On this day in the year 2003, The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter closed for good.
I was fortunate enough to attend the final day of operation. I remember it as if it was yesterday....
I started the day off at the Disney MGM Studios. With it being Columbus Day Weekend, the park was packed. 90 minute waits for Tower, 75 minutes at Rock 'n Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith....it was ridiculous. That afternoon, I went to the Magic Kingdom. Just days before this, Mickey's PhilarMagic had opened to the public and Wishes had had only two showings in front of public audiences. I took a clockwise tour of the park, starting in Adventureland of course and making my way out to Tomorrowland. Crowds here weren't as bad as they were at MGM, if I remember correctly. Anyways, I finally made it into Tomorrowland, and my first stop was at Mickey's Star Traders (the old version). At this time I decided to join the pin craze. I bought a Stitch lanyard and an AE pin. At the counter paying for the items, I asked the Cast Member if the attraction was still open, as I did not know if it was closed for good on the 11th or if it was closing for good AFTER the 11th. He didn't know.
I literally grabbed the bag out of his hand and ran my heart out. Past the restrooms, past Merchants of Venus....I turned a corner to find people in the "holding pen." I breathed a sigh of relief. I was going to be able to ride what had been my favorite attraction in the park again.
I rode four times that day. I had planned on sticking around to stay for the final show, but thanks to a terrible thunderstorm which occured just two minutes after Wishes had ended and "flooded" the streets of Tomorrowland, I had to leave an hour and a half early. I was just glad that I had been able to ride it at least one more time. I do believe that a few members on this site were able to attend the final showing, however.
The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter was an incredible attraction. We screamed and we laughed. It featured an original story and original characters -- one of the last rides to do so in the past decade. Props to WDI....you guys created one amazing attraction that we shall never forget.
R.I.P.
June 20th, 1995 - October 11th, 2003
I was fortunate enough to attend the final day of operation. I remember it as if it was yesterday....
I started the day off at the Disney MGM Studios. With it being Columbus Day Weekend, the park was packed. 90 minute waits for Tower, 75 minutes at Rock 'n Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith....it was ridiculous. That afternoon, I went to the Magic Kingdom. Just days before this, Mickey's PhilarMagic had opened to the public and Wishes had had only two showings in front of public audiences. I took a clockwise tour of the park, starting in Adventureland of course and making my way out to Tomorrowland. Crowds here weren't as bad as they were at MGM, if I remember correctly. Anyways, I finally made it into Tomorrowland, and my first stop was at Mickey's Star Traders (the old version). At this time I decided to join the pin craze. I bought a Stitch lanyard and an AE pin. At the counter paying for the items, I asked the Cast Member if the attraction was still open, as I did not know if it was closed for good on the 11th or if it was closing for good AFTER the 11th. He didn't know.
I literally grabbed the bag out of his hand and ran my heart out. Past the restrooms, past Merchants of Venus....I turned a corner to find people in the "holding pen." I breathed a sigh of relief. I was going to be able to ride what had been my favorite attraction in the park again.
I rode four times that day. I had planned on sticking around to stay for the final show, but thanks to a terrible thunderstorm which occured just two minutes after Wishes had ended and "flooded" the streets of Tomorrowland, I had to leave an hour and a half early. I was just glad that I had been able to ride it at least one more time. I do believe that a few members on this site were able to attend the final showing, however.
The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter was an incredible attraction. We screamed and we laughed. It featured an original story and original characters -- one of the last rides to do so in the past decade. Props to WDI....you guys created one amazing attraction that we shall never forget.
R.I.P.
June 20th, 1995 - October 11th, 2003
