The 1980s was an era of change for Disney theme parks, with the debut of Epcot and a “trendier” image under new CEO Michael Eisner. Let’s take a look at the attractions that resulted.
There were three underlying themes in many of Disney’s new attractions in the 1980s. The first was a focus on new technology, especially at Epcot. The second was an attempt to be “cool”, and to attract teenagers and young adults. Finally, there was little focus on actual Disney characters – instead, outside brands were licensed in.
Some of the resulting attractions are still in place today, but many are long gone. Let’s take a look back at some of the Disney attractions from 1980s that have since been consigned to history.
10. Delta Dreamflight (Magic Kingdom)
Using Disney’s classic Omnimover dark ride system, Delta Dreamflight opened in 1989 in the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland area. Sponsored by Delta Airlines, it offered a simplistic overview of the history of flight, employing audio-animatronic characters and projection effects. Highlights included scenes from 1930s Tokyo and Paris, as well as a trip through a jet engine.
The ride continued to operate until 1998 (being renamed as Take Flight when Delta’s sponsorship ended). It was replaced by Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.
9. Wonders of China (Epcot and Disneyland)
The China Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase hosted a Circle-Vision 360 show when it opened, dubbed Wonder of China. This showcased various Chinese landmarks, as well as the country’s people and culture. It ran from October 1982 to March 2003, when it was replaced by Reflections of China.
Filming the movie was not trivial. 40 laborers had to carry a 300-pound camera to the top of Huangshan mountain for one sequence.
8. Superstar Television (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
When Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios) threw open its gates in 1989, it was deliberately designed as a “half-day” park. This meant that it only hosted a small number of attractions, despite commanding an entrance fee equal to that of Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. Among these was Superstar Television.
Sponsored by Sony, this saw a handful of guests being “cast” in a series of classic shows such as I Love Lucy and The Golden Girls. The magic of bluescreen technology was used to superimpose the guests on the screen, while 1,000 audience members looked on. The show survived until September 1998, and the building now hosts the American Idol Experience.
7. Horizons (Epcot)
Opened a year after the rest of EPCOT Center, Horizons was another Omnimover dark ride. In this case, guest were whisked past scenes showing visions of the future, in what was essentially a sequel to the Carousel of Progress. It included scenes focused on commnications, energy, transportation, physiology and man’s relationship with the environment.
Horizons operated until January 1999, when it was closed to make room for Mission: Space.
6. Magic Journeys (Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disneyland)
Magic Journeys was an opening day attraction at EPCOT Center, and was situated in the Journey Into Imagination Pavilion. It also ran at Disneyland for two years from 1984, before being removed from both parks to make room for Michael Jackson’s Captain EO. That wasn’t the end, though – it made a comeback in the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland Theater in December 1987, where it continued to play until December 1993.
The film offered a look at the world through the eyes of a child, following children as they flew a kite, rode on a carousel and visited the circus. The catchy pre-show song, Makin’ Memories, is probably still stuck in the heads of many 1980s Disney guests.
5. Communicore (Epcot)
EPCOT Center opened in 1982,at the start of the computer era. It was the most technologically-advanced theme park in the world at the time, and Communicore was designed to educate the public about the wonders of computers.
The main exhibit was a tour through EPCOT Computer Central, the actual control center for almost everything in the park. The original version of this, the Astuter Computer Revue, proved to be spectacularly unpopular. It was torn out almost immediately and replaced by Backstage Magic. Communicore itself remained in place until 1994, when it was replaced by Innoventions.
4. Star Tours (Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
When Michael Eisner took over as Disney CEO in 1984, he felt that the company’s recent line-up of films wasn’t strong enough to form the basis for new theme park attractions. Instead, he looked outside – bringing in Michael Jackson for Captain EO, and teaming up with George Lucas on Star Tours.
The groundbreaking simulator attraction took riders into the world of Star Wars, and was installed at both Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It proved to be enduringly popular, and was updated in 2011 to become Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. Except, that is, at Disneyland Paris – where it lives on to this day.
3. Universe of Energy (Epcot)
The original Universe of Energy pavilion at EPCOT Center featured a roof that was covered in 80,000 photovoltaic solar cells. These partially powered the ride vehicles for the attraction within, which transported guests by following guide wires rather than a traditional track. On their way, guests viewed various film sequences about energy production, as well as a diorama featuring audio-animatronic dinosaurs.
In 1996, the attraction was replaced by Ellen’s Energy Adventure, an updated version starring Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye “The Science Guy”.
2. Videopolis (Disneyland)
Perhaps the quintessential 1980s Disneyland attraction is Videopolis, installed in 1985 as a way to appeal to teenagers and young adults. Located in Fantasyland, it hosted shows during the day but came to life at night when it transformed into an open-air dance club. It featured 70 video monitors, which showed music videos or live feeds, as well as snack bar featuring the trendy name “Yumz”.
Videopolis was tied into another 1980s Disney initiative – the launch of the Disney Channel. A show dedicated to the attraction was filmed live at Disneyland, and featured top bands and singers such as New Kids on the Block and Janet Jackson. It was shuttered in 1995, being replaced by the Fantasyland Theater.
1. Journey into Imagination (Epcot)
Disney was looking to create a new type of theme park with EPCOT Center – one focused on celebrating new technologies and world culture. For that reason, management opted to ban Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck from the park. Without Mickey and friends, though, who were kids to connect with in the park? And – more importantly – what would be emblazoned on merchandise sold in the park’s shops?
The answer was to create a new, original character – one who would fit with the park’s theme. That character was Figment, the icon of the Imagination Pavilion. Together with Dreamfinder, Figment hosted the pavilion’s headline attraction: Journey into Imagination, which eventually opened five months after the rest of the pavilion (which was subsequently renamed as the Journey into Imagination Pavilion).
The original version of Journey into Imagination operated until 1998, when it was overhauled to become Journey into YOUR Imagination. This version of the ride came in for stinging criticism, and only survived for two years before it was itself replaced. It was themed around 3-D movie Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, which was also hosted in the same pavilion, and saw guests passing through numerous areas of the fictitious Imagination Institute.
Fans of the original ride were furious. What had happened to Dreamfinder and Figment, the icons of Epcot? They demanded the characters’ return, and Disney caved. In 2001, the ride was again closed, reopening the following year as Journey into Imagination with Figment, its current incarnation. Figment received a much larger role this time around, appearing in every single show scene. The famous theme tune of the original ride, One Little Spark was also back. But fans were just as critical of the new version – as can be seen in these reviews from TPT readers.
