Is 2024 the 12 months of goodbyes or just right riddances for Walt Disney Global enthusiasts? Each and every WDW diehard has extinct issues they leave out, this 12 months has been a relatively large one for adjustments at Walt Disney Global. (Even if now not just about as large as 2025–that’s when so much, together with cherished lands and rides, will probably be misplaced).
This put up takes a take a look at a few of what has long gone to the defunct Disney park within the sky this 12 months, with a rundown of the misplaced choices from Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and the inns. With this, we’ll resolve whether or not every extinction match used to be in point of fact a good-bye or extra like a “just right riddance.”
As nostalgic as Walt Disney Global enthusiasts can also be, there’s a wholesome combine of fine and unhealthy adjustments in this listing. The whole thing that’s been round quite a lot of years has its diehard enthusiasts (even development partitions!), however there will have to be consensus on a few of these issues misplaced without end at Walt Disney Global in 2024…
BONUS: Dino-Rama
At the same time as president of the World Dino-Rama Haters Membership, it brings me no pleasure in seeing dinosaurs cross extinct at Walt Disney Global. They’re probably the most superior animal of all-time, and deserved higher. With that stated, Dino-Rama used to be an abomination, and I’ll luckily dance in this specific house’s grave. That does give me slightly pleasure.
I do know the upper highway could be to supply a deferential tribute, or give area to these mourning the lack of a land the place they made reminiscences or no matter. Possibly get ready a eulogy to Dino-Rama’s sensible backstory. Nah, I’ll take the decrease highway. The land used to be simply flat-out terrible, with all of the allure of a Walmart automobile parking space. The rest just right about it used to be lipstick on a pig.
Dino-Rama will stay open during the first week of 2025, so believe this an advantage access as a result of I’ve already stated my ultimate “just right riddance” to the realm. It’s been useless to me for years…may as neatly get started getting desirous about Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom, that includes the Encanto Magical Madrigal Casita Darkish Experience and Indiana Jones Journey!
Large EPCOT Dust Pit
I’ve made no secret of ways a lot the unambitious plans for CommuniCore Corridor troubled me (see RIP Large EPCOT Dust Pit, or just about any of our EPCOT development updates from the final a number of years). Ditto the long development timeline that left the park in a maze of development partitions and that notorious Large EPCOT Dust Pit.
I’m positive that large EPCOT crater (dang, that will’ve been a just right nickname for it) has some enthusiasts who want it by no means went away. Personally, I might’ve been in a position to tolerate every other 12 months or extra of the dust and “development partitions” if it intended getting one thing that used to be…precise development over the previous Long run Global.
I nonetheless can not imagine how unhealthy CommuniCore Corridor and Global Party are. Or how lengthy they took to construct. However on the identical time, I will’t say that I’d moderately have the dust and partitions. So congratulations, Disney, you wore me down and were given me to “settle” for the least imaginative factor ever as it additionally method having a typical, walkable central backbone of the park. Just right riddance to the Large EPCOT Dust Pit.
Take a look at Monitor 2.0
I liked Take a look at Monitor 2.0 when it debuted, and idea it used to be an important replace and development to the unique Take a look at Monitor. However time did it no favors. Now not most effective did it age poorly, but it surely additionally began drawing destructive comparisons to TRON Lightcycle Run as soon as that debuted. On most sensible of that, there’s completely not anything memorable in regards to the enchantment. Even I’ve to confess that the unique Take a look at Monitor had a lot more nostalgic attraction by way of quotable discussion within the pre-show and crowd pleasing visuals.
From that standpoint, the Take a look at Monitor 3.0 reimagining has a top ceiling and coffee ground. Just about the whole lot that any one loves about Take a look at Monitor (the thrills) will probably be staying, so there’s little or no possibility of this reimagining “messing up” what other folks like in regards to the present experience. Visual paintings at the external has additionally been promising, eliminating the hideous cover and changing it with one thing extra suitable.
Now not most effective that, however Take a look at Monitor will get an replace impressed through Global of Movement! That’s thrilling information this is, as soon as once more, aimed squarely at longtime Walt Disney Global enthusiasts. Whilst it continues to be observed precisely what that suggests, it’s reason for optimism. Take a look at Monitor 3.0 has super possible and Take a look at Monitor 2.0 had wiped out its welcome. Plus, this reimagining is being paid for through any person else, so it’s now not even coming on the expense of every other (upper precedence) Walt Disney Global undertaking! Win-win! Just right riddance to Take a look at Monitor 2.0.
