What has Disney removed that makes you the saddest?

[DaisyNY]

Agree that something is lacking in EP Future World without Horizons and the Body Exhibit...this area could use a great attraction or two, would ease up some of the crowds in other areas of this section...

Ellen's Universe of Energy is also a little "dated"...though my husband would disagree...I enjoyed the down time to close my eyes a bit...SSSHHH!

 

[JimmyV]

• I miss Michael Iceberg. I know that a live entertainment act cannot go on forever, but staying up late with my older brother alone in the MK after my parents had taken my younger brothers off to bed was a magical time. Two young teenagers allowed to be alone at night and we would ride Space Mountain and catch the entire set of Michael Iceberg. Every time. To us, he was Rick Wakeman. Or Keith Emerson. We felt that we were at a Prog-Rock concert in the middle of the MK. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Iceberg
  
  
• River Country
  
  
• All of Pleasure Island. I know the Adventurer's Club has been mentioned here, but my brothers and I loved to rock the entire area, going from club to club.
  
  
• The Villas (Fairway/Club Lake). As noted above, they were a world unto themselves that made you feel like you were in another place, but at WDW all at the same time. We were a family of 6 and staying at the Villas was our go-to choice when the youngest brothers were old enough to need their own beds. Today's options for family accomodations are just so very different from the Villas.
  
  
• Sunday Brunch at the Top of The World. WDW has nothing like that now. And it needs something like that.
  
  
• The word "Buffeteria". Not sure why, but I love that word and it was so uniquely Disney.
  
  
• The Golf Resort. Shades of Green is a great idea and I am glad that our service men and women, active and retired, have an affordable place to stay. But I wish Disney had build a separate resort and kept the Golf Resort. We used to love taking golf-centric vacations at WDW (with a few extra rounds at Grand Cypress).

And lots and lots of other things that have been mentioned here over and over.

 

[Planogirl]

I miss the Main Street Bakery. It was our tradition on the first day of every trip to go to MK, get our breakfast at the bakery and sit outside soaking up the sounds and sights of Main Street while eating our breakfast. I didn't realize exactly why I hate that Starbucks so much until I watched an old documentary on Walt Disney recently. They talked about how Walt didn't want anything from the outside world to mar the experience of guests inside the park. I have always loved the feeling of coming through the train station onto Main Street and entering the story. Now, you just about get into Magic Kingdom mode and there it is - Starbucks. It's out of place and I hate it.

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your viewpoint) there is a lot of that outside world all over WDW. There were sponsor names plastered all over Disneyland from the very beginning - just check out some old photos.

I suspect that Walt didn't want any of the "bad" things appearing in the parks. Of course what is bad is a matter of opinion.

 

[Love Tink]

I miss the Main Street Bakery. It was our tradition on the first day of every trip to go to MK, get our breakfast at the bakery and sit outside soaking up the sounds and sights of Main Street while eating our breakfast. I didn't realize exactly why I hate that Starbucks so much until I watched an old documentary on Walt Disney recently. They talked about how Walt didn't want anything from the outside world to mar the experience of guests inside the park. I have always loved the feeling of coming through the train station onto Main Street and entering the story. Now, you just about get into Magic Kingdom mode and there it is - Starbucks. It's out of place and I hate it.

Lessees in Disneyland, circa 1955:

Richfield
Bank of America
Carnation
Coke
TWA
Kodak
Fritos
Monsanto
Pendelton
Pepsi
Aunt Jemima's
Santa Fe
Swift
Timex
Upjohn
Chicken of the Sea
Western Printing and Litho
Hollywood Maxwell Intimate Apparel
Town Square Realty
Kaiser Aluminum
Ruggles China & Glass Shop
Grandma’s Baby Shop
Sunny View Farms Jellies & Jams
Blue Bird Shoes for Children
Ellen’s Gift Shop
Gibson Greeting Cards
Jewelry Store, Random Parts Inc
Wonderland Music
Wurlitzer
Maxwell House Coffee
Bekins
Dutch Boy Paints
Puffin Bakery

 

[gilltrooper]

The Magic Shop on Main Street , 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, Mr Toad & being able to see the portrait fully transform in the foyer of The Haunted Mansion !!!!!

 

[Kermit85]

being able to see the portrait fully transform in the foyer of The Haunted Mansion !!!!!

What do you mean?

 

[fla4fun]

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your viewpoint) there is a lot of that outside world all over WDW. There were sponsor names plastered all over Disneyland from the very beginning - just check out some old photos.

I suspect that Walt didn't want any of the "bad" things appearing in the parks. Of course what is bad is a matter of opinion.

