Five Gone-But-Not-Forgotten Disney Moments
As we get ready for Galaxy’s Edge, Guardians of the Galaxy, and a host of new entertainment spectacles coming our way, this is a good time to take a fond look back at beloved attractions that have come and gone. While we typically think of true Disney classics like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Maelstrom, and Horizons (just to name a few), I thought I’d take a “go with me here” trip and talk about some specific attraction scenes and off-the-beaten-path memories that I treasure to this day. (And it was really hard to keep the list down to only five!). Since it’s drizzling outside as I write this, I think it only appropriate to start with a little rain…
And It Rained…
The Living Seas was actually the second attraction I ever visited at Epcot (after Spaceship Earth), and I can still remember the Hydrolators and the descent to Sea Base Alpha (it took me a few trips before I realized I actually wasn’t going down!). But the special moment I’ll never forget was in the introductory film…as we saw the oceans forming, beginning with a few tentative drops of water and the unforgettable narration, “And then that cloud covered planet waits…and waits…and waits…until finally those clouds of gas and steam condense and rain upon that planet…and they rain…and rain…and rain. The deluge.” I don’t know why that particular moment has always stuck with me, but no matter how many times I visited the pavilion that was the one moment I couldn’t wait for. Somehow it perfectly embodied the philosophy of Epcot…to discover and explore the world around us, both past and future. This was a chance to journey millions of years into the past…and as we pulled away from that tiny pool of water to see the great expanse of the newly formed ocean I could truly appreciate the grand spectacle that was this…our Spaceship Earth. (See what I did there?)
The Spaceship Earth Descent
Speaking of which, let’s go back to that first attraction I ever visited at Epcot…Spaceship Earth. To this day I never tire of this journey through time, and the attraction is filled with memorable scenes and unforgettable details. One thing I will always miss though was the descent back to the base of the giant sphere after seeing the image of a lonely Earth floating in a celestial myriad of stars. Today of course we take that opportunity to take a peek into our future, but I will always treasure the previous incarnation of the attraction, which showed you glimpses of the future and the wonders of communication that awaited us. (Some of course have now come to fruition, such as video calls). However, it was the fiber optic city of tomorrow that always made my heart jump up into my throat; and the stirring music that brought a tear to my eye. Spaceship Earth continues to be one of my favorite attractions, but I will never forget that brief journey into the future, and the dreams I had of one day living in a city like that.
Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats
And now we’ll take a whimsical turn into Adventureland. This was a curious side “attraction,” on that most Guests overlooked on their way to the Jungle Cruise. And admittedly it was never at the top of my list of “must-do things.” But every once in a while, my daughter and I would take a moment to pilot our own Junior Jungle Boat. It was silly, it was fun, and it always made us laugh. Sadly, as hard as I tried, I could never navigate my way around the volcanoes. The Junior Jungle Boats were always a pleasant diversion, but most importantly it made one thing perfectly clear…in no way was I qualified to pilot an actual Jungle Cruise boat. You can thank me now, fellow cruisers. (If I had piloted the boat we surely would have made the list of “never seen again” travelers that you can find in the queue.)
New York Street
This wasn’t an attraction per se, but I’ll never forget those care-free strolls down New York Street in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (Though let’s not mince words, I will absolutely be first in line for Galaxy’s Edge…or 23,587th in line, however it works out). This was an area filled with oft-overlooked details, and once I realized it was a place worth exploring (rather than just a thoroughfare to other areas of the parks), I was rewarded with a wealth of tiny details and clever references that I had never noticed before. From The China Bowl Restaurant to the R.C. Brothers Grand Pianos store front, there was so much to see here that you could spend an afternoon exploring and taking it all in (and we haven’t even gotten to San Francisco’s Grand Avenue yet.) But perhaps my favorite detail was the innocuous subway sign for the “W” and “D” lines, a tribute to the man who started it all.
