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Disney Is Changing Classic Rides, and Fans Are NOT Happy

A man with glasses scratches his head in confusion, while a woman in a green sweater looks puzzled with a hand on her chin. Both stand in front of Disneyland's whimsical, pink castle with spires, set against a bright, partly cloudy sky.
Credit: Disney Dining

If you’re a Disney enthusiast, whether your heart belongs to Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort, you likely have a favorite ride that holds a special place in your heart. Can you easily recall every detail of your favorite Disney rides, from start to finish? We can too!

Disney rides are iconic, memorable, and meticulously crafted by Walt Disney Imagineering to ensure a magical experience. That’s why any change, no matter how small, is usually noticed by dedicated fans. Lately, there’s been buzz that some classic Disney attractions have undergone alterations that have left fans feeling less than thrilled.

The Evil Queen from Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is shown holding an ornate red box. She wears a tall golden crown and a black and purple gown with a high white collar. A backdrop with stars and moons is behind her.

Credit: Disney

A Fan’s Frustration: Speeding Up Classic Disney Rides

An anonymous Disney fan recently raised eyebrows on Reddit with a claim that Disney might be speeding up some of its beloved rides. According to the post, this fan visited Tokyo Disneyland after a long hiatus and noticed that certain attractions, like Snow White’s Enchanted Wish and Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, felt unusually fast. The fan even shared that their 1990s recordings of these rides seemed to show a slower pace compared to the current experience.

Here’s a snippet from the Reddit post:

My girlfriend and I went to Tokyo Disneyland yesterday. This was my first visit to a Disney park since the 90s when my [family regularly] visited Disneyland Paris.

We had a discussion about the Snow White and Pinocchio rides, because we both thought they seemed too fast. The Snow White ride was so fast that you barely had time to look at the props before being taken to a new room. It just felt like we were thrown around.

I was certain that these rides used to be slower. Luckily I had a recording of one of the rides we took in these attractions during the 90s, so I could compare them with my new recording.

I was not wrong. The rides in Paris (which had the same layout) were almost a full minute longer and my father had plenty of time to record all the beautiful details.

This personal account, while intriguing, is hard to verify without more concrete evidence. However, if true, it could mean that Disney is altering some classic rides in a way that may not sit well with its loyal fans.

A grand, eerie mansion with gothic architecture is illuminated by blue and orange lights at night. The old, stately building is surrounded by overgrown trees, casting shadows that add to the ominous atmosphere, enchanting Disney guests with its spooky allure.

Credit: Disney

Why the Changes?

So, why might Disney be speeding up these classic attractions? There are several potential reasons:

  1. Increased Capacity: Faster ride times can allow more guests to experience the attraction within a given period, which can be crucial during peak times. This helps manage large crowds and reduces wait times.
  2. Updated Technology: A quicker ride could help mask outdated or malfunctioning special effects. If certain animatronics or ride mechanisms are showing their age, reducing the time spent on the ride might minimize scrutiny.
  3. Operational Efficiency: Streamlining attractions might be a way for Disney to enhance operational efficiency and productivity, particularly in high-traffic areas of the park.

Despite these potential benefits, many Disney fans feel that reducing the ride time takes away from the immersive experience that Walt Disney Imagineering meticulously designed. After all, long lines and anticipation are often part of the Disney experience, and guests expect to enjoy every minute of their time on these beloved rides.

Space Mountain

Credit: Disney

Popular Disney Attractions and Where to Find Them

If you’re a fan of classic Disney attractions and want to make sure you experience the best that each park has to offer, here’s a rundown of some of the most popular rides across Disney’s parks:

Magic Kingdom:

  • Haunted Mansion: Embark on a spooky tour of this haunted estate.
  • Space Mountain: Blast off on a thrilling indoor space adventure.
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Enjoy a wild ride through the Old West.
  • Jungle Cruise: Take a boat ride through exotic jungle rivers.
  • it’s a small world: Sing along with dolls from around the globe.
  • Peter Pan’s Flight: Fly over London and Neverland with Peter Pan.
Entrance to Disney's Animal Kingdom showcases a sign adorned with an intricate elephant head and lush greenery in the background. The sign reads "Disney's Animal Kingdom" with detailed embellishments. Above, blue skies and white clouds complete the picturesque scene.

Credit: Disney

Animal Kingdom:

  • Avatar Flight of Passage: Soar on a banshee’s back over Pandora.
  • Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain: Conquer the snowy peaks and escape the Yeti.
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris: Go on an African safari and see wildlife up close.

EPCOT:

  • Spaceship Earth: Journey through the history of human communication.
  • Soarin’ Around the World: Glide over some of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
  • Frozen Ever After: Join Elsa and Anna in their icy kingdom.
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure: Shrink down and navigate a rat’s-eye view of Gusteau’s kitchen.
  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: Rock out on a thrilling intergalactic adventure with the Guardians.
A vibrant amusement park scene featuring a roller coaster inspired by a playful, elongated dog character. The track is red and twists through colorful, cartoon-like scenery with multiple smiling riders enjoying the ride on a sunny day. A touch of Disney magic adds to the whimsical atmosphere.

Credit: Patrick Konior, Unsplash

Hollywood Studios:

  • Slinky Dog Dash: Ride the whimsical roller coaster through Andy’s backyard.
  • Toy Story Mania: Compete in a series of fun, interactive carnival games.
  • Star Tours: Embark on a thrilling journey through the Star Wars galaxy.
  • Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: Drop into the unknown in this spooky hotel attraction.
  • Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith: Speed through the streets of LA with Aerosmith’s tunes.
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: Join the battle between the Resistance and the First Order in this groundbreaking ride.

We want to hear from you! What do you think about Disney’s changes to its classic attractions? Are you excited or disappointed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

About Isabella Reimer

Isabella Reimer grew up visiting Walt Disney World and relocated to Central Florida to be even closer to The Most Magical Place on Earth. She earned her Bachelor’s from Florida State University, where she studied Creative Writing and Women’s Studies. Her biggest hobby is bonding with the ikran at Avatar Flight of Passage, and her retirement plan includes becoming the 1,000 Happy Haunt of the Haunted Mansion.

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