The Attraction that came before the laugh factory:

[22David2]

In tomorrowland, there was an interesting attraction that was recently replayed by the monsters inc. laugh factory. If i remember correctly, I think it was a time traveling trip that visitors took with an interesting looking robot that had the voice of robin williams. Cant remember the details. Anyone know more about this?

 

[Princess Stitch]

I believe it was "The Timekeeper"

http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/mk/time.htm

 

[shafke]

The original attraction was Circlevision (I believe it was originally sponsored by Monsanto) You would stand in a round theatre with 13 screens and they would play a movie with sites from around the country. It was similar to the movie in China in Epcot. At some point this was replaced with the Timekeeper which had Robin Williams as the voice of the robot. I never got to see this as it was usually closed when we went.

 

[PatsMom]

Timekeeper was one of my DD's favorite attractions even when she was 5. She was very upset when it closed. I can't remember the last time we saw it but it was on the Friday after Thanksgiving a few years back. We were in the MK late in the afternoon and were very happy to see it open. Glad we took the time to do it since we never saw it open again after that weekend.

 

[Praying Colonel]

We were sorry to see Timekeeper close--our family liked it.

I wish WDW could find a way to add attractions instead of closing something to put something new in. For example, I wish they would've just kept Millionaire open in MGM and built something new for the Toy Story attraction. MGM could certainly use more attractions.

 

[EmptyCinema]

I imagine it's a combination of space and cost considerations. And a LOT of the replaced rides have become relatively unpopular. Some people still like them, of course, but perhaps the majority does not.

 

[bradk]

timekeeper had been gone for years before they even started working on MLF (or at least the lobby portion). it actually was an indoor meet & greet spot for stitch, the incredibles and buzz lightyear for a while.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

timekeeper had been gone for years before they even started working on MLF (or at least the lobby portion). it actually was an indoor meet & greet spot for stitch, the incredibles and buzz lightyear for a while.

And back in 2003 (I think that was when it was) it was used as a breakroom for character meet & greets for Buzz and I believe Stitch too...I remember one time having a guest wonder into the break area...that was interesting! LOL!

I'll miss Timekeeper. One time we watched twice in a row because of a storm going on outside! I'm excited to see the Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor though!

 

[K9pal]

Yep, Timekeeper, which I never was too crazy about since you had to STAND and hold on to the rails while the circlevison made you feel like you were moving. But if you were really hot, it was cool in there and you could sit on the floor!

That's the attraction DH and I were in on 9/11 when they evacuated MK. Very surreal, since Timekeeper featured the WTC Towers very prominently. They did not announce the evacuation inside, and when the show was over and we exited, there was everyone walking to the exits in silence.

Anyone know if they ever opened it again after 9/11, since the towers were in the film?

 

[bradk]

Wikipedia has it closing in Feb 2006, but i'm pretty sure it was closed before then?

it had been operating on a seasonal basis since 4/01. according to wikipedia, the attraction continued to operate not only past 9/11, but operated past even when other parks closed theirs years later. the only footnote is that the timekeeper's clock stayed at the year 2000, so it takes place before the 2001 attacks.

 

[sunee]

I didn't really like Timekeeper and don't miss it. I think I saw it last in August of 2005, but don't quote me. I didn't go look it up.

 

[daandcb]

We were in it in November of 2005...I remember it was us and maybe 20 other people.