Last time I joined you, we explored the Disneyland Fantasyland Expansion rumors. . . Well, there’s a new rumor to explore. And UPDATE at 1:30pm, we may have this one solved. Keep reading:
Recently, Disney sent out a survey to select Guests that contained a question in it that’s leaving fans of a longtime Fantasyland attraction concerned. Add to this upheaval plans from across the ocean, and some folks are downright worried.
The New York World’s Fair of 1964-65 showcased the technological, natural and historic wonders of the age. In fact, it was one of the most forward-looking World’s Fair and a gigantic success, despite not being sanctioned by the Bureau International des Expositions. Walt Disney was the undeniable star of the fair, next to The Unisphere, of course.
Walt had planned three attractions for the Fair. The first being Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, which featured an audio-animatronic version of the 16th president who went from seated in a chair to standing, giving a speech made of parts of several real Lincoln speeches, then sat down again. The figure was so lifelike to the visitors of the Fair that they would get their free ball bearings from the pavilion next door and throw them at Lincoln, trying to get him to flinch or react to being hit. Every night, the crew would have to crawl all over the stage and pick up ball bearings.
The second was the Ford Magic Skyway, where visitors wound their way past tiny International villages a la Storybook Land Canal Boats, then past the “Auto Parts Harmonic Orchestra” and then into the first Peoplemover system – with new Ford Automobiles as ride vehicles!
As I noted in my very first MiceChat article, this attraction had more influence on the future of Disney Parks than any of the better-known ones.
The third, of course, was Progressland. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress featured a typical American family going through various stages of progress, and featured a siamese cat that looked just like ours at the end. Whatever happened to that kitty?
“But Fab!” you say: “Walt had FOUR attractions at the NYWF!” This is true. But when Unicef called, the sharp pencil people said no. Walt Disney World Ops didn’t exist at the time, so someone had to say no to immersive, creative attractions at the time. When Walt found out that WED had refused Unicef, he was livid. With help from Joan Crawford and the rest of the board of Pepsi-Cola, they got the attraction up and running just in time for the World’s Fair – plus the fabulous Tower of the Four Winds at its entrance. Sadly, the Tower rests – or should I say rusts – at the bottom of the harbor, but it is fondly remembered and every once in a while a Kevin or a Jody or someone makes a really great tribute to it.
After the fair, the attraction was rejiggered a bit and opened at Disneyland with an amazing new facade and clock replacing the Tower of the Four Winds, designed by the original Tower’s creator, Rolly Crump.
Through the years, the attraction appeared in Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong Disneylands, and in Tokyo, they have just launched the “Disney Characters” version that Kim Irvine brought to Disneyland in California in 2009. But the Tokyo version might not be there for long. According to my favorite ex-husband, there are plans in the works to either move the attraction or close it down altogether.
In both Tokyo and California, the attraction takes up a huge chunk of very desirable real estate, so moving the Tokyo version would make sense. But then, this question popped up on a Disneyland Guest survey, which prompted this rumor:
“The next time you visit Disneyland Park, will you ride ‘it’s a small world’?”
If “it’s a small world” were to go away, there would be much more room for a backstage-based land to fill in the area. Like, a second phase of a very crowded land that’s on the horizon. Or an expansion of Fantasyland. Depends upon to whom you are speaking.
One thing that is NOT on the chopping block is the Walt Disney World version, for a Tangled ride nor anything else. One rumor is for Disneyland’s “it’s a small world” to move to Tokyo, instead of simply moving their version, they’d take control of Walt’s original.
It’s usually about two years between the first survey question and any announcement, so if this is going to happen, it’s a long way off. A lot depends upon how people answer that question. We’ll just have to, as always, wait and see.
If you get that survey question, how would you answer?
UPDATE June 4th 1:30pm – This one will make you happy:
It appears Disney does read the fan sites. Disneyland PR just reached out to say that “There are no plans to remove “it’s a small world”. Phew! Though my grumpy side will say that they said the same thing about Tower of Terror, my pixie-dusted side is relieved and grateful! Thanks to Disney and to our stalwart MiceChatters! I’ll keep my eye on the rumor mill and perhaps we can confirm or reject some other items floating around out there (like the one below). . . .
Epcot Land & Living Seas Safe
This Just In To The Thankfully Wrong Rumors Desk: Walt Disney World has confirmed that rumors posted elsewhere on the internet that Epcot’s Land and Living Seas pavilions would be replaced are NOT correct. While we know there are still big expansions on the way to Epcot, we are thrilled to hear that this one in particular isn’t true.
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