One Digital Queue
With the debut of Tiana’s Bayou Journey over the summer time, Walt Disney Global had a report 3 simultaneous digital queues. It didn’t assist that two of the ones have been in Magic Kingdom, and Tiana’s Bayou Journey used to be (is) extremely unreliable. This made it not possible to understand whether or not you’d be capable of revel in each by way of digital queue. In flip, that driven other folks in opposition to paying for Lightning Lanes.
Each time a digital queue is offered, some enthusiasts declare it’s to promote extra Lightning Lanes. Each time one is retired, some enthusiasts declare it’s to promote extra Lightning Lanes. With a bit of luck now not the similar enthusiasts in each cases, however who in point of fact is aware of. I’m now not usually any person who believes that Disney makes queueing choices at the foundation of Lightning Lane gross sales. Line-skipping sells itself, and there’s no proof that adjustments in point of fact transfer the needle a technique or every other. (Inflated wait occasions, alternatively…)
Then again, I completely imagine visitors have been purchasing Lightning Lane get right of entry to in Magic Kingdom because of the unpredictability with TBA and TRON Lightcycle Run each the usage of digital queues. Heck, I’m “superb” at digital queues, and there have been days after I were given close out of each because of TBA downtime.
Even with out those problems, I’d be pronouncing just right riddance to any and all digital queues at Walt Disney Global. Even if they in most cases get advantages us (extra an expert and skilled guests), they’re convoluted, complicated and visitor unfriendly because of this. Right here’s hoping that 2025 is the 12 months of 0 VQs at Walt Disney Global. It’s past time to retire Cosmic Rewind’s!
Large River Grille & Brewing Works
There’s been a ton of tumult and turnover alongside the BoardWalk, and after years of struggles, Large River Grille & Brewing Works in the end closed final wintry weather. The eating place that opened in 1996 ended its just about three-decade run with a whimper, not able to make it paintings at the same time as BoardWalk used to be devoid of eating choices.
There used to be a time when Large River used to be one thing particular. It used to be the one most effective operating brewpub at Walt Disney Global, and one of the crucial few puts inside strolling distance of the parks to observe “the large recreation.” In our view, what’s really unlucky is that Large River didn’t shut quicker. There’s part of me that wonders whether or not Cake Bake Store would’ve changed it and ESPN Membership would nonetheless be running had Large River long gone below again throughout the closure when Considerable Hills did.
I’ve fond reminiscences of Large River Grille & Brewing Works…from the Nineties. It used to be superior when I used to be a child. Forward of its time, for a time. Since then, time has handed it through. Large River failed to conform and keep contemporary. Which is exactly why numerous you studying this–even Walt Disney Global enthusiasts–most probably by no means even heard of Large River, a lot much less dined there.
Nonetheless, it’s every other eating place emptiness alongside the BoardWalk with alternative possibilities, a lot much less a timetable for when a brand new eating place will open. We’d like to be pronouncing “just right riddance” to Large River by way of a statement of one thing new and thrilling taking its position, however alas, nearly a complete 12 months later, it’s nonetheless sitting empty. So good-bye it’s.
Corn Canine & Cake Bake Building
The comically-long development for truffles and corn canines is in the end over. After a 12 months of labor on an outside kiosk, Blue Ribbon Corn Canines debuted q4. Every other couple of months later, Cake Bake Store adopted suited after being behind schedule through round a complete 12 months.
It’s most probably truthful to mention operational eating places are higher than development partitions. All of us can agree on that a lot, proper? Whether or not those eating venues are higher than the eating places they changed is every other tale solely, and I’m guessing reactions could be combined.
We’ve now dined at each new places, and every brings one thing distinctive to the desk. A type of issues they bring about is hefty expenses. Suffice to mention, we gained’t be common buyers of Blue Ribbon Corn Canines or Cake Bake Store. However there’s no scarcity of development partitions going up round Walt Disney Global in 2025, together with some most probably at the different aspect of the BoardWalk. So it’s now not like we’ll leave out the ones, both.
Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade
Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade has been on borrowed time for some time. I don’t assume that’s in point of fact a provocative or contestable commentary. Walt Disney Global got rid of nearly all ‘authentically-presenting’ weapons from the parks again in December 2015. This integrated the whole lot from the gun utilized by the Jungle Cruise skippers to toy weapons being bought within the present stores.
