Attraction effects Disney installed but doesn't use ( w/pics if possible )

[blondeheroine]

The Busby Berkeley scene in the Great Movie Ride (first scene in the attraction) was designed (and briefly used) much more elaborately when the ride first opened.

The "tiers of bathing beauties" rotated and water rained down from above.

It was a maintenance nightmare and has been discontinued.

I remember this from going there as a kid and had always wondered what happened.

 

[blondeheroine]

They used use doves in a lot of the ceremonies and shows in Walt Disney World but the found out that the hawks that live in the area had figured out what time they would be released and swoop in.

Apparantly this was quite prevalent at the Magic Kingdom. The hawks nested on what used to be Discovery Island and over time learned the times that the doves would be released.

Dove releases were stopped all together.

I'm glad they did this then. Good for Disney.

The original preshow movie screen was actually made up of cubes and they would rotate at different angles with various things projected on them. It was a very cool effect but long replaced.
Edit - Thanks youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyhAwEFBVkU

Yes! The preshow was somewhat tedious when you were a kid, but I remember loving the screens. They kinda reminded me of the letters on Wheel of Fortune.

The Rock N' Rollercoaster pre-show has changed from when the attraction first opened. Originally, band member Joe Perry would ask "Chris" to "grab my black Les Paul." A Disney cast member would then enter the pre-show area and remove a guitar from the set. The script uses the unisex name "Chris" so either a male or female could play the part. Although not used as often as when the ride first opened, the position is still used from time to time (Normally during peak holiday times). The video also includes a roadie saying "Hey Joe, I'll get it for ya" as a backup in the event that the position is not staffed.

Edit: I tried finding footage or a photo of this, but couldn't.

I remember this and thought I was crazy when I didn't see it not so long ago.

We didn't even bother riding that one this year. Seems like they are slowly, but surely, killing it out all together. It wasn't that it was "light the world on fire" exciting, but we thoroughly enjoyed the entire ride. Now, it just isn't what it used to be.

When they put in the stunt show and took out the Residential Street, they completely killed the Backlot Tour. Now it's like visiting a friend who isn't as much fun as you remember them being in the past.

This thread makes a question come to mind: Is there still a store near HM in DW that sells haunted-type stuff, like skulls, magic tricks, and other stuff? I remember going as a teenager, a goth teenager, and loading up on skulls and skeletons and other such items. Is that store still there?

Are you sure you aren't remembering House of Magic that used to be on Main Street? It now houses, if I'm correct, men's apparel. However, it used to be this awesome magic shop that sold tricks, slightly "occultish" (for Disney anyway) items and the like. It was dark inside, too, if I remember correctly.

Yes I remember this the effect was originally going to be used for a land called beastly kingdom. It was to have dragons and unicorns and other mythical animals in it. This was never developed

For awhile, you could also buy Animal Kingdom items where a dragon silhouette was included with the rest of the animals. I'm really sad that this fell through. I remember reading about it and REALLY looking forward to it.

This is off topic but thought this would be an interesting fact to share. A friends of mine who is a CM told me that Dueling Dragons in Islands of Adventure was created by a Disney Imagineer and was then sold to Universal.

It didn't make sense why they would sell such a great idea, but I guess they just didn't need it. That ride always seemed out of place there. It's soooo well themed. Just look at Dueling Dragon's queue area vs the other major coaster The Hulk's Queue area. I'm sorry but a building painted green is not a theme.

I have noticed the themeing of this queue time and time again and wondered why it stuck out so at IOA. This explains everything.

haha...a few times when my friends and i were on cast members still in the HM costume (not in armor) would wander around the ride and knock on the back of our cars or jump out and scare us... LOL

As a kid, I remember someone knocking on the back of cars. I suspected it was another guest leaning over to do it when the cars are making the turn near the beginning of the ride.

While i most definitely believe you Buzz, we too thought something was different about the drop post refurb.

Could it be that it isn't as pitch black as it used to be? did they keep the drop the same but move it to a different point in the attraction? It just seems like the drop doesn't have the same effect to us as it used to.

There must be something about the drop post refurb that gives the perception of an alteration. no?

Well, here's a question regarding WDW's POTC. Did they once have a talking skull near the drop to the left that gave out warnings similar to the one at DL? I swear I remember one there. It wasn't on the plaque (if I recall) like the one at DL, but I swear it was there. Yes? No?

However, at DisneyLand, there are 2 drops. I wasn't sure if maybe some ppl were getting the 2 confused. The DisneyLand drops are likely deeper drops as well. My understanding as to this has to do with Florida's extremely high water table as compared to Anaheim.

I too was wondering if maybe WDW and DL weren't being confused. I just rode the DL version about two weeks ago and the drops there are much steeper and more like the baby drops at Splash Mountain. The ride at DL is also far superior to WDW's. Just sayin'.

You're right.

