optimisitc in a time where global warming and a quagmire war dominate the news. However, you have to look at the 1950's and 1960's. Walt Disney didn't just create Disneyland as a place for children and adults to see 2d stories transcend into a tangible environment, Walt wanted to create an escapist environment for people who had bad childhoods that spanned two world wards, the great depression , the holocaust, and the Korean conflict. America has never been perfect, but Walt saw an opportunity in providing an escapist solace for the growing American family. Do not underestimate the effect that Disneyland has had on the past half century American social history.

If anything, Disney's influence in the world has vastly grown since the 1950's, which is a good thing if Imagineers are looking to provide actual predictions or demonstrations of future material. Disney is perfectly capable of providing an actual tomorrowland that isn't meant to be merely charming or whimsical. However, had Disney been committed to providing a World Fair's type look into the future technologies that society will offer, these intentions would have been evident at EPCOT. Unfortunately, today EPCOT lacks the purpose it originally sought to have. Because EPCOT does not fulfill its purpose of providing what all of you are asking for, it is sadly unlikely that Tomorrowland will seek a greater purpose in years to come. Despite my great faith in the capabilities of Imagineers, it is ultimately Corporate Disney that decides the parks' directions, and as of now, Disney is an entertainment company, not one that is trying to change the world.

I hope I explained this well!

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Originally Posted by elisokool16

I know it seems like nothing is going right in America right now, especially with the war, so it is hard to become optimisitc in a time where global warming and a quagmire war dominate the news.

In a word - propaganda. No news broadcast anywhere is without motive and policy biase anymore.

-- PMM

[scorchy96]

Originally Posted by elisokool16

I know it seems like nothing is going right in America right now, especially with the war, so it is hard to become optimisitc in a time where global warming and a quagmire war dominate the news. However, you have to look at the 1950's and 1960's. Walt Disney didn't just create Disneyland as a place for children and adults to see 2d stories transcend into a tangible environment, Walt wanted to create an escapist environment for people who had bad childhoods that spanned two world wards, the great depression , the holocaust, and the Korean conflict. America has never been perfect, but Walt saw an opportunity in providing an escapist solace for the growing American family. Do not underestimate the effect that Disneyland has had on the past half century American social history.

Just to put some perspective on your response - Disneyland was built and operated during the Cold War. A great deal of the attractions in Tomorrowland were products of the politics of the time, such as the space race with the USSR, nuclear technology, and even the appearance of the subs, which looked like ones that may have been used by the military. If anything, I think America was under as much strain as it is today - between the Cold War with the USSR and Cuba and the Civil Rights Movement, we had a great deal on our plate.