Gone But Not Forgotten: A Trip Down Memory Lane to Disney World 1999

Admin || Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Ah, 1999. The Y2K bug was looming (remember that?), The Matrix blew our minds, and boy, was Disney World a different place. While some classics remain, a surprising number of attractions have been reimagined, replaced, or simply vanished like a Figment in a hurricane. So, grab your JNCOs and your Tamagotchi, because we’re about to embark on a nostalgic journey through the Disney World of yesteryear!

Magic Kingdom: Where Change is the Only Constant (Besides Dole Whips)

Let’s start with the OG park, Magic Kingdom. While Cinderella Castle still reigns supreme, some familiar faces have changed their tune.

  • 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage: Remember those giant, yellow submarines? This underwater adventure was a deep dive (pun intended!) into Jules Verne’s classic. Guests boarded these subs and peered through portholes at animatronic sea creatures and underwater landscapes. It was slow, it was cramped, but it was undeniably iconic. Sadly, due to maintenance issues and the sheer scale of the operation, the subs eventually sailed off into the sunset (or, more accurately, were scrapped). What replaced it? A little mermaid… more on that later.
  • Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride: This chaotic dark ride was a whimsical (and slightly terrifying) journey through the story of The Wind in the Willows. Picture careening through the English countryside in a runaway motorcar, narrowly avoiding collisions and generally causing mayhem. It was quirky, it was fast-paced, and it was pure Disney madness. Sadly, Mr. Toad’s reckless driving led to its closure, making way for… Winnie the Pooh. While Pooh is cute and cuddly, some of us still miss the unhinged joy of Mr. Toad.
  • The Timekeeper: This Circle-Vision 360 film took audiences on a whirlwind tour through time with a quirky robot host. It was educational, it was visually impressive for its time, and it was a great way to escape the Florida heat. However, as technology advanced, The Timekeeper felt a bit dated, and it eventually closed. Now, the space is used for various events and festivals.

Epcot: From Future World to… Well, Still Future World (Mostly)

Epcot in 1999 was a fascinating mix of futuristic visions and cultural exploration. While some of those visions have aged better than others, the park was home to some truly unique attractions.

  • Horizons: Often considered one of the greatest Disney attractions ever, Horizons was a celebration of optimism and technological progress. Guests traveled through scenes depicting future homes, transportation, and communication, all with a distinctly retro-futuristic vibe. It was a grand, sweeping vision of tomorrow, and its closure left a gaping hole in the hearts of many Disney fans.  Mission: SPACE now occupies the space, offering a very different, more intense vision of the future.
  • World of Motion: This General Motors-sponsored ride explored the history and future of transportation. It was a classic Omnimover ride, meaning guests were constantly moving through various scenes, learning about everything from the invention of the wheel to the potential of flying cars. World of Motion was replaced by Test Track, a high-speed thrill ride that, while fun, lacks the educational charm of its predecessor.

Disney-MGM Studios (Now Hollywood Studios): A Star is Replaced

Over at Disney-MGM Studios, the focus was on the magic of moviemaking. But even the glitz and glamour couldn’t save some attractions from the chopping block.

  • The Great Movie Ride: Housed inside a replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, this classic attraction took guests on a journey through some of the most iconic moments in film history. From The Wizard of Oz to Casablanca, the ride featured elaborate sets, animatronic figures, and even live actors. It was a grand, nostalgic tribute to the silver screen. While its replacement, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, is charming, it’s hard not to miss the sheer scale and scope of The Great Movie Ride.

The Circle of Life (and Change)

These are just a few examples of the many attractions that have come and gone at Disney World. While it’s sad to say goodbye to some of our favorites, it’s also exciting to see how Disney continues to evolve and create new experiences. After all, change is part of the magic, right? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go dust off my old Disney VHS tapes and relive the magic of 1999. Anyone have a Blockbuster card I can borrow?