Abandoned Attractions

[DCTooTall]

I've heard that explanation/excuse before and it does have some logic behind it. But there have been plenty of other attractions that have lost their sponsors and remained open. Just look next door to the Universe of Energy (formerly Exxon).

T
Although Met Life ended sponsorship and is often cited as a reason, that happened several years before Disney mostly shuttered it. No reason has ever specifically has been given, but in general costs to operate vs. benefits is usually involved.

OKW, I think it has a lot to do with what Doc here hinted at.

just because a ride loses it's sponsorship doesn't automatically mean it's going to get shuttered. It does however mean that they will take a look at the cost of keeping it open and determine if the benefit is worth it.

So lets look at this:

WoL had 1 ride which needed to be staffed, and then multiple shows or booths that needed to be staffed. Based off those numbers, what was the guest appreciation of those attractions, and how many people would it "eat". Is the Cost/benefit worth it?

UoE has 1 ride, which pretty much just required the daily staffing of a few people for load/unload. And it is a notorious people eater.

Even Horizon's lived much longer than people expected because it was a people eater while WoM/TT was closed.


For WoL's cost/Benefit, I can sort of understand the decision to shutter it. It required a larger number of people to work the pavilion daily then some of the others in the area. Out of that, RIDE wise, you had a single ride which was very similar to one in another park, and which either due to it's thrill nature or the fact it had a history of making people queasy, many guests wouldn't ride. (even though many more would). Then you had 2 film shows (one of which wasn't appropriate for younger guests), and a stage show (which means actors). Unlike some of the other examples of pavilions that have managed to survive intact w/o sponsorship, this sadly isn't a no-brainer to keep open. i also don't remember the exact timing of it's closing, But i'm guessing the hit Disney took when tourism took a nosedive after '01 didn't help any.

 

[mistyt]

This is a great thread!

I've loved looking at all the bird eye photos and Robo, you really had me cracking up with the power plant graphics!

Perhaps you should start a thread of "obsure rides we want to see/think could happen at disney"

 

[goofyernmost]

Although Met Life ended sponsorship and is often cited as a reason, that happened several years before Disney mostly shuttered it. No reason has ever specifically has been given, but in general costs to operate vs. benefits is usually involved.

Probably a lot more to do with it is that no one was going there. There were a couple of reasons for that...Disney never really promoted it and it sat up on that hill behind everything and many people just walked by it and didn't even notice it was there. If WoL was pulling them in...Disney would have kept it going.

 

[AprilRenee]

This was/is an awesome thread. Just finished reading thru it.
It has made me wonder which of my favorite attractions will disappear by the time I take my children to the "World." Things like CoP or Mickey's Philharmagic... Like, what happens when 4D is a thing of the past? I'm sure the new things will be amazing and fantastic...but I doubt they'll even compare in my mind. It'll be sad.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Cool! I'm off to check out this site.

not Disney either - but check out Centralia, PA, the town that was abandoned after being slowly consumed by an underground coal fire that has been burning since 1962. yep, 1962!

 

[Turkey Lurkey]

not Disney either - but check out Centralia, PA, the town that was abandoned after being slowly consumed by an underground coal fire that has been burning since 1962. yep, 1962!

You mean Silent Hill, right?


TL

 

[pyrxtc]

Not an "attraction" per se, but "abandoned and rotting" nonetheless.

There were a bunch of cranes out there last week with wrecking balls on them. it was too early and the trees on the view from the road were too tall and couldn't quite see what they were doing.

 

[doconeill]

There were a bunch of cranes out there last week with wrecking balls on them. it was too early and the trees on the view from the road were too tall and couldn't quite see what they were doing.

It seems unlikely that they would be bringing in demo cranes...the existing buildings are supposed to be usable.

That is, unless they've put up the wrong walls in the new construction

 

[X_x_Minnie_x_X]

This post made me really sad =(


It's sad to know that their are buildings that could be filled with families and fun just collecting dus

I find it really sad to they should fix the rides pronto

 

[goofyernmost]

Originally Posted by h0pe View Post
This post made me really sad =(


It's sad to know that their are buildings that could be filled with families and fun just collecting dust.

I believe that the reason construction was stopped was because they couldn't fill the rooms that they already had. Adding another complex just meant more expense in the form of utilities and personnel without any additional guests. (income)

Must be that situation has changed now. I missed if this was going to be another value resort or a more expensive one. Do we know?

 

[doconeill]

I believe that the reason construction was stopped was because they couldn't fill the rooms that they already had. Adding another complex just meant more expense in the form of utilities and personnel without any additional guests. (income)

Must be that situation has changed now. I missed if this was going to be another value resort or a more expensive one. Do we know?

It is a value resort, but with a larger number of "family suites" than standard rooms.

