Over the past several decades--at least since Epcot opened in 1982--it often seems that Disney reacts to theme park trends rather than sets those trends.





I am not making this assertion as a Disney-basher, by any means. After all, I have been a proud Disney fanatic since 1972, my first visit to WDW (though I had also been watching Disney movies for years prior, as well as enjoying The Mickey Mouse Club on TV).

However, at least in Orlando, after Epcot wowed millions of park guests, Disney (a) reacted to Universal's announcement of a studio theme park by opening Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, and (b) attempted to draw Busch Gardens' crowds by opening Disney's Animal Kingdom. Arguably, even the water parks might be said to be a reaction to several water parks in the area, including Wet and Wild. Even the Fantasyland expansion now underway at the Magic Kingdom may be a reaction to the regal Harry Potter extension at Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort.

Still, I am of the opinion that even when Disney opens new venues in reaction to others, they are often superior to the original. But this idea of being reactive instead of a trendsetter--particularly if it continues--may very well erode Disney's credibility as a theme park entertainment leader.




Yet something very different is beginning to happen here in Central Florida--something that has a unique "feel" to it. Something that has the potential to impact WDW.

Let's start with this week's announcement of a bullet train connecting Tampa and Orlando, with a proposed Disney station for which WDW is donating the land. Certainly, this mode of transportation will open up opportunities for more Floridians to visit WDW--turning a 90-minute drive into a less-than-an-hour train adventure. And since you won't have to do the driving to go home, you can close down the parks without worrying about behind-the-wheel fatigue. Consequently, crowds will swell to some degree.

Several weeks ago, Merlin Entertainments announced its largest Legoland yet, to be constructed at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, less than an hour's drive from WDW. Really, Legoland Florida will be a relatively small player when compared to the behemoth known as Disney, but it does attract a major part of WDW's demographic--children ages 2-12. If the state of Florida follows the Orlando Sentinel's suggestion that the toll road located close to the slow-to-develop Flamingo Crossing at Walt Disney World be extended to shorten the trip from the Disney area to Legoland Florida, then it's even more likely that WDW guests will make a one-day trip to Winter Haven. WDW won't take such an attendance drain lying down; it can't afford to. There will have to be a Disney-magical response, though we haven't a notion what it will be--yet!




Several weeks ago, I predicted the possibility of a Marvel-inspired theme park after Disney's acquisition of that company--a park that would be more appealing to young men and teens, a difficult demographic for Disney to attract. Last week, Disney/Marvel announced "The Heroic Age" which begins in May 2010. Though we do not as yet know what "The Heroic Age" will fully entail, could it not be a test balloon of sorts to see how popular such a theme park might become? Though I may be wrong, I have a strong gut feeling that the Marvel acquisition was just as much about potential theme park development as it was about valuable motion picture properties. In fact, a Marvel-inspired park at WDW would provide an appropriate venue for another Halloween party, scheduled after hours to appeal to the same demographic as Halloween Horror Night over at Universal. Also, such a park could open later in the morning, and close late at night--always! (After all, teens usually like to stay up late, and sleep in!)





But by far the most exciting, under-the-radar development is Disney's Next-Generation initiative (Next-Gen), led by former Epcot VP Jim McPhee, a man who is greatly respected among both Disney cast members and Disney fans. Jim's budget for research and development for "next-generation" theme park technology is reportedly well over $1 billion, with a directive to make theme park experiences more personally interactive than ever before. Since R&D takes time, it is not unreasonable to believe--as Kevin Yee intimated in a recent column on MiceAge--that attractions and even a future theme park may be awaiting the results of Jim & Company's creativity.

A recent press release on The Daily Disney indicated a meet-and-greet area in the new Fantasyland that will incorporate sophisticated technologies, including those that make characters even more lifelike. I can't help but think that this announcement results from progress made by Next-Gen.

I hope that the investment Disney has made in Next-Gen research moves the Company out of reactive mode and back into pioneering mode, where it started and has always belonged.