
Months after Disney shut down a show featuring Mickey Mouse and friends, one of its parks has introduced a new replacement – and fans aren’t exactly thrilled.
When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in 1955, he famously said the parks would “never be complete” as long as there was “imagination left in the world.” Staying true to his vision, Disney theme parks have seen major updates over the decades, though not every change has been well-received by fans.
Controversial Disney Park Changes
Recent moves, like the decision to replace Walt Disney World’s Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America with a new Cars Land and the rumored closure of Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, have stirred intense backlash among Disney enthusiasts.
One of the more polarizing decisions was Disney’s shutdown of Splash Mountain. Long seen as problematic for its ties to Song of the South (1946), a film widely criticized for its racial insensitivity, Splash Mountain was replaced by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom Park.
Protests from fans over the closures were clearly fruitless. The new ride has already opened in Florida and is in previews in Anaheim, the latter of which has drawn better reviews than its sister attraction.
End of Disney Junior Dream Factory
Meanwhile, Disneyland Paris has had its own share of closure and update announcements. Upset at Disneyland Park has been minimal, as the park has not introduced new attractions for several years.
However, its neighboring Walt Disney Studios Park – often viewed as the most underwhelming of Disney’s lineup – has announced a string of closures recently, including ending its Disney Junior Dream Factory show in August.
Originally intended to premiere in 2020 but delayed to 2021 due to the pandemic, this show catered to Disney Jr. fans, bringing Mickey, Minnie, Fancy Nancy, Timon, and Vampirina together to operate the Dream Factory’s dream-making machines.
Though Disney Junior Dream Factory wasn’t a fan favorite, it still managed to pull in sizable crowds for its final performance on August 31. Now, less than two months later, Disney has introduced its successor: a 12-minute “happening” called Minnie’s Musical Moment. This will begin on November 1 and run until March 30, 2025.
Introduction of Minnie’s Musical Moment
As announced by DLP Report, Minnie’s Musical Moment will take place in Studio D, the space previously home to Disney Junior Dream Factory.
This new show sees Minnie and her friend Jamie playing “name that song” to celebrate their friendship. With Jamie as her co-host (though, in true Disneyland Paris fashion, there’s no information on who Jamie is), Minnie leads guests through this musical guessing game several times a day.
Minnie and her friend Jamie are celebrating their friendship by playing their favourite game –”name that song”.
https://twitter.com/DLPReport/status/1850084623297966164
Not surprisingly, fan reactions to the replacement show have been mixed at best. One user on X (formerly known as Twitter) commented, “Is this a theme park or a cruise?” Reflecting on the perceived budget constraints, others noted the apparent reduction in cast size and expenses compared to the previous production. Another user posted, “WHAT is Disney doing? Name that song?! Are they being serious? And the logo looks trash too.”
The logo for Minnie’s Musical Moment hasn’t gone over well with fans, either. One critical commenter noted, “Looks like it’s made in Word using Word Art,” highlighting the disappointment among Disney’s dedicated followers.
WHAT is Disney doing? Name that song?! Are they being serious? And the logo looks trash too.
https://twitter.com/Hggjgfrgjtsj/status/1850088794952708232
Future of Walt Disney Studios Park
As Minnie’s Musical Moment prepares to make its debut, Walt Disney Studios Park is also undergoing a broader transformation. Studio 1, the park’s entry land, is being reimagined as World Premiere.
The park is gearing up to introduce a new World of Frozen area, as well as Disney’s first The Lion King (1994)-inspired land, which will feature a Pride Rock water ride reminiscent of Splash Mountain. Additional attractions, such as a Tangled (2010) ride and a lake for nighttime shows, are also planned as part of the park’s expansion.
Once the renovations are complete, Walt Disney Studios Park will be rebranded as Disney Adventure World, though this rebranding has sparked another wave of debate among fans. For some, the new name feels generic, failing to capture the unique spirit of the Disney experience.
What are your thoughts on Minnie’s Musical Moment and the upcoming changes at Walt Disney Studios Park?