For this month’s Kill, Refurb, Marry blog hop hosted by Mouse on the Mind and This Happy Place Blog, we’re looking at extinct attractions. Seems a little funny to be “killing” an attraction that is already extinct! This one was tough for me because my first trip was in 1997, but as a kid I don’t remember much. I wasn’t back until 2004 and not a ton is missing that I really cared about – so I’m going to base this both on my own memories and what I’ve heard about extinct attractions!
Kill – Alien Encounter
I’m glad they killed it and I hope it stays dead. I didn’t personally ever ride it, but I’m pretty sure it would scare the heck out of me. Most people criticize the replacement, Stitch’s Great Escape, as being too wimpy. But even with Stitch I left that ride terrified – I don’t want to feel like something is creeping around on me in the dark! Just the thought of that ride with less friendly aliens has me shuddering.
Refurb – Backlot Tours
Volunteers on Backlot Tours back in 2004!
I hear this was great in its heyday when Disney was actually doing stuff at MGM Studios that you could watch. Then it just got sadder and sadder until it disappeared completely. But for me, the coolest part of this attraction was always the very beginning, where they picked volunteers and showed you how they created and put together special effects of a movie (I might be biased because I was chosen as a volunteer twice). So maybe make it into more of a stage show/special effects show using volunteers. Replace Indiana Jones or Lights, Motors, Action, which are similar ideas but both pretty tired. And introduce some new special effects – but I always thought the submarine movie was pretty cool, so keep that too!
Marry – Maelstrom
This is the only attraction that closed and I thought to myself, “I’m really going to miss that.” Others I either didn’t get to experience much personally, or I just didn’t care about them leaving. Maelstrom, while not my favorite of all time, was a fun enjoyable ride. And the trolls are pretty awesome. The fact that it’s being replaced by a Frozen ride is just salt in the wound, since I’m of the camp that believes Frozen doesn’t belong in the World Showcase (Frozen attraction in Fantasyland or Hollywood Studios, great! Just keep it out of Norway). So Maelstrom is the one ride I really miss the most and I’m sad to see it gone.
Check out what other bloggers have to say on the subject!
I love Maelstrom too, but kind of hoping secretly (or maybe not so secretly) that the refurb is even more awesome. One thing I hope they don’t take out is the part where you go backward. It was the only ride to utilize such a system and I thought it made it unique. Totally agree about Alien Encounter. Really wasn’t very Disney and not that great. Stitch is wimpy comparatively, but I’m not sure if Disney needs scary rides as much as fantastic and innovative rides. And I didn’t know they took out Backlot Tours! It was a nice break from everything else.
I actually love the idea of a Frozen attraction, I really liked the movie, I just wish it wasn’t going into Norway. As a wimp myself, one of the things I appreciate about Disney is their attractions aren’t scary! And yes, Backlot Tours closed I believe in September. We’ll see what they do with Hollywood Studios now! I’m thinking that will give them a lot of extra space.