Recently, it has felt like one thing after another has been closing down in Disney World. Parts of DinoLand, U.S.A. have already been demolished for Pueblo Esperanza, Muppets Courtyard is behind walls to make way for the new Monsters, Inc. Land, and the Rivers of America is permanently closed so construction on the new Cars area can begin.
Construction Walls up in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
There are lots of Disney fans who are mourning the loss of these various areas at Disney World, and I completely understand how hard it can be to lose something that holds so many fond memories. It is definitely bittersweet to see parts of Disney World changed, but I am also so excited about the fact that these iconic areas are closing for good.
Alright, alright, before you come for me in the comments, it’s definitely been sad to see these areas behind construction walls and being demolished. BUT, it also means that soon there will be new experiences to have at Disney World and new memories to make. Sure, I may not love every new ride or restaurant, but I’m a sucker for exploring new things.
DinoLand Construction
I am fortunate to be close to Disney World, and I am able to visit the parks frequently. I am still always down for a day at the parks, but I do end up doing a lot of the same things over again. I love doing those things, but it is also extra exciting when a new attraction or experience opens. I know this is not something that everyone has to worry about, and I know how lucky I am to have Disney World in my backyard. But, even if you have never been to Disney World or have only been once, being able to explore a new area can be so much fun!
Walls near the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom
For example, getting to step foot inside Epic Universe for the first time was like being a kid in a candy store. A really, really big candy store complete with roller coasters. It was an entirely new theme park that I had never seen before. I actually had to use a map to get around! I am pretty sure I spent 90% of the day with my mouth wide open in awe. I can’t wait for that same feeling at these new experiences in Disney World.
Epic Universe
We aren’t going to love everything about it, and that’s okay. We will probably compare it to what was there before and maybe even wish the old attractions were still around, but it is still something entirely brand-new to explore and I can’t wait. I always think about Walt Disney’s quote saying: “We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” Walt always said that Disneyland will never be completed, and I would be willing to bet he would say the same thing about Disney World. So, I say bring on the new expansions, I can’t wait!
Big Al checking out the construction!
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There’s nothing wrong with exploring new things! But wdw has enough land to build new attractions without tearing down traditions and beloved areas and attractions. In this crazy world that’s turning too fast, many love knowing that things are the same when they visit, that they can come to a place they feel safe and have great memories to share and recollect….relaxing and comfortable…. stressfree….unchanged! It seems clear to me that today’s Disney is trying to appeal to younger generations. And that’s okay! But us baby boomers aren’t dead yet and we want our wdw left alone! We want to share our beloved characters with our kids and grandkids….our memories of the movies we grew up with – and should still be valued and treasured by young folks today as well as all the new movies in partnership with Disney – and enjoy the wdw we fell in love with fifty years ago….not to mention we’re still big kids ourselves at wdw!! New additions at the parks….or better yet, a new park!….are not unwelcome at all! But the way Disney is doing it is just plain wrong. I’m glad you’re happy and excited to have so much history thrown away in favor of new things but don’t expect the many of us who are very unhappy with ‘progress’ and these recent Disney decisions to change our tune anytime soon. We’ve lived long enough to know that Disney could have let us have our cake and eat it, too! Destroying in order to create is not likely to go over as well as you think. Longtime Disney loyalists may not forgive and forget so quickly. In the meantime, we all have to put up with a year or two of construction which greatly diminishes the pixie dust magic! And btw….we live in wdw’s backyard, too!
Well said Cate! Couldn’t agree more. It doesn’t have to be “either or.”
I agree! Yes, it stinks to lose some things to make room for others (nobody loved Muppets more than me!) But I understand why it needs to happen.
There seems to be quite a lot of people outraged about TSI and the Riverboat being permanently closed. I definitely understand why they’d be upset, however, I can’t imagine that Disney would close an area of the park down permanently unless it wasn’t being utilized to it’s fullest extent. Which tells me that most guests we’re not spending time on those attractions, therefore making it a good spot to add something new.
Magic Kingdom is almost always pretty crowded. Having new lands added means more areas being utilized and more space for crowds to spread out. Maybe that means we’ll have fewer days of being shoulder to shoulder with other guests as we walk through the park!