 

[mountdew1]

I find it really sad to they should fix the rides pronto

Not always an option. By most reports, the Body Wars simulators were stripped for parts to keep Star Tours running. And the one or two that wasn't, were re-purposed to use for testing for Star Tours II. So with regards to WoL at least, that would really leave Cranium Command (and I seem to recall hearing that some of the AAs were removed as well) Pretty much all the other small exhibits in the main hall have been removed over the years to make room for the assorted meetings and what not that get held in there.

And personally, as much as I would love to see some of the closed attractions reopen, there are plenty of open attractions that need serious help. Like fixing the Yeti or turning Imagination into a good ride again. Stuff like that.

 

[sunking]

While there has been much discussion over the Wonders Of Life pavilion at Epcot, no one has specifically mentioned The Making Of Me. Remember this one? Martin Short hosted a film about how he was made, following the "whole process" if you catch my drift.

I recall seeing some spirited conversation about this attraction...some people embaressed to take their kids into it, not wanting to have the conversation with them that was sure to follow viewing the movie presented there.

He is the Wikipedia article for it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Making_of_Me

I really like the Wonders Of Life pavilion. Cranium Command, Body Wars and all the little attractions inside (anyone remember the metal things you held and you had to determine if it was hot or cold?)...what a shame it is gone....

 

[nytimez]

While there has been much discussion over the Wonders Of Life pavilion at Epcot, no one has specifically mentioned The Making Of Me. Remember this one? Martin Short hosted a film about how he was made, following the "whole process" if you catch my drift.

I recall seeing some spirited conversation about this attraction...some people embaressed to take their kids into it, not wanting to have the conversation with them that was sure to follow viewing the movie presented there.

He is the Wikipedia article for it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Making_of_Me

I really like the Wonders Of Life pavilion. Cranium Command, Body Wars and all the little attractions inside (anyone remember the metal things you held and you had to determine if it was hot or cold?)...what a shame it is gone....

I made the mistake of watching this film when my wife was pregnant. As soon as it ended, I ran to the Mexico pavilion for a stiff drink.

 

[umichigan10]

first of all, this thread is incredible! Thank you all for making this awesome. The one thing I will always remember is the Mickey shaped pizzas. I think I got it at the Plaza Restaurant but I'm not positive because this was a while ago.

 

[goofyernmost]

While there has been much discussion over the Wonders Of Life pavilion at Epcot, no one has specifically mentioned The Making Of Me. Remember this one? Martin Short hosted a film about how he was made, following the "whole process" if you catch my drift.

I always wish I had seen "the making of me" because I've always been curious as to exactly where my daughters came from and I really didn't buy my wife's explanation of how she found them out in the garden. Just didn't make sense. I had worked in the garden many times and never saw anything like that.

 

[fairestoneofall]

My dd was so looking forward to getting more of these and they were in fact gone when we were there in December

Target has Mickey bowls. they are actually more serving bowls, but i bought the two smallest ones for my kids to use. in fact, i told them it reminded me of the kids meal bowls from WDW.

 

[T1gger]

I always wish I had seen "the making of me" because I've always been curious as to exactly where my daughters came from and I really didn't buy my wife's explanation of how she found them out in the garden. Just didn't make sense. I had worked in the garden many times and never saw anything like that.

Love it!

 

[Grumpymom73]

Love this thread. I haven't read through the whole thing yet so I apologize if these were already mentioned...

1. Moonlight Cruise - Anyone remeber this?

2. The movie theater in the Contemporay Resort ( I believe it was downstairs in the old Game Room)

3. When did the Pooh character loose the honey pot that used to sit on his head?

Love those Orange, Grape and Lemon plastic drink cups. Oh, the memories.

Also, I think I remember getting a set of wooden blocks that were sort of an easy puzzle type thing. The blocks had part of a different scene on each side and when they were all turned the right way it made a picture. I remember they came in a wooden box. Does anyone else remember this or am I crazy?

Okay, this isn't an attraction but does anyone else miss the old days when you would have a nice relaxing breakfast at your resort and your family would discuss which park to visit over pancakes. You know the days before ADRs, touring plans, and commando style vacations? No....maybe it's just me.

 

[goofyernmost]

Okay, this isn't an attraction but does anyone else miss the old days when you would have a nice relaxing breakfast at your resort and your family would discuss which park to visit over pancakes. You know the days before ADRs, touring plans, and commando style vacations? No....maybe it's just me.

No, it's not just you. I still do it that way. It means that I don't spend a lot of money on meals at Disney, but I guess that is their loss. Except for the fact that traditionally I always go to MK first, I have no plans day to day. I decide in the morning, go, do what I can and leave the rest to some other time. I will not be on a schedule on my vacation.

The only thing that I have missed doing that is being able to ride Toy Story, but miraculously, I have still been able to sleep at night without having seen it. I know, it doesn't seem possible but, apparently, I'm dead on the inside.