Very Disappointed

[Sue & Co.]

I have just checked the rehab schedules and found that not only is BTMR closed for our visit (it reopens the day we fly home!!)which we were already disappointed about but that Extraterrestrial Alien Encounter is also closing in October and will not be reopening.There will apparently be a new attraction in Spring 2004. Given that the timekeeper and COP only open seasonally and will almost certainly be closed I hope they don't decide to close any more or we (and the thousands of others) will have very little left to do. (Well perhaps that is an exaggeration but it still removes the amount of choice of what to do).

Sue

 

[floridalol]

I cannot understand why CoP etc are closed seasonally. Surely it cannot cost too much to have them open (a couple of CM's at most)? Disney are moaning about falling attendances - they are hardly going to attract more visitors by closing some of the rides for no reason.

 

[SimonY]

We missed Extra Terrorestrial Alien Encounter last year because we had all the kids with us. It was one one of the things that we were most looking forward to seeing this year on our trip without them. We'll never see it now - much disappointment as it sounded the sort of thing we really like.

Big Thunder will also be closed when we go in November. All they need to do is close Splash Mountain and it will be hardly worth going to Magic Kingdom at all.

 

[henrydog]

Which rehab schedule did you read ? I can see no mention of this on the rehabs on the Disney site.

 

[JANNYANS]

Haven't really got much to add to this thread -just wanted to say Hi to
Henrydog 'cause I'm from Andover too.

 

[Sue & Co.]

I saw it posted today on the wdwig site. In the past they have always been very accurate so I think it is probably right and it's just that Disney haven't updated their site yet. Sorry I'm not very computer literate or I would post a link.

 

[#1MMFan]

Unfortunately with the recent fatal accident at Disneyland CA, it appears the BTMR rehab was 'timed' perfectly. I think even if it had not been due for rehab, it may well have had some kind of 'down-time' for safety.

I find Deb Wills' site excellent for rehab notices and for traditional seasonal closures. (www.wdwig.com)

John

 

[KayleeUK]

Here is a some info on the WDW site on closures:-

Magic Kingdom® Park


Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and other popular Disney characters will appear in three-dimensional animation at "Mickey's PhilharMagic Orchestra," a new attraction scheduled to debut in 2003 in the Magic Kingdom Park. This attraction will replace Legend of the Lion King, which is now closed to help prepare for this new attraction.

Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress - Open seasonally
The Timekeeper - Open seasonally
Big Thunder Mountain will be closed for refurbishment August 24, 2003 - November 22, 2003.
The Swiss Family Treehouse will be closed for refurbishment
September 8, 2003 - October 24, 2003.
Due to refurbishment of the Castle Forecourt Stage, there will be no performances of Cinderella's Surprise Celebration nor will there be Castle Forecourt Meet and Greet opportunities September 2 - 20, 2003.
The Liberty Square Riverboat will close for refurbishment September 21 - September 27, 2003.


Epcot®

No changes


Disney-MGM Studios

Magic of Disney Animation will be closed for refurbishment
September 30, 2003 - November 23, 2003.
Rock 'N' Roller Coaster will be closed for refurbishment
September 6 - September 14.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ will be closed for refurbishment
October 13 - October 18.

Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

Festival of the Lion King Theater will be closed for refurbishment
August 25 - September 19.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Me too fed up, because BTMR is my fave ride - and today I found out that IOA's Popeye & Bluto Barge Rats are down

Chunter .... chunter ....

 

[henrydog]

Hi Jannyans

Small world isn't it.
Not the most exciting of places to live but we make the most of it (i mean, havn't even got a cinema).
Still, not long now til our 2nd trip to Florida, we all can't wait even if a few attractions are closed.

 

[snookhams]

what do WDW consider seasonal where COP is concerned, we tried to ride it every time we went to MK last August, we were there for 3 weeks and must have tried at least 7-8 times and it was shut, surely August is peak time for British holiday makers!

 

[JANNYANS]

Henrydog I know what you mean we used to have three cinemas -but as you say make the most of it .If you ever want to chat about florida or if you think I can help you in anyway (been a florida homeowner for 5 years ) then call inot the fabric shop at the top of town opposite the church That's where you'll find me thurs fri & sat.
'

 

[BONZO]

surely August is peak time for British holiday makers!

Yes, but it's LOW season for the US and just before Halloween and Christmas, so probably their convenient time for many re-habs.

 

[henrydog]

Thanks Jannyans
ok might pop in sometime.
Do you rent your Florida home out ? if so may be interested for a future holiday, only stayed in cheap Comfort inns over there so far.
Next year we are thinking of doing a fly drive & seeing a bit more of Florida with no theme parks, well maybe 1 or 2, then a week relaxing in a villa somewhere.

 

[Lobey]

Some consolation possibly guys. According to Screamscape both COP and Timekeeper are going to be kept open as compensation for Alien Encounter being shut for rehab (actually, it's not being rehabed, rather it's being converted in to a "Stitch" Encounter).

Paul

 

[#1MMFan]

Incidentally, August would not be peak holiday time for Scottish people as the kids are off from the end of June through to mid August only, so we are kind of like the US in that regard.

J

 

[Beejayjay]

I dont want to offend/step on anyones toes, but in my opinion, AE and BTMR are two of the worst rides at Disney !

Alien Encounter ? I've seen scarier episodes of The Teletubbies !

I went on it just after it opened - I didn't know about it as a new attraction, but when we saw the queue (at an offpeak time of year) we thought we'd better get in line. Well, 45 minutes and one ride later, we came out totally disappointed, and bemused at why the Yanks were all scraming their lungs out ! Believe me, if you haven't ridden it, you haven't missed anything worth worrying about.

Thunder Mountain is fine for kids, but pales in comparison to Splash Mountain and the like.

Forget AE, do Space mountain an extra time on the side you didnt do first time, and BTRM, I'd say do Splash Mountain againas well, much more fun.

 

[horsemouth]

Alien Encounter ? I've seen scarier episodes of The Teletubbies !

I haven't....

I do agree about AE - total rubbish - my son and daughter were like "Is that it!!!" when we came out.

Something better should be put in this waste of times space

Horse

 

[floridalol]

IMO Alien Encounter is good first time round. You're not knowing what to expect and there is a certain amount of tension when the lights go out. Repeated rides lack the suspense and make the whole thing pointless - I won't miss it when it goes out of service in October.

Thunder Mountain - I've always enjoyed this ride, the scenery is excellent and at night the ride takes on an extra amount of thrills. Although it hasn't got the Splash Mountain big finale I still rate this as one my faves in MK.

Best wishes

FloridaLol

 

[christi]

Can anyone tell me where I can find tips for rides closed for Rehab at Universal and Islands of Adventure?
Cheers