Rides that should be retired....

[goofy's friends]

Thanks, EEyoremama
I was actually mentioning the idea to my DH at dinner and he said there is a new Disney movie coming out called "Cars"--wonder what those look like? That would fit right in!! You're right, they could just make it part of Toontown instead of Tommorrowland!

 

[pdchris]

MK- Stitch Can't stand that character so forget about the attraction. Bring back Dream Flight.
EPCOT- Universe of Energy I like the idea behind it. I just am not an Ellen fan.
MGM- Drew Carey and Indiana Jones- Just my recommendation, but get rid of Indy Jones and bring in the ride that they have at DL. That is a fun ride!
AK- Not my favorite park but I will give it a try. Out of what I have done there, I would say get rid of the Pocohontas show and keep Tarzan Rocks!

I agee about Tarzan Rocks. We saw it for the first time last May and really enjoyed it. However, I did read somewhere on the DIS boards that they are getting rid of it.

 

[MsTink82]

With 8 trips under my belt and my next one approaching I would have to say that I would like to see The Carosel of Progress retired. Last time we were there it broke half way through and we were stuck listening to the same segment 2 times. As far as the great movie ride I wish they would update it every couple of years with new movies. That's what makes it the most dated. I wasn't greatly impressed with Stitch's Great Escape, we waited for an hour and were extremely disappointed. I'm sure we'll give it a second chance this year though.

I'd put up a big fuss if they ever thought about getting rid of It's A Small World, my family and I always have to ride this ride. They can't get rid of The Jungle Cruise either, it's a classic and the jokes the skippers tell are lame but so lame their funny.

It's all my opinion though.

 

[Robo]

I was just about to quote this too. I remember LOVING Maelstrom and finding it funny as a kid/teen. On my last visit (it had been 15 years since last trip) it just was eh. I thought maybe I had just matured...but now I see that they changed it. I can't tell you exactly what they did though!

But they HAVEN'T changed it.

Norway was the last WS "country" (pavillion) to open in Epcot (1988).
Morocco was also a late-comer (1984).

Maelstrom is one of the only two actual "rides" in WS (the other is next door at Mexico).

I have ridden Maelstrom since it opened in '88 and it has always been the same AFAIK:

Same indoor queue with the huge mural with a famous hidden mickey.

Same Viking boat ride vehicles.

Same "light-beam eye" projecting from the Viking head.

Same "Yooo aarh not the fuuurst to paaaasss dis way..." narration.

Same "Space Ship Earth-style" scenes of Viking voyagers.

Same huge polar bear scene.

Same 3-headed Troll who scolds you and sends your boat backwards toward the same "hole" in the front of the building.

Same drop into the "Stormy North Sea" oil-derrick.

Same beautiful quiet little town exterior as you wait for the doors to the theater to open.
("Please stand behind the yellow line as the doors will open toward you.")

Same MAD DASH of tourists running thru the theater to SKIP the movie.

Same old ME as I stay and actually WATCH the very short, very MOVING film about the land and people of Norway.

Was there something important that is DIFFERENT now?

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Do I just get to pick one? I love WDW but there is at least 1 attraction in every park I would toss, but for others they may be must see's every trip.

MK- Indy Speedway
Epcot- Innoventions
MGM- Sounds Dangerous
AK- Hester and Chester area


Yes I did say Innoventions, I just don't like it, only thing good about it is walking in the a/c for a break in the summer. Let the flames begin.......

 

[Robo]

Yes I did say Innoventions, I just don't like it, only thing good about it is walking in the a/c for a break in the summer. Let the flames begin.......

You think folks will FLAME you over a comment about Innoventions?

Who spends any serious time in Innoventions?

It used to be kind of fun when there were industrial robot shows and a back-stage at Epcot Center show and interactive activities for kids.
(It was not even called Innoventions back then.)

