Changes: Past, Present, and Future

Friday, September 5, 2003
by Mike Scopa, staff writer

Since Walt Disney World opened its gates on October 1, 1971, many changes have come and gone. In this session we look at some of the major attraction changes for the four major theme parks and discuss their merits.

The Magic Kingdom

So much comes to mind when you think about all the changes that have occurred in the Magic Kingdom since 1971. For our purposes we will focus on two changes that have occurred within the last ten years and one change that is taking place this year.

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

For years this Fantasyland attraction gave guests the opportunity to drive around in cars named after characters from The Wind in the Willows. This ride was primitive by today's standards. There were two tracks that took you through pubs, gypsies and eventually to a place that looked like a fiery Hell.

In 1999, the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh replaced Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. The updated special effects and familiar tale certainly has become a favorite for the small fry. Of course like all recently revamped attractions, Pooh empties out into a merchandise-laden area to hopefully take advantage of guests smitten with the attraction. Although some still lament the loss of Mr. Toad the majority have voted a thumbs up for this Fantasyland change.

If You Had Wings

I would dare say one of the most popular changes to the Magic Kingdom involved an attraction originally called If You Had Wings. This attraction, sponsored by Eastern Airlines, opened on June 5, 1972. The ride vehicles, called Omnimover cars, brought guests to places where Eastern flew its guests. The most memorable vision of this ride for me was that traffic cop who turned to one side to direct a traffic coming one way and turning around to direct a flock of flamingos going the other way… not to mention that song. Delta dropped sponsorship of the attraction in 1987. The names constantly changed… If You Could Fly… Delta Dreamflight… Take Flight. Obviously this airline-based attraction was in a tailspin.

Finally in the late 1990s Buzz Lighter's Space Ranger Spin emerged and became an enormous hit with guests. Other than Space Mountain, Buzz boasts the longest lines in Tomorrowland. It is now included as one of the E-Ride Night attractions for the Magic Kingdom. For all the upgrades and changes that have been made to this attraction building it's interesting to note that the attraction still uses an Omnimover track. The popularity of Buzz has proven that this too was a change for the better.

The Mickey Mouse Revue

Our last stop in the Magic Kingdom focuses on a building that used to house one of the most loved of the original Magic Kingdom attractions, the Mickey Mouse Revue. This attraction consisted of famous songs from Disney films. These songs were performed by audio-animatronic figures such as Snow White, the Three Little Pigs, the Fairy Godmother, Alice from Alice in Wonderland, and even the Three Caballeros. Mickey Mouse himself led the orchestra. When the show closed in the 1980s it was dismantled and shipped to Tokyo Disneyland, where it still plays today. The replacement attraction was Magic Journey, moved from Epcot, and eventually the Lion King Adventure. It seems ironic that later this year guests will be treated to a new attraction, Mickey's PhilharMagic… sort of an updated Mickey Mouse Revue. I'm expecting that this 2003 musical attraction will be well received. If you get a chance to see this new attraction pay particular attraction to the computer graphic generated animated characters. Word out of Walt Disney Imagineering is that they fell short of expectations. Of course in the end the guests are the final judges.

Epcot Center

Everyone loved Horizons, which opened its doors in 1983. The attraction moved guests on continuously loading ride vehicles, and showed visions and interpretations of the future. Guests were also treated to a film of a space shuttle launch, a space colony, and futuristic views of farming and colonization. As the ride concluded, guests could choose their end ride by pressing one of three buttons… one for space, one for land, and one for sea.

Horizons had a spotty history in the 1990s. It remained closed for a few years, and then opened while Test Track was being built. Horizons had a strong following and it may have been this following that contributed to the decision to reopen the attraction for a year or two before it would be replaced.

Today, Mission:Space resides on the site of the Horizons attraction. Early reports seem to indicate that the guests are excited about Mission:Space.

World of Motion

General Motors sponsored World of Motion, which depicted the history of transportation. Guests were transported up a ramp and told the story of how humans transitioned from foot power to water transportation to the wheel. Guests were also shown how steam power was invented and eventually the automobile.

The attraction was packed with scenes and audio-animatron figures (over 150) to tell its story. The attraction closed its doors in early 1996 and was eventually replaced by Test Track.

During its infancy, Test Track suffered many problems. Some problems were software related, while others were related to the Test Track vehicles themselves. After almost two years of problems, Test Track finally settled down and has become the first of the Epcot thrill rides. Today, its popularity with guests can be seen in how quickly Test Track Fastpass tickets are dispensed in the morning.

Universe of Energy

The Universe of Energy was good in its day. The original show called Energy, You Make the World Go 'Round showed images of energy water, windmills, fire, coal, and jet engines and films on energy and fossil fuels.

The huge cars, which transported guests through the attraction, moved through a scene with audio-animatronic dinosaurs. The show ended with yet another film that discussed energy research.

The first or second time through, this attraction was a treat. After that the attraction became a “snoozer” for many guests. Not only that, but the whole objective and message of the pavilion was being lost on both the young and old. Obviously the message needed to be delivered in a more entertaining fashion.

Enter Ellen Degeneres.

The attraction was retooled to add some humor, a Jeopardy theme, and Bill Nye, the Science Guy, and all of a sudden education became fun again. The effect of the change can be seen in the occasional laughs heard from the guests. Ellen's Energy Adventure has been entertaining guests since 1996.

