![]() As Walt once said: "Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world." Well, Disney Theme Parks and Resorts continues to uphold that standard set by the original Imagineer and build upon our beloved parks, attractions, and experiences so they may live on forever. And sometimes, that means saying goodbye to some favorites to make way for new technologies and innovations. It isn't always easy, but we have to trust that something bigger, better, and more magical is on the horizon. While it's not Throwback Thursday just yet, I wanted to take a look back at some of my favorites that I've said goodbye to over the years and the magical memories that live on with them. 1. Spectromagic nighttime parade- Magic Kingdom Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE me some Main Street Electrical Parade, but I also dearly miss MK's original nighttime Parade spectacle, Spectromagic. This glittering, fantastical display ran from 1991 to 1999 and then returned for a second go-around from 2001 to 2010. Like the current Main Street Electrical Parade, it featured thousands of sparkling lights, a fantastic score of new and classic Disney tunes, and my favorite Jiminy Cricket as your host and narrator. The floats included units for The Little Mermaid, Fantasia, and Cinderella, among other favorites, and not to mention an incredible cast of characters and dancers. While I know I'd hate to see the Main Street Electrical Parade go, I'd also rejoice in seeing Spectromagic come back! 2. Tarzan Rocks! stage show - Disney's Animal Kingdom This is one show I genuinely miss over the current production that is housed in the Theater in the Wild at Disney's Animal Kingdom (No offense, Nemo fans!). Now staging Finding Nemo: The Musical, the once open-air theater was home to Tarzan Rocks!, a 30-minute stage journey through the story and music of Disney's Tarzan. It ran from 1999-2006 and featured a cast of dancers, acrobats, singers, live musicians, and inline skaters. The theater closed in 2006 so it could be refurbished to it's current air-conditioned, indoor location and the show was never performed again. The current Nemo show is definitely cute and a fun time for younger guests, but it can't hold a candle to this! And who doesn't love Phil Collins?! 3. Disney Channel Rocks! street show - Disney's Hollywood Studios Another show I dearly miss and secretly wish would magically appear any time I visit DHS. This mini parade and outdoor show featured some tunes from Disney Channel's then-current hits like The Cheetah Girls, High School Musical, and Camp Rock, among others, and a cast of talented singers and dancers. It took place in front of the giant Sorcerer Mickey hat at various times throughout the day, and little ones even got to get involved during a dance number with the cast. The energy was always high and really livened up the courtyard in front of the Great Movie Ride. It ran from 2010 to 2013 and wasn't replaced by anything new after it's final run. RIP, DCR... 4. PUSH the talking trashcan - Magic Kingdom Why did PUSH ever have to leave?! This magical, talking waste receptacle entertained guests in Tomorrowland and in front of Cinderella Castle all day long with wise-cracking jokes, tricks, and songs. After a third-party contract ended, PUSH permanently left the Magic Kingdom and hasn't been seen since. My family will particularly always remember the time he warmed up the crowd before the 3:00 parade only to then exclaim "THERE'S A BUG ON ME! GET IT OFF ME! GET IT OFF ME!" We'll miss you PUSH - You could never be replaced! 5. Maelstrom attraction - EPCOT This classic attraction in World Showcase's Norway pavilion closed just this past Fall after the announcement that it will refurbished into a Frozen-inspired area with a character meet and greet location, restrooms, and revamped attraction. It was previously a moderate thrill level ride through the story of Norway's troll legends, Viking folklore, and current economic state (odd, I know), and definitely had a cult following of devoted fans. I particularly enjoyed the attraction as I have Norwegian ancestry in my family history, and was sad to see if go. But, it did open in 1988, and I think the Frozen facelift will capture many new fans and make EPCOT a little more attractive for younger guests. 6. The Magic, The Memories, and You nighttime spectacular - Magic Kingdom While I do enjoy the current Celebrate the Magic castle projection show that replaced this innovative nighttime masterpiece, nothing will be able to ever live up to the emotional impact this show had on me. I saw this spectacular display for the first time after I completed my Traditions (Disney's orientation) class on one of the first days of my Fall 2011 Disney College Program and cried like a baby right there in the castle hub amid hundreds of other guests. This show featured the same projection technologies the current show uses, but it showcased hundreds of Photopass pictures taken that very day in the Magic Kingdom, so you could actually see yourself projected onto Cinderella Castle. The black and white sequence featuring vintage video and photos from the early days of Disneyland still gets me choked up. 7. Move it, Shake it, Celebrate it! dance party - Magic Kingdom This interactive dance party is another one of my favorites in which the current replacement leaves me wanting more/missing what once was. MiSiCi was recently revamped into the Move it, Shake it, Dance and Play it! street party, which is very similar, but leaves out many of the characters and music from the first edition that really made the party something special. I particularly miss my Sebastian! The new dance party still comes to the castle hub multiple times a day and invites guests to get up and dance, but a part of me really misses MiSiCi. 8. "The Hat" icon - Disney's Hollywood Studios Another very recent removal that really tugs at my heartstrings. Since it was first announced that Disney's Hollywood Studios would begin removing the giant Sorcerer Mickey hat icon from the park to make way for new refurbishments and renovations, it had a very polarizing response. Some people rejoiced, and some people were saddened (me being one of them). I personally loved the hat and cry a little bit inside each day as I check in on it's current state of removal. There's talks that it's going to be moved someplace else, so let's hope we see it again soon! 9. Skyway attraction - Magic Kingdom One of the things I remember from my first visit to Walt Disney World in 1998 is the Skyway attraction that connected Fantasyland to Tomorrowland via hanging gondolas high in the sky. It was open from 1971 to 1999 and offered stunning views of the park, a great opportunity to relax your feet and people watch, and an extra attraction to ride during a visit to the Magic Kingdom. It was never replaced with another version, and the former Fantasyland station is now home to the Tangled-themed restroom/charging area (which I do love, BTW). 10. Paper FastPasses And who could exclude paper FastPasses from a list like this?! While I do really love the new FastPass+ technology available with Disney's MagicBands, I do miss using and collecting paper FastPasses from trips to WDW. I still have many unused ones from my favorite attractions that serve as great souvenirs - I mean, they do have the exact date you visited the park right printed right on them! I think the new system is very green, efficient, and easy, but I'll miss one of Disney's finest vacation innovations that set a high precedent within the theme park industry. I'll never throw out my old paper FastPasses! Is there anything you wish would come back that I didn't include on my list? Tell me about it in the comments below! I love hearing the memories and stories others bring back from their Disney vacations, especially when it comes to the polarizing topic of attractions and shows gone by. Be sure to visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/ for a complete list of what's available for your enjoyment during your next trip. Until the next post, see ya real soon!
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About MeA twenty-something alumni of the Disney College Program looking to help others plan the Disney vacations of their dreams! Living that Disneyland AP dream in SoCal. Archives
February 2018
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