Now its just a:
"wonders of the (name-brand) computer"
"wonders of the (name-brand) audio speakers"
"wonders of the (name-brand) industrial product"
"wonders of the (name-brand) self-propelled personal transportation"

The real problem is, NOW in every school, office, library, and home its COMMON to see/have/use computers, video simulations, and have instant access to info on the "wonders of ANYTHING"!

There's just no "WOW-factor" in Innoventions anymore.

No flame from here.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Snow White and Indy

Both are prime real estate and are about as cheesy and carnival like as you can get. Really beneath Disney.

The real irony is that they are "children's" rides that in the case of Indy they can't drive and Snow White scares toddlers. Who did they think would like them? Teenagers?

Snow White is right behind the castle!!!! Put something else in Fantasyland.

 

[EEYOREMAMA]

As far as the great movie ride I wish they would update it every couple of years with new movies. That's what makes it the most dated.
I'd put up a big fuss if they ever thought about getting rid of It's A Small World, my family and I always have to ride this ride. They can't get rid of The Jungle Cruise either, it's a classic and the jokes the skippers tell are lame but so lame their funny.

It's all my opinion though.

I happen to love the Great Movie Ride. I don't know about updating the movies, because a big part of it is "the classics" that should not be forgotten. I do think they could update some of the "genres" and make you feel more pulled into the movies. Perhaps use more dark areas and laser technology -- more effects that show what the movies can actually do.

I absolutely and totally agree with It's a Small World. We've probably done it 100x and will probably do it 100 more. And Jungle Cruise (all the lame jokes included) is still a family must-do. But just like the Safari Ride at AK, the better the CM, the better the journey. Get a CM who is really into it and it is never the same old ride again. The CM makes the difference. I would have to add the Great Movie Ride to that as well as because the CM makes the ride.

 

[pepperw23]

I would say the Hall of Presidents, but then where would I take my afternoon nap?

 

[firefly72]

But they HAVEN'T changed it.

Norway was the last WS "country" (pavillion) to open in Epcot (1988).
Morocco was also a late-comer (1984).

Maelstrom is one of the only two actual "rides" in WS (the other is next door at Mexico).

I have ridden Maelstrom since it opened in '88 and it has always been the same AFAIK:

Same indoor queue with the huge mural with a famous hidden mickey.

Same Viking boat ride vehicles.

Same "light-beam eye" projecting from the Viking head.

Same "Yooo aarh not the fuuurst to paaaasss dis way..." narration.

Same "Space Ship Earth-style" scenes of Viking voyagers.

Same huge polar bear scene.

Same 3-headed Troll who scolds you and sends your boat backwards toward the same "hole" in the front of the building.

Same drop into the "Stormy North Sea" oil-derrick.

Same beautiful quiet little town exterior as you wait for the doors to the theater to open.
("Please stand behind the yellow line as the doors will open toward you.")

Same MAD DASH of tourists running thru the theater to SKIP the movie.

Same old ME as I stay and actually WATCH the very short, very MOVING film about the land and people of Norway.

Was there something important that is DIFFERENT now?

Someone above me said that they need to bring back the original Maelstrom...I thought something had changed...but like I said I can't tell you what it was (since it had been 15 years between visits)-it just didn't seem the same to me.

Guess it hasn't changed

 

[cindyfan]

Do I just get to pick one? I love WDW but there is at least 1 attraction in every park I would toss, but for others they may be must see's every trip.

MK- Indy Speedway
Epcot- Innoventions
MGM- Sounds Dangerous
AK- Hester and Chester area


Yes I did say Innoventions, I just don't like it, only thing good about it is walking in the a/c for a break in the summer. Let the flames begin.......

No flames here either!
I totally agree with all your picks! I forgot about Innoventions, because we usually walk right past it. To us it is just a huge building with nothing worth stopping to see.
And your other picks were on my list too.

