The burning cabin by the Riverboat

The Liberty Square Riverboat certainly isn’t known for its innovative ride features, which is probably why it gets away with having so few that work. One of the saddest oversights comes in the form of the burning cabin visible just past Big Thunder Mountain. It used to burn continuously before it was extinguished for years, reportedly to cut gas expenses. The effects have since returned sporadically, but in their most recent incarnation they really only look good at night.

The tiered dancers at The Great Movie Ride

An iconic scene from the musical Footlight Parade is the first to greet you on The Great Movie Ride. The tiered cake of dancers was originally a stunning feature. It rotated so you could see the full complement of dancers who were accented with water jets that perfectly imitated the scene from the movie, creating a stunning focal point for your transition into the world of film.

Unfortunately, water and special effects rarely mix well. The rotating mechanism in the cake became a constant maintenance issue, and the fountains had a tendency to flood the ride path. The entire scene was turned stationary and covered with a scrim. Today’s riders may not even register the lackluster tier of dancers as they drift past.

The mermaid grotto in Pirates of the Caribbean

For a brief time, Pirates of the Caribbean featured a chilling mermaid grotto that was a fascinating reference to Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. First, you hear the enchanting sound of mermaids singing. Next, you spot a glitter of movement beneath the water, and soon you’re jumping back as you’re splashed by an errant mermaid’s tail.

The fact that this is yet another water effect may explain why it was so short-lived. The water projection and splash mechanism are both notorious for breaking down, and their positioning makes them difficult to repair in the natural course of ride maintenance, leaving the mysterious grotto empty.

If you’ve spotted these features in their operational form, count yourself lucky. Sadly, ride features like these often work better on the drawing board than do in real life.