When Disney World opened its gates on October 1, 1971, several key attractions were still being finalized. According to David Koenig in his book Realityland, [Bonaventure Press, 2007], the Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboats didn’t open until the next day. Peter Pan’s Flight was 2 days behind it. Even worse, construction delays had pushed back the opening of a major attraction, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It was nearing the official park opening at the end of October before the moats were filled and submarines were plying the deep.
Disney found itself facing the holiday season with two few rides, long lines and disgruntled guests. The ease the congestion, other attractions were quickly pulled into service. One of these was the Swan Boat Ride in the moat around Cinderella Castle. Though the Disney word staff shop built giant swan boats, according to Koenig they weren’t a big success. “Operators at times struggled to master the sensitive controls within the narrow canal—and bumped a few boats into the riverbanks.” With guests even less thrilled to be treated to the same view they could have experienced from the riverbank, Disney used the ride only during peak seasons and phased it out entirely as the park was built up to capacity.
Even Favorite Disney Attractions Close
As time went on, other attractions went the way of the Swan Boat Ride. After wrestling the popular attraction 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea into being, Disney closed the ride forever in 1994. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea occupied the space in the Magic Kingdom across from what is now The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and took riders on a submarine tour through Atlantis and the Polar Ice Cap. Despite the giant squid attack, riders made it safely back to mourn the passing of this early Disney World ride with websites devoted to its 23 year run.
Another popular attraction during the park opening of 1971 was Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, based on the Wind in the Willows movie. Riders took on the part of Mr. Toad in a fast-paced adventure that began by breaking through the fireplace in an English Manor. After careening wildly through town, the ride ended in a train wreck and riders found themselves in a quick descent into hell. It was a devilish ride for Disney, but one whose demise was met with protests from devoted fans.
Also included in the list of attractions forced into oblivion, are the more obscure features such as Discovery Island. According to Tim Barker in the March 26, 1999 Orlando Sentinel article “Discovery Island to Close”, the 11 acre zoo was shut down on April 8, 1999, exactly 25 years after it opened. The island, located in the middle of Bay Lake, was Disney’s second oldest attraction and home to more than 130 species of animals.
Disney’s first water park, River Country, is still missed among those who once swam its waters. Located on the shores of Bay Lake, not far from Discovery Island, River Country was meant to evoke the feeling of an old swimming hole, complete with boulders, a tire swing and rope climb. The park was unofficially closed in 2001. The following year, Rena Callahan, a spokesperson for Disney World, was quoted in a July 18, 2002 Orlando Sentinel article compiled by staff reports as saying, “River Country will remain closed at least through 2002.” River Country never opened its doors to the public again, though it was used for a time as a venue for private parties.
Throughout the years, attractions have been closed and mourned by Disney World fans. Other attractions, such as Spaceship Earth, have been revamped with some subtle and not-so-subtle changes. These changes are meant to keep pace with shifting trends and lifestyles, making it clear that the only thing constant is change, even in the happiest place on earth.
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