Goodbye Alien Encounter!

[NHLFAN]

Originally posted by disneysteve
Thank God! This was a one-timer attraction if I've ever seen one.

The parks need more rides and shows that are family friendly (like they all used to be), not just geared toward teens. Neither my wife nor daughter has ever been on AE. Neither has any desire to do it.

HUH....?

Most attractions and ALL shows at Disney are family friendly.

Disney needs to add "more" cool rides like Mission Space, Test Track and TOT at each park so my teens might want to be seen at a Disney Park.

It's a shame when a teen would rather spend their whole vacation at DTD shopping, watching movies and hanging out than being at the parks with the rest of their family.

 

[snowgooseltd]

I feel some agreement with most of the replys. Because of the "thrill" factor with AE, once you've seen it and get over the intitial shock, it's pretty tame but, you have to remember.....the first time you saw it and got "breathed" on and "spit" on. Then you have to remember the first time you took someone else to see it and sat next to him/her and listened to him/her scream. My family just loves being the host to someone who has never had the chance to sit in on AE. They love listening to the reactions!! We'll miss it..........

 

[crgrfg]

My husband and I are thoroughly disappointed that Alien Encounter will be permanently closing. We love watching the reaction of first timers! We will miss it.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by NHLFAN
HUH....?

Most attractions and ALL shows at Disney are family friendly.

Disney needs to add "more" cool rides like Mission Space, Test Track and TOT at each park so my teens might want to be seen at a Disney Park.

It's a shame when a teen would rather spend their whole vacation at DTD shopping, watching movies and hanging out than being at the parks with the rest of their family.

You're right. Most attractions are family friendly - but nothing added in recent years is. They all have height restrictions, health warnings, etc. So maybe the teens (and big kids like me) like to ride those, but what good is it if the rest of the family has to sit on a bench while the teen rides. Is that quality family time?

I definitely agree that its a shame if your teen doesn't want to go into the parks with you. Its a bigger shame that we seem to be raising a generation of kids who feel this way. If a ride doesn't spin them, drop them, flip them upside down or go super fast, they're not interested. My first trip to WDW was when I was 12. I had the time of my life, and there was ONLY the MK then. I visited a few more times during jr. and sr. high school with my family or with my best friend and his family. We spent every waking minute in the park - MK and later EC after that opened. And that was before most of the thrill rides we have today. We also didn't have Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. Somehow, we managed to be entertained 16 hours a day. Our only complaint was when it came time to pack up and head for home.

Steve

 

[>>^..^<<]

I always thought AE needed a random sequence like Tower of Terror.. so it could be different when you try it again.

The first time was great.. the second time okay.. but after that you just know what it going to happen so it's just not the same.

It will be interesting to see what they do.

>>^..^<<

 

[jann1033]

maybe that is why I have enjoyed ae, due to always going with someone who hadn't been there before...

as far as teen rides go, a paper cardboard day glow witch al la snow white never cut it with my kids once they were past early grade school ( and they were not exposed to a lot of violence via video games or tv) but using their imagination was much scarier, in my opinion just like a book is usually 99% times better than a movie..what you don't see, if you have an active imagination ,is much more intense. now if they changed Ae and made it dumb, I don't know, i just know the first couple years it was a good attraction.

 

[princesstommi]

Honestly, I won't miss it. I hated it. The first time because it scared the crap out of me, and the second time (2 years later) because I knew what was coming and it was lame. And, I love Stitch

I do understand why some people are bummed. I hope that they replace it with something that appeals to a more general audience (not just for the younger crowd though), and that is more re-ride-able.

 

[Kuzco]

I'll also throw my hat in the "I'm glad to see it go" camp. I only have experienced it once, and refuse to go back. I wasn't necessarily scared, I just found it a bit obnoxious. But then I'm not one to complain when Disney takes away some of my favorite attractions...

I'm sorry for all of the people who are big fans. Hopefully the new attraction will still be enjoyable for you.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by disneysteve
You're right. Most attractions are family friendly - but nothing added in recent years is.

I don't know that I even agree with that, Steve. What about things like Buzz Lightyear, Pooh, and Philharmagic? Most of the AK attractions are family-friendly (Tough to be a Bug, Kilimanjaro Safari, Lion King, etc.)

Even something like Test Track will certainly appeal to my son, who will be 3 1/2 when we return next fall.

It's tough to come up with something that will appeal equally to infants, toddlers, teens and adults. But I think they've done a more-than-adequate job.

We just bought into DVC, so we're looking forward to making trips at least once a year for a long, long time. Strangely enough, my biggest concern already is whether our kids (who are currently 2 1/2 and 4 mos) will still enjoy going in another 10 years. I'm not saying that Disney should begin exclusively building thrill rides. But, IMO, they've already demonstrated a good balance of thrill rides and family rides. Having Mission Space and PhilharMagic open within a couple months of each other is a prime example.

I agree that AE was one of the least family-friendly attractions in any of the parks. Hopefully they will replace it with something that has a bit more universal appeal.

 

[kidzmom3]

I really love Stitch, so I hope it will be good. The Buzz lightyear ride is so great because it goes along with the character well, and its fun. I hope they do the same for STitich and not just piece meal something with a robot of him. I love WDW but with a thrill seeking DH and DS we spend at least 2 days away from the park, and over at universal. They even want to go to Sea World, not for the animals, but for Kraken. I think that although I do not want a Six Flaggs, a few more Hypercoasters would not go amiss.

