Collector’s Edition Giveaway Part 2
During my conversation with Warren Spector, creator of the new Wii video game Disney Epic Mickey, he mentioned the theme park attractions featured in the alternative world of Wasteland were mostly from Disneyland prior to 1967. Now Walt Disney World will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2011, and many attractions have come and gone since its opening in 1971. Therefore, if there is an alternative world of Wasteland for Disneyland, then there certainly should also be a Wasteland “Florida Project” for Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and his pals. Just for fun, let’s imagine there is a Wasteland “Florida Project” and begin to speculate on the attractions it might contain. With this post, the DIS Unplugged will give away 3 copies of the Disney Epic Mickey Collector’s Edition (all prizes provided by Disney Interactive Studios). Continue after the break to find out how to enter.
Image: Page from Disney Epic Mickey graphic novel courtesy of Disney Digicomics
Warren Spector mentioned one of the “lost attractions” currently found in Wasteland includes the Nautilus from the original Submarine Voyage at Disneyland. I loved the Submarine Voyage, and remember being transported to an undersea world when I rode it as a 6th grader in 1980. I knew I could peer out the porthole, look up, and see the top of the water, but I didn’t want to spoil the “magic.” I forced myself to look down, and totally immerse myself in this world of fish and giant clams. There was also a version of Submarine Voyage at Walt Disney World as Captain Nemo’s Nautilus prowled the Fantasyland lagoon in the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction. I remember squeezing into one of these Jules Verne-esque submarines when traveling to the Magic Kingdom on a high school band trip in 1984, but, alas, the Nautilus now resides in the Wasteland: “Florida Project.”
Many other attractions have been replaced in all four Disney theme parks over the past 40 years including (in no particular order): the Skyway, Timekeeper, Plaza Swan Boats, Horizons, Discovery River Boats, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Play It! Many of these attractions were ones I never experienced, and are now a part of the Wasteland: “Florida Project.” There are also parades and shows no longer at Walt Disney World that now entertain Oswald the Lucky Rabbit when he vacations in Bizarro Florida.
Image: Tapestry of Dreams Parade final float
Epcot had an evening parade called “Tapestry of Dreams” that we saw when we took our daughters to Walt Disney World for the first time in 2002. Part of the show contained large puppets (similar to the Lion King Broadway show) that interacted with parade watchers, and our daughters were enthralled by the sight. Tapestry of Dreams also had a cool interactive element. Throughout the day children worked on craft projects related to their hopes and dreams. In the evening, when the parade went by, children tossed their “dreams” into the nets of the DreamSeekers to ensure they came true.
Image: Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade
We also enjoyed the Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade at Disney-MGM Studios (as it was then called). This was a whimsical motorcade of stylized automobiles that included a Star Wars Landspeeder car, Andy’s bed from Toy Story, and many other fun car floats. I can definitely imagine a steampunk version of Stars and Motor Cars entertaining Oswald and the other characters in our Wasteland: “Florida Project.”
So here’s where you come in, we need some more “blue sky” development of our East Coast Wasteland. To win one of the 3 copies of Disney Epic Mickey Collector’s Edition you need to leave a comment at the bottom of this article. This time, we want you to reminsce about the closed Walt Disney World attractions that are now in Florida’s Vacation Wasteland Kingdom. Log in with your DISboards username and password, leave a comment on this article, and share some of your memories of favorite long gone attractions. Now if only we could *poof* send Stitch’s Great Escape! to Wasteland and bring The Timekeeper back to the Magic Kingdom. Bye, bye, Stitch… Bye, bye, chili dog burps… Hello Timekeeper… Hello 9-Eye.
Again, you need to leave a comment at the bottom of this article. Comments in other places such as Facebook or Twitter will not be official contest entries. Comments will close on Monday, Dec. 6th. Keep following the blog, there will be one more chance to win a copy of the Disney Epic Mickey Collector’s Edition plus a special Grand Prize. Good luck to everyone who enters.
Comments
227 responses to “Disney Epic Mickey: Wasteland “Florida Project””
I think that the electric street parade would be a great addition. I really would like to play Epic Mickey!!
I really want Epic Mickey!!! Looks awesome!!!
Definitely miss Mr Toad’s Wild Ride. Would love to see that one! Would also love a copy of Epic Mickey!