 

[Robo]

And Jungle Cruise (all the lame jokes included) is still a family must-do. But just like the Safari Ride at AK, the better the CM, the better the journey. Get a CM who is really into it and it is never the same old ride again. The CM makes the difference. I would have to add the Great Movie Ride to that as well as because the CM makes the ride.

THAT is EXACTLY the TRUTH!

We will wait for the Jungle Cruise (FP, actually) EVERY time we go to MK with the HOPES of getting a very funny, creative "stand-up comedy" CM (and there are some who are spectacular!)

We have spent many a voyage completely filled with laughter at the unique "spin" the best JC captains put on the tired old "official" script.

The JC is one of the FEW rides where an individual CM captain CAN BE a bit creative and "make a difference" in the success of the entire cruise.

-------------
Captain, pointing to another BOAT barely keeping AFLOAT at the JC dock:
"That's where I live. Its a BASEMENT apartment. Kinda damp, though. I have a waterbed."
-------------

I have even waited until the rest of the boat had exited and privately told the CM how much we enjoyed that particular cruise.

There is a website (which I can't quote at the moment) that has virtually ALL of the "jokes" that have been used throughout the tenure of hundreds of JC captains at the various parks... many are KILLER funny!

-------------
Captain, spying the crashed PLANE tail-section:
"Oh my GOSH, its a crashed airplane! There's only one thing that can bring a plane down in the jungle like that...

That's right...

HIPPOS!"
-------------

So, don't take a couple of random trips on the JC to be the "whole story" on why that ride is popular. It takes some INTEREST on the guests' part (willingness to maybe take a couple of "average" cruises) and a bit ot LUCK... but it has paid off for us, time and again, in some of the FUNNIEST rides ever taken in the MK.

-------------
Captain, making the "return to civilization",
"That was such a fun trip, I think I'll go around again...
and again, and again, and again.
Every ten minutes...

for the rest of my life.

Stay in school , kids."
-------------

 

[goofy's friends]

-------------
Captain, making the "return to civlization",
"That was such a fun trip, I think I'll go around again...
and again, and again, and again.
Every ten minutes...

for the rest of my life.

Stay in school , kids."
-------------

 

[JulielovesDisney]

I'd love to see a Little Mermaid ride. Think Winnie the Pooh style but with Ariel and all the other characters. Lots of special water effects and bubbles. Fun music playing, etc. My 5 yr old twin girls would have me in that line over and over and over......

Thats a really good idea!! I'd line up to ride that over and over again!!

I'd retire Snow White. It doesn't stand up to Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh.

We also skip Innoventions too, but I wouldn't retire it. Its a cool place to cool off.

I'd also get rid of Drew Carey's ride. I did it once, and it wasn't all the great.

 

[MFL101]

Rides that should be retired:

The Speedway - Come on, that's a huge space that could have something great on it instead of smelly go-karts that you cant even turn if you wanted to.

Honey I Shrunk the Audiance - It's done.

MGM Backlot Tour - Are you friggin kidding me? If you ever went to universal, this thing is the biggest joke ever. It's so short and so boring.

Indiana Jones Stunt Show - I agree with a previous poster that if they put the Indiana Jones ride from disneyland there it would be great!

Swiss Family Treehouse - the kids don't even want to go there.


Major Upgrades Needed:


Star Tours - They need to make it a real Star Wars experience...more of a ride than just a simulator.

Malestrom - Boring

El Rio Del Tiempo - Serious upgrade needed. Very dated.

Spaceship Earth - It's about time.

All the movies at the pavilions need a major update to make them more exciting...maybe make them motion simulator like Soarin'.


Yeah, I pretty much think every single ride could use some upgrades. It seems Disney just has a good thing that makes a lot of money, no need to fix it then.

 

[Bimmy56]

About Maelstrom - I believe the only change has been that the boat does not actually project outside of the building like it did in the beginning when you are going backwards. (The part when you change from going backwards to going forward again.) Originally the boat went about half-way outside, now it stays entirely inside the building. Probably a safety issue.

