Over its 46 years, the Walt Disney World Resort has seen changes - both good and bad - in terms of attractions that have been replaced. Kitchen Kabaret, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage, Snow White’s Scary Adventure, and many more have all been replaced with newer attractions. Some of the replacements were met with backlash while others quietly closed without much fanfare.
In September of 2014, MagicBands had only been around for less than a year and people were still getting used to the idea of paper FastPasses being extinct. At the same time, it was announced that Malestrom would be closing at Epcot which was clearly enough to send Guests and Cast Members alike into a downward spiral. There were ‘protests’ as people were chaining...or well, ‘MagicBand-ing,’ themselves to the fence outside the attraction in a statement of love and devotion in the name of their beloved attraction.
Or they were just doing it for Instagram.
Either way, people were passionately vocal about the closing of the beloved flume ride, especially as it was being replaced by a Frozen themed attraction. (Let’s not forget, though, that not everyone hates the idea of the princesses replacing the Norwegian ride.)
As much as I loved Maelstrom, I hold on to Walt Disney’s dream for Epcot when he said, “It will be a community of tomorrow that will never be completed but will always be introducing and testing, and demonstrating new materials and new systems.” Walt Disney wouldn’t have wanted the parks to stay exactly the same as they were on opening day. He would want his Imagineers to create new things to inspire the next generation.
And if creating a Frozen themed attraction brings in families who would normally blow off Epcot as a park “not for kids,” then I’m all for it.
But there are a few attractions that, if someone ever wanted to replace them, they would have to get through me and my MagicBand-chaining self first.
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10. Splash Mountain
As for overall storytelling, this attraction wins from beginning to end. The songs immerse you into the story as you make your way through the attraction, seeing various scenes playing out between Br'er Fox, Br'er Bear, and Br'er Rabbit as you make your way to The Laughing Place. Although you know the 50-foot drop is coming, the anticipation of the inevitable fall keeps your adrenaline high no matter how many times you’ve ridden the classic attraction. And not to mention the views of the park while on the ride are some you just don’t get to see anywhere else.
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9. Tower of Terror
Although I’ll be the first to fangirl over the addition of my beloved Groot to an attraction, the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT overlay of the Disney California Adventure version of Tower of Terror can just stay on the West Coast. For over two years I was lucky enough to be a Cast Member and to call Sunset Blvd. my home, and long before that time, Tower of Terror was my favorite attraction. I love the atmosphere, the music, the story line. It is all so perfect and, in my opinion, one of the best overall themed attractions.
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8. Spaceship Earth
From Lawrence Dobkin to Walter Cronkite to Jeremy Irons to Judi Dench, this attraction has been informing Guests about the history of human communication that have helped get us to where we are today. Can you read this article? Thank the Phoenicians. Spaceship Earth is an iconic ride in an iconic geodesic sphere. Although I don’t think the attraction should ever be removed, I do think it needs some updating to add the latest technology. A lot has happened since the first computer was made in a garage in California.
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7. Jungle Cruise
An opening day attraction on both coasts, the Jungle Cruise was originally designed to be a serious journey through Africa, Asia, and South America. But, according to Disney folklore, one day Walt Disney overheard a young boy ask his mom to go on the attraction and she responded with, “No, we did that last time we were here.” This caused Walt Disney to consult with longtime animator and Imagineer Marc Davis about a different direction for the attraction. New scenes were added and the familiar humorous dialogue was born so guests would never experience the same ride twice.
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6. it's a small world
This attraction is located in the Fantasyland area at each of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide, truly showing that it is a small world after all. The attraction first appeared at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York and was easily the most popular ride. And it is believed that the song - penned by the Sherman Brothers - is the most translated and most played song on earth.
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5. Peter Pan’s Flight
This opening day attraction for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World is the definition of a classic. Despite it’s age, Peter Pan’s Flight still manages to draw in crowds that rival even the newest attractions. It’s not uncommon to wait over an hour for the trip to Neverland with Peter and the Darling children.
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4. Pirates of the Caribbean
This ride has truly come full circle: the attraction inspired a franchise of movies which in turn re-inspired the attraction. Without losing the feel of the original attraction, Walt Disney Imagineers were able to add in rum-loving pirate Captain Jack Sparrow, as well as a few newer touches to the attraction based on the movies, to keep the ride as fresh and new as possible.
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3. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Another 1964 World’s Fair attraction, the Carousel of Progress was the main feature of the General Electric Pavilion, and it shows the optimism Walt Disney had for the future and technology. The theme song of the attraction, “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” was also penned by the Sherman Brothers as was its equally iconic counterpart, "The Best Time of Your Life." The Carousel of Progress also holds the record for the longest-running stage show with the most performances in the history of American theater.
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| Walt Disney World |
2. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
One of my favorite stories is the one of the audiences in the early days of this attraction thinking that Walt Disney and his team had trained birds to perform in their show. The show was the first to feature the Audio-Animatronic technology and set the groundwork for such great Audio-Animatronics such as the ones in Pandora: The World of Avatar. And although it had a new management period we won't talk about, the attraction still remains a classic today.
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1. Haunted Mansion
Gracey Manor and all it's 999 Happy Haunts is easily my favorite attraction at Walt Disney World. I love the spooky atmosphere of the exterior that draws you inside the mansion. I love the graveyard and the stretching room and the Ghost Host. I love the use of Pepper’s Ghost throughout the attraction. I love the singing busts. I love the Hitchhiking Ghosts. It's my favorite and...just don’t touch it. Ever. Please.
We want to hear from you! Tell us what attractions you don't ever want to be replaced. Tweet us at @TMKBpodcast and let us know your thoughts! And don't forget to check out our weekly podcasts!
Robyn Fleenor is a contributing writer for The Mouse Knows Best Podcast. She is an avid Disney fanatic and would rather be at Walt Disney World eating glazed almonds than anything else. When she isn't working to pay for her next Disney vacation, she likes to binge watch TV shows and fall in love with fictional characters.
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