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TWELVE THINGS I MISS ABOUT DISNEY WORLD

September 26, 2015 By Howard Kramer 4 Comments

Toontown Home of Mickey Mouse

Toontown Home of Mickey Mouse

Walt Disney World has always been a place known for its innovation and new ideas. But since Universal Studios opened the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2010, it seems Disney has ramped up its efforts to a fevered pitch (one wonders if the Imagineers are ever allowed to sleep anymore). Many of these changes have been good, with some excellent new attractions, the banning of selfie sticks, and the removal (at long last) of the hideous Epcot sign at the top of Spaceship Earth and the distracting Sorcerer Mickey Hat at the Disney Studios.

But more than a few changes have been ill-conceived, and are bemoaned by many of Disney World’s long-time regular visitors. Much of the resort’s charm is now being demolished to make way for more exciting, more profitable and increasingly more sterile venues. While this is not a rant about longing for old lost Disney attractions, or old lost Disney ticket prices (yikes!), it is a nostalgic fan’s look at some of Disney World’s saddest losses.

The Monorail Cab

This may have been one of the single most underappreciated experiences at Walt Disney World. Ever since the parks opened, guests who arrived at the monorail station at just the right time and who asked the conductors very politely could ride in the front (drivers section) of the monorail. This was especially fun when plunging in to the Contemporary Hotel or rounding Spaceship Earth. Unfortunately, in 2009 two monorails collided resulting in the death of a driver. The monorail cabs have been closed to guests ever since.

Old Fastpass System

When Disney World introduced the Fastpass system in 1999, it was hailed by visitors as an incredible step forward in park appreciation. It was extremely egalitarian, and when used judiciously it could add many attractions to a day’s visit. Unfortunately, it was replaced by a much more restrictive Fastpass Plus system in 2013, which also highly favors guests who stay at on-property resorts and use the new Magic Band system. Long time regular visitors say the new system has contributed greatly to the fall of spontaneity at the parks in Florida.

Exclusive Disney Branding

No one does Disney better than Disney, which is why many long time visitors are starting to wonder why the Disney parks are opening their doors to other retailers. Disney experimented with this in the 1990s when they allowed McDonald’s fries to be sold at several in-park locations (this has since been discontinued). But now new vendors are appearing, including Starbucks, Sunglass Hut and Havaianas. These are replacing some of Disney’s old established retailers, including the various bakeries (which now sell Starbucks pastries).

Restaurants

For decades, Disney World was a great destination for vacation dining, with almost every type of restaurant available. Many first time visitors were surprised by the options, especially at Epcot and at the hotels. Up until a few years ago, that is, when many new vacation packages with dining plans were introduced. Since then, the menus at many of the best restaurants have been dumbed down, if you can even get a reservation (something that was rarely needed more than a day in advance, but now have to be arranged months out, even off season).

Toontown, Magic Kingdom

In 1988, the Magic Kingdom experienced one of its biggest expansions with the addition of Mickey’s Birthdayland. This later evolved into Mickey’s Starland and finally Mickey’s Toontown Fair. The various Toontowns were permanently closed in 2011 to make way for the Fantasyland expansion. While most of this was not a loss (in fact, the best attraction, Goofy’s Barnstormer, survived), the incredibly charming houses of Mickey and Minnie, which delighted young children for two decades, are now unfortunately gone for good.

Wonders of Life, Epcot

Most of the time when Disney closes a major attraction, it is generally replaced with another attraction. Not so the Wonders of Life pavilion at Future World, which closed without explanation in 2007. Home to Epcot’s first thrill ride, Body Wars, Wonders of Life was very popular with visitors when Soaring over California, Mission Space and Test Track were not even on the drawing board. Also tucked away here was the cult favorite Cranium Command, one of the funniest attractions ever at Disney World.

Old Norwegian Pavillion, Epcot

No pavilion at the World Showcase has undergone more changes than Norway. Not one of the original countries, it was arguably the most well rounded upon its completion. It included a ride, a movie, a children’s play area (now gone), a museum, a bakery, and one of Epcot’s most underrated restaurants. Once one of Disney World’s best buffets, the Akershus, is now home to a mediocre princess character meal. The rest of the pavilion is now being transformed from a tribute to Norway into little more than a tribute to Disney’s monster hit film, Frozen.

The Actual Studios, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Of Disney World’s four parks, none have undergone so many changes as the Disney Hollywood Studios. Originally named the Disney-MGM Studios, the park was designed to be an actual working studio. Several major films, including Mulan and Lilo & Stitch, were filmed here. However, film and television production have both been gone from the park for years, and all of the related attractions, including the Backlot Tour, the Studio Tour and the Soundstages are now permanently closed.