He didn't like that you could see hotels and other buildings that weren't part of Disneyland from inside the park. He wanted to have control of the sight lines in his new venture. He didn't have any issue with corporate sponsorship, including blatant (but stylized) signage.

I miss rides like Horizons, the original Imagination, and other rides that were more about the experience and less about getting a thrill. I have never been a fan of thrill rides and these days it seems like many theme parks, including Disney, think thrills are the only thing people want. I was very happy when the Little Mermaid opened, because it felt more like a real Disney experience.

I also miss the spontaneous days. I thought they had it about right when on property guests could make dining reservations a week out, and everyone else was same day only. How am I supposed to know what I want to eat six months ahead of time?

Change is inevitable though, so we either adapt or move on. I have seen a lot of changes since 1971, and so far nothing has been so bad that I would not go back. But I do miss the way it used to be as well.

 

[Danny K]

I hear a lot of people saying Journey into Imagination. Isn't there Journey into Imagination with Figment at Epcot. Is it closed? Or are you talking about another ride or what?

 

[Disneytam]

I think the real missing thing for me is the way that being in a Disney park years ago made me feel like a little kid again and it seemed that everyone around you felt the same way. I guess, for me, that was the true magic that I don't feel anymore. I can remember getting a hug out of the blue from Brier bear (he was huge!) while walking towards the HM one day, and just feeling so stupidly happy over it. This was when the character's walked around the MK and they would just surprise you. Or as I started this post with the absolute beauty of the GF all lite up at night as my mother and I sat on the beach and soaked it all in. Maybe I'm just getting old and sentimental about what once was, but thank you everyone for bringing back a lot of great memories.

 

[gilltrooper]

What do you mean?

For the past few years the portrait is in mid to final stages of transformation as you enter the foyer, not every time but it happens a lot. From what I gather they are trying to get as many people in as possible. That's sacrificing the show..

 

[StayAwake]

I hear a lot of people saying Journey into Imagination. Isn't there Journey into Imagination with Figment at Epcot. Is it closed? Or are you talking about another ride or what?

The version that is there currently isn't the same one that was there originally. The original Journey into Imagination with the Dreamfinder is the one I was referring to, and I'd guess others were too. I believe there's a youtube video out there that shows the original ride so that you can see the difference.

I'd actually expand my comment to the whole Imagination building. There used to be a great area for kids on the second floor of the building, with lots of opportunities to use your imagination and have fun. There are a few activities in the building today, but very little to hold interest beyond a few minutes. That's part of what I miss.

 

[hgeisler]

Hmmm... Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. I remember when I was younger my aunt's driveway had a lot of bumps and split in two directions, and we would joke about being on mr.toad's ride and choosing which way to drive at the last second. I also miss the Skyway!

This and Snow White as well. That thing was like a rite of passage. You went on it and got the crap scared out of you as a little kid. My kids don't have that privilege. What's up with that?

 

[hgeisler]

I miss being able to make an adr anywhere you want the day you walk into the park by walking up to a kiosk and calling a cm:/

 

[Ariel on Land]

I miss the little play area near Winnie the Pooh. It was one of my boys' favorite things to do on their first trip. The new play area just isn't quite the same. Not as much area to run around and climb on.

 

[Poohbug]

I understand why the Skyway went away but I still miss it.

I miss lunch at Stephan's in the castle.

I miss breakfast at Tony's, I loved getting the waffles and strawberries in cream.

I miss the bar and restaurant at Caribbean Beach. They had the best Pina Colodas.

I miss napkins and plates with Mickey on them.

I just had the pleasure of riding Mr. Toad seven times at DL. It was my 7 year old's favorite ride. It was a mistake to take that out of WDW.

I miss no planning.

 

[flyinglizard]

I miss the Disney "Magic" feeling when you walked into a park. Now the only feeling I get is "how can we get more money from every guest"?

 

[Kermit85]

For the past few years the portrait is in mid to final stages of transformation as you enter the foyer, not every time but it happens a lot. From what I gather they are trying to get as many people in as possible. That's sacrificing the show..

Ah I see. The times I've gone and have been paying attention I've seen it change the whole way.

 

[ketodisney]

 

[alicat8]

Guys--it occurs to me would could start a BRAND NEW WDW with all the things that are gone and we miss---

I didn't read all the comments, but I've been saying this for years!

 

[gilltrooper]

What do you mean?

For the past few years the portrait is in mid to final stages of transformation as you enter the foyer, not every time but it happens a lot. From what I gather they are trying to get as many people in as possible. That's sacrificing the show..