Nonetheless, the taking pictures gallery enchantment held on or even “advanced” a couple of years in the past with the transfer to unfastened play. It most probably has hung round partly as it’s a 1971 unique opening day enchantment at Magic Kingdom, and since now not a lot else can also be carried out with its restricted footprint. Smartly, the corporate in the end discovered what else it may well be–a Disney Holiday Membership living room.
At the same time as a DVC proprietor who gets far more use out of the McKim’s Mile Area Member Front room (there’s most effective such a lot of occasions I will “provoke” Sarah with my sharp shootin’ talents earlier than she loses hobby), this one nonetheless doesn’t take a seat proper with me. An increasing number of of Walt Disney Global is changing into paywalled or topic to upcharges, and even if I’m a part of the in-group that advantages, I nonetheless don’t like the overall development. The Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade itself will not be a large loss, however what’s changing it and what it represents does nonetheless depart a bitter style. Good-bye, Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade.
Nation Undergo Jamboree
Talking of points of interest on borrowed time, this used to be the 12 months that the unique Nation Undergo Jamboree–already truncated a decade in the past–used to be in the end put out of its distress. A large number of Nation Undergo Jamboree enthusiasts have been very mad about this, and I will empathize to some extent.
On the identical time, my view is that we already misplaced the “actual” Nation Undergo Jamboree. Additionally, updating the enchantment used to be the most productive result of the conceivable plans for CBJ that have been if truth be told into consideration through the corporate…and through a large margin. That’s to not say what we were given used to be for your or my want listing, however a lot better than the choices.
It’s greater than a small miracle that the Nation Bears have caught round in any respect, and the brand new Nation Undergo Musical Jamboree–whole with upgraded Audio Animatronics and theater–provides the enchantment a brand new hire on lifestyles. It just about promises the Undergo Band will stick round for a minimum of every other decade. That will not be a win for everybody, however as any person with a Nation Bears-loving infant, this can be a large victory for me, in my opinion. I nonetheless can not deliver myself to mention “just right riddance” to Nation Bears below any instances (now not even that bizarre film), so this one turns into a impartial transfer.
Unhealthy Menu at Pecos Invoice
Do you imagine in miracles?! After years of stagnation, Magic Kingdom’s maximum mediocre meal spot has a brand-new menu! As we wrote roughly 12 months in the past, Pecos Invoice Tall Story Inn and Cafe used to be useless to us. The menu had gotten so unhealthy, the elements have been extremely low high quality, and there used to be no toppings bar to redeem it (or masks stated subpar entrees and elements).
By some means, Pecos Invoice used to be now not the worst counter carrier eating place within the park, which used to be in point of fact pronouncing one thing (and now not a just right factor) about simply how unhealthy Magic Kingdom’s counter carrier scene has transform. Fairly, it used to be the only with probably the most squandered possible. A place that would’ve been just right and, at one time, used to be.
And now, is just right once more. A couple of months in the past, Walt Disney Global overhauled the menu another time, vastly making improvements to the meals at Pecos Invoice Tall Story Inn and Cafe. It now has extra vary, is upper high quality, and customizable–just a little like Chipotle (however now not totally). I’ve eaten 5 complete foods at Pecos Invoice (for analysis!) since then and am as soon as once more a large fan. Just right riddance to that previous menu, with meals slightly are compatible for canines!
Waffle Sandwiches at Sleepy Hole
Because the universe will have to be in stability, each sure Magic Kingdom menu motion has an equivalent and reverse destructive response. That’s simply science. On this case, the counterpart to Pecos Invoice’s huge improve used to be the Scandal at Sleepy Hole over the summer time. Should you overlooked it, some brainiac at Walt Disney Global determined to clutter with the only (and most probably most effective!) Magic Kingdom menu that didn’t want any adjustments, and made primary errors.
Out went the waffle sandwiches, in got here Mickey Mouse formed waffles. However that wasn’t all. The Recent Fruit Waffle Sandwich got here with bananas, berries, and chocolate-hazelnut unfold, while it used to be changed through two separate Mickey Mouse waffles: one with the berries, and one with the don’t-call-it-Nutella and bananas. It used to be either-or, now not each. And that used to be an actual downside, as a result of what’s even the purpose of consuming fruit if it’s now not slathered in Nutella?!
