Changes to the Magic.

I Miss my Colorful Friend.

Time has passed since most of the streets of America have been torn down to make way for Galaxy's Edge. I lamented the loss of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights when I learned that it would not return to Hollywood Studios.  I made peace with the loss of the Dancing Lights some time ago because of anticipation for the New Star Wars and Toy Story lands that were to occupy the land that this icon of the holiday season formally sat.  I wrote a post about it some time ago.  Change is inevitable and required for the most magical place on earth to remain the relevant and entertaining place it is today.  I miss the dancing lights and was lucky enough to see them one last time before they closed in 2015.  Two years have passed and work is proceeding on Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story. Both come closer to completion.  The plans for both these area's look exciting and appealing.

Now, our friends at Disney have released another round of closures and changes that span almost all the parks.  In the Magic Kingdom, Disney will build the Tron Coaster in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. The Tron Coaster is to be built where the Tomorrow Land Speedway currently sits.  In Epcot, Ellen's Universe of Energy will be replaced by a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction, and The Great Movie Ride will be replaced by a New Mickey Mouse attraction.  All of you are probably already aware of these changes and there are much better sources than my blog for changes at Walt Disney World.

* (I have since learned that Tron will be built behind the Tomorrow Land speedway next to Space Mountain.)

I welcome change for the most part. However, I have to admit to some sadness that the Great Movie Ride has ceased operations.  No more will we hear Robert Osborne praise some of the greatest movies of the 20th and 21st century.  We have had our last glimpse of Gene Kelly swinging form the lamp post in Singing in the Rain or Boggie sending Ingrid Bergman off to safety in Casablanca.  From Dorthy and the Munchkins to Sigourney Weaver and the USCSS Nostromo, I will think fondly of the Late Great Movie Ride. I will even miss the cheesy performance by the cast members in the middle of the attraction.

Replacing the Great Movie Ride particularly is saddening to me because of how Disney plans to replace it.  I would love to see an attraction dedicated to the Mickey.  After all, Walt said that it all started with a mouse.  But the current iteration of Mickey Mouse doesn't sit all that well with me.  I suppose the animators are trying to recapture some of the feel of Walt's old Cartoons.  But, well, for me it just doesn't work. I'm not fond of how these iconic Disney characters are portrayed.  Some may love the newer Mickey cartoons.  I am not among them.

I usually accept changes.  In all most all cases Disney has replaced attractions with more exciting or more entertaining attractions that the ones removed. I guess I will wait and see what happens with the attraction that replaces the great movie ride.