Theme parks like Disney ones are not similar to museums in their approach; it’s quite common for rides or entire sections to be re-themed or replaced entirely, which is actually a core aspect of their design. Lately, Disney World has undergone significant transformations that have left some questioning if they’ve gone too far. This critique extends to the director of a recent documentary film that touches on the preservation of theme park attractions.
The iconic Magic Kingdom in Disney World is on the brink of a major overhaul, with plans to revamp Frontierland’s Rivers of America into a themed area based on the movie Cars. Some fans find this move excessive and worry it could irrevocably alter the park for the worse. I recently chatted with Joshua Bailey, director of the new Disney World documentary film Stolen Kingdom, about these changes. For him, the most transformative change at Disney World has already occurred, according to his statement.
It appears that the Walt Disney Company might not be striking a balance these days; it feels like they’re demolishing everything. The destruction of the Great Movie Ride left me disheartened. I couldn’t imagine them tearing down an iconic attraction within their theme park, which embodies their entire purpose, but they did.
Initially, when Disney’s Hollywood Studios debuted under the name Disney MGM/Studios, it was designed to celebrate cinematic history. Similar to Universal Studios Hollywood, it offered a backlot tour. A significant draw was The Great Movie Ride, an extensive attraction that reenacted famous movie scenes from cinema history using robotic figures. Positioned within a replica of Los Angeles’ renowned Chinese Theater, as Bailey put it, this ride served as the park’s primary representation of its purpose.
Currently, Minnie’s abode, along with Minnie and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, resides within the park. Although the attraction is enjoyable, its installation represents a significant change in perspective for the park.
Bailey’s film “Stolen Kingdom” is making rounds on the festival circuit right now, primarily delving into the surge of urban exploration within abandoned theme park features and the illicit market surrounding the trade of Disney World artifacts. This interest, in part, stems from an intent to conserve attractions that Disney World has decided to shut down.
I enjoy the Minnie and Mickey’s Runaway Railway; I think it’s even exceptional among attractions at Disneyland. The ride seems to complement Mickey’s Toontown perfectly, which isn’t quite the case at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
It was almost certain that The Great Movie Ride would eventually close after Disney and MGM parted ways. Yet, they could have reimagined the ride to maintain its classic Hollywood charm while giving it a more Disney-centric touch. Now, without it, there’s a strong sense that Disney’s Hollywood Studios has lost some of its original character.
Stolen Kingdom will screen next at the Florida Film Festival in Orlando on April 11.
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2025-03-04 03:37