Old rides

[TheGoofster]

I've read lots of posts about people wanting to see an old favorite ride make a come back (Mr. Toad or the original Journey Into your Imagination for example) but I was wondering, does Disney even keep these old rides stored away somewhere? I can think of quite a few rides that have been replaced, and it would seem like it would take a ton of storage space to hang onto all these old rides.
I would think it would make more sense for Disney to savage what they could from these old classics to be used in newer rides (thus saving as much money as possible). As much as I would LOVE to see the original JIYI come back, I have a feeling that it's not really possible unless they were to make it all over again from scratch.
Does anyone know for certain, or have any good theories about it?

 

[johnGorski]

I have heard these items were auctioned off for charity.

 

[centurythree]

Sometimes things from retired attractions are used for new attractions, or even refurbs of existing attractions. And you'll often also find references to old attractions in new ones that occupy the same space (for example, the reference to Mr. Toad in the Winnie the Pooh ride or the Horizons symbols in the Mission: Space building.)

Other pieces seem to be kept almost as museum pieces and are shown to guests occasionally.

But no, I don't think that whole ride mechanisms and so on are stored. Think of how much space would be required for all of the attractions that have been removed over the years . . . not to mention rides like If You Had Wings where the same track was reused.

And yes, some items are simply sold.

 

[Jestocost]

In general, I don't think Disney keeps much of the old ride items around. The mechanicals frequently are cannibalized for use as repair parts for other rides, and ride vehicles are sometimes stored, sold or repurposed (I believe some old 20K Leagues subs were submerged at DCL's Castaway Cay, for example). Various items do come up for resale from time to time, so it's clear Disney is unloading these items in some fashion that allows them to get out into the marketplace. Some items do seem to get kept--I've seen pix of old 20K subs sitting around on the WDW property--although not necessarily kept in good condition.