Walt Disney World had an exciting week of park re-openings after 4 months of massive losses. We are now starting to learn the cost. The first round of cuts will claim at least three existing attractions and an unknown number of future ones.
In an internal memo to Disney Cast Members, some lesser attractions at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom were confirmed to be permanently closed, including one nightly spectacular. But there are also clues of future attractions to be cut from Epcot as well.
Stitch Has Left The Building
Stitch’s Great Escape has long been speculated to be done for, especially since Disney filed demo permits for the attraction’s show building. (A Wreck-It Ralph themed attraction is rumored for the building, but under the current climate of cutbacks, even the replacement may have been canceled or delayed). But now we know it is truly kaput.
Spinning to Extinction
Primeval Whirl is the off-the-shelf spinning coaster located in DinoRama within DinoLand U.S.A. This ride isn’t the most popular, and often only had one side operating at a time. The coaster most recently went into “seasonal operation”, and has since been removed from the park’s guide maps.
Given the current situation, this area is already a complete ghost town.
With Primeval Whirl closing, this area of the park could be in line for a major overhaul. Remember those Indiana Jones rumors? Hmmm…
Dimming the Light
Rivers of Light is Animal Kingdom’s “nighttime spectacular.” Though, we haven’t heard of many fans who think this one lives up to that term.
Rivers of Light made its debut in early 2017. A large amphitheater was built specifically for the show.
Over time, changes were made, including cuts of the live “Shaman” performers aboard gliding boats.
All live shows are closed for the time being, including Rivers of Light. But along with reduced hours and budgets, this spectacular appears slated for permanent closure.
EPCOT’s Future Dimmed?
While attending EPCOT’s reopening just a few days ago, we noticed a few future projects have gone missing from the EPCOT Experience preview center…
Mary Poppins and Spaceship Earth
Both of the video presentation segments for Mary Poppins and the reimagining of Spaceship Earth have been removed, along with the stand-alone display case featuring the multi-level festival center. In a recent statement from Disney, we now know that both the Mary Poppins and Spaceship Earth projects have been postponed indefinitely:
“As with most businesses during this period, we are further evaluating long-term project plans. The decision was made to postpone development of the “Mary Poppins”-inspired attraction and Spaceship Earth at this time.” – Disney Spokesperson
Sadly, the Mary Poppins ride we’ve all been waiting for is off the shelf for now… This was arguably the most exciting addition announced at last year’s D23 Parks & Resorts panel; complete with song and dance, and a surprise visit from Dick Van Dyke to introduce Bob Chapek’s announcement.
While the UK Pavilion is still part of the Future EPCOT model…
The “coming attractions” poster for Mary Poppins was removed – Ratatouille is now in its place.
Details for Spaceship Earth’s reimagining emerged at last year’s D23 Expo when Bob Chapek announced the attraction’s classic theme will be reworked. The focus would no longer be on the history of communication. Instead, Spaceship Earth would tell the history of storytelling throughout humanity’s existence. Many of the show-scenes would receive updates, as well as entirely new scenes, finale, post-show experience and unnamed narrator replacement. New special effects will be seen throughout, including the “Spirit of Storytelling” following along.
Spaceship Earth was originally set to close for its extensive overhaul on May 26th. But since the Disney parks were closed during that time, the ride’s closure date was postponed so guests could have “one last ride” upon EPCOT’s reopening.
Because these two construction projects have yet to have “broken ground” at EPCOT, it’s easy to understand why they were chosen for postponement. Sadly, this is just the beginning of cut budgets, cancellations and postponed projects at the Disney parks. Hopefully, we’ll see these back on the drawing board one day soon!
Festival Center
Also missing from the EPCOT Experience: the detailed model for the multi-level festival center.
The area where the model display case was located has now become an expanded seating area:
The originally-planned three-level festival center was to serve as a home base for EPCOT’s various signature festivals, located in the new World Neighborhood area.
As we know, various areas of Future World construction started months ago; the area for this festival center has already been demolished:
Disney has said that work is set to resume for the new World Celebration neighborhood soon, but that there will be changes made to the previously announced festival center. Though they haven’t stated what exactly these changes are, we can assume it’s a hefty budget cut.
For now, the elevated festival center is still present on the Future EPCOT model:
Let’s Hear From You
Some of these changes may come as a surprise, but many of us have grown a bit more cynical in regards to Disney’s big ideas which are so often scaled back or canceled. Unfortunately, due to the expected long and painful recovery from the current health and economic crisis ahead, deeper budget cuts may very well come to pass.
What do you think of these changes? Are you disappointed you won’t be able to experience Stitch’s Great Escape, Primeval Whirl and Rivers of Light one last time. . . or perhaps even glad to see them go? Would you like to see the long-rumored Indiana Jones themed land come to Animal Kingdom? What other attractions do you think might be closed or canceled in the months to come? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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