They better keep the ToT in WDW.

Future World definitely needs a revamp, but I don't believe that involves a complete dismissal of any and all educational themes. I'd be absolutely okay with replacing Ellen with the GotG if the attraction keeps (and updates) the importance of energy (and adds the importance of energy conservation and alternative energy sources, DISNEY)theme of the attraction. Which is totally doable.

It was one of 2 popular rides, racers being the other. I can't tell you how many times I've walked past it with a 13 minute wait displayed and literally no line up to the pre-show rooms. Toy Story Mania almost always had a longer line, as did Soarin, Grizzly River Run (during warm weather of course.) quite honestly this ride only is popular NOW because they announced its transformation. It's always been inferior to the DHA version in both theme, ride, and detail. It was thrown together on the cheap and it shows. This new ride will likely be a better overall ride experience AND be more popular than Tower ever was, until now.

I do love ToT as it is now, but it's not just the ride experience that I enjoy. I LOVE walking through the "grounds" of the abandoned hotel. I hope for the line to not move too fast through the lobby. The dress and demeanor of the cast.... All of it is just as good as the ups and downs.

There's an important factor in the "Universe of Energy" that everyone forgets. Ellen Degeneres is NOT the only partner at stake here. "Jeopardy" is an integral part of this attraction, and I can tell you that it's Sony who NOT willing to license THAT IP any longer.

Truth.

A few other factors that are involved in all of the changes. The business model of having other corporations sponsor and/or underwrite Disney attractions is failing. Originally each of the pavilions at Epcot had a corporate sponsor that underwrote a large portion of the operational expenses in exchange for the advertising value and ability to entertain corporate guests at the attraction. Most of the attractions still have corporate lounges. Today, most of the new attractions are being built by Disney itself without outside corporate participation. It thus becomes even more important for each new attraction to create enough admission and merchandising sales to cover its capital and operational costs.

Secondly, prior to the Lucasfilm and Marvel acquisitions, Disney had tried to do science fiction on their own on several occasions, largely failing (The Black Hole and Atlantis: The Lost Empire, anyone?). I don't necessarily think a Science fiction attraction is out of place in Future world, provided it gets grounded in and connected to the technology of today.

Finally, Walt's goal was to put the guest into the story. Universe of Energy never really did that. You ride through and past the story, if the tableaus can even be called that, never losing sight of the fact that you're in a purple plastic train while doing it. It is also 1980s technology, leading to the need for the overly long preshow and post-show films, the latter of which I don't think anyone has sat through in 20 years. I understand that this is required to recharge the batteries on the ride vehicles. While this was impressive 35 years ago, anyone who has seen Jurassic Park or even the Animal Kingdom Dinosaur ride leaves decidedly underwhelmed.

Another major factor is that the Hollywood Boulevard area of DCA is rumored to become a Marvel themed land, ToT doesn't fit but Guardians is a perfect fit. It's just rumor at this point but if it happens ToT had to be changed to fit thematically.

My problem with this article is the pretense that Tower of Terror is one of the premiere rides in Disneyland Resort. I went there recently, it had almost no wait and was, frankly, terrible. Disney World's Tower of Terror is a classic, California Adventure's is a pale imitation that should be repurposed. Good riddance.

You're right, it was voted one of the best theme park rides, thats why they aren't changing it...they're changing the watered down store brand version in California. Walt would be rolling in his grave if they passed on a in house property and instead continued to use an out of house property.

I think they should leave all towers to Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. It is a classic series that is timeless, and the ride is SO awesome in part due to it being more of a thrilling and older audiences oriented. I also love Alien Encounter and the Great Movie Ride, the removal of both rides being the worst Disney park decision in my own opinion. I don't think Guardians of the Galaxy (as the recent movie) will be nearly as popular 10 or 15 years down the road. Especially the movie version, since it will be rebooted eventually with all new cast and characters most likely, and within less then 2 decades from now. If they made the rides based more on the comic book (not movie) versions of Guardians of the Galaxy, it will probably fare better as it would not be so dated, and be seen as more original/timeless. At any case I hope they LEAVE the WDW version of Tower of Terror ALONE!

Amazing read !! Was hooked but really bugged me check and cheque.

Thank you for the insight. Although it was a little surprising to hear, it does actually make sense. And I'm glad that they will likely keep the original in HS at Disney World. I feel much better about that. As for a new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction replacing Ellen in Epcot, I'm all for it! I do hope that they keep the original essence of Future World alive, but for YEARS Future World has been barely a shell of what it once was and I'm glad to hear that they're finally doing something about it. There is so much potential for Epcot's Future World, especially with so many areas not even being used. I love Ellen, but I'd much rather see some of those older attractions getting upgrades to something new.

Loved the effort put into this article. Well written and a joy to read

As far as the grave rolling comment, It's not like Walt envisioned EPCOT in the form it was created in anyways.

"Instead, they’ll have a Frozen IP sustaining foot traffic at the back of the park and a Marvel comic superhero group at the front. I suspect Walt Disney would roll in his grave at the thought of any of this, but that’s the reality we may soon live in."

Epcot is barely a shadow of Walt's original vision of the "experimental prototype community of tomorrow" anyway. Further, he was not involved in the creation of what we've known as Epcot. So I don't think he'd "roll in his grave."

I know many of us hate to admit it, but Disney is a corporation with stockholders wanting a return on their investment. So, consider this next time you complain when admission prices go up. If Disney can save some money by using their own IP, and drive park attendance in the process, maybe (just maybe) that $10 hamburger won't increase to $15.

I for one am looking forward to seeing both attractions if the rumor of Epcot holds true. I'm assuming one of the reasons for re-theming is that today's youth hasn't heard of show's like The Twilight Zone. They want to see current movies or tv shows. Who's to say that Guardians of the Galaxy won't have an energy theme? Maybe it will only be a temporary theming for The Tower of Terror like they do for Space Mountain during Halloween.