Toying with a classic is a tricky operation. That’s what Walt Disney Co. and its Imagineers had to keep in mind while refurbishing several attractions at Walt Disney World in recent years — not to mention overhauling sections of Fantasyland in an expansion announced Sept. 12.
The parks have used periodic prolonged closings for housekeeping and maintenance as opportunities to enhance long-standing rides and shows, said Eric Jacobson, senior vice president for Walt Disney Imagineering.
“Why just have it closed — and have it open as it was before?” he says.
Among the retoolings have been Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom plus Epcot’s iconic Spaceship Earth. Currently closed and in transition is Space Mountain, Magic Kingdom’s indoor roller coaster, which is expected to reopen late this year.
Disney’s Fantasyland plans include additions to the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride, plus a 3-D update of Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Ricky Brigante, creative director of Orlando Attractions Magazine and host of the “Inside the Magic” podcast, appreciates the challenge of these updates.
“They do have that fine line they need to walk where they need to update it so that the casual theme-park audience can enjoy it and doesn’t think, ‘Oh, that looks like technology from 30 years ago,'” Brigante says.
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