The Lights of Winter
With Christmas right around the corner (OK, I know it’s a ways off yet but I can’t wait!), I wanted to end with one of the things I will always miss the most, The Lights of Winter Christmas Display at Epcot. These brilliantly lit archways lined the promenade to World Showcase, and the colorful lights danced in perfect synchronization to the holiday music playing in the background. It was a show that perfectly embodied one of the ideals of Epcot: the exploration and discovery of new technologies. This was a light show unlike any other, and it was also host to one the most magical serendipitous moments you could ever experience; the moment your monorail passed right through the heart of this mesmerizing light show as you traveled around Future World on your way to the station. If you were fortunate enough to experience that moment, it was one that would surely live in your heart forever. I know it will for me.
Those are just a few special moments from years gone by that I will never forget. Do you have any of your own? Please share them with us in the comments below and we can stroll down memory lane together…Disney-style!
Enjoy the magic of Disney all year ’round with Celebrations Magazine!
I miss the old descent in Spaceship Earth so much 🙁 I’m still cautiously optimistic that an updated version will return someday and the screens will just be an accessory to it.
Oh, we can only dream…how wonderful that would be!! I do like the new version, but somehow I end up breaking my arm skiing every single time. I will confess I like to have fun and input my home as Iceland or Tokyo once in a while!!! But for me Spaceship Earth will always be about that city of the future (and Jeremy Irons).
I always loved the lights at Epcot in addition to the Osbourne lights. As a band director I would always take my bands to Disney during Dec. Was hoping to take my wife to see both during the Christmas season since we have both just retired. Sadly now, she will miss some of the best lights and light shows Disney ever had. Osbourne lights was one of the things that inspired me to do my own light show and even do “Believe In The Holiday Magic” from Disneyland.
Yes, I will never forget the Osborne lights myself (I don’t think any of us will!). But there’s always the anticipation of all the new magic that Disney has in store for us…and even though these holiday show pieces will always be fondly remembered, I’m sure we’ll have even more spectacular shows in the coming years, and a whole host of new memories that we’ll make. But I’ll always be nostalgic for these classic favorites (and who knows, one or both may return in one form or another one day!) Thank you for sharing your special memories Robert!!
I also miss the archway of lights that was erected during Christmas time. It separated Future World and World Showcase in Epcot. It added a little something special. In Hollywood Studios the original backlot with home fronts from a variety of TV shows. It was a wonderful experience feeling you were in a neighborhood. It was so great to see the Osbourne lights displayed here. That was the best way to see them displayed, as they were prior to being donated to Walt Disney World. Then there’s the Winter/Christmas Country Bears Jamboree. Definitely something special. A thoroughly enjoyable show that was a welcome change.
Those are all wonderful memories, thanks Donna Lee! I was just so dazzled by the Epcot lights, it was such a unique way of decorating for the holidays…and such a perfect embodiment of Epcot’s ideals (the wonders of technology etc.). And yes, I can’t think of a better way to enter World Showcase than under a cascading display of colored lights! I miss them too, but am always full of anticipation with “what will they think of next?”
Tim, in your article on the movie in The Living Seas when you were writing about remembering “It rained and rained and rained” you left out the memorable last line. “When it stopped, the seas were born.”
Thanks Darryl!! Yes, there are so many memorable lines from that film (and of course there was “Try to imagine. For we welcome you now to take the first steps into that future. We welcome you to The Living Seas. We welcome you to Sea Base Alpha.”) HYDROLATORS!!!! Oh how I miss those bubbles that signaled our descent to the ocean’s depths!
I was and still am such a fan of the music at EPCOT. Whether it was Tomorrow’s Child in Spaceship Earth, Listen to the Land at the Land Pavillion, or New Horizons for Horizons, the songs continue to play in my head. “If you can dream it then you ca do it, yes you can, yes you can.” I really enjoy Celebrations magazine and hope to make it back to WDW soon.
