Ch-ch-ch-changes. We’re faced with them all the time. Sometimes change can be positive: Citi Field replacing a run-down Shea Stadium is a good example of a positive change (although some Mets fans will gripe about the cavernous nature of the new park… and the prices.) Sometimes, the change is not so good. Does anyone remember April 23, 1985—a day that will live in infamy? That’s the day they introduced the new taste of Coca-Cola, commonly called “new Coke”. If you weren’t around back then, the public outcry was so loud the original formula, now called Coca-Cola “classic”, was brought back just a few months later—a good example of a negative change.
While changes are a fact of life, we don’t always appreciate the newer version. Nowhere is this more apparent than at Walt Disney World. Changes there are frequent, and with few exceptions, are debated for years afterward. Horizons versus Mission: Space, anyone?
The Haunted Mansion underwent some significant changes in 2007. Photo by Steve Russo.
Here’s an example of a positive change: in 2007 the Haunted Mansion (dare I say the beloved Haunted Mansion) underwent a fairly extensive refurbishment. Many fans were extremely apprehensive with a “don’t fix what isn’t broken” attitude.
When it re-opened, we were greeted with a new audio system and sound effects in the stretching room, an Escher-esque staircase scene, a general refreshing of the attraction as a whole, and many other positive changes. Most importantly, they left the essence of the attraction intact. I don’t think I’ve heard a single negative review.
Pirates of the Caribbean also saw some extensive changes. Photo by Steve Russo.
Almost as successful were the enhancements made to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Most folks considered it a real “plussing” of the ride but a few purists objected to the inclusion of Captain Jack Sparrow in several scenes. It’s rare that we all agree on changing a classic attraction.
Was including Captain Jack Sparrow a plus… or a minus? Photo by Steve Russo.
This set me to thinking about the many other changes that have occurred at Walt Disney World since I first visited back in 1984. I began to note the attraction replacements, just off the top of my head, and was shocked when I quickly got to 27! Some have been relatively minor such as the conversion of Ice Station Cool to Club Cool. Others have completely razed an existing attraction and rebuilt a completely new one—again, think about Horizons to Mission: Space.
It would be impossible to examine each of these given the limited space here but I thought it might be fun to look at a few and share some opinions on whether or not the Imagineers got it right. To start, allow me to take you back to my first visit to the World in 1984. I honestly don’t remember many details about the park visits. I have a bunch of 35mm slides that remind me of a few things when I’m ambitious enough to drag out a projector and a screen (yeah, I know—I have to get these digitized soon.) What I do recall was being completely enthralled by Epcot’s Future World. It seemed to me it was attraction after attraction that put me into an Omnimover-driven vehicle, blasted me with audio-animatronics and special effects and left me educated and entertained all at once.
Unfortunately a few of those attractions have changed significantly or have been completely replaced. Let’s start with…
World of Motion versus Test Track
Did you prefer the World of Motion? Photo by Steve Russo.
It’s been so long since I’ve ridden the World of Motion, I needed a refresher course. I could have dragged out some old video of my past trips (I have moved those to DVD) and searched but it’s much easier to visit YouTube. What did we do before YouTube? I spent 10-minutes revisiting an attraction that began with a climb outside the building—a nice touch. Once in the attraction, we were treated to an entertaining history of transportation beginning with the invention of the wheel (several failed designs were also shown). Through audio-animatronics, sets and film clips, the rider was taken on a journey through time with stops to view chariots, rickshaws, sailboats, steam engine locomotives and the history of air travel.
Test Track is a bit more myopic. The only mode of transportation it cares about is the automobile and it takes us through a “typical” series of exercises used to test the design, manufacture and, ultimately, the performance of a motor vehicle. Educational? Somewhat. Entertaining? Certainly. Especially when you crash through those doors and exit the building for the high-speed run outdoors.
So…which do you prefer? If you had the power to place either of these attractions on that spot in Epcot, which would you choose? I know this may not be a popular opinion but I’d revert to World of Motion. Don’t get me wrong… Test Track is a fine ride and one of our “every trip” attractions. It may just be me but I’ve always had a strong attraction to the Omnimover-style rides; rides like Spaceship Earth. For that reason, I’d opt for World of Motion.
The Enchanted Tiki Room versus The Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management
This one is bound to stir up some turmoil. I know the original version has many staunch defenders; however, I am not one of them. Truth be told, I’m not in love with either version, but I think the update including the highly obnoxious Gilbert Gottfried, is an improvement. Again, I thought there was nothing inherently wrong with the original attraction. It just didn’t have that “don’t miss it” appeal to me. The new version seems a bit shorter and has more humor so I’m sticking with it. Let the flames begin…
Legend of the Lion King versus Mickey’s Philharmagic
Maestro Mickey presiding over a definite “plus”. Photo by Steve Russo.
