Help identifying an old ride

[Rapunzeled]

I'm trying to remember the name of a ride I went on in April of 2001 in the Magic Kingdom that doesn't seem to be there anymore. You were strapped to a seat in the dark and it was something like a simulated alien abduction. At one point you were squired with a bit of water.

 

[CinderEmma94]

I'm trying to remember the name of a ride I went on in April of 2001 in the Magic Kingdom that doesn't seem to be there anymore. You were strapped to a seat in the dark and it was something like a simulated alien abduction. At one point you were squired with a bit of water.

ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter. It was replaced by Stitch’s Great Escape which is now closed as well.​

 

[Quicklabs]

It was called Alien Encounter

 

[Rapunzeled]

It was called Alien Encounter

That makes sense! Thanks!

 

[SkyGuy]

I LOVED this ride! We got to be a test group for this ride on our honeymoon in January 1995 - one of those walking past deals and they grabbed us and asked if we wanted to try it out and then we were made to fill out a lengthy survey in the end and asked not to discuss it. There was a child seated next to me who was screaming for his life and doing everything he could to get out of his seat. I’m sure his mother left a less-than-stellar review! After we moved to Orlando we always warned people not to take their kids on the ride; no one listened, and we saw lots of traumatized kids. I was disappointed when they altered it but completely understood! It wasn’t really appropriate for MK, maybe could have survived in HS.

 

[gharter]

It was an amazing ride for the time. Had HS been around at the time and put it there, it might have survived. It just didn't belong in MK. Sadly, many parents didn't realize it was meant to be a scary attraction. Too many screaming kids and Disney felt they needed to change it.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

It was an amazing ride for the time. Had HS been around at the time and put it there, it might have survived. It just didn't belong in MK. Sadly, many parents didn't realize it was meant to be a scary attraction. Too many screaming kids and Disney felt they needed to change it.

Yea, have to say the first time going in, when we didn't know what to expect, it was surprisingly intense! I thought they toned it down a bit for the kids with the Stitch version, but I guess that wasn't as popular, so they closed it!

For you old-timers around Disney attractions, wasn't that space the original location of that rocket ride to Mars?

 

[SkyGuy]

It was an amazing ride for the time. Had HS been around at the time and put it there, it might have survived. It just didn't belong in MK. Sadly, many parents didn't realize it was meant to be a scary attraction. Too many screaming kids and Disney felt they needed to change it.

The ride opened in summer 1995 - after our initial ride in Jan 95 (I think it opened a few weeks before that) and subsequent closure to make it scarier. MGM opened in 1989; it was around in plenty of time for the ride to be placed there. The execs thought the MK needed an edgier ride and took a chance.

 

[SkyGuy]

Yea, have to say the first time going in, when we didn't know what to expect, it was surprisingly intense! I thought they toned it down a bit for the kids with the Stitch version, but I guess that wasn't as popular, so they closed it!

For you old-timers around Disney attractions, wasn't that space the original location of that rocket ride to Mars?

Yes, it was Mission to Mars before being changed.

 

[HopperFan]

Oh how I miss Alien Encounter! My DS even has a small "action figure" of the Alien.

Video

Alien Encounter

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Yes, it was Mission to Mars before being changed.

Seemed so high tech at the time! The seats moved!!

 

[SkyGuy]

Oh how I miss Alien Encounter! My DS even has a small "action figure" of the Alien.

Video

Alien Encounter

That’s awesome! I was just thinking how I wished I had bought some merch!

 

[HopperFan]

That’s awesome! I was just thinking how I wished I had bought some merch!

I can't tell you how much merch my kids and I (I first went to MK in 1971 right after opening) wish we still had. Just their regular kid toys alone could sell for so much.

 

[gharter]

Yes, it was Mission to Mars before being changed.

I think it originally was flight to the moon, then updated to mission to mars. Then closed and came back as Alien Encounter.

 

[SkyGuy]

I can't tell you how much merch my kids and I (I first went to MK in 1971 right after opening) wish we still had. Just their regular kid toys alone could sell for so much.

I used to live there in the 90s/early 2000s and went a few times a week, mainly for exercise; I’d strap my toddler in her stroller and take laps around the parks, ride Maelstrom or Pirates, see the animals at AK - back when the crowds were easily manageable. I never bought merch; it didn’t even cross my mind. I slap myself now.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

It was called Mission to Mars ... wait .... no .... I am old

 

[CarolynFH]

I seem to have a memory of reading that when Michael Eisner experienced it for the first time (before opening) he told the Imagineers that it was too scary and to tone it down. Anyone else remember that, or did I make it up?

 

[glocon]

I just watched a video of it and I can see why kids would be terrified.
I might have been too!
Stuff nightmares are made of

 

[Jml813]

I seem to have a memory of reading that when Michael Eisner experienced it for the first time (before opening) he told the Imagineers that it was too scary and to tone it down. Anyone else remember that, or did I make it up?

Yes, I remember something similar but can't find anything in writing now! So I don't think you made it up or if you did I made it up with you

 

[SkyGuy]

I seem to have a memory of reading that when Michael Eisner experienced it for the first time (before opening) he told the Imagineers that it was too scary and to tone it down. Anyone else remember that, or did I make it up?

The opposite. He didn’t like that the pre show was light-hearted and didn’t match the scariness of the alien part. He wanted it to be more intense. It’s why they replaced Phil Hartman with Tim Curry. There’s a video posted above that does a nice job explaining. There are also several blogs online with dedicated posts to the ride.