Thanks Ken! Ah, the music…that’s one of my first memories of Epcot! I still remember marveling at the majesty of Spaceship Earth, the cool autumn evening air, futuristic music emanating from the shrubbery….pure magic!! Thank you so much for your kind words…this right here is what it’s all about, sharing the magic!!
Hello, With all the land Disney has if I could make a wish come true I would build a park and fill it will all the retired attractions. I miss them all. I have seen so many leave without understand why… What ever happened to 4-D sound??? That was magical! Oh, but to dream.
Thanks Linda!! That’s a great idea for another article…attractions/parks we’d love to see!! I could see it now…”The Land of Misfit Attractions>” I’d be first in line!!! (Well, maybe second behind you!!)
It has been a dream of mine for years. I know Disney has to move forward to stay fresh but I often think as a senior visitor not all of us are into the “new” themes. Plus what could it hurt for the young to learn about the wheel of motion? I would love to see the old and great again and it would help with the crowds. Misfit park would be wonderful! I have been going since 1978 so there would be lots to see.
I loved World of Motion! And the original Imagination…and Ellen, and El Rio del Tiempo….so many great memories!!! What attractions do YOU miss the most? (I still vote for Horizons if I could just get one back!)
Oh you hit it right on the head with the Lights of Winter. I miss them the most. It used to give me goose bumps and was a must-do anytime we visited at the holidays. But yes, my favorite line in the Living Seas is “The deluge.” just brings that vision of how it must have happened even clearer. And I know I am being picky, but i did like the previous version of Spaceship Earth much better. I understand it needs to keep up with the times, but that backwards ride was so great, with the vision of the city of tomorrow in there too. I am so nostalgic for prior Disney World…but won’t keep me from the current or future versions to come 🙂
Thanks Stacey! It’s funny, as I think about it, whenever I watched the Living Seas film I always felt a little chilly and damp afterward (even when it was blazing away at 98 degrees outside!!). But I’m with you, the latter part of Spaceship Earth was always a favorite (I’m hoping all of those set pieces are just sitting behind the black curtains and one day they’ll return). And not just the city, but the mom singing a lullaby over a video chat, the bee that turned into a space shuttle (now I’m getting all nostalgic!)
Tim, Who can pick just one? Ok, I would love to see EPCOT return to the original park including Kitchen Kabaret. World of Motion is my vote as I know your readers would vote for all my other favorites. MK need Mr Toad’s ride back. Disney studio need the back lot tour to bring it back to the original concept. I could go on forever!
Yeah, picking just one is pretty well impossible! Believe it or not I still miss Snow White’s Scary Adventures! (not sure which is more scary, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or the sudden reveal of the Evil Queen in Scary Adventures!)
Oh “The lights of Winter” Thank you for bringing that vision back. My favorite. Why oh why did they do away with it. Some things should become staples of the season. So sad when it went away.
I know, that was always a highlight of my Christmas visit!! I think we’ll do a “Remember When” pictorial in our Christmas issue! Thanks Joe!!!
I have a different favorite, but after browsing the comments, I have to chime in on Christmas lights. Our only Christmas trip was 2004. We still have our special “glasses” from Osbourne Family Lights. Kids are all grown now, but we still take them and the glasses around Colorado Springs at Christmas to view various light displays and see the angels they create.
I miss the Tapetry of Dreams Parade. It used to go twice a day. My youngest used to get pulled into the street to dance with the butterfly faires almost every time we saw the parade. It was magical for her. So many children were involved in that parade. The enthusiasm and generosity of the performers, from the fairies to the stilt walkers to the puppeteers, to the guys riding the huge revolving drum made that a must see for us while it lasted. Will always miss it.
Oooh, that’s a great one, thanks Steve!!! I remember those glasses, I took them home and looked at my Christmas tree lights through them (for those who don’t remember or never got them, the glasses turned all the lights into twinkly stars, very cool!!) And the Tapestry of Dreams parade…what a great memory! Your daughter must have been so thrilled…it was so great how the performers interacted with the crowd. Add that to the list of “things we wish they would bring back!” Thank you so much Steve!!