Unlike its Orlando area competitors, Walt Disney World has never openly admitted a drive to provide the biggest, fastest, or highest-tech attractions. While Universal Orlando welcomes controversy, pushing the limits and courting protestors each year as it ramps up the gore factor and teeters on the edge of good taste at Halloween Horror Nights, Walt Disney World continues to do what it’s always done. Unique and highly themed, but relatively tame, family attractions blended with a carefully measured dose of thrills are its recipe for success.
Yet throughout the years, Imagineering has managed to stir up its fair share of controversy. Here’s a look at the 3 most controversial attractions ever to appear at Walt Disney World.
1. The Making of Me
Opened with the Wonders of Life pavilion in 1989, The Making of Me was a 16 minute film that covered the miracle of conception and childbirth. By turns touchingly honest and openly funny, the film interspersed stunning footage of fetal development taken by Swedish scientist and photographer Lennart Nilsson that had previously been featured on Nova. The subject matter was deftly handled in a Disney way, ensuring its suitability for families. Warning signs were also posted outside the theater, providing the opportunity for parents to decide whether to allow their children to view the film.
Of course, none of that stopped the protests and complaints. Legions of parents were angry that Walt Disney World would tackle such a subject. It wasn’t enough to keep their own kids out of the theater, they wanted to make that decision for everyone else’s children as well. Worse, some parents read the signage, decided to ignore it, and then got mad about the fact that their kids saw the film.
To Disney’s credit, the company never wavered. The Making of Me remained a signature attraction until the entire pavilion closed permanently on January 1, 2007, following three years on “seasonal” status.
2. ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter
Pitch blackness. Claustrophobia. A menacing alien bent on destruction. Blood dripping from the ceiling. If you guessed that this was one of Universal Orlando or Busch Gardens Tampa’s Halloween haunted houses, you would be absolutely…incorrect. Placed in soft opening in December 1994, extensively retooled, and officially opened in June 1995, this experience played out over and over again until October 2003, in the middle of the Magic Kingdom of all places!
Alien Encounter replaced Mission to Mars, itself a replacement for Flight to the Moon. The much-discussed Tomorrowland problem, in which technological advances rapidly cause futuristic attractions to become dated, was in full swing in the mid-1990s. Alien Encounter presented a much more dystopian future, along with a bizarre alien storyline that wasn’t likely to play out anytime soon in real life.
It was a brilliantly conceived and created attraction, and many Disney fans were happy to see something truly edgy finally make its way to the parks…especially given the irony of its appearance in the most family-friendly park of all. However, not everyone felt the same way.
Despite warning signs and repeated verbal warnings by cast members, many wandered into the theater with small children. After all, the Magic Kingdom was their park, right? How bad could it possibly be? The pre-show was reimagined to give a more direct glimpse at the horror that was to follow, but the complaints continued. Part of the issue was the restraint system. A tremendously clever way to enhance the in-theater effects, the over-the-shoulder restraints also prevented scared guests from bolting in the middle of the show. Dragging crying kids behind them, many parents complained to attraction personnel and Guest Relations.
In 2003, Alien Encounter was replaced by Stitch’s Great Escape. Using many of the same set pieces and props, including the restraint system, this is popularly considered one of the worst attractions on Disney property. Now it has very little storyline and even less entertainment value. And it still scares kids! How was this possibly an improvement?
3. Mission: Space
Although it may be hard to imagine now, Epcot’s Mission: Space was stunningly controversial in the months that followed its August 2003 opening. Part of this stemmed from the fact that it replaced the highly unique and much loved Horizons, which had been a part of Epcot since 1983. But the bulk of the controversy centered on the attraction itself, particularly its ride system.
Developed in tandem with NASA, Mission: Space replicates a high G force astronaut training simulator. Riders are put through their paces on a simulated journey to the Red Planet that includes a slingshot around the moon and a few dramatic surprises. Within each four-person capsule, each rider is assigned a position and expected to push buttons or flip levers at the designated time.
With a relatively low 44 inch height requirement and the standard warning signage (posted on rides as mild as Splash Mountain), riders had no idea what to expect. Additional signage and in-queue announcements mentioned dizziness and headaches, and warned riders to keep their heads flat against the headrests, but again, what was about to happen was lost on many visitors.
Inside the tightly enclosed ride vehicles, which themselves pitched and moved, riders were also on a centrifuge that spun rapidly to mimic the feelings of launch, weightlessness, and other deep space experiences. While many adored the sensations this caused, others were sickened—literally. Some made good use of the airsickness bags in their cabins. Some complained of headaches, light-headedness, nausea, and other physical symptoms. A few were taken to local hospitals with chest pain and, sadly, two passed away.
Although the deaths were due to preexisting conditions, and Disney was not found at fault, rumors were rampant. A Disney ride that killed people was unfathomable (despite the fact that people have passed away on other attractions throughout the years). Many began to avoid the ride altogether.
In response to the complaints, Disney opened a new, tamer side in 2006, which is an excellent compromise for those who want to see the attraction but are precluded for health reasons from undergoing the full experience. The original attraction is still up and running, now known as the Orange side.
Of course, Walt Disney World changes rapidly, and there is no telling what the future might hold. Avatar Land and the planned Frozen ride are already drawing their share of controversy for very different reasons. But one thing is certain. Despite its reputation for middle of the road, family-friendly choices, Walt Disney World is not afraid to risk stirring the pot.