Disney-MGM Studios

The Disney-MGM Studios theme park has certainly come a long way, starting with the development of Sunset Boulevard. With the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster alone have propelled the park to a favorite among thrill-seeking guests.

Superstar Television

However, there are some changes that puzzle some guests. For instance, take Superstar Television. This was an enormously popular attraction. It had everything. Spontaneity, guest interaction, every show was different. Park guests were “cast” for famous television shows and taken backstage for costumes, make-up, and rehearsals.

In the theater, the audience would be entertained by guests playing parts in famous television shows like I Love Lucy, The Golden Girls, Cheers, Empty Nest, Gilligan's Island and other television shows. The magic of blue-screen technology put these guests right into the scene. The audience could watch the scene come alive on stage or watch one of the monitors in the theater.

The show was immensely popular. However in 1999, Doug Live! replaced Superstar Television. Doug Live! Turned out to be a very good show, although not as popular as the original Superstar Television attraction. Doug Live! lasted only about a year and to date this theater remains dark. It's easy to see that Superstar Television was in the right theme park and designed to entertain guests with every show. Will it ever return? One can only hope.

Monster Sound Show

Monster Sound Show is yet another popular attraction no longer entertaining guests. This attraction also offered guest interaction as the emcee selected members of the audience to be foley sound artists. Guests were treated to a Chevy Chase-Martin Short film that had many sound effects. The selected guests were then given the chore of re-creating the special effects as the film was replayed for the audience. The newly created film was often received with much laughter from the audience.

After the show, guests emptied out into an area called SoundWorks to create their own sound effects.

In 1997 the show changed format, was renamed ABC Sound Studio, and featured Disney's One Saturday morning lineup. Again, guests were chosen to create sound effects, this time for 101 Dalmatians: The Series. This show lasted only a few years before it changed to the current Sounds Dangerous starring Drew Carey. Questions still linger as to why such popular shows such as Superstar Television and Monster Sound Show were retired.

Here Come the Muppets

On May 25, 1990 Disney-MGM Studios saw the debut of Here Come the Muppets. This attraction was a stage show that featured Jim Henson's Muppet characters. The show was filled with gags and many of the popular songs made famous by the Muppets over the years. Guests saw all their favorites such as Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Fozzie Bear. Guests were even entertained by Doctor Teeth and the Electric Mayhem band.

The intent of this attraction was to entertain guests with a muppet attraction until Muppet 3-D opened. The show eventually gave way to the current attraction, the Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

Both Muppet-3D and Mermaid are favorites. If you were fortunate to have seen Here Come the Muppets and to have even videotaped the show, you have a definite piece of MGM Studios history.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park is still relatively young, so there have been very few significant changes that can be discussed.

Discovery Boats

One change most returning guests will notice is the removal of the Discovery Boats. Guests would board these boats at the Safari Village dock or the Upcountry Landing dock (Asia).

The boats brought guests close to the Tree of Life close to Camp Minnie-Mickey. The attraction's name was changed to the Radio Disney River Cruise and offered played commentary from Radio Disney DJs who were “broadcasting” from the top of the Tree of Life.

The boats are no longer.

The attraction was discontinued for several reasons. First, the boats themselves took too long to load. Secondly, many guests were disappointed as they expected something similar to Magic Kingdom's Jungle Cruise.

Recently I asked a cast member why the Discover River Boats were discontinued. The reply was, “guess they didn't discover anything!”

Of course a more recently significant change is the opening of Dinoland, USA with such attractions as Triceratops Spin and Primeval Whirl. There has been mixed reaction to this area with some guests questioning the link between these attractions and the overall theme of the Animal Kingdom theme park. Other guests who are fans of amusement parks see these attractions as “comfort” attractions regardless of where they find them.

Carrousel of Life?

Most Animal Kingdom guests have no idea as to what could have been the icon for the theme park. Presently the Tree of Life stands majestically in the front center of the theme park.

However, the original concept was not that of a tree but of a three-tiered carrousel. The bottom tier would take guests on water riding in craft designed to represent waterfowl and fish. The middle tier would be made up of land animals both real and imaginary. The top tier would take guests through the air on vehicles that portrayed birds both extinct and non-extinct.

Luckily, the Tree of Life won out as the icon for Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Next Time

In our next session we will have a discussion with Mark Winters, creator of RideMax software.

Class dismissed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mike Scopa first visited Walt Disney World almost 30 years ago. Planning a trip was simple back in the 1970s, with only the Magic Kingdom and a few Disney-owned resorts in Orlando.

Over the past 11 years, Mike has been perfecting his WDW trip-planning skills as he has hosted chats and bulletin boards about Disney for a Fortune 100 company.

Mike brings his experience to MousePlanet in a series of lessons to help you with all the phases of planning a WDW trip.

Mike pays special attention to all the details that ensure your family has the best possible time at the Happiest Place on Earth.

You can contact Mike here.

Here are trip reports that Mike has written that are part of MousePlanet's archives:

Michael Scopa -- August 1999 -- Walt Disney World (CSR)

Michael J. Scopa -- July 1997 -- Walt Disney World (WL/CBR)

Mike Scopa -- July 1994 -- Walt Disney World (WL / CBR)

Also, don't miss Lani Teshima's column, “The Trip Planner” for more travel planning information.

Get the latest info about the resort at “Park Update: Walt Disney World.”

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