I will never forget my first ride on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea or Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. I have to confess I’ve bored my children to tears with the “When I was a kid and came to Disney World THIS was a real ride called (Fill in the blank here)” stories.
I must say I miss Horizons. I would much rather have that than Mission: Space…
I miss Mr Toad’s Wild Ride. It was based on one of my favorite books.
I sure hope Santa finds a way to get this to me…er… I mean my 4 kids! haha Great article, Dave!
Epic Mickey IS epic! I’m glad to see Mickey showing some of his old scrappy attitude.
Definitely the world of imagination ride. Figment and his friends along with the discovery area upstairs was my favorite ride when I was a kid, and I was sad to see it changed.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was so awesome to me as a kid. I really thought I was going down deep when I was younger and then when I went on it as I got older it finally dawned on me how “deep” I was really going. Still loved it anyway.
I now have my husband wanting this game too. We would have to fight the kids for the wii!
I miss Alien Encounter
As a family we just had our first visit. So, I don’t have anything to compare it with. 🙂 I hope to make it a regular family tradition though so years later we can talk about what we used to love/miss. 🙂
Epic Mickey looks like a great game.
I miss 20,000 Leagues and the skyway – two of my favorites from my first visit as a little girl.
I would poof away Stitch’s great escape” & bring back 2000 Leagues Under the sea!Great memories as a child on that ride.
I hope it counts even though it isn’t a MK attraction but I would love to see Tarzan Rocks. I just loved Tarzan 🙂
And Communicore. The technology is clearly outdated but for its time, I thought it was so cool!
I would really like to see River Country too! I remember seeing it on Full House and I wanted to go there so badly. I was so sad when I went for the first time and it was gone.
I can’t wait to play this game!
I miss 20,00 Leagues Under the Sea….I remember going on it when I was little and thinking it was neat that we were under water.
i’m hoping i get this for Christmas.. we’ll all enjoy playing it!
I miss Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride & the Skyway!
Me: Skyway… Loved seeing so much of the park from above
My wife: 20,000 Leagues… So much fun as a kid!
Daughter (12): Mr. Toad… because she only rode it while in utero!
Reading about “Tapestry of Nations” Parade reminded me of a most spectacular trip we took to Disney World. It was our first Land and Sea package. I had heard about the Tapestry of Nations parade and knew I didn’t want to miss it. I have to say it has been my most favorite Disney parades of all time. The majesty, magic, and dreams of the world as one ; really came through in that parade. The music still touches my heart and reminds me of that special time at Disney. This parade to me; embodies the beauty and wonder of EPCOT and all that is Disney. Thanks for the wonderful reminder of something that is gone from Disney but is forever in my Disney Heart.
Our first trip to WDW was in 1975 and the one ride I remembered for years to come was … Mission to Mars. I remember, vividly, the seats vibrating and moving downard as if to create the illusion of us lifting off in our rocketship. The film surrounding us and making us think we were flying. This ride became dated when new technology in rides and in the space program blossomed in the 70’s and 80’s but as with most rides at WDW, nostalgia never gets old. Kids today would find it boring and lame but in 1975, this 10 year old thought it was neato.
Great article Dave! My favorite attraction that is gone is Extraterrorestrial Alien Encounter! It was one of my all time favorite attractions; I never got tired of it even after visiting dozens of time.
I miss the backlot areas where all the *homes* were. I especially miss it at Christmas time with the Osbourne lights are up. I remember walking thru and checking out all the Christmas lights on the *homes*. I def. miss the tapestry of Dreams parade too. Best parade and music ever!
The Adventurer’s Club – Kungaloosh!; Mr Toad’s Wild Ride; even tho it’s not an attraction I really miss the vacation villas @ Downtown Disney, DH misses the sweet potato pancakes at Riverside Resort and says they were an attraction when I pointed out the topic. the backlot residential area.
i loved the tapestry parade, too. thanks for the photos!
I want Epic Mickey so bad…..but $70 for a gift for myself is a bit much. If I win, it’ll go under the tree to me 🙂
I miss the original Tiki room!
Wonder if VMK could be worked into the Wasteland “Florida Project”? My kids and I enjoyed playing there together.
Can’t wait to get our hands on Epic Mickey….we’ve been looking forward to its release for months!!!
i miss Mr. Toads Wild Ride but i still enjoy most all of the rides
Original Tiki Room, original Journey Into Imagination, Mr. Toad…there’s just so many updates that go on that make me miss the older incarnations.
