Impressive defunct experiences you've been able to enjoy

[ParadoxPortals]

There are way to many to list but everything that was operating from February 1983 to September 2019 I experienced at one point of the other. I'm pretty sure I never missed any because I made it my quest to ride and see everything. Some were better than others but all had there high points.

Just one minor story... When I went to WDW with my wife and two young daughters (age 6 and 8) in 1983 we went to the Carousel of Progress when the attraction theme song was "Now Is The Best Time of Your life" and it truly was. It was the high point, emotionally, of my life. My memories of the entire trip are in my mind and easily accessed. I guess they have their own special file.

Forward ahead to 2002 and I was there solo. I had a job I hated and also had just gone through a divorce, my girls were grown, married and building their own families and I was alone. I sat there on one of the benches (yes, they had them then) watched families walk past and generally was completely engrossed in self pity. I moped for a little while and then decided that I had paid for a ticket and I could just sit on a park bench at home for free so I should make some effort to snap out of it. I got up and walked to CoP because I had such nice memories of it and singing the song all the way back home with my girls. At this time the theme song had changed back to "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow". I listened to that song and something unexpected happened. I started to believe it and immediately started to formulate the plan that I needed to deal with and improve my life. Before I got home I knew what I was going to try to do and was determined to do it. I did do it and after a lot of work accomplished my goal and have lived my live according to my plan since then and have never really fallen back into the funk I found myself in that day. Of course, nature didn't always follow my plan, but I've accepted the limitations brought on by age.

Somehow, that timing was flawless. The song "Now is the best time of your life" was true. That was indeed the best time of my existence and when I needed a kick in the derriere years later "Great big beautiful Tomorrow" gave me the hope that I could fix things. Pure coincidence, I know... but to me it was amazing.

That's a beautiful story. It's what Disney (maybe) used to be, and should always be about, these moments of emotional impact brought on by the artistry of these physical, lovingly-crafted places.

Also I think you may have accidentally noted the biggest lost thing the Disney Parks used to have... Benches! Imagine being able to rest and enjoy the ambiance instead of being caught in a bustling highway 24/7! I miss those good old days.

 

[ParadoxPortals]

magic kingdom: I did 2 of the sorcerers of the magic kingdom missions splash mountain original country bear jamboree and throw your tomato’s but stitch’s great escape Epcot: one of the agent p’s world showcase adventure missions malestorm I didn’t really enjoy it per say but illuminations:reflections of earth Ellens energy adventure animal kingdom: it’s tough to be a bug rivers of light sunset safaris and is it too early to add dinoland U.S.A? Hollywood studios: the great movie ride Jedi training the Osborne lights honey I shrunk the kids play set adventure and is it too early to add muppet vision 3d?

Oooooh yeah Jedi Training was great. It's insane they stopped running it post-COVID. I was lucky enough to duel Vader back then. The show tricked me into buying a plastic saber haha. Same with the wand show at IOA's Ollivander's. Super effective at tricking you into buying expensive toy sticks but such great core memories from past trips. We need more interactive shows like these I think, and preferably others like the already mentioned Merlin's sword in the stone performance they used to do.

 

[Agent H]

Oooooh yeah Jedi Training was great. It's insane they stopped running it post-COVID. I was lucky enough to duel Vader back then. The show tricked me into buying a plastic saber haha. Same with the wand show at IOA's Ollivander's. Super effective at tricking you into buying expensive toy sticks but such great core memories from past trips. We need more interactive shows like these I think, and preferably others like the already mentioned Merlin's sword in the stone performance they used to do.

I wanted to do it one last time before I turned 13 but couldn’t because of the pandemic so my little brother made me a “Jedi training graduation certificate” promoting me to the status of Jedi knight and it was the sweetest thing ever I still have it.

 

[Agent H]

I wanted to do it one last time before I turned 13 but couldn’t because of the pandemic so my little brother made me a “Jedi training graduation certificate promoting me to the status of Jedi knight and it was the sweetest thing ever I still have it.

I hope they bring it back someday so my littlest brother can do it at least once.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Adventurers Club

 

[StarWarsGirl]

2. Lost and Found. Often when you lose something at WDW, that's it. But a few times over the years we have gotten stuff back by visiting Lost and Found. Once, when we were boarding the monorail, a toddler of my extended family happened to drop one of the old light-up toys just as we were getting onto the train. It fell into the small gap between the platform and the train, went under the train. I didn't think we had any chance of getting it back, but thought I'd mention to one of the CM's that an item had gone down there. Well, the CM took down our name, and 2 days later it was at Lost and Found! And it still worked!

I had that happen at DL. My Stitch Nuimo went on a little adventure. I had an idea where he was. He was found the next day, I went to pick him up, and then he was grounded for the rest of the trip.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I'll start with less impressive:

I got to experience the giant letters outside of DCA

I got to experience Bug's Land at DCA. I will say I liked Heimlich's Chew Chew Train.

I remember when TSM opened and we had four attractions in the park. Also, it was constantly mobbed.

I remember the original ToT at DCA. The one at DHS was always better.

Maliboomer at DCA. I enjoyed it. I know that the neighbors hated it, and looking back, it wasn't that intense compared to the stuff I do now, lol.

I remember when Silly Symphony Swings at DCA was surrounded by an orange peel for some random reason.

I remember when Luigi's was floating tires. Basically just flying saucers. Who thought that was a good idea?

And lastly....the BAH.




More impressive:

I have ridden in the front car of the Monorail.

I vaguely remember the Dreamfinder from the original Imagination.

I very clearly remember original TT.

I got to experience Tapestry of Nations, the parade at Epcot.

I got to experience Wonders of Life, including Cranium Command and Body Wars

Also Original Star Tours

At Disneyland, I saw the Aladdin at the Hyperion, and later Frozen at the Hyperion. Those were two of the best park shows ever, and it makes me sad that that theater sits empty right now.

I got to experience California Screamin' at DCA and I miss that soundtrack. It was perfection.

I saw Main Street Electrical Parade at both MK and DL.

And I rode EE during previews and soft opening and saw the Yeti when it worked.

 

[UNCgolf]

The Living Seas
Horizons
earlier versions of Spaceship Earth
Great Movie Ride
Journey into Imagination (and Imageworks, which was incredible as a 7 year old)
20K Leagues Under the Sea
World of Motion
Universe of Energy
Original full Backlot Tour
The themed stores at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios
Splash Mountain
Wonders of Life

I'm probably forgetting some other stuff.

 

[vikescaper]

The Millennium Celebration.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

The Fiesta Fun Center in the Contemporary.

‘Twas an Adventurers Club for teenagers.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Impressive: Pre 2007.

Unimpressive: Virtually everything after 2007.

 

[Agent H]

Impressive: Pre 2007.

Unimpressive: Virtually everything after 2007.

You must be real fun at parties.