 

[Safari Steve]

1) The official announcement has not been made yet as to what will be done with AE, only that it will be closed for a full year for "complete redevelopment".
2) Leaders have hinted at, and will certainly announce soon, that an attraction involving Stitch will replace AE.
3) I think it's a safe bet that WDI is not going to simply "add Stitch to Alien Encounter." The entire attraction will be changed, and while it's not clear exactly what will happen, I'm sure that we have seen the last of XS Tech in the Magic Kingdom (I could be wrong, but the idea that the big alien is just going to be replaced with a stitch figure is a silly one that has only been assumed by various posters, not announced by anyone officially connected to TWDC.)
I have been a fan of AE since I first experienced it. I think alot of people simply didn't get it, much like the people who get off of the Haunted Mansion complaining "That wasn't scary, it was silly." AE is full of jokes and camp. One of the funniest lines in any Disney attraction has to be "Spinlock, I've been siezed!" "Something you ate, sir?" While it is intense, and many people find it frightening, those who say "I wasn't scared by AE, it almost made me want to laugh" are missing the point, because the point is to make you laugh.
Oh well.
The new attraction will hopefully appeal to a broader audience, and anyone who thinks that a family friendly attraction featuring stitch will be "just for kids" or that "there are only 2 lands in MK for adults," is also... imo... missing the point Big-Time.

Getting back to my original point, saying "Maybe adding Stitch will make Alien Encounter better" seems a bit like saying (pre-'94) "Maybe adding teleportation and aliens will make Mission to Mars better." or "Maybe adding Buzz Lightyear will make Dreamflight better." I think this is going to be different and unique.

 

[Safari Steve]

What about things like Buzz Lightyear, Pooh, and Philharmagic?

Let's go down the list. Just since 1999, how many of these attractions would you group as "family friendly" versus "thrill-oriented"?
(I'm pulling these from my memory, so they aren't in any kind of chronological order)

Test Track
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Rock 'n Rollercoaster
Bear in the Big Blue House Live/Playhouse Disney Live
Kali River Rapids
Maharaja Jungle Trek
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Tarzan Rocks
Journey into Imagination with Figment
Primeval Whirl
Triceratops Spin
Mission:Space

Coming Soon:
Mickey's PhilharMagic
More interactive Magic of Disney Animation
The Making of the Haunted Mansion at Soundstage 4

5 thrill rides vs 10 attractions the whole family can experience.

 

[erikthewise]

Tend to agree with Steve.

I only saw AE once and thought it was a hoot. I'm just glad I had a chance to see it before it disappears.

I guess if you didn't get the humor (understandable I suppose) or ignored everything other than the lockdown sequence it might same lame.

But there should be room at WDW for nonphysical attractions, and ones that not everybody "gets". I'm sure there are plenty of people who get off Spaceship Earth and say "That was dumb. It just went up and came back down again." having gotten nothing out of what happened along the way. Maybe that's why it is rumored to be replaced. Everybody understands puking.

 

[jann1033]

safari steve, not trying to start a debate but you misquoted me...in response to someone's post about needing more family oriented rides I pointed out 2 whole lands (fantasy and toon whateverit'scalled) are geared towards young children while only a few of the Mk attractions have been "geared" towards teens, adults.( who by the way cost a lot more to get a ticket for)..so the kid/family oriented attractions far outweigh any that families can not enjoy together( of which I can think of 4off the top of my head, the 2- 3 "Mountains" and AE. depending on the child)..just to clarify, I also stated (on another tread) I enjoy the details of those lands but the attractions are not ones I want to do over and over (nor did my kids, once past the early elementary years). I never said only two lands are "adult "...actually there would be far less than that if you mean attractions only teens/adults would enjoy (not that I think spliting families up is the pupose of MK anyway)!

 

[Poohbear123]

Good! I never liked this "ride" and felt it needed to be re-done or something.

 

[sherry8253]

It appears that my DH and I are in the minority but we are sorry to see AE go. We never missed it when we went to the MK. I am sorry that we won't get to see it one more time. The only good thing will be if COP and the Timekeeper are going to be kept open after AE is closed because we haven't seen those for several years.

 

[Safari Steve]

Jan, I apologize for misquoting you. In actuality, your mentioning 2 lands geared towards the younger visitors reminded me of guests I've heard saying that Frontierland and Tomorrowland are the only 2 lands not geared towards younger visitors. My intent was not to dispute what you said, and if it seemed that way, it was purely unintentional.
From the reactions I've seen of PhilharMagic, I think that rather than being targeted exclusively to children, it really does touch a very wide audience, which was Walt's intention to begin with: a place where families can have fun together. (as a caveat, that's also the main thrust behind the "Magical Gatherings" event.)

 

[Micca]

We've enjoyed AE several times. One thing WDW must do is to come up with attractions that will enchant the younger crowd.
I don't see anything wrong with making something "more Disney" by revising the ride to include something for the late 90's generation. As good as AE is, I don't know that it couldn't be better. Let's give 'em a chance

 

[pnelson]

Can anyone confirm (without my reading the entire post) if Timekeeper and/or COP will remain open-especially late November-Early December???

 

[Safari Steve]

Nothing is certain yet. Plans will be more firm, and operating hours will be announced closer to October 12, when AE is scheduled to close.
Nothing official has been announced yet except that AE will be closing for extensive redevelopment.