Abandoned Attractions

[shaniadobie]

So much for the Abandoned half of POP Century!!!!
Disney has announced plans to build an entirely new resort Called The Art of Animation Resort!!
Here are the details.....

http:
//disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/05/disneys-art-of-animation-resort-unveiled

i was so super excited to hear about this and more then half of the rooms are going to be Family suites

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Cheer up - nobody thought the Treehouse Villas would be up and running again.

Never say Never.

and as of earlier today:

Now I have great hope that WOL might come back in some form.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Yeah, DW and I decided to head to WDW in 11/02. We wanted to stay at POP, but found out later it would not be completed for our stay due to the construction stoppage following 9/11. Ended up at All-Star Sports (I had to spell that out after abbreviating at first), and looking back now the crowds were eerily small (we didn't know any different at that time).

My first trip was on the anniversary of 9/11 in 02 it was dead in the parks. We loved it, didn't know any better and now I look back and think man that was great! Now I would probably think of it as a little creepy b/c it was very quiet and some of the magic needs (little) crowds and chatter IMO.

 

[Kaewin]

I had to look for this but it was a great thread at the time.

 

[Mama Mouse]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cSLW9xNGMhU

This is so sad. Why has it just been left to rot in a pile in some field? I guess I've been out of the loop. I just assumed it would at the very least be dismantled and disposed of. The look of those iconic things just rotting away makes me kind of sick to my stomach. I wonder if spaceship earth will look like that a hundred years from now.

I'm also curious if anyone knows why they abandoned the POP resort so far into the process. What's the story?

 

[Kaewin]

They said that right after 9/11 the tourist industry took a hit and they just stopped. But the new Animation Hotel (with suites) will be built using the structures put up.

 

[Mama Mouse]

I remember there was flamingos somewhere....not sure if it was Epcot or not....it has been a long time. I did take photos of them though. I know they were somewhere at one point.

There were flamingos at EPCOT. I have pictures of them. I'll have to see if I can dig them up.

 

[Mama Mouse]

OH my goodness YES YES YES!!! We had so many of those things!! I loved those too! I miss living in Miami and visiting as much as we did!

I remember these too!! Am I crazy or did they eventually evolve to include one shaped like a bunch of purple grapes?

 

[Mama Mouse]

I agree it is sad to see some things like River Country just rot away. The abandoned buildings at POP do not make a perfect view for those on the other side of the lake. Disney has always illustrated high standards. One would wonder what Walt would think of the waste. I to go but miss the way things use to be.

I agree.

This has been one of the most fascinating threads I've ever read here, which is really saying something. But it's just all so...sad and decidedly non-magical.

I know it sounds silly but when you think of the happiness that many of these attractions evoked (Just think of the crowds of happy people on the beaches of River Country!) it just feels like the attractions deserved a better and more respectful final resting, so to speak. I know it would likely cost too much to dismantle them all but it's hard not to think of them as magical entities rather than just brick and mortar attractions.

 

[Robo]

There were flamingos at EPCOT. I have pictures of them. I'll have to see if I can dig them up.

Those Epcot flamingoes were transferred to DAK when that new park opened.

 

[Quin]

Not really an attraction, but in 1991 I remember we had a proper afternoon tea at the Rose & Crown in the England pavillion. The restaurant served lunch, then was closed for several hours until dinner. But you could make reservations to go to a full tea. Probably only 1 or 2 specific seatings.

Not a "princess" tea, and they didn't serve PB&J. Real scones with plates of clotted cream; tea sandwiches; pastries. And, of course, authentic hot tea.

When we went back in 2001 with DD 9 it was gone. We tried the "tea" offered then at the GF, but it was nothing like the real thing.

 

[Trixie15]

I remember the drinks in the little plastic fruit cups. I think I used to have one of the grapes ones!

 

[kazfloyd]

Oh, I remember those grape drinks!!!!

 

[jtovey56]

I have one. Didn't there used to be a movie with Robin Williams about time travel? I think it used to be where the Comedy Laugh Floor is. I remembered it because those glass tubes in the waiting area reminded me of it. I don't know what it was called. Any ideas?
Jim

 

[doconeill]

I have one. Didn't there used to be a movie with Robin Williams about time travel? I think it used to be where the Comedy Laugh Floor is. I remembered it because those glass tubes in the waiting area reminded me of it. I don't know what it was called. Any ideas?
Jim

Timekeeper. There's probably a video on YouTube or somewhere of it.

 

[book_junkie]

It was closed before 2004 because when my hubbie and I went to the MVMCP, we got free pictures, and the queue for it was in the Timekeeper building.... The robot was still there, but the building smelled like it hadn't been open for use in a while...

 

[LMN]

I remember those orange and grape plastic "cups"! What a great memory- I had forgotten all about those. I came home with an orange one and my brother had the grapes- on our first trip to DW in 1978. This has been a great thread and has really reminded me to be better about taking pictures on our next trip. You never know what you will capture in a picture and then 20 or 30 years later, be reminiscing about!

 

[Angeni11]

I remember the orange and grape drinks too. My favorite was the grapes. I need to raid my parents house for the slides and film they have and get them put on dvd so I can show my hubby who went to WDW for the first time on our honeymoon (he is from the UK).

I remember the flamingos at Epcot and have some pictures somewhere as well.

The Diamond Horseshoe Review Show is still a memory that I will never forget. My dad got chosen to be in the show. I will never ever forget him in the pink tutu with the pink star wand. I am sure he wishes we would forget it.

 

[BethEJo]

Wow, what a great thread - this stuff is so interesting.

I love hearing about how it all used to be, it's amazing. I just read the whole thread, albeit backwards, and loved it!!

It's strange, but when I see all the old photos of RC, DI, hearing about the unfinished side of POP, and when I hear you all talk of the things you miss, I get a knot in my stomach and shivers down my spine!

Sad huh?! Haha

I just get this massive craving to find out about how things used to be! Can't wait for more

Thanks for starting this thread OP and to everyone who has contributed!

 

[doconeill]

Speaking of the Timekeeper, this week's WDW Radio show is doing a piece on it...