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8. Disney's Doug Live!

Disney's Doug Live!

Image © Disney

Opened in: 1999
Closed in: 2001
Replaced by: American Idol Experience

In 1999, Disney's Doug Live! made its debut in the ABC TV Theater. It starred 12-year-old Doug Funnie, his doug Porkchop, best friend Skeeter crush Patti Mayonnaise and bully Roger. It saw Doug winning tickets to see his favorite band, The Beets, in concert and attempting to muster enough courage to ask Patti to attend with him.

7. Who Wants to Be A Millionairre - Play It!

Who Wants to Be A Millionairre - Play It!

Opened in: 2001
Closed in: 2006
Replaced by: Toy Story Midway Mania

Who Wants to Be A Millionairre - Play It! was, as the name suggests, an interactive version of the popular game show. Each of the 25-minute sessions saw contestants competing for points, not dollars.

6. Star Tours

Star Tours

Opened in: 1989
Closed in: 2010
Replaced by: Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

Star Tours was the result of a collaboration between Disney's Imagineers and George Lucas, and was a groundbreaking simulator attraction when it first opened at Disneyland in 1986. It opened six months after the rest of Disney-MGM Studios in Florida, as the sponsor of Body Wars at Epcot (MetLife) did not want the ride to steal its thunder.

The Star Wars-themed simulator proved to be enduringly popular, and was updated in 2011 to become Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. Except, that is, at Disneyland Paris - where it lives on to this day.

5. Journey Into Narnia

Journey Into Narnia
Image © Disney

Opened in: 2005
Closed in: 2011
Replaced by: The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow

Often derided by fans as little more than a pre-show, the original version of this single-room, "stand and watch" attraction was Journey Into Narnia: Creating The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. It exhibited several props and costumes from the film, and starred the White Witch. Essentially, it was little more than an extended trailer for the movie.

In 2008, an updated version of the attraction - Journey into Narnia: Prince Caspian - made its debut. It was similar in style, featuring behind-the-scenes footage and a recreation of Aslan's Stone Table Chamber.

4. Sounds Dangerous!

Sounds Dangerous!
Image: Nehrams2020, Wikipedia

Opened in: 1999
Closed in: 2012

Sounds Dangerous! replaced the Monster Sound Show, and starred comedian Drew Carey. It saw guests witnessing an ABC "pilot" dubbed Undercover Live, with the majority of the show taking place in silence. Guests were equipped with headphones that enabled binaural sound, with each earpiece operating independently of the other. The attraction operated seasonally for a while until 2012, when it was finally shuttered.

3. The American Idol Experience

American Idol Experience

Opened in: 2009
Closed in: 2014

The American Idol Experience began entertaining guests at Disney's Hollywood Studios in February 2009. Based on the hit talent show of the same name, it offered budding singers the chance to perform on stage in one of the park's enormous soundstages. Guests could audition throughout the day, and a select few were then given their chance in front of a live studio audience. At the end of the day, one lucky contestant was awarded a coveted "Golden Ticket" to jump the line when the American Idol auditions hit their home town.

After five years of showcasing Orlando's latest musical talents, The American Idol Experience hung up its microphone for good on August 30, 2014 (several months earlier than originally announced).

2. The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow

The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow

Opened in: 2012
Closed in: 2014

The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow was a walkthrough experience based on the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, rather than the original theme park ride. It offered guests a view of key moments in the films from the perspective of Captain Jack Sparrow.

The attraction's stay at the park was a short-lived one, perhaps unsurprisingly as it came in for some stinging criticism for its lack of ambition.

1. Studio Backlot Tour

Opened in: 1989
Closed in: 2014

Catastrophe Canyon

In some ways, the loss of the Studio Backlot Tour marks the final nail in the coffin of the decades-old dream to turn Orlando into “Hollywood East”. The story behind the ride is one of intense rivalry, lofty ambitions and – ultimately – failure to live up to those ambitions.

Universal's original plans for its Florida studios called for a "front lot" walking tour, as well as a tram tour through the studio's backlot. One set-piece, designed by Academy Award-winning art director Henry Bumstead, would see an enormous King Kong figure attack the tram as it passed over a New York bridge. Another, the "Hollywood Canyon", would see a tram rolling onto a bridge in view of the Hollywood Hills. A massive earthquake would then strike, causing a dam to crack and a wall of water to pour down towards the tram, which would escape into an oil field in time for riders to witness a semi-trailer truck explode after crashing into an oil tank.

The initial plans for Disney-MGM Studios, announced in 1985, bore a striking resemblance to those for Universal’s tour. The main attraction would be a tram tour past four working soundstages, an animation building, backlot sets and post-production facilities. One of the set pieces to be included in the tour would be “Catastrophe Canyon”, during which an earthquake would shake the tram, cause fires to ignite, lead to an oil tank explosion and trigger a flash flood. The similarities to Universal’s proposed Hollywood Canyon were undeniable.

Ultimately, the Studio Backlot Tour actually contributed to Disney-MGM Studios' failure as a working studio. The noise from Catastrophe Canyon made outdoor filming on the park's backlot streets impractical. Yet the ride outlasted the studio itself, continuing to offer a glimpse at the process of filmmaking for some 25 years before finally being shuttered in 2014.

Continue your nostalgic journey through Walt Disney World!

Take our hand and join us on the next step in your trip through the lost attractions of Walt Disney World!

Explore 6 lost attractions from Disney's Animal Kingdom!

 
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Comments

In reply to by Grumpy Fan (not verified)

I was picked as the butler as well. That was fun. Why did they get rid of this and the sound effects show. It helped us see how movies are made.

In reply to by Grumpy Fan (not verified)

I was picked as a detective in the golden girls skit..it was really a great time!

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