That effect was there, back in the day... after the ride vehicles left the Dispatch area, they'd roll around a wishing well, while the Queen looked down on the riders from the castle before they entered it (and left the view of Guests in the queue). The effect was removed during a 1994 refurbishment due to guest complaints that the attraction was too scary for small children (apparently, the fact that the ride had SCARY in the name and warning signs around the attraction wasn't enough for some Guests) and to add the character of Snow White to the attraction. Originally, she didn't appear in the ride; the idea was that you were Snow White -- a subtlety lost on most guests.

I remember riding this as a kid when it was Snow White's Scary Adventure. It was so much more potent this way.

Too bad they feel they have to pander to a few silly guests. Like with Alien Encounter. I still miss that one something awful.

 

[PixiDust04]

I also didn't know they stopped doing the jet ski stunt at LMA, I didn't catch the show my last two trips.

Last time I was there, October 2008, they did the jet-ski stunt during LMA. All of the times I have seen the show it has been done.

 

[justskip70003]

saturday the 28th of april tinkerbell didnt fly during wishes? anyone know if this happens alot and why? she did the whole week before. i wonder if it was a safty issue. it wasnt windy or raining???

 

[Dixie Luvr 98]

Does anyone know why? It seems with the sea of animatronics in SE that it would be a minor thing to fix it. Is that why it's turned around? It looks kind of stupid the way it stands now.

I confess, I made him go stand in the corner. We got stuck right beside him for 35 mins back in June '05. After listening to his spiel for that long, standing him in the corner was the least of what I wanted to do to him

Seriously though, I wonder if it looks as strange to people who don't remember him being the other way. Does seem like a waste of an animatronic.

 

[blondeheroine]

saturday the 28th of april tinkerbell didnt fly during wishes? anyone know if this happens alot and why? she did the whole week before. i wonder if it was a safty issue. it wasnt windy or raining???

I generally assume if they don't send her out, it's because there's something that the general public doesn't consider like equipment malfunctions or possible lightning.

Either way, I'm glad they take those precautions. Nothing says Disney Magic like telling your kids that Tink just went splat.

 

[BethC1952]

Well, here's a question regarding WDW's POTC. Did they once have a talking skull near the drop to the left that gave out warnings similar to the one at DL? I swear I remember one there. It wasn't on the plaque (if I recall) like the one at DL, but I swear it was there. Yes? No?

Yes, I remember that. It appears to have disappeared during the rehab when they added Jack Sparrow. I think it should be there. Some people aren't aware that there's a drop ahead. There really ARE a few people left who are newbies!

Beth

 

[disneyvet]

One ride that has been virtually erased is the old 20,000 leagues under the sea ride. If my memory stands it is now a garden of sorts, which is both sad and amazing because Disney imagineers erased it off the map. This ride still operates after a refurbishment at Disneyland and its called Finding Nemo Submarine voyage. Maybe Disney decided that The Living Sea's filled that roll in WDW and now even more since they converted that to a Nemo ride was well.

Also very near the above mentioned is a swiss looking chalet with a pathway leading up to it. This used to be the landing for the old skycar system. I believe that Disney still uses it for character photo ops and meet and greets.


-Dan

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

One ride that has been virtually erased is the old 20,000 leagues under the sea ride. If my memory stands it is now a garden of sorts, which is both sad and amazing because Disney imagineers erased it off the map. This ride still operates after a refurbishment at Disneyland and its called Finding Nemo Submarine voyage. Maybe Disney decided that The Living Sea's filled that roll in WDW and now even more since they converted that to a Nemo ride was well.

Well... truth be told, they decided to refurbish the old Submarine Voyage at DL after the 20KLUtS lagoon was filled in and paved over at WDW. Shame, really; it was an amazing attraction.

Also very near the above mentioned is a swiss looking chalet with a pathway leading up to it. This used to be the landing for the old skycar system. I believe that Disney still uses it for character photo ops and meet and greets.

The only thing it's used for routinely nowadays is stroller parking. Occasionally they'll use the area for a photo op during a party, but I've never seen it used that way during regular park hours.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I remember both of those effects and the building that was on fire in the GMR. Also remember the house on fire in Frontierland. On KJS I also remember the mother elephant, the jeep taking off into the woods and live CMs playing the parts of rescuers and they would hold back the truck's canvas flaps to reveal Baby Red.

I remember that well also, as we rode KJS sooooooo many times while they still had those. And the bridge creaking like it was going to break and tipping the truck like we were going to tip off the bridge.

I also remember the Capt. Nemo ride, or whatever it was called. You waited for hours it seemed, for such a lame thing. But others have fond memories of that ride. I would like to have it back though, and Toad's Wild Ride too.
And when Mrs. Potts served food, and we would sit out at those tables and enoy the scenery and sunshine and breeze. (Strangely though, I think we have almost always gone in late July------enjoy sunshine and breeze??

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Might be kinda off-topic, but check the street in MK where the floats drive... there are 200 RFIDs embedded in the streets for the floats. The tour guide I had to Keys to the Kingdom was saying that they were going to be used for Computer-Controlled music timing with the floats, but that they were a nightmare so they aren't being used anymore, just CMs calling down to the sound techs.

Check the streets for clusters of 6-8 little circles in the ground.