Fortunately, Walt Disney Global ultimately mixed the choices through common call for (extra like important court cases). The ensuing Mickey Waffle with Chocolate-Hazelnut Unfold, Bananas, Berries, and Whipped Cream is ok. Just right however now not nice. The previous waffle sandwich used to be a ten/10 masterpiece, and there’s one thing other in regards to the new possibility. Right here’s hoping that during 2025, Walt Disney Global rolls again this transformation and we are saying just right riddance to the Mickey waffles and hi once more to the previous, dependable waffle sandwiches.
Genie+
Possibly greater than anything, Genie+ represents a depressing bankruptcy at Walt Disney Global. It changed unfastened FastPass+ amidst a flurry of different poorly-received choices, from the tip of Disney’s Magical Categorical to changing night Further Magic Hours with one thing just for Deluxe Hotel visitors.
The botched release and scattershot adjustments over the next 18 months poisoned the neatly. Although Genie+ used to be if truth be told beautiful just right–a minimum of for energy customers who learn blogs like this one–through mid-2024, it used to be too little, too past due. The Genie “model” that used to be as soon as related to the cherished Robin Williams had someway transform as poisonous because the title Bob Chapek. It wanted an entire and overall overhaul.
There’s no consensus as as to if Genie+ or Lightning Lane Multi-Cross is healthier. Line-skipping is at all times going to create winners and losers in equivalent measure. That’s the character of the beast as a result of queueing is a zero-sum recreation. Appeal capability is mounted and finite, and didn’t exchange between the 2 techniques. There’s no magical device the place everybody will get to attend in shorter traces.
Then again, our standpoint is that the transfer from Genie+ to Lightning Lane Multi-Cross, which used to be additionally made amidst different queueing adjustments, is healthier on stability. Which is to mention that the insurance policies and techniques really feel fairer to nearly all of visitors and don’t benefit or downside any individual an excessive amount of. Standby traces are flowing quicker and it doesn’t really feel such as you’re repeatedly preventing and being skipped through everybody and their brother. We might’ve stated just right riddance to Genie+ regardless, however that in point of fact seals the deal for us on G+ vs. LLMP.
Serenity at Citadel Desert
Every other relic of the Chapek Technology that some Walt Disney Global enthusiasts most probably want would’ve stayed prior to now is Reflections Lakeshore Resort. Can I inform you a secret? I’m if truth be told having a look ahead to Disney Lakeshore Resort. That may sound love it’s popping out of left box taking into account I used to be an outspoken critic of the unique announcement and Reflections. However earlier than you seize the pitchforks, let me provide an explanation for.
Disney already did site-prep, began paintings years in the past and invested tens of millions of greenbacks in creating this parcel–it’s inevitable that they’d construct in this land sooner or later down the street. Walt Disney Global most effective has such a lot high parcels for inns, and that is one in all them. Now not most effective that, however they’ve already bulldozed River Nation and a ton of bushes to transparent the land. My standpoint is that the wear is completed, and a lodge goes to occur right here in the future regardless.
During which case, I’ll take quicker. We like each Desert Resort and Citadel Desert, and still have a daughter who would be the best possible age for Walt Disney Global–and playing those inns–by the point Disney Lakeshore Resort opens in 2027. I’m additionally in point of fact having a look ahead to getting the strolling trail connecting the inns again. Who is aware of, perhaps Lakeshore Resort could have eating places and facilities that we like (like Riviera!), despite the fact that the development is unpleasant and out-of-place amidst the frontier. A pool with a lazy river would surely assist promote me–and different skeptics–on it!
Within the close to time period, there’s going to be ache. Clearly, I’m now not going to mention “just right riddance” to serenity and seclusion at Citadel Desert. That’s loopy. I’ll mourn what’s being misplaced there, however in truth, I already did that between 2018 and early 2020. At this level, I’ll take a resort with value-added options over an unpleasant, deserted development website–I might say “just right riddance” to that. So I suppose it’s in point of fact an issue of phraseology in this one.
Making plans a Walt Disney Global travel? Know about resorts on our Walt Disney Global Resorts Evaluations web page. For the place to consume, learn our Walt Disney Global Eating place Evaluations. To economize on tickets or resolve which sort to shop for, learn our Guidelines for Saving Cash on Walt Disney Global Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a singular take a look at artful pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney Global Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most productive position to start out is our Walt Disney Global Travel Making plans Information for the whole lot you want to understand!
Your Ideas
What could be for your listing of items misplaced without end at Walt Disney Global this 12 months? To which of those now extinct studies or defunct choices would you assert good-bye, and which might earn just right riddance from you? Do you compromise or disagree with our alternatives? Any questions we will permit you to resolution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas beneath within the feedback!