This Fantasyland Theater was once home to a 3D film called Magic Journey which had migrated from Epcot (replaced there by Captain EO)—talk about your changes! That film was replaced in 1994 with the Legend of the Lion King. This fantastic show told the Lion King story using the plot of the film. It alternated using clips from the movie with live puppets. In spite of the fact that there always seemed to be a gaggle of crying infants in there, I considered this one of the top attractions in Magic Kingdom and visited numerous times.
When I first heard about this show being replaced with a 3D film, I was less than ecstatic. However, I got my first glimpse of Mickey’s Philharmagic in 2003 and it has become one of my all-time favorite attractions. At the core, I love the film and song selections used (almost all are favorites of mine) and I think the Imagineers have tied it together nicely with the adventure of Donald Duck trying to retrieve Mickey’s sorcerer hat. When you couple that with state-of-the-art 3D projection, shown on a screen 150 feet long and 28 feet high, and add some excellent 4D effects… you have a clear winner.
Bottom line? While I really liked the Legend of the Lion King, I love Mickey’s Philharmagic. And, personally, I’ve always thought that Disney World could use a bit more of Donald Duck.
If You Had Wings / Dream Flight versus Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Dream Flight… or Buzz? Photo by Steve Russo.
These attractions have all shared the same building, tucked into a corner of Tomorrowland, as well as the use of Omnimover ride vehicles. Indeed, it seems as if nothing has been changed with the vehicles or track layout since the initial opening of If You Had Wings in 1972—with the possible exception of a coat or two of paint and the addition of laser cannons. The point is that each time this attraction has been “re-imagined”, the design has focused on changing the scenery, not the route.
I always enjoyed Dream Flight – a fanciful journey through the history of aviation with a catchy tune. Similarly, I also enjoy battling Zurg in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. While I readily admit the challenge of getting a top score and reaching Space Stud designation (OK, I made that up. Galactic Warrior? Something like that.) is a lot of fun, the attraction doesn’t do that much for me. While each scene is different, they’re also the same—similar targets, colors, animation, etc.
Which is my favorite? I’m hard-pressed to decide but, if you held a gun to my head, I guess I’m going with Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin mainly for the added value of the interaction between you, your laser cannon and the targets. Plus, there’s also my quest to become a Space Stud.
Horizons versus Mission: Space
I know… I even surprised myself with this one. Photo by Steve Russo.
This may be the toughest one here. It’s the classic good versus evil, Yankees versus Red Sox, Alien versus Predator… Sorry, I was a bit carried away there.
Like many of you, I have a very warm spot in my heart, and memory, for Horizons. It represented all that was good and holy in Epcot. It featured the Omnimover, which in my opinion should be part of all attractions—a queue is never unbearable if you’re continually moving. It told an excellent story, kind of picking up from the end of the Carousel of Progress. I loved the IMAX screen that gave me my few moments of simulated flight (that always gets me) and… a terrific ending that allowed the vehicle occupants to vote on the final scene.
In Mission: Space we have one of the best uses of technology in Disney World. Where else can the average Joe experience the force of liftoff from a pad at Cape Canaveral, the zero G effect of space travel, a “slingshot” around our moon, and the thrill of a meteor shower and crash landing on Mars? But, as much as I like Mission: Space (green side as I age ever so gracefully) my heart is still with Horizons.
There are lots more here to think about and some might wind up in a future article. Some of the other “off the top-of-my-head” replacements not mentioned above are:
- The Living Seas versus the Seas With Nemo and Friends
- Journey Into Your Imagination versus Journey Into Imagination With Figment
- Universe of Energy versus Ellen’s Energy Adventure
- El Rio De Tiempo versus Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros!
- Spaceship Earth (Walter Cronkite/Jeremy Irons) versus Spaceship Earth (Dame Judy Dench)
- Illuminations: 2000 versus Illuminations: Reflections of Earth
- Hall of Presidents versus (new) Hall of Presidents
- Stitch’s Great Escape versus Alien Encounter
- Timekeeper versus Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
- Fantasy in the Sky versus Wishes
- Electrical Light Parade versus SpectroMagic
- Mann’s Chinese Theater versus the Sorcerer Mickey Hat
- Superstar Television versus the American Idol Experience
- The Monster Sound Show versus Sounds Dangerous
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame versus Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
- Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Play it! versus Toy Story Midway Mania
- Animation Tour versus the Magic of Disney Animation
- Sorcery in the Sky versus Fantasmic!
- Tarzan Rocks! Versus Finding Nemo: the Musical
- Spoodles versus Kouzzina
As usual, those were a few more of my opinions and I’d love to hear yours. What did you think of my preferences? Do they match your own? Additionally, I’m sure there are some other instances or attraction or restaurant replacements that I’ve missed. Can you add to the above list?
