Sure, Walt Disney said his theme parks would never be finished, and over the years, the parks have seen a number of changes. Most of the updates have been welcomed, but often times, these changes leave Disney fanatics longing for the past.
Though these attractions are no longer with us, they are surely remembered by the thousands of fans who lament their disappearance. These 10 are among the most memorable attractions from yesterday:
- Swan Boats: One of the earliest attractions to close, the loading dock remains as a reminder.
- Journey Into Imagination: Figment. He’s around in a new manifestation, but nothing beats the 1980s incarnation of Epcot Center.
- Penny Arcade/Main Street Cinema: These attractions weren’t great draws like the Magic Kingdom’s E Ticket attractions, but they show just how great Disney’s attention to detail was. These two attractions have since been turned into stores, most likely because neither made any money.
- The Main Street Electrical Parade: “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the Magic Kingdom proudly presents our spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination in thousands of sparkling lights and electro-synthe-magnetic musical sounds. The Main Street Electrical Parade.” From the opening notes of “Baroque Hoedown,” the parade’s theme song, to every float that follows, this was a true classic that ran from 1977 to 1991 and from 1999 to 2001, the Main Street Electrical Parade is perhaps the most beloved parade ever to run along the Magic Kingdom’s parade route.
- Tropical Serenade/Enchanted Tiki Room: Though an updated version exists, nothing will replace the original “where the birds sing words and the flowers croon.”
- Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes: The Magic Kingdom attraction, which closed in 1994, traces its origins to Disneyland’s version that opened in 1956. Not a major attraction, but one of the more fun ones that ever hit the park’s lineup. Plus, this was a good way to burn off that turkey leg you had for lunch.
- Skyway: Maybe it was the backstage areas that were clearly visible or the dangers that this ride posed that ultimately led to its downfall, but there was no better way to travel between the far reaches of Tomorrowland and Fantasyland.
- World of Motion: No one headed to Walt Disney World just for this attraction – or maybe they did. The World of Motion provided a fun look at the history of transportation before it was replaced with Test Track.
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Allegedly, it cost too much to refurbish this ride in the 1990s, so it sat idle for many years and was later used as a character greeting location. The remnants of the ride that remained for many years have since been removed.
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride: Sept. 7, 1998, is a “Day the Music Died” moment for the Magic Kingdom. Despite the objections of thousands of fans from around the world, Disney shuttered the ride and replaced it with a Winnie the Pooh attraction – and a related store. RIP Mr. Toad.
The list goes on. Add the Diamond Horseshoe Revue to the mix. Capt. EO, even? One could even argue the WEDway People Mover should be on the list; after all, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority doesn’t quite have the same ring to it. Perhaps the original Tomorrowland should be on this list (along with such lovable attractions as If You had Wings, Mission to Mars and the Star Jets).
In some instances, bigger and better attractions have taken their place, though these new rides will never replace them. But, Winnie the Pooh? Nothing will replace Mr. Toad.