I agree about the Rio del Tiempo - seriously - how much would it cost to update the videos!, but I find the Drew Carey extremely relaxing in the middle of a hot (or wet) afternoon.

 

[PixiDust04]

Agreeing with many other posters, the videos at Epcot in the WS should just be re-done every 10 years or so, to keep the scenery and clothing looking good (because right now, I make fun of the 80's clothes that people wear in almost all the videos)!!

I don't think that any rides are too terrible, but there are a few that should just be changed...Stitch's Great Escape at MK to start with. Its good for young kids, but I think there is probably something better that could go there. Same for the Little Mermaid show and Drew Carey at MGM. They could put in a show dealing with a newer movie or something, to keep it updated. Also at MK, I would get rid of the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House, because we've only done it once or twice in all the years we've gone, and its always been boring for me. And no tired, hot kid wants to do a walk-through like that! I agree with replacing Indiana Jones's show with the Disneyland ride, because that would be a lot more thrilling, now that the Lights Motors Action show is there. At AK, I wouldn't replace any of the rides (and can't wait for Expedition Everest), but I would do away with the Tarzan Rocks show...its getting a little old to watch people who look like LA lounge singers lead a too-quick show that doesn't have much to do with Tarzan at all. Epcot should also do away with the Honey I Shrunk the Audience 3D show, because lots of kids these days haven't been introduced to the movie it was based on, and so they may find it pointless.

I disagree with the ones who want to do away with the Great Movie Ride, however. I LOVE doing that at least once each trip (and a great CM does make it that much better). I will say that I would like to see it expanded to include some newer movie greats (there have been so many in the last 10 years!), but I always notice a couple new movies added into the montage at the end. The newest ones added just a few weeks ago were Forrest Gump, Finding Nemo, Chronicles of Narnia, and one other. (I've always wondered if the movies they use have to be from a certain production company or something, because I would have thought that greats like Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter would have been added in by now... Sorry!) Anyway, rides and shows come and go, but the ones that stay are the most popular or classic rides, and I usually enjoy them no matter how "outdated" they are!

 

[janette]

The Tomorrowland Speedway is the top of my redo list, it is a smelly mess. I'd love to see it redone especially since kids love that type of ride where they can drive but feel bad for the CM's that have to keep those things running and the people who wait for that disappointing experience on a hot summer day. My kids like it but we are very selective of the times we ride.

Many of those mentioned are some what make it WDW to me, I hope they keep them a long time.

 

[The Beach Bears]

I want to know about the Treehouses/Villas that we passed when we were on the boat to Downtown Disney? Lets open them back up. Oh and Mexico and Canada still look like that.... Well mabey not Mexico.

 

[loopner67]

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone's responses and am so glad that no one flamed anyone else. Very interesting reading!

My two cents....

I was *SO* happy to see someone else say they want the original FIGMENT ride back! We were in Disney in 2004 after an 8 year absence and I was bummed to see a new ride. I was open minded, at first, but then realized that they didn't make it better. They changed it to where it's not as fun now.

Innoventions? What's that?! I say that because I went there one, back in '85 when I was in highschool, and it bored me. Have never gone back. It's not worth my time, but maybe I'm missing something?

I like a lot of rides for the nostalgia factor, so I can't say that I'd want to get RID of any rides. I'm still very sad that Leagues and Mr. Toad are gone. I have two boys, so Ariel's Grotto did nothing for us. Ho Hum.

I do agree that a lot of refurbishing would be great.

OT ---- Oh and can we get a "boy" character breakfast? There are two princess ones and the rest are all Mickey Mouse and one is Pooh. I heard they might have a Toy Story (Buzz, Woody, etc...) at the Brown Derby in MGM and that would ROCK! It would be better if it were a "Pixar" one and they had Monster's Inc and Incredibles, too.

Just my two cents...