The Osborne Holiday Lights, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Every December, all of the Disney parks receive holiday makeovers that are truly delightful, and the best of these was the Osborne Holiday Light display at the Disney Studios. This mind-boggling walk-through attraction was a real treat for those who had the fortitude to visit Disney World over Christmas vacation. However, the backlot venue where the lights were set up is now being torn down to make way for new attractions. No backlot, no light show. 2015 will be the final year for the Holiday Lights.

Pleasure Island, Downtown Disney

For those who never visited Pleasure Island in its heyday, it may have been one of the most innovate night spots ever conceived, especially for those of us too old to go clubbing anymore. There were music venues to suit every taste (including a 70’s style discotheque that was always packed), as well as comedy clubs and other live entertainment. It was a very comfortable party environment for us older folks. Unfortunately, this once great adult play area has been repurposed for more restaurants and retail (exactly what Disney World does not need).

Disney Quest, Downtown Disney

This entertaining indoor theme park was part of a major expansion of Downtown Disney in the 1990s. A unique facility at the time of its opening, it featured state of the art, high tech attractions as well as one of the world’s greatest retro arcades. Although somewhat dated now, it has remained a staple of Disney night life for nearly two decades. Technically still open, it will be closing in 2016 to make way for a new attraction, the NBA Experience. Many long time fans of the venue are lamenting its coming loss as a major mistake.

Old In-Room Promotional Videos

This one is for the real old timers and the real die-hards. Every Disney on-property hotel has a television set in every room that immediately tunes in to promotional videos. At one time there used to be several channels that ran about a dozen different fifteen minute videos, each giving pretty thorough coverage of a different park or subject (hotels, the cruise line, etc.). But for almost ten years now, all that is run are the world-famous “Stacey” top-list videos on a never-ending loop (periodically updated). We love Stacey, but we miss the pre-must-see list days.

Filed Under: Random Ramblings

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About Howard Kramer

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is a culmination of years of his work and passion.

Comments

  1. EJP says

    July 17, 2019 at 3:44 am

    I miss the Disney World I knew from 1975 to 1993. When you had a perfect balance of themes in the Lands where Disney characters were confined to Fantasyland only. When you had attractions that never should have closed like 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. When the Hall Of Presidents with the moving Lincoln speech by Royal Dano was a program to be proud of. The Tomorrowland of If You Had Wings, Dreamflight, Circlevision, the Home of Future Living and the “Now Is The Time” version of the Carousel of Progress. When EPCOT was a special place that treated guests as more mature and gave us intoxicating visual experiences like the World Of Motion and Horizons. And when Disney-MGM was new and fresh. When I went back in 2004 I felt like I’d been to a beautiful city that had been sacked and looted.

    Reply
    • Howard Kramer says

      July 21, 2019 at 2:46 pm

      I remember WDW in the 1980s and 1990s. I think things really began to change after the millennium celebrations.

  2. Mary says

    July 1, 2018 at 10:47 pm

    I agree with everything on this list!

    I would love to vacation in 1999 Disney World for a week again!

    I also miss when characters walked around and interacted more spontaneously rather than it being something that needs an appointment or a long wait- or both!

    I would love for Wonders of Life to come back. Cranium Command could be updated with Inside Out characters so easily! And with today’s tech othwr health based attractions would be amazing!

    Reply
    • Howard Kramer says

      July 8, 2018 at 3:12 pm

      We just went for a week at Disney World last month (stayed at the Coronado Springs). I still love it, but really miss being there in the 90s.

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Welcome to The Complete Pilgrim(TM)! This site, created by Howard Kramer, is a combination travel blog and online guide to the world's greatest sites of religious interest (with some historic and recreational places thrown in for good measure). All written content has been originally researched and produced and is provided free for public research and enjoyment. Thank you for visiting!

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Where would you like to go?

Africa (North) Africa (Sub-Sahara) Arabia Armenia/Azerbaijan/Georgia Australia/Pacific Austria/Switzerland Balkans Belgium/Netherlands British Isles Canada Caribbean Central Asia China Czech Republic Egypt France Germany Greece Hungary/Romania/Bulgaria India (NE)/Nepal India (NW) India (South)/Sri Lanka Iran/Iraq Israel Italy/Malta Japan/Korea Latin America Mexico Palestine Poland/Lithuania Russia Scandinavia Southeast Asia Spain/Portugal Syria/Jordan/Lebanon Turkey/Cyprus Ukraine US-California US-Mid Atlantic US-Midwest US-New England US-New York US-Pacific Northwest US-South US-Southwest

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Have a comment, a great photo or a religious site you'd like to nominate for the weekly spotlight? We would love to hear from you. Email us at hkramer@thecompletepilgrim.com.

About the Author

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is the culmination of years of his work and passion.

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