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09-14-2001, 03:57 PM
Theme parks make changes out of respect
By Todd Pack and Robert Johnson | Sentinel Staff Writers
Posted September 14, 2001
Orlando's two biggest theme parks moved quickly Thursday to show sensitivity to victims of terrorism by canceling some events and even altering one popular ride.
Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure snipped scenes from a video on one of its most popular rides that depicted the destruction of New York at the hands of a group of comic-book villains.
Meanwhile, Walt Disney World canceled the long-running midnight "New Year's Eve" fireworks show at the Pleasure Island entertainment complex. Saying that the nightly fireworks shows at Magic Kingdom and Epcot would go on without interruption, Disney spokeswoman Marilyn Waters explained that the Pleasure Island New Year's fireworks are staged in more of a party atmosphere -- with confetti, among other things.
The 5-year-old New Year's Eve show's temporary closure is "out of respect for the victims of this week's tragic events," Waters said. It wasn't held Wednesday or Thursday and won't be on tonight, she said. After that, Disney will re-evaluate.
Disney also canceled its Mexico Independence Day celebrations that had been scheduled for Sunday in Epcot. Waters said that Mexican officials have already canceled celebrations planned for Sunday in New York and Washington. She said, "We are following their lead."
Waters added that several companies and groups have canceled banquets they had planned at Disney World in the next few days. She said some of those who booked the events couldn't arrange air travel.
At Universal, the change at the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is in an animated video shown to people waiting in line for the ride. In the video, the superhero thwarts the Sinister Syndicate's efforts to steal the Statue of Liberty.
The scenes that were deleted Wednesday showed an attack on lower Manhattan but didn't single out the twin towers of the World Trade Center, which were destroyed Tuesday.
"Someone remembered [the scenes] . . . and it was done almost immediately," park spokesman Jim Canfield said Thursday.
It wasn't the first time events in the real world have intruded on the fantasy world of Universal's theme parks.
In 1998, Universal Studios delayed the opening of its Twister attraction after a devastating string of tornadoes swept across Central Florida.
Universal Studios Hollywood temporarily shut down its earthquake ride in 1994 as Californians picked up the pieces from a big quake.
From Orlando Sentinal
By Todd Pack and Robert Johnson | Sentinel Staff Writers
Posted September 14, 2001
Orlando's two biggest theme parks moved quickly Thursday to show sensitivity to victims of terrorism by canceling some events and even altering one popular ride.
Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure snipped scenes from a video on one of its most popular rides that depicted the destruction of New York at the hands of a group of comic-book villains.
Meanwhile, Walt Disney World canceled the long-running midnight "New Year's Eve" fireworks show at the Pleasure Island entertainment complex. Saying that the nightly fireworks shows at Magic Kingdom and Epcot would go on without interruption, Disney spokeswoman Marilyn Waters explained that the Pleasure Island New Year's fireworks are staged in more of a party atmosphere -- with confetti, among other things.
The 5-year-old New Year's Eve show's temporary closure is "out of respect for the victims of this week's tragic events," Waters said. It wasn't held Wednesday or Thursday and won't be on tonight, she said. After that, Disney will re-evaluate.
Disney also canceled its Mexico Independence Day celebrations that had been scheduled for Sunday in Epcot. Waters said that Mexican officials have already canceled celebrations planned for Sunday in New York and Washington. She said, "We are following their lead."
Waters added that several companies and groups have canceled banquets they had planned at Disney World in the next few days. She said some of those who booked the events couldn't arrange air travel.
At Universal, the change at the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is in an animated video shown to people waiting in line for the ride. In the video, the superhero thwarts the Sinister Syndicate's efforts to steal the Statue of Liberty.
The scenes that were deleted Wednesday showed an attack on lower Manhattan but didn't single out the twin towers of the World Trade Center, which were destroyed Tuesday.
"Someone remembered [the scenes] . . . and it was done almost immediately," park spokesman Jim Canfield said Thursday.
It wasn't the first time events in the real world have intruded on the fantasy world of Universal's theme parks.
In 1998, Universal Studios delayed the opening of its Twister attraction after a devastating string of tornadoes swept across Central Florida.
Universal Studios Hollywood temporarily shut down its earthquake ride in 1994 as Californians picked up the pieces from a big quake.
From Orlando Sentinal