Disney introduced {that a} new attraction primarily based on the world of Wreck-It Ralph will debut at Tomorrowland in Tokyo Disneyland throughout fiscal yr 2026 or later. This shares full particulars and idea artwork, plus intensive commentary–together with the “Walt Disney World Connection” (and there are a pair large ones) for many who don’t have plans to go to Japan.
Let’s begin with the official particulars. This new Wreck-It Ralph attraction at Tokyo Disneyland shall be an indoor interactive recreation play expertise, excellent for youngsters and adults, that shall be created by reimagining the prevailing Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters attraction. Consequently, Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters will completely shut in October 2024. A particular date has not but been introduced, however count on one other send-off occasion for that fan-favorite trip.
Wreck-It Ralph, which serves because the theme for the brand new attraction, is an arcade-game-hopping journey from Walt Disney Animation Studios. Ralph, who has performed the unhealthy man in his common online game, embarks on an action-packed journey as he units out to show to everybody that he’s a real hero with an enormous coronary heart. As he explores thrilling new worlds, he groups up with some unlikely new associates together with feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz.
Within the upcoming Wreck-It Ralph attraction, enter the candy-themed racing recreation Sugar Rush, which is being attacked by Sugar Bugs – glitches created by King Sweet. Company staff up with the beloved movie characters Ralph and Vanellope to rework the Sugar Bugs again to their authentic “kawaii” confectionery reminiscent of cookies and desserts.
Company can stay up for this new attraction at Tokyo Disneyland and immerse themselves on the planet of the candy-themed racing recreation, Sugar Rush, whereas embarking on an exhilarating journey. The Planet M present store may even shut and be rethemed (idea artwork beneath).
That is a part of a bigger-picture New Tomorrowland venture that revolves round rebuilding House Mountain (idea artwork beneath). That $437 million venture is anticipated to function placemaking along with bringing a brand-new curler coaster kind that’s by no means been utilized in any Disney park.
Sections of observe have arrived to a staging space behind Tokyo Disneyland, and one of many first sections seems to be a portion of drop observe manufactured by Intamin. Which means it would not use the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind trip system (completely different producer), and can as an alternative be one thing Imagineering has by no means performed earlier than.
Turning to commentary, that is fascinating for a number of causes. The primary is that Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters is likely one of the extra common rides at Tokyo Disneyland. The trip commonly instructions wait instances of round an hour, which is–on common–larger than Peter Pan’s Flight.
Not solely that, however Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters is on the newer facet, opening in 2004 at Tokyo Disneyland. Regardless of that, it’s higher maintained than the newer model (by 1 yr) of the identical attraction at Disneyland in California. The trip nonetheless feels recent because of excessive maintenance requirements, and whereas it’s noticeably much less fashionable than the most recent incarnation at Shanghai Disneyland, it’s lighyears forward of the model at Magic Kingdom.
To place this into perspective, that is nearly the equal to reimagining Splash Mountain. It takes a well-liked trip that doesn’t really feel prefer it’s in want of a substitute…and does it wherever. Clearly there are key variations in motivations–Buzz Lightyear will not be a controversial character in Japan (but…we don’t know what he has deliberate this summer season)–however it’s a considerably comparable state of affairs.
In a nutshell, which means nothing is secure in Tomorrowland at Tokyo Disneyland, aside from the brand new Pleased Journey with Baymax and most likely Monsters Inc Journey & Go Search (however even the latter has seen its reputation slip considerably in the previous few years). It’s an inevitability that Sew Encounter shall be changed sooner or later within the not-too-distant future, and even Star Excursions – The Adventures Proceed may go.
These aren’t my greatest fears, although. Slightly, it’s Pan Galactic Pizza Port and intergalactic hero Tony Solaroni. That is all a part of an space known as “AstroZone,” which was constructed as a placemaking venture alongside the unique Star Excursions to alleviate congestion. The official backstory is that aliens crashed and constructed a base from elements of their broken spaceship to speak with their dwelling planet. This implies a whole lot of satellites and different (on the time) futuristic house junk. That is not the dominant aesthetic of Tomorrowland, and it’s nearly actually all going to alter.
We’re avid Solaronians (Tony Solaroni is a Sonny Eclipse-like character who toils over a pizza machine all-day in a delightfully weird present with some fascinating undertones), however the restaurant and its surrounding space has a decidedly Nineties-kitsch really feel to it. Though that is “only a pizza place,” we shall be devastated when it goes. We’ve made many nice reminiscences watching Tony Solaroni. We’re properly conscious that it’s (past) time and thus gained’t be mad concerning the change…however it’ll be an enormous blow to our nostalgia.
As for why that is taking place, it’s a part of a long-term aim for Tokyo Disneyland to obtain “area-based improvement for every themed land, to happen in levels, supposed to go away an enduring influence.” That’s type of meaningless PR converse, however what I’ve taken that to imply is that OLC desires to rework Tokyo Disneyland into its personal distinctive park. A lot of the unique was copied and pasted from Walt Disney World or Disneyland, and the aim is to get away from that.
A lot of the look of Tokyo Disneyland’s Tomorrowland was borrowed liberally from Magic Kingdom. (You possibly can learn extra about this in Tokyo Disneyland: Bizarro Magic Kingdom, which focuses closely on Tomorrowland.) This additionally has me apprehensive that Tokyo Disneyland will change the enduring entrance, which nonetheless options the spires that had been the point of interest for the U.S. variations of Tomorrowland previous to their 90s redos.
