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4.The Land's VIP lounge at Epcot

Garden Grill

Image: Tom Arthur

Epcot's construction was partially funded by huge sponsorship deals, such as the one that saw Kraft helping to fund The Land pavilion. Up on the third floor of the structure was a VIP lounge, where executives from the company could hold meetings or just chill out. When Nestle took over sponsorship in 1993, the room fell into disuse.

You can see the windows of the lounge from the lobby of the pavilion (above the Garden Grill Restaurant) and if you look up and to the left during the rainforest and farmhouse scenes on the Living with the Land boat ride. It can be reached via an elevator on the left side of the Pavilion, close to the restaurant. However, a special sequence of button presses is required.

3. Disneyland's PeopleMover

Abandoned Disneyland PeopleMover

The PeopleMover operated from 1967 to 1995, carrying guests in small trains along an elevated track which circles Tomorrowland. After its closure, it was replaced in 1998 by the Rocket Rods attraction, a predecessor to Epcot's Test Track which saw guests blasted at high speed along the same circuit. However, severe technical issues (in particular, the weakening of the ride's support structure and the failure to install banked turns) led to the Rocket Rods' closure in 2001.

Disneyland has long hinted at a return. for the PeopleMover in some capacity. The latest rumors suggest that it will re-emerge as a Star Wars-themed walkthrough attraction.

2. Body Wars and Cranium Command at Epcot

Wonders of Life

Image: SteamFan, Wikimedia Commons

The Wonders of Life pavilion opened at Epcot in 1989, and hosted a variety of interactive attractions such as a personal health quiz and bicycle simulators. The highlight, though, was Body Wars - a simulator ride through the human body. This was joined by Cranium Command, a humorous show about the importance of the human brain. The pavilion was closed in 2007.

Elements of the Wonders of Life Pavilion are still in place and it is used for seasonal events. However, Body Wars and Cranium Command have not operated for many years, and are simply boarded up.

1. Disney's River Country

Disney's River Country (5)

A sign warning guests not to jump into Bay Lake still remains.
Source: Darren Wittko, Flickr

Back in the mid-1970s, Walt Disney World was not the sprawling, multi-day resort destination that it is today. The only theme park on offer was the Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT Center wouldn't open until the start of the next decade. To keep its hotel guests amused and on-site for longer, Disney decided to build its first ever water park, Disney's River Country.

When Michael Eisner took over as Disney CEO in 1984, he took a more competitive approach than his predecessors. He decided to build a full water park, Typhoon Lagoon, to take on nearby Wet 'n' Wild. River Country's capacity was limited, and its days were numbered. It shut on November 2, 2001, but remains in place today - it was abandoned rather than demolished.

 
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Comments

In reply to by Visitor (not verified)

Everything still being there in the imagination pavilion, I would cry like an excited child if they reopened it. And I would visit that pavilion at least 4 times every trip. By far it's my favorite. Even with the not as cool pavilion now, I visit at least twice each trip.

Abandoned wave generator on bottom of bay lake WDW

Just throwing it out there, #8 is no longer abandoned, and hasn't been for quite a few years. It's now Project Tomorrow, an interactive exhibit for the pavilion's new sponsor: Siemens. Really it was only walled off during the time between sponsorships.

In reply to by Visitor (not verified)

I thought I was crazy when I had this same thought. I'm glad you confirmed it.

We were invited to Discovery Island a few years ago. We travelled by boat (the only way to get there). It was charming, but not set up for large crowds. My daughter was studying ospreys for a project which won a National award. It was an intriguing, exciting trip. We did not feel we were in Disney World, except for the fact that The Disney brothers envisioned it. Best part of the trip!

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