A blast from the past

[TwoOldPoohs]

We all have photos of attractions and shows that have closed, of performers that no longer appear in WDW, of one-time events or year-long events (think castle cake ;) ). Let's see them! I'll start.

This photo of my dad was taken in 1991, when characters in costume roamed freely throughout the World Showcase. http://radish.htmlplanet.com/wdw2/dadGoofy.jpg

Here's one taken in the mid-70's, I think, from the Skyway.
http://radish.htmlplanet.com/wdw2/viewfromabove.jpg

[Kelly Grannell]

OT, but why they don't roam freely anymore? I find it strange.

[TwoOldPoohs]

OT, but why they don't roam freely anymore? I find it strange.
I don't know for sure, but I would guess it's for their own safety, as well as for purposes of crowd control. During that same trip in 1991, when my nephews were 3 and 6 years old, they were able to run up to all the characters for a hug and a photo. There were no lines, which made it hard for the older one, since he was quite shy and other kids were always getting to the characters before him. And that was when the parks were empty. I can't imagine how confusing it would have been if the parks were crowded.

[ndelaware]

I think they would get mobbed now if they just wandered. It seems to me it was really hard to see Mickey back then.

[NJDad18]

This has happened to us many times in the past. The characters are roaming freely and you see the character and go over to him/her and somebody is there. So you wait for your turn, as you're waiting another group comes over, usually a mother and children and the mother pushes the kid(s) right up to the character. We used to say, "Hey, we're next, you can wait behind us." It was VERY frustrating. This happened before we had kids. Our oldest will be 10 in September and I can't remember if this ever happened when we took her. Her first trip was just before she turned 3.

I like the cast members with the characters because it maintains order.

[Greg K.]

This has happened to us many times in the past. The characters are roaming freely and you see the character and go over to him/her and somebody is there. So you wait for your turn, as you're waiting another group comes over, usually a mother and children and the mother pushes the kid(s) right up to the character. We used to say, "Hey, we're next, you can wait behind us." It was VERY frustrating. This happened before we had kids. Our oldest will be 10 in September and I can't remember if this ever happened when we took her. Her first trip was just before she turned 3.

I like the cast members with the characters because it maintains order.

I imagine it's easier on the characters, too. Easier for Mickey to take much-needed breaks for cheese. Or whatever. ;)

[makinorlando]

OT, but why they don't roam freely anymore? I find it strange.

For sure for saftey reasons. It amazes me with what exuberance some folks will chase down characters for a photo and autograph. They are normally only out for a certain length of time, and when the CM that is with them says the character is leaving after the next such and such families, I have seen almost riots, especially on hot days, with long lines, and popular characters. Children cry, parents curse... not MAGICAL at all.

We saw 8 characters at AK yesterday, 4 at a character breakfast where they come to your table, no need to wait in line, but again, they always have a CM with them. Two others at the main entrance and two at Rafiki's Planet Watch - at three of those four folks tried to "budge" in line (as Tara says) without waiting their turn, and were all reprimanded by the CMs.

I try to fight my battles in life, and let the small things go, but when we have waited our turn in line, and someone thinks for some reason they should not have to do the same, that bothers me!!! Like their kid is more special than my child, and therefore should not have to wait! Yes, we all know they are just people in costumes (as I am reminded by Tara), but it's the photo op, and memories for years to come that make it special for me! When the lines are very long, and the parks are very busy - we do not normally get in the lines, unless we see a rare or unusal character that we have not yet had the opportunity to meet!

(I never went to Disney as a child - actually not until I was 45 - so I guess I'm re-living my childhood at Disney through Tara!!!)

[Kelly Grannell]

Okay, enough of me hijacking the thread. Thank y'all for the info... but where are the old pics of WDW? C'mon, I know some of you must have some pics buried somewhere.

Show me, show me, show me!

[WillCAD]

August of 1990. I never did see this one actually open:

http://www.************/photos/1990-1998/1990-08-R2/1990-08-R2-23.jpg

[Kelly Grannell]

Wasn't that the tracks for 20k Leagues Under the Sea?

[ndelaware]

I believe you are right Kelly. I went on it once in 1996, the smell of diesel fuel was so strong in that sub it was almost sickening.

Some history: http://www.20kride.com/history.html

Here it is with water (from the above website):

http://www.20kride.com/content/after/20klag1.jpg

[WillCAD]

Wow, ndelaware, your pic was taken from almost EXACTLY the same point on the Skyride as mine! Look how closely the perspectives line up; it's a little spooky.

[RadioNate]

Once I get a new scanner I'll post some. Cool idea!

[Carrieannew]

I love old photos!!! keep them coming! :thumbsup2

[ndelaware]

Wow, ndelaware, your pic was taken from almost EXACTLY the same point on the Skyride as mine! Look how closely the perspectives line up; it's a little spooky.
Sorry Will, I didn't mean to give the impression the pic was mine. I got off the website I linked to and was really struck by how close it was to yours.

