Just got back from DW trip on 04/10 with DD14. We did TGMR one last time. I told my DD about the closing and she was so upset. She actually went on a rant, lol. She did that ride when she was 8, 12 and then this time at 14 and she has such fond memories of it. DHS is so lean on rides and classic ones at that.
Don't get me wrong, we love the thrill rides but also enjoy rides like this and Carousel of Progress, Country Bears, etc. I still have fond memories when I went to DW for the first time in the 70's and did IASW and some of the other classic rides in MK that are still there. As one poster mentioned earlier, that's what makes the Disney brand special...that nostalgic feeling you get when you go back or take your kids or grandkids and go on those same rides. Yeah, I agree, it could've used a refresher but, just like many of the classic books never go out of style, so it's the same with classic movies... just add in some of the newer classics, as well.
Oh well, looks like it's not meant to be. Will be sad to see it go. I just hope whatever they replace it with has that same classic feeling to it albeit with newer technology. The Mickey ideas that some posters have mentioned sounds good... like going back to Steamboat Willie and moving forward with Mickey's progression.