Yes, I know what you are talking about. I had read they are used still.
How recent was your tour when the tourgude told you that?
I wonder if that is fairly recently that they quit using that technology.
Sure is cool.

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

Yes, I know what you are talking about. I had read they are used still.
How recent was your tour when the tourgude told you that?
I wonder if that is fairly recently that they quit using that technology.
Sure is cool.

It's been years since they were used.

 

[chartle]

How about this one? This is also at the GMR. The first few years that MGM was open, your cars would split into two parts with your own tour guide. The first two would go through the gangster scene where your car was hijacked by the gangster. The last two cars would stay behind and have that experience. The first two would pass through to the wild west scene where the bank was being robbed and that robber would hijack the car. You can see the fire damage to the bank in the corner around the windows are all scorched because someone shoots or blows up the bank and it catches fire. I remember it very well because the heat from the fire was intense.

Maybe they stopped it because of the heat or they only do it when the crowds get really huge.

If anyone out there knows the reason why they stopped the bank robbery part and/or if anyone out there remembers it like me please be sure to answer.

Haven't read the whole thread so I don't know if this has been addressed but I'm sure they still do this. Last Aug the trains split and we got to see the cowboy other times we always got the gangster.

Maybe you go in slow times and they only do one show

 

[micknpluto]

Does anyone remember.. back inside of the County Bounty tent... (The place where thye do meet n greets its also a pretty big store.

they use to have an area where you would go behind and people in the store could look up on a screen where old Mickey Mouse cartoons where playing and it looked like the person behind the wall/curtain was in the cartoon?

My Goddaughter was around 3 or 4 years old. (shes going to be 20 this October) I had video of her running in place I was cracking up cause she was running in the cartoon on the screen..

anyone know what Im talking about? I wish they still had it ...

This is in Toontown.. it was back when they had the little houses/store fronts as well. in toontown. or was it called something else back then?

 

[Mom2twinboys]

Disney has once again fixed the mist on top of Everest! Someone posted a small video of it last week: http://www.flickr.com/photos/disneydena/2498686955/

I know this thread is old but I think some of the newcomers since 2007 might enjoy it.

Thanks! I am enjoying it and just realized that is was from 2007 .

 

[Mom2twinboys]

Well I guess I should have specified that there was a tiny hill, but it was significantly smaller than normal. I'm a Disney veteran so I definitely noticed it right away (the hill used to be so big that it could give you a serious case of butterflies). It's also interesting that I didn't notice it until after the renovations were done so I wonder if it's more than just a coincidence. I wouldn't at all be surprised if while revamping the ride, they made the hill smaller too. Maybe it was scaring the little kids? who knows. lol But something is different, that's for sure.

To the previous poster, thanks for reminding me about the Listen to the Land song. How could I have forgotten that one! It has always been my dad's favorite. He used to sing it around the house all the darn time lol. I used to enjoy having lunch at the Garden Grill and looking at the ride below. I remember that they used to serve the butter in the shape of Mickey Mouse. I wonder if they still do that. I would love to buy a CD with all the old songs on it though.

I am still reading through the thread. But I have a CD that I bought with all of these songs. My kids and I were listnening to "Listen to the Land" and singing on Friday. It's in the car so I'll check the name tomorrow. It's 2 CDs and has some of the older songs on it. I think I bought it in 2005.

 

[BebopBaloo]

So glad that I found this thread! There are so many things that I had forgotten about. I do remember the queen popping out at Snow White in DW and the cabin burning and the women chasing the pirates and etc etc!


On Main Street there is a statue of Goofy sitting on a bench and he has a speaker in his mouth. He is supposed to talk somehow when you sit next to him, but we tried it in January and nothing happened. Anyone know what to do, or he just doesn't work anymore?

 

[brutus]

Great Thread.

One item I don't think has been mentioned....

I remember when you entered EPCOT, if you wanted to make dinner reservations you would go to Comunicore (I think). You would go to a tv, where they had a CM and a camera on you. You would talk to the CM on the screen and she/he would make your dining reservations for the evening. We now make dining reservation 90 days out, so that probablt wouldn't work today.

I remember staying at the Poly back in the 70's and seeing Goofy waterski right up to me on the beach. He layed down next to me (I was about 10) and started playing with me. Goofy is still my favorite...and I'm 43 now!!!

 

[cchev]

Does anyone remember the Swan Boats that took you around the Castle on the moat? The landings down the path through the Rose Garden used to be the launch/load/unload docks.

Also the TVs at the top of the cue on the left before the split in the Space Mtn. cue used to show a much longer video including guest spots from Mario Lopez and a few other "notables", with fake commercials for space products, etc. It also contained an instructional video for getting into the ride and pulling down your lap bar. It added to the theme that you were entering a space station to be transported to another planet. There also used to be more TVs throughout the cue with the video also running on it.

Anyone know of any video on Youtube or anywhere that shows these old space mountain TVs?

 

[MAH4546]

I don't know if this applies to the Epcot version, but when Soarin' first opened in California, the entire room would fill with fog to simulate clouds when the room went dark and the ride vehicle would lift-up. When the fog cleared, the vehicles would be all the way up and the screen would appear.