Abandoned zones in disney

[mcjaco]

1- Germany, from ABOVE.

2- Japan, from ABOVE.

There's been arguments over the validity of those photos. I'd agree that the Germany building is pretty good sized, but there are other plans that have shown the little grassy areas with the trailers was also to be part of the ride structure. I had a friend that worked the Germany pavillion for a few years (he's German), and he said that whole building is nothing but storage space for F&W kiosks now. I'd gather the same for the Japan building as well.

[ransam]

for me it be the stitch ride. well it's an abandoned area to me.

[mcjaco]

I'm gonna agree with this. The Germany pavilion did indeed have a boat ride planned, but, Japan, I'm not so sure about. I have never heard anything about any ride, other than some "blue sky" (ideas) stuff thrown around - for instance, the big one I can remember was a Matterhorn-like bobsled type ride based on Mount Fuji, and sponsored by FujiFilm. However, since Kodak was the "official film and cameras of Walt Disney World", the idea was scrapped. I don't think a show building for the ride was ever built; but, I'm not sure what the building is at the back of the pavilion shown in the link above. I know at least the middle third of that building between the front (labeled as "restaurant/bar") and the larger, rear part, is part of the Mitsukoshi department store.

This seems to be the argreed upon blue sky story from lots of people. Whether or not it's true....it's still good story telling!

Two totally different locations - sort of. The *original* Swan Boat dock was the Plaza Landing, down in front of the Plaza Restaurant just off of Main Street. It's just a seating/smoking area now. The Swan Boat loading/unloading dock then moved to the Rose Garden - the green covered "pavilion" down near the water, opposite Cosmic Ray's.

Thanks for clarifying. I'm not up on my Swam Boat history. I always thought they should bring those back. A simple relaxing ride in the hub is cool.

El Pirata y el Perrico - "The Pirate and the Parrot" - I *believe* is now Tortuga Tavern or something? When El Pirata *was* open, they had some *goooooood* taco salads.

My Mom still raves about those taco salads!

Odyssey - I agree with y'all. When I last was in there, in about 2010, it was still *very* clean inside, and (for guests) was being used for Food/Wine and Flower/Garden. I *believe* the restrooms are still accessible (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

The bathrooms are accessible. And they're very often empty as most people don't know they're open or there. A great way to get around the main path to WS, and head right to the Mexico Pavillion.

[MickeysBestPal]

There's been arguments over the validity of those photos.

I'd agree that the Germany building is pretty good sized, but there are other plans that have shown the little grassy areas with the trailers was also to be part of the ride structure. I had a friend that worked the Germany pavillion for a few years (he's German), and he said that whole building is nothing but storage space for F&W kiosks now. I'd gather the same for the Japan building as well.

"Validity" of the photos?
Maybe you mean validity of the rough outlines drawn on them. I just indicated to which buildings, in general, I am referring.
Exactly what sections of them were or were not designated for "rides" are not specific.

Regardless, yes, what these large cavernous buildings are NOW used for is some storage and some rehearsal hall and/or "green room" space that performers (contract players, CM's and visiting bands, etc.) can utilize.

[mcjaco]

"Validity" of the photos?
Maybe you mean validity of the rough outlines drawn on them. I just indicated to which buildings, in general, I am referring.
Exactly what sections of them were or were not designated for "rides" are not specific.

Regardless, yes, what these large cavernous buildings are NOW used for is some storage and some rehearsal hall and/or "green room" space that performers (contract players, CM's and visiting bands, etc.) can utilize.

Yes, I meant validity of the outlines.

No need to get uppity. It's all good.

[bruin1344]

skyway to tommorowland/fantasyland are 2 abandoned areas

[parrothed26]

Kungaloosh! I would rather see The Adventurers Club return than anything. It would break my heart to see something else pop up in that spot.

[Capt_redshirt]

Kungaloosh! I would rather see The Adventurers Club return than anything. It would break my heart to see something else pop up in that spot.

It was sad to see it closed in 09 it was even sadder to see the lettering removed when i was there in 11

[mcjaco]

I know there's a very serious group of AC fans out there, but I never understood the love.

I went in there once, and just didn't feel the vibe. Then again, I pretty much felt that way about Pleasure Island as a whole. And that was back in my going out clubbin' days. I'd safely wager that if a Disney fanboy like me felt that way, an even better portion of the GP did too.

I'd like Horizons back, but that ain't happening. Best to wait for the next thing to capture your imagination.

[DVC2004]

I know that there is already a saturation of Disney Resorts, but I wouldn't mind seeing them build something that's NOT DVC on the monorail line around the lake. There were three other hotels planned, I believe, but the only theme I can remember is "Venetian". That land looks abandoned. I guess you could say that it's "natural" or "undeveloped wetland".

Agree- but DVC is such a money maker for Disney I don't think this will happen. They make a whole lotta profit so that is why they keep developing DVC resorts as opposed to regular hotel rooms.

[Main Street Jim]

skyway to tommorowland/fantasyland are 2 abandoned areas

Not any more.

The Fantasyland area was recently refurbished into Rapunzel, and at the Tomorrowland load/unload building, the top floor (storage, load/unload area) was removed. The lower floor once contained a small souvenir shop (Ursa Major Minor Mart, I believe), and there's still restrooms there in that building (between CoP and Space Mountain).

The upper level of Imagination is *still* there - everything is still up there, just "turned off".

As for the Ft. Wilderness Railroad, it was full of problems from the get-go in 1973 when it opened. The tracks were all laid by hand, hence, they were "out of gauge" in some places, and the locomotives often derailed - out in the "middle of nowhere". It would take sometimes *hours* to get Maintenance out there to unload the guests that were on the trains, walk them out to a bus stop, and get the train back onto the tracks. You also had "engineers" who were really just ride operators - kids, really - who had no idea<s> how to keep water in a steam locomotive. They would often run out of water, again, out on the line somewheres, and have to be rescued. Reason they'd run out of water, was because the "engineers" would forget to fill the tender on *every trip* around the campground - they only held 200 gallons (vs 1,836 gallons for the park's trains). Finally, the "last trip" for the FWRR was, allegedly, in 1977, after many guest complaints of train whistles waking them up way too early in the mornings. However, after the trains stopped running, they ran parking-lot trams through the campground - which, it would seem, are just as noisy.

Going back to the 1977 closing, some Cast Members as well as guests have debated that date for quite some time. You used to have to actually purchase a ticket to use the railroad, proving you were staying at the campground. Some old tickets have appeared on eBay and other auction sites dated as late as 1982.

[mechanic]

Thanks jim. great post.. as always

[jillluvsdisney]

Tomorrow Land Terrace. The last fews years, it's been open, closed, menu changed. Nothing has been consistent. It's a huge waste of space to have a continuous operation going on there. It would be nice to have a CS option other than Casey's that was close to Main Street.

[Bass T-bone]

I know it's not in a park, but how about Discovery Island in Bay Lake?

[MickeysBestPal]

I know it's not in a park, but how about Discovery Island in Bay Lake?

When WDW first opened, it was known as "Treasure Island."
There was some thought, early on, of making it a pirate-themed destination.
They even placed the rotting hulk of an old wooden shipwreck on the beach (which is still there, today.)

Later, they developed the island as wildlife and bird sanctuary/exhibit for guests, renamed "Discovery Island."

Then, after they built DAK and moved many of the birds and some animals to that park (and even used the name, "Discovery Island" as the central section of the new theme park,) that Bay Lake island is now just sitting there, unloved.

It might be fun to rewaken the original name and idea of a "Treasure Island" attraction of some kind there on that location.