As much as we love new Disney World rides, it often means having to say goodbye to the ones we’ve loved even more. So, allow us, Dear AllEars Reader, to take you on a journey into yesteryear as we remember some now-defunct Disney World rides. And, if you remember them like we do, well, then it might be time to invest in a solid anti-aging cream. Okay, listen, before you get upset just hear us out — we remember these rides too, so this is just as much a self-deprecating walk down memory lane for us. And, since preventative skincare is all the rage these days you pretty much only need to be like, 25, to remember some of these rides. Horizons Horizons opened in EPCOT on October 1st, 1983, just one year after the park itself opened. It eventually was sponsored by General Electric and was designed to be a look back at “past visions of the future” (i.e. how historical figures imagined the future would look) while the second half focused on the the future of America in the new millennium. But, when General Electric chose not to renew its sponsorship of the attraction, Horizons was left in a limbo state where it would open and close multiple times while Imagineering tried to figure things out. Ultimately, Horizons fell into disrepair and it was closed in 1999, to be replaced by Mission Space a few years later. Backstage Studio Tour You might remember the Studio Backlot Tour in Hollywood Studios (then called MGM Studios) but before that, it was called the Backstage Studio Tour! It was a whopping two hours long and even had a built-in break. It was renamed in 1996 and became the ride folks often remember today. The concept of the Backstage Studio Tour was built around the idea that MGM Studios was supposed to be a functioning movie studio. But, the idea didn’t quite pan out the way Disney had hoped, and the tour changed significantly within the first few years of operation. Folks would be taken through various sets depicting movie magic, including a replica of New York City and Catastrophe Canyon. The attraction’s closure was announced in 2014, and on September 27th, it was closed for good. Maelstrom When Disney announced it was getting rid of Maelstrom in EPCOT’s Norway Pavilion, fans of the ride were rightly upset. This boat ride took people on a traditional shoot-the-chutes water flume ride with a booming voice informing them that “those who seek the spirit of Norway face peril and adventure, but more often find beauty and charm.” Trolls then appeared and got upset with riders for “invading” their space and put a spell on their boat that propelled them backward at high speeds. It was one of EPCOT’s most popular attractions in the park, so when Disney announced that Frozen Ever After would be replacing it in September 2014, folks weren’t too quick to “let it go,” if you will. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea An original ride to Magic Kingdom, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was an “E-Ticket” attraction that took people underwater on 38-passenger subs disguised as Captain Nemo’s submarine. It traveled through coral reefs, dark caverns, and unexpected danger. The ride closed in 1994 with virtually no notice to parkgoers despite its popularity. 20,000 Leagues proved to be difficult to keep running — it was prone to constant ride breakdowns, loading difficulties, long lines, and high maintenance costs. ExtraTERRORestrial George Lucas and Imagineering teamed up to create this utterly terrifying attraction that involved a scary alien encounter. ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter was located in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland and took folks into a “demonstration chamber,” a theater in the round. A device was then lowered onto your shoulders holding you in place. During the “demonstration,” things go awry and an angry alien teleports into the center of the room before escaping in wreaking havoc in the chamber where you’re sitting. Yes, it was terrifying. Disney shut the attraction down on October 11th, 2003, and replaced it with the also now-defunct Stitch’s Great Escape. Body Wars This EPCOT attraction shrunk riders down and took them on a journey through the human body. Body Wars was located in the Wonders of Life Pavilion, and was initially a massive success. The attraction, which featured a film directed by filmmaker and Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy, was the first thrill ride in EPCOT and the first simulator in Walt Disney World. However, things began to turn quickly. The combination of the attraction’s boldly-themed ride film combined with its simulator mechanics made it particularly prone to afflicting guests with motion sickness. Disney attempted to rectify this, but ultimately, Body Wars operated on a seasonal schedule from 2004 until January 2007 when it closed forever. The Great Movie Ride The Great Movie Ride was once located in the Chinese Theater in Hollywood Studios and featured scenes from twelve classic MGM films. The ride’s experience was truly like no other in the way it combined audio-animatronics, projections, live actors, and special effects. It became an instant classic, drawing large and enthusiastic crowds for many years. But, in 2017, after a 28-year-long run, to the heartbreak of many fans, The Great Movie Ride closed its doors to make way for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway — the first-ever attraction to feature Mickey Mouse. Disney felt it was time to bring something new to the park, and they did! Of course, these aren’t the only defunct Disney World rides — that’s a pretty long list. But if you remember any of these, well, we’ll drop our skincare recs below. Looking for our skincare essentials for when we’re in the parks? Check them out below! Stay tuned to AllEars as we bring you more updates and news from Disney World! These 5 Terrifying Stories About Getting Stuck on Magic Kingdom Rides Will Keep You Up at Night Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You’ll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe! How many of these rides do you remember? Tell us in the comments.
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