How Much Disney Change is Too Much?
It seems change is something we can’t avoid these days, even with Disney. But how much change is too much?
Over the last decade, Disney World has welcomed some amazing additions to the theme parks. But we’ve also had to say goodbye to some favorites.
Disney-MGM Studios
Over a decade ago, big changes started at the theme park formerly known as Disney-MGM Studios. The name change was just the beginning.
Many shows, attractions and even entire lands have been removed and added. Favorites like the Streets of America, Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show, and the Backlot Tour have been completely removed.
Another favorite of families with young kids was removed – the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground.
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights was a popular holiday draw during the holiday season. It’s 20 year run ended when the Streets of America were demolished to make way for park updates.
Two New Lands
Everything that was taken out of Hollywood Studios left plenty of space for two entirely new lands!
The first Toy Story movie premiered back in 1995. Since then, three more movies, have been made.
These popular movies are timeless; they appeal to kids today, while bringing back all the memories from their parents’ childhood!
With popular rides like Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania, Toy Story Land draws a HUGE crowd!
Even though Toy Story Land has been around for years, there are still new things to experience! Roundup Rodeo BBQ just opened this spring.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ serves delicious barbecue and sides, family style. You’ll definitely want to snag a reservation for a meal there!
A massive addition to the park is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Its opening added two more attractions, but so much more!
Die-hard Star Wars fans have been waiting years for the opportunity to pilot the Millennium Falcon. On Smugglers Run, they finally have their chance!
Guests can also join the resistance and Dark Side on Rise of the Resistance!
Galaxy’s Edge is more than just rides – stroll the market, eat the food, drink the blue milk! You can even build your own droid or lightsaber!
The Great Movie Ride
The Great Movie Ride was housed in the Chinese Theater and had quite a fan base. When Disney announced its impending closure, a lot of people were not happy about it.
Many felt the Great Movie Ride was an icon at Hollywood Studios.
The announcement of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway did not ease their frustrations.
However, for others, a ride themed after the Mickey Shorts cartoons was exciting!
The updated, trackless ride system takes guests on adventure through various scenes with some favorite characters.
Though die-hard fans were not at all happy about the change, that doesn’t seem to have affected the popularity of this attraction.
Splash Mountain
While people got upset about the Great Movie Ride, when the announcement that Splash Mountain would be re-themed was made, it took things to a whole new level.
Since it’s opening in 1989, Splash Mountain has been a staple attraction at Magic Kingdom.
Even up to the last day of operation, it remained a popular ride. Wait times on the last day averaged over 2 hours.
The attraction is being re-themed to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, based on Disney’s the Princess and the Frog.
Splash Mountain was a fan-favorite and people are still upset about it. But the Princess and the Frog is a popular movie, and there’s a good chance this ride will not disappoint!
Nighttime Shows
Magic Kingdom and Epcot have also seen changes in their nighttime shows.
Wishes capped off evenings at Magic Kingdom for many years, but was replaced by Happily Ever After in 2017.
Wishes was a beautiful show that captivated guests with music and fireworks over Cinderella Castle. When Happily Ever After debuted, even the biggest Wishes fans couldn’t help but fall in love.
Disney Entertainment stepped up their game by adding projections on Cinderella Castle with the fireworks and an amazing new theme song.
The show pays tribute to so many Disney and Pixar movies, ranging from classics to some newer favorites.
At Epcot, Illuminations brought the crowds together around the World Showcase Lagoon every night for many years. The show was retired in 2019.
It was temporarily replaced by Epcot Forever, until Harmonious was added to the evening spectaculars to celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary.
Now that the 50th Anniversary Celebration has ended, Epcot Forever has temporarily returned. Guests are anxiously awaiting whatever will come next!
Is It Too Much?
A lot of people don’t like change. Lifelong Disney fans often struggle with change in the parks.
We all have our favorite rides and shows, so when a ride is closed or re-themed, or a show is a retired, it hits a nerve.
But it seems Disney hasn’t made mistakes in these changes yet. Lines for the new attractions are typically long, and the nighttime shows draw a crowd every night.
Experiencing these changes help make your Disney trips exciting, no matter how many times you’ve visited the parks!