Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Despite an extensive “Save the Toad” campaign, Disney’s Magic Kingdom replaced Mr. Toad with The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in 1998.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. One of the original attractions at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, 20,000 Leagues closed in 1994 and has been partially replaced by a Winnie the Pooh playground and Disney character meet & greet area.
If You Had Wings. Sponsored by Eastern Airlines, If You Had Wings was one of the few rides at Disney’s Magic Kingdom that rarely drew a line. It was replaced by If You Could Fly in 1987 and now Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin stands on the site.
Captain EO. A big-budget 3-D movie directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Captain EO starred Michael Jackson and Anjelica Huston. It closed down in 1994 and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience now stands on the site in Epcot’s Future World.
ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter. This thrilling attraction opened at the site of the former Mission to Mars in Tomorrowland in 1995. ExtraTERRORestrial gained a cult following but has since been replaced by Stitch’s Great Escape.
World of Motion. Sponsored by General Motors, World of Motion was one of Epcot’s original attractions. The ride offered a humorous look at the history of transportation and closed in 1996 to make way for Test Track.
Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Play It! Based on the hit ABC TV show, this Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney's Hollywood Studios) attraction closed in 2006 along Mickey Avenue.
Plaza Swan Boats. Opened in 1973, the D-ticket Plaza Swan Boats embarked from two Magic Kingdom loading docks: one near the entrance to Tomorrowland and the other near the Plaza Restaurant. The Plaza Swan Boats stopped running in 1983.
Mickey Mouse Revue. One of the Magic Kingdom’s original attractions, Mickey Mouse Revue opened in Fantasyland in 1971 and featured an audio-animatronic orchestra of popular Disney characters singing such classics as “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee.” The Mickey Mouse Revue closed in 1980 and was shipped to Tokyo Disneyland. Mickey’s PhilharMagic now occupies the site.
Flight to the Moon. Hosted by Mr. Tom Morrow, this “state-of-the-art” Tomorrowland attraction opened on Christmas Eve, 1971 and became hopelessly outdated by 1975 when it was replaced by Mission to Mars. Stitch’s Great Escape now occupies the site.
HONORABLE MENTION:Horizons. This Epcot ride made its debut in 1983 and closed in 1999 to make way for Mission: SPACE. It has developed somewhat of a cult following over the years, although I remember it as a mediocre Future World attraction that dated very quickly.
Orlando to Host NBA All-Star 2012 The most magical week in sports is returning to Orlando for the second time, as the city has been selected to host NBA All-Star 2012. Orlando also hosted the 1992 All-Star Game. The 61st NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Amway Center, which will also host the T-Mobile Rookie [...]
Walt Disney: Motivational Speaker In addition to being an innovator, visionary and genius, Walt Disney was one heck of a motivational speaker! Below are 10 of my favorite Walt Disney quotes: “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” “We are [...]
Celebrate LEGOLAND Florida’s First Christmas LEGOLAND Florida is getting into the holiday spirit with the first annual Christmas Bricktacular. Festive decorations and sounds of the season will fill The Beginning and Fun Town through the holidays, Dec. 8-31, followed by Kids’ New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31. With more than 50 rides, shows and attractions all dedicated to families with [...]
Call Today for Westgate’s Cyber Monday Deal! Buy 2 Nights, Get the 3rd Night Free!
Must stay 3 nights. Must book on Cyber Monday (November 28, 2011) only for travel thru December 21, 2012. Offer is subject to black-out dates and rate plan availability. Normal deposit and cancellation policies app...
Westgate Resorts: Cyber Monday Deal! Cyber Monday Deal Buy 2 Nights, Get the 3rd Night Free! Must stay 3 nights. Must book on Cyber Monday (November 28, 2011) only for travel thru December 21, 2012. Offer is subject to black-out dates and rate plan availability. Normal deposit and cancellation policies apply. Offer is valid for participating properties only. For more [...]