Also from the site, one of the subs:
http://www.20kride.com/content/above/20kmk2.jpg

[Dznefreek]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/502/18596hrzn_epcot_Custom_.jpg

[Dznefreek]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/502/18596land.jpg

[Dznefreek]

AA Gardens before the theater was built.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/502/18596aaview-med.jpg

[ndelaware]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/502/18596land.jpg
I have that one on film from 92. It was always one of my favorites.

Here they are this past December:

http://i.pbase.com/g3/48/610748/2/55830131.IMG_0256c.jpg

[TwoOldPoohs]

Keep them coming folks!

Here's a view of the Great Movie Ride ... pre-Sorcerer's hat
http://radish.htmlplanet.com/wdw2/mgm/misc/mgm11.jpg

and a huge birthday cake in honor of Walt's 100th birthday
http://radish.htmlplanet.com/wdw2/mgm/misc/p1201135.jpg
(we missed the ceremonies ... we were having lunch and forgot all about it!)

OT: oh look at that! pluto: and pooh: .. how long have they been available? :confused3

[TwoOldPoohs]

Not so old ... but definitely missed
http://radish.htmlplanet.com/wdw2/epcot/misc/IMG_5908_20041206.jpg

[TwoOldPoohs]

AA Gardens before the theater was built.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/502/18596aaview-med.jpg

And before the arm was added to Spaceship Earth.

[korzmom]

does anyone remember this show? hunchback of notre dame...i loved that show, and miss it. I remember people were so rude and would get up to leave before it was over. it was a little long but the guys voice that played the hunchback was so good. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/korzmom/2oldwdw.jpg

[korzmom]

i like this thread...keep the pics coming...heres one from 2000....http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/korzmom/oldwdw.jpg

[makinorlando]

I have a bunch from the year that EPCOT opened, but they are slides. My parents visited then, and my father always had his film developed into slides. I have boxes and boxes of the.

I was looking through the slides a few months ago, and there was one at MK that I could tell was shoot from above the Fantasyland area.... that had me baffled, as I had never been to WDW until 2003 - I did a little research, and realized that there had been a "Skyway" - made total sense then!

I love seeing these pics of now "extinct" exhibits! The "2000" on Spaceship Earth was "cool!"

[TwoOldPoohs]

does anyone remember this show? hunchback of notre dame...i loved that show, and miss it. I remember people were so rude and would get up to leave before it was over. it was a little long but the guys voice that played the hunchback was so good. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/korzmom/2oldwdw.jpg

I remember! It was a great show!
http://radish.htmlplanet.com/wdw2/mgm/shows/p1201144.jpg

[handicap18]

does anyone remember this show? hunchback of notre dame...i loved that show, and miss it. I remember people were so rude and would get up to leave before it was over. it was a little long but the guys voice that played the hunchback was so good.

It was a great show. I have it on video from my first visit in '01.


my father always had his film developed into slides. I have boxes and boxes of them.

My Father-in-law was the same way. All his old pics are on slides (mid 60's-early 80's). I've looked into getting them transfered onto CD or DVD. Kind of expensive (40-50 cents per slide) but the pics are all awesome. Its almost sinful to have them sitting in boxes where no one can see them. Maybe I'll do it 1 tray at a time to make it less of a big expense.

[brack]

There are probably very few pictures of this place. It's called Discovery Island and it was in the middle of Bay Lake between the Contemporary and Wilderness Campground. There was a walking trail with animals running loose. This was one of them.

This thread has caused me to look at some of my old photo albums. Now I need to scan either a bunch of photos or negatives. Thanks!

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b144/brackjr/discoveryisland.jpg

[ndelaware]

Discovery Island is still there. Just no animals on it any more.

[TwoOldPoohs]

There are probably very few pictures of this place. It's called Discovery Island and it was in the middle of Bay Lake between the Contemporary and Wilderness Campground. There was a walking trail with animals running loose. This was one of them.

This thread has caused me to look at some of my old photo albums. Now I need to scan either a bunch of photos or negatives. Thanks!

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b144/brackjr/discoveryisland.jpg

I would have loved going there. I'm sorry I missed it. Hope you have lots of old photos to share!

[makinorlando]

Discovery Island is still there. Just no animals on it any more.
I found that a very interesting Disney fact. When we went on a Wishes Fireworks cruise, the "captain" pointed out Discovery Island.

[DebºoºS]

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/debs_pics/old%20pics/Figny.jpg
Figment, taken the last night of the ride. :sad:

[Kelly Grannell]

there is no more Figment at EPCOT?

[makinorlando]

there is no more Figment at EPCOT?

I think that might have been from the original Dreamfinder and Figment. I found a picture much like the one posted on this site....http://www.figmentsimagination.com/story2.html
That was gone before our Disney days. We got this pic of Figment last fall. Sadly Figment has been out on a sabbatical or due to a bad back (heard both from CMs) and might be returning in April. He had his own building for Meet and Greets!
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e291/makasper/Character%20Pictures/2005FigmentEPCOT.jpg

[DebºoºS]

The original Dreamfinder and Figment ride is long gone.pixiedust: I took that pic and many more the last night. It was sad riding in the last car of the ride. Even though it was dated we always enjoyed it. I happened to have that pic on my puter I'll look for the others and post them.