“Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” – Walt Disney
He said nothing about Walt Disney World.
Experiences and attractions that have never been updated or improved as new technology became available is a huge mistake. Walt Disney World is full of things that, as a guest, would make you question the decisions made and the budgets that obviously are being allocated into different spreadsheets.
The Gran Fiesta Tour
This headliner of the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT was a replacement for El Rio del Tiempo, an opening day attraction from October 1st, 1982. The Gran Fiesta Tour made its debut on April 6th, 2007 and has had its ups and downs operationally and is culturally looked-down upon with the outdated representation of Mexico.
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
This omni-mover continuous loader game attraction featuring the Toy Story franchise opened November 3rd, 1998 and has had little updates to the gaming mechanism, even after the debut of Toy Story Midway Mania in 2008.
We’ll ignore the fact that the experience is located in Tomorrowland and that there is nothing ‘forward thinking’ about an attraction that spins and uses tech that you would find at a laser tag in your local mall – it’s just in need of a full gut to bring the experience into the 2020’s and beyond.
Living with the Land
Another opening day attraction from EPCOT Center, the idea behind creating an experience that focuses on the technologies that power the circle of life is important. You know what is also important – sharing technology that is actually relevant and current.
This attraction, although one of my favourites in all of Walt Disney World, can be seen as behind the times and looked at as an eyesore when you compare it with Soarin’ or the futuristic tech that isn’t found in a boat ride.
The main point for this attraction isn’t to change it’s historical relevance or educational standpoint. It’s to gut the show-scenes that make up the first 5 minutes, such as the rain forest, prairies and farmland.
Carousel of Progress
The only existing Carousel of Progress left is the one at Walt Disney World in the Magic Kingdom and is the oldest attraction at WDW to be touched by Walt Disney.
All of that being said, the last scene is all that we are talking about. Everything else is perfect.
Last updated in 1993, the scene depicts a “Christmas in the House of 2000” – which was more than 20 years ago and we can all agree that parts of the “future” never came true or have been fully outdated by the time 2000 even came around.
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Mickey’s Philharmagic
As Disney Animation continues to pump out classic after classic, there is something to be said with the story of this Magic Kingdom 4d movie in the middle of Fantasyland.
It needs to be updated, and I’m not just saying that Frozen needs to be included (although that would be low-hanging fruit). There are dozens of songs that have been released since the Disney Renaissance concluded in 1999 that would be perfect for this sing-a-long style experience.
From Moana to Princess and the Frog, Tangled to Coco – the soundtrack could be amazing if the imagination wasn’t being forced to choose between new attractions and maintaining existing experiences. And you know what’s amazing – the Disney Imagineers have shown that the film can be adapted, as in 2021 – they ADDED IN COCO!
May I share a few hits from Brother Bear that could be perfect for the show?
Additional Experinces that are Showing Their Age
Magic Kingdom
- Astro Orbiter
- Country Bear Jamboree
- Enchanted Tiki Room
- it’s a small world
- Mad Tea Party
- Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- Monsters Inc Laugh Floor
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Tom Sawyers Island
- Splash Mountain
- Tomorrowland Speedway
EPCOT
- The American Adventure
- ImageWorks
- Mission:SPACE
- SeaBase
- Test Track
- Turtle Talk with Crush
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
- Disney Junior
- Fantasmic!
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
- Muppetvision 3D
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
- Star Tours
- Toy Story Mania
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid
- Walt Disney Presents: One Man’s Dream
Animal Kindgom
- Affection Section
- The Boneyard
- Conservation Station
- Dinosaur
- It’s tough to be a bug
- TriceraTop Spin
- Festival of the Lion King
Those are all experiences that have an argument about having outdated technology, story or requires a full renovation.
Hopefully imagination is still left at Disney Parks and Resorts, as the legacy of Aerosmith could be changed at any point in time.