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Lots of good memories with all discussed here. I will admit though the Davy Crocket canoes were the most challenging. Nothing like a 95 degree day sitting in a sunny canoe with 30 others and having to actually paddle your way around Tom Sawyer Island with the keel and steamboat around you. Those boats, you just rode, Davy's you were the power and many in the others did not want to paddle their share. A lot of sweat went in to that ride. I would then go over to the penny arcade to cool off while actually spending pennies!!!! I was able to do everything listed here except the Swan Boats---just wasn't interesting. Great memories on these though.
In the mid to late 1990’s there were a troupe of musicians, called The Aviators, in EPCOT. I cannot find any information about this group? And WDW will not send me any information, do you know anything about them, or even remember them?
I really miss If You Had Wings. I love Buzz, but the other was my childhood fave. Mission to Mars was a better hit than any of the others that appeared there.
"If You Had Wings" was actually first sponsored by Eastern Airlines at the Magic Kingdom in WDW. I remember on their flights to Orlando, drink napkins promoted their relationship with WDW. Eastern dropped sponsorship and Delta took it. The ride was basically the same except for promoting Delta Air Lines. In the early years with the ticket books, the attraction was non-ticketed so was very popular once you ran out of your A-E tickets.
Very interesting article, it's always fun to read about how Disney has changed since it opened. That being said, the article itself needs formatting help. Spacing is all over the place and it's kind of hard to read!
Of all the comments, I agree with that the destruction of Main Street is the most disappointing. Mom would want to go shopping, my Dad would go to the Magic Shop, and we kids would go to the penny arcade and the old movie shorts. If it wasn't for the magic shop keeping my Dad entertained, he'd want to get out of there rather than let Mom shop. And same with us kids. There was something for everyone. Now Main Street is nothing but clothes (and a couple other things). It's one of the same things that is killing shopping malls: A lack of diversity.
I was sad when Mr. Toad closed, but at least the Pooh ride was an excellent replacement. It's just too bad they didn't come up with a way to have both, since on peak attendance days they really need some additional ride capacity.
And maybe the slower boat type rides are not popular any more, but I confess I prefer a few things with a slower pace. Especially if I can get off my feet for a little bit.
That having been said, they have added some real gems over the years, especially in Frontierland. Thunder Mountain Railroad is great as is Splash Mountain. Neither of those were there when I first began going there.
It's been a while since I've been. The last time I went the park was so crowded and the lines so long that it wasn't as fun as I thought it would be.
I really lament what has happened here. Although i loved the extra terrestrial encounter, what i really do not like is how it has become character central. I loved the Diamond Horseshoe review, the keel boats and canoes, how main street had more appropriate shops and remember when Liberty Square had fife and drum bands and they sold antiques? I miss old school Disney
Me too. This is why disney no longer means much more to me than other theme attractions. It was the unique edutainment that made it soecial. The toonfestation and shop expansions selling the same stuff that can be foundnin so many other shops? No thanks
Y'all forgot one important attraction: the SpectroMagic parade!
I cant believe that so much has changed since I was going as a baby its just so sad it makes me want to cry :-( disney was a magical place that brought kids to smile and be happy. What ever there dream was it came true....... now a days that is fading away more and more each day well I hope they at least bring back the country bears and
I just came back from Disney World two days ago and I can assure you the Country Bears Jamboree is still there; my daughter insisted on watching it multiple times!
What about Circlevision sponsored by Monsanto? Or was it called something else?
Though I miss some of these attractions, the only one I really have a problem with is the turning of Main Street into one large shop. I think it was detrimental to Main Street to lose the arcade, movie theater and other shops. But obviously people must not have been spending enough to justify it.
The peoplemover is still there. so is the carousel of progress.
and i agree with the commercialization of main street. like disney doesnt make enough money in the other shops...
I'm STILL not over the removal of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Snow White's Scary Adventure.
If You had wings had a wonderful sense of Nostalgia, but the Buzz Lightyear ride is a lot more fun.
For reference, number 2 isn't entirely correct..
They built a Rapunzel/Tangled tower there, but it isn't a meet and greet, they're Rapunzel themed bathrooms.
What about Adventures Through Inner Space, People Mover, and America Sings? Those should have made the list!
Those are Disneyland attractions. This article is a list of closed Magic Kingdom attractions at Walt Disney World.
Carousel of Progress. They need a retro land. I'd. Go! !!!
Great Idea. Retro Land. That would be perfect. Disney if you are listening.
Peoplemover still exists! Pretty sure they call it blueline though.
It's the Tomorrowland Transit Authority now. Still one of my favorite and "must do" rides!
I have been saddened by the slow commercializations of Magic Kingdom. We always loved strolling down Main Street, visiting the Penny Arcade, the Cinema and the Magic Shop. Now Main Street is one big shopping area. We have traveled to Disney World less often because of these changes all over the parks.
I agree, though at Magic Kingdom, there have been some wonderful improvements in the other themed lands. Main Street, USA is a sad thing. Character Meets and stores, not to mention Starbucks! (Not a staple of Marcelline, logically.) It's almost like they're not trying anymore.
I too miss those three!! We were just there a couple weeks ago and I tried unsuccessfully to explain the concept of the Penny Arcade to my daughter. My brother and I loved it so much.
Remember a lot of these rides....brings back back memories.