I also enjoyed the themed parades at DHS (then MGM) for the current movie release…I think Mulan was the last time that happened.
It would be great if Nine-Eye would take Mickey on an adventure through time in wasteland. Kinda like a Christmas Carol past, present, and future.
River country would be great and the Stars and Motor Cars Parade, we really miss that since my son and husband are car buffs.
I was born in 1992 so I can’t say anything about the old attractions except for Alien Encounter. I would also like to see 20,000 Leagues because I always saw it there when I was younger but it was not operational. I would love to see the old attractions!
Only a few: Adventurers’ Club, 20,000 Leagues, the Viking ship/play area at Norway, Cranium Command.
I would love to see the atmosphere of Pleasure Island brought back so it feels alive and not just like an eatery and mall.
Also, although they weren’t an “attraction” back when I was young, I miss the days when the characters freely walked the park. You didn’t have to wait in line for a photo op and an autograph. It was more genuine.
The one attraction that I dearly miss is Superstar Television in MGM (Disney’s Hollywood) Studios. This holds a very special place in my heart because we visited one time with my Grandmom. She is no longer with us, but just thinking about this attraction brings back such a great memory of her. I had been to this attraction several times before so I knew that they chose people out of the crowd to be in the show. Well, when we went, I must have expressed a strong interest in being chosen as she suggested that we both make our way to the front of the crowd. I jumped up and down and waved and I was chosen! They picked me to play the Skipper in the Gilligan’s Island skit. Next they were looking for someone to play a woman in a soap opera and lo and behold they chose my Grandmom!! She wasn’t even trying but she went along with it. Well, I remember doing my part in the skit (they had me peddle some bike made of bamboo or something and I remember looking at the wrong camera when they had my face up for the opening credits but I had alot of fun. Well, next was my Grandmom’s skit. They had these cue cards and my Grandmom, who they put in this vey frilly pink robe, had really bad eyesight, so all of the sudden she put on her thick glasses and peered real close into the camera and everyone cracked up! Them she got on the phone with her boyfriend who was this hot young guy and that was a riot too. Well, the story was that her husband came home and confronted her about cheating on him and all I remember is that she pulled out a gun and since she just couldn’t read those cards, she improvised a line. She said “That’s it for you, bub!” I know that it was mostly “you had to be there” kind of moment, but it was honestly the best time I ever at that park to this day.
For me it’s a toss up between Horizons and 20,000 Leagues. I loved and miss both of these.
Great article. Good to learn somemore about the game and the park. I miss Superstar Television as well. On our honeymoon I got to be the news anchor. It was an interesting but fun experience.
Remember when Journey to the Imagination used to smell good? Now you always get the skunk smell. I hope they fired the imagineer who thought it was hilarious to give the guests a big whiff of skunk, stink bug and chili dogs. It might have been funny the first time, but we have long since ceased being amused.
Well, I can’t say what past attraction I’d like to see, since I’ve only been to WDW once. I live in CA, so the forgotten attraction I’d like to see at Disneyland is the People Mover and the Sky Buckets. Not thrilling, but fun!
I miss 20000 leagues the most as it was one of the rides I really remember the most as a child.
I wish I could share 2000 Leagues with my grandchildren. The whole idea of being under the water always facinated me.
My son and his wife both miss the original Journey to the Imagination with the dreamfinder.Both are dreamers and it captured their essence.
I am sure I am not alone in asking for the adventures club to be put back. Maybe with the new Hyperion wharf design they might make something similar.
I couldn’t agree with you more about Stitch’s Great Escape! I really miss 20,000 Leagues; I remember riding that ride over and over again with my parents.
I miss Alien Encounter. I loved that creepy feeling of the alien being somewhere in the room – and you never knew where he would pop up next. Breath on the back of my neck – fantastic!!
For me the attraction I miss the most that gone to the Disney World Wasteland is Toad’s Wild Ride. Toad will always have a place in the Haunted Mansion’s graveyard but it’s not the same.
I remember “Mr Toad’s Wild Ride” & “Cranium Command”, I also really liked the movie about how babies were made with Martin Short.
I too miss 20,000 Leagues. It’s one of the few things I remember from visiting Disney as a child. Think of how cool it could be with today’s technology.