These twin towering monoliths are smooth and brilliant, with greener than inexperienced grass and beautifully-maintained tile on the backside of the waterway underneath the bridge to Tomorrowland. The doorway to Tomorrowland at Tokyo Disneyland merely oozes optimism. It’s nonetheless gorgeous. Whereas I perceive why Tony Solaroni’s days are most likely numbered and might settle for that, I don’t suppose the identical is true for these spires.
As for the “Walt Disney World Connection,” there are two elements to this. The primary is that there have been robust rumors of a Wreck-It Ralph attraction for Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom courting again to round 2017. These actually died down across the time the Play Pavilion was introduced, which was as an alternative going to be the house to a Wreck-It Ralph presence at Walt Disney World. However guess what isn’t taking place now?!
However, I’m extremely skeptical that Walt Disney World is getting a Wreck-It Ralph trip. I simply don’t suppose the character has had the endurance essential to justify it (I’m truthfully stunned Tokyo Disneyland is getting this). If Magic Kingdom had been to get a brand new character IP in Tomorrowland, it might most likely be one thing Sew or Baymax. That’s simply my intestine–not something credible.
Furthermore, the rumored Wreck-It Ralph trip for Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom was to exchange Sew’s Nice Escape. Though I’d think about a number of the property may very well be shared between the 2, it was a very completely different idea. Nonetheless, it’s a obscure chance of that being revived if Imagineering is already engaged on one thing Wreck-It Ralph for Tokyo.
It might additionally make sense that Disney would announce this now upfront of D23 Expo, as Oriental Land Co. owns Tokyo Disneyland and isn’t sure to that occasion. Whereas new particulars are typically shared about upcoming sights, the bulletins are extra geared in the direction of the parks Disney truly owns…particularly those in the US. Tokyo Disneyland additionally likes to do send-off occasions for outgoing sights, so asserting in August after which closing Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters in October can be inconsistent with their regular precedent.
Talking of OLC proudly owning Tokyo Disneyland, this additionally signifies that the Wreck-It Ralph trip does NOT rely in the direction of the $60 billion funding deliberate for the parks within the subsequent decade. Disney doesn’t make investments any cash within the Japan parks. Really, it’s the other–Disney is paid for what goes into Tokyo Disney Resort. The massive purpose Imagineering pitches OLC arduous on clones from the U.S. parks is as a result of it dilutes and thereby reduces per-park prices for these additions.
The underside line there’s that Walt Disney World may nonetheless get a separate Wreck-It Ralph attraction announcement at D23 Expo. It’s not one thing I had on my bingo card–and nonetheless gained’t be including since I believe the chances are fairly low–however the probabilities simply did enhance barely.
The Walt Disney World Connection that I believe (and hope!) is extra probably is an replace to Buzz Lightyear’s House Ranger Spin with Tokyo’s hand-me-downs. It’s fairly secure to imagine the brand new Wreck-It Ralph trip at Tokyo Disneyland will reuse the prevailing trip system, autos, and structure…however nothing else. Which means all the things from the blasters themselves to the present scenes will go.
All of these items is in nice form, and may very well be used to spruce up the Walt Disney World model of the Buzz Lightyear trip. House Ranger Spin has been limping alongside for years, and importing newer tech and showpieces from Tokyo may breathe new life into the attraction. Truthfully, my first alternative can be a full-scale reimagining that brings new characters to this house (what number of Toy Story rides does Walt Disney World really want?), however I’d fortunately accept a refresh.
This additionally doesn’t appear tremendous probably, however might be extra probably than Magic Kingdom getting a sorta-similar-but-not-really Wreck-It Ralph trip. Buzz Lightyear’s House Ranger Spin has gotta be nearing the top of its helpful life–I can’t actually think about it escaping the subsequent decade with no reimagining or outright substitute. So it’s most likely getting a few of that $60 billion sooner or later; it is likely to be good if that quantity had been decrease because of hand-me-downs from Tokyo.
With all of that mentioned, relating to the U.S. parks, the result with the very best chance is Disneyland in California getting a number of the stuff from Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters at Tokyo Disneyland to make use of as spares or to refresh that trip. These two variations are fairly near the identical, and there are elements of the Disneyland model of Astro Blasters which are actually displaying their age.
However with Burbank about to activate the cash spigot for Walt Disney World and Disneyland, we will dream of larger plans for the Tomorrowlands in Florida and California. Each of those lands within the U.S. parks want far more assist than their counterpart in Japan, so let’s hope that is merely the start of many Nice Massive Stunning Tomorrow(lands)!
Planning a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort? For complete recommendation, the perfect place to start out is our Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea Journey Planning Information! For extra specifics, our TDR Resort Rankings & Critiques web page covers lodging. Our Restaurant Critiques element the place to dine & snack. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash publish. Our What to Pack for Disney publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. Venturing elsewhere in Japan? Seek the advice of our Final Information to Kyoto, Japan and Metropolis Information to Tokyo, Japan.
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider a Wreck-It Ralph trip changing Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters at Tokyo Disneyland? Hopeful that Walt Disney World and Disneyland comply with swimsuit? Or would you be happy if Magic Kingdom received TDL’s hand-me-downs from Astro Blasters to reinvigorate this dated shooter? Agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
