Worst Move in Parks History

[UNCgolf]

My controversial take- Horizons wasn't nearly as amazing as people seem to remember it

I think the latter part of Horizons was incredible -- the future living sections that were sort of an unofficial sequel to Carousel of Progress. That was one of my favorite things anywhere at WDW as a kid. I don't think the earlier part of the ride was really anything great (although the huge screen was obviously a big technical achievement), even though I still loved the whole attraction.

Either way, it was both better and significantly more interesting than Mission: Space. Mission: Space was at least a much better fit for EPCOT than nearly everything else they've done since, though, which is why I didn't personally vote for Horizons to Mission: Space as one of the worst moves.

 

[Heppenheimer]

- the future living sections that were sort of an unofficial sequel to Carousel of Progress.

Tell me if I'm remembering this correctly or not. Didn't the animatronics of the father figures in each attraction look very similar? I also remember there being a "Dr. Johnson" animatronic during the preshow of Mission to Mars who was obviously made from the same model.

 

[Ice Gator]

Tell me if I'm remembering this correctly or not. Didn't the animatronics of the father figures in each attraction look very similar? I also remember there being a "Dr. Johnson" animatronic during the preshow of Mission to Mars who was obviously made from the same model.

Pretty sure “Dr. Johnson” and “Tom Morrow” are two names that have been used for different attractions/multiple characters in the parks throughout their history.

 

[UNCgolf]

Tell me if I'm remembering this correctly or not. Didn't the animatronics of the father figures in each attraction look very similar? I also remember there being a "Dr. Johnson" animatronic during the preshow of Mission to Mars who was obviously made from the same model.

Yeah, I think you're right.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Pretty sure “Dr. Johnson” and “Tom Morrow” are two names that have been used for different attractions/multiple characters in the parks throughout their history.

That happens everywhere WDW and probably in every Disney park. As far as Horizons was concerned it is supposed to be the same family but in modern anticipated times. I agree with someone that said the Horizons was good but not all that spectacular. The ride vehicles were different and most people were surprised by the strong smell of oranges in the farming section but other than that it was OK, but not great. As far as Mission Space, that was more of an experience than an indication of the future. I rode it not to long after the two deaths attributed to it, and my first reaction was one of massive approval. Horizons had one strong connection to CoP and that was the spot where you hear the same theme music that was used in CoP. First there was "Now is the time" and when they went back to "Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" at the same time that CoP changed back to it.

 

[WorldExplorer]

I chose Tiana's because, aside from just being a stupid idea that resulted in a giant downgrade, the way they went about it threw a giant shadow over thirty years of park/studio history, photos, commercials, merchandise, video games, etc.

Disney doesn't want you to pretend Journey into Imagination/Great Movie Ride/Horizons/etc. weren't good retroactively, and none of them had the insane amount of recognition Splash had. It's an absolutely insane combo.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

EPCOT “Festivals”

 

[coffeefan]

The Muppets being erased from the parks feels so wrong.

 

[Zak and Wheezie]

I agree 100% with this. It was one of the most popular and beloved attractions in WDW, IMO.
They say the original movie was racist and I'm not going to get into that. Not to most people. It was a fun ride with great characters and wonderful songs. It was entertainment, not a statement about anything. To make it in to "something" was Disney's fault. No flaming - just my opinion.

I doubt any Millennials, even Xennials for that matter, would know of the IP. It was dated and irrelevant even when the ride opened. I'm almost 22 and I only know of the movie from Splash Mountain. I know nothing about why it's racist and it's best to not get into that.

I agree they probably shouldn't have replaced it, though. But opening a ride based off Song of The South in 1989 was like if they opened a Bear In The Big Blue House ride today.

 

[Brer Panther]

But opening a ride based off Song of The South in 1989 was like if they opened a Bear In The Big Blue House ride today.

Objection, I would love a Bear in the Big Blue House ride. Hollywood Studios hasn't been the same since they booted Bear and his friends out of Playhouse Disney Live.

 

[Zak and Wheezie]

Objection, I would love a Bear in the Big Blue House ride. Hollywood Studios hasn't been the same since they booted Bear and his friends out of Playhouse Disney Live.

That WOULD be cool, but like I said, Bear In The Big Blue House isn't really a relevant IP, to say the least...

 

[Graham9]

Over the years we've been going to WDW, there have been many changes and the majority of them have not been for the better. I could list many things which have happened that I dislike, but the absolute worst of them is Genie+/Lightening Lanes, which has removed both money and the whole WDW experience.

 

[Prince-1]

Objection, I would love a Bear in the Big Blue House ride. Hollywood Studios hasn't been the same since they booted Bear and his friends out of Playhouse Disney Live.

How about a Little Rascals ride?? I mean they are about as relevant these days as Bear.

 

[DisneyHead123]

I doubt any Millennials, even Xennials for that matter, would know of the IP. It was dated and irrelevant even when the ride opened. I'm almost 22 and I only know of the movie from Splash Mountain.

I'm an Xennial - Song of the South was around when I was a kid (I don't think we owned the video so probably on cable,) but to me and my siblings it was definitely a D-list movie, if that. No offense to anyone who worked on it, it was made in a different time - but as a kid I had little idea what was supposed to be happening in that movie, even during the cartoon segments. The only thing that stands out at all is the little boy's run-in with the bull. (You know that meme "I always thought that quicksand would be a much bigger issue in my life"? Growing up in the 80s, ditto for angry bulls.)

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

This was hard because some of these things I did not know anything about. I never went on the original Figment. EPCOT was being built when I went my first trip. I liked Maelstrom but it wasn't that kid-focused (yes, it was a good ride to promote Norway but kids don't understand that). Never went on Horizons and won't go on Guardians. Also never went on the Great Movie ride. But replacing RoA with Cars? NO! Absolutely not! It doesn't fit the theme of the area AT ALL! How can DCA create a whole land for Cars with little land and yet Florida, who has more land that CA, not build fifth park? It would fit better at HS, like Indiana Jones and Monsters, Inc. I love going to the parks but they keep putting attractions in the parks that don't fit the theme of where they go. Encanto? I can see it fitting into AK but it's not AK just because of one character who talks to animals. Indiana Jones is NOT AK material either. But I don't get paid by Disney to make decisions like that.

Being a kid and going to WDW looking for Horizons or expecting original Journey into Imagination not knowing there gone really sucked.

 

[celluloid]

I agree they probably shouldn't have replaced it, though. But opening a ride based off Song of The South in 1989 was like if they opened a Bear In The Big Blue House ride today.

Not really. The movie it is based on was back in theaters around the time. And the stories were still very well read in schools and children's lit.

 

[Wicked Sisters]

I chose Big Movie Ride because we went on it numerous times every holiday we had in WDW. We went on RR last year for the first time and wasn’t really impressed. Also chose replacing Rivers of America for Cars because we are definitely against this. It is such a quiet area to just stand or sit for awhile and relax away from crowds. This will also have an effect on us deciding whether we really want to go anymore after next year if it changes too much.

 

[lordsigma]

This is more a most offensive thing to purist list than worst business decision. I’d concur on the Euro Disney as the worst business decision. Only some of the things on this list were actually bad business decisions. The debacle with Harmonious is certainly one that is both offensive to purist fans and a business blunder. But some of these like replacing Universe of Energy were absolutely the right business decision even if offensive to Epcot fans. I get that more nostalgic fans spend money and many of those offended by the changes are flocking to Uni instead or no longer going at all. But the bottom line is as long as the “never again” purist is replaced by another guest that doesn’t care Disney will keep doing what they do.

I was at the parks this week and I see no evidence that Disney is running out of potential guests.