2. Skyway, The Unsupervised Ride in the Sky Concept

The Skyway was not removed based on anything to do with popularity. What cost the Skyway was insurance and the litigious evolution of a society that can no longer properly police itself. Drifting between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, above the heads of throngs of fellow guests, for many, the temptation to drop sour balls on them was irresistible. Through much of the 20th century, that’s where it ended. Fortunately, beyond a little mischief, most are able to control themselves, and enjoy the beautiful, peaceful ride.

Perhaps it’s the growth of video games and an excess of sensational movies and other media, but we are now a society with an almost criminally limited attention span. We cannot go to the restroom without an internet-connected device, and there’s no way in 2015 anyone can be expected to sit suspended above the Magic Kingdom for up to two minutes without descending into some manner of ill-advised behavior.

Generations with phones in their possession on which they can accurately orchestrate and participate it the fall of the Roman Empire would not be content with plunking a complete stranger in a sailor hat with a piece of candy, much less sitting still and simply enjoying the view. Were the Skyway in use today, there would be tales of entire tour groups bathed with caramel macchiato from above. No, the Skyway won’t be back, unless it’s via a not-quite-satisfying, yet entirely safe Innoventions simulation.

3. Rainbow Ridge Pack Mules, Riding Animals in the Park Concept

Can you picture your children, charged with cotton candy, soda and a theme-park’s worth of adrenaline, embarking upon a nominally supervised excursion through Disneyland on an actual live animal? Neither can Disney, or their lawyers. Abolished in 1973, there are absolutely no plans to bring this one back. Surely, it was a dream to ride through Disney’s old west, but if you remember, the mule train went right down Frontierland’s main thoroughfare. In 2015, we barely get out of the way for the double-decker busses. Imagine asking hordes of modern families to give way to an ambling mule. The traffic snarl would be worse than the sweaty-donkey smell.