For more than 10 years, the 20,000 Leagues under the Sea lagoon sat dormant in the center of the Magic Kingdom, an all-too-visible reminder of the sudden, inexplicable removal of the park’s one-time most popular attraction. The submarines themselves were left to rust a quiet death in some backstage field. And, a few years ago, the lagoon was filled in and covered with rubberized padding to create a toddler playground.
Do not fear. History hunters can find some solace in revisiting lingering landmarks that do remain from other late, great attractions.
Preview Center
Next to the Best Western on Hotel Plaza Boulevard – Except for the brown paint job, the first completed structure on Disney World property looks the same on the outside as it did from 1970 to 1971, when more than one million curious tourists viewed its collection of concept drawings, gigantic scale model, and film promoting the coming Vacation Kingdom. It’s now offices for the Amateur Athletic Union.
Skyway
Western edge of Fantasyland and eastern edge of Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom – The aerial tram ride’s waterfall-faced station in Tomorrowland and hilltop chalet in Fantasyland still stand. All that’s missing are the buckets. Oh, and the cable. And the pylons.
Mike Fink Keel Boats
Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom – The next time you’re about to enter the queue for the Haunted Mansion, turn left instead, walk to the edge of the Rivers of America, and look down. You’ll see a long-forgotten dock for the old Keel Boat ride. And that shed that’s next to you? The old Keel Boat Hat Shoppe.
Swan Boats
Eastern edge of the Plaza, Magic Kingdom – Today the metal-roofed gazebo looks like a shady hideaway amid the rose gardens. In fact, off and on for 10 years, this was the dock for a ride consisting of boats shaped like giant swans that circled the Plaza, with a quick side trip around Adventureland’s Swiss Family Isle.
Fort Wilderness Train
Fort Wilderness Campground – To occupy the hordes of campers in Disney World’s early days, a replica steam engine used to traverse the length of the Fort Wilderness Campground. Though the line was discontinued in the late 1970s, sharp-eyed explorers can discover sections of the old track throughout the campground. Even easier to locate are two cars of the train itself—now resting in Downtown Disney, converted into ticket booths for Pleasure Island.
Treasure Island/Discovery Island
Bay Lake – The evocative island in the middle of Bay Lake was one natural feature that first attracted Walt to the property. Unfortunately, his successors were never able to turn the outpost into anything profitable, just an inconvenient, moderately themed, separately ticketed place for nature walks and bird watching. Today, those paths are overgrown with weeds. Boats rarely moor at its docks. And the sanctuary’s exotic wildlife have long since been relocated to zoos and other new homes. Yet you can still spy the net for its aviary and much of its unique flora as you ferry past.
River Country
Near the Fort Wilderness Campground, on the shore of Bay Lake – Post 9/11, Disney decided it was more cost effective to operate just two mega-water parks and pulled the plug on its original “ol’ fashioned water hole.” Still, much of the infrastructure remains, perhaps leaving alive the possibility of one day resuming operations. They could always re-theme it to pirates, right?
World Key Kiosks
Right side of Spaceship Earth, Epcot – No trip to EPCOT Center was complete without a stop by one of the celebrated World Key terminals, where live, televised attendants miraculously appeared to answer your every question, set up dining reservations, or show previews of the park’s attractions. Although the monitors are silent nowadays, you can still glimpse the main bank of kiosks near the base of Spaceship Earth, directly to the left of the entrance to Guest Relations.
The Original Image Works
Upstairs of today’s Image Works, Epcot – After exiting Journey into Your Imagination, did you ever wonder what was up that mysterious staircase in the Image Works? That’s the first quarters of the Image Works, which still houses a few of the old props. To conserve space and increase visitorship, the post-show play area was brought downstairs in the mid-1990s, severely cutting into the Figment dark ride.
Viking Ship Play Area
Norway pavilion, Epcot – For a few short years, kids were able to climb nets, swing on ropes, and let their imaginations run wild on a wooden Viking ship at the left end of the Norway pavilion. Two years ago, the play structure was closed off and is now a static prop. Thank you, Disney lawyers.
Discovery River Boat Tour
Discovery River, Animal Kingdom – The boring boat ride lasted just a year, but its two docks remain on either side of Discovery Island, hoping Disney will one day summon enough imagination to install a more thrilling adventure along the river. In the meantime, the old boats are used to transport live bands and characters up and down the waterway.
Superstar Television
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – For nearly a decade, this ABC Theater building was arguably Disney World’s most conspicuous corpse. It’s a huge, Art Deco-styled structure practically in the center of the park, which has been sitting empty, except for the occasional special event. Inside used to be Superstar Television, an interactive stage show that you didn’t have to be in diapers to enjoy, where hand-picked guests seemed to appear side by side with Lucy, Gilligan and Johnny Carson. Fortunately, we’re about a month away from the structure reopening as the American Idol Experience—an increasingly rare occurrence in which Disney theme parks actually add, rather than subtract, attractions.
Next time
We’ll explore the remnants of attractions past at Disneyland.
Mousefest 2008
In the meantime – this weekend is Mousefest at Walt Disney World. If you’d like to run into me, without knocking me down, here are your three options:
- Friday, December 12 at 7 p.m. – I’ll be offering a multimedia “Backstage Disney” presentation and signing at the Reading Trout Bookstore in downtown Celebration. Store phone: 321-939-BOOK (321-939-2665).
- Saturday, December 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – I’ll be signing at the MegaMouseMeet at the Yacht & Beach Club Convention Center.
- Saturday, December 13, from 3 to 4 p.m. – “Epcot’s NeverLands” historical walking tour around the World Showcase Lagoon.
All three events are free.
