ORLANDO - As good as it was???????? Do you agree with me on the below....?

Question

Remember what orlando was like back in the early 90's?? 20,000 leagues, king kong, hanna barbara, hitchcock, wild west stunt show.......What other rides were there that arnt there now? what was where the MIB ride is?

'91 was the first time I went, It was also the BEST. Ive been at least 10 since and still love it to bits.

HOWEVER.....

I seem to remember ALL the parks staying open till midnight every night & getting good value for money.
All the shops were 'proper' souvenier/memorabilia shops

NOW, the parks seem to close as early as 7 and every other shop is a restaurant? anyone else noticed this or is it just me? Most souvenier shops are just clones of each other too?

I have no problem with Universal and Disney wanting to "keep with the time" (i.e creating new rides such as 'the mummy' or 'everest') but I dont think they should close down classics such as BTTF or King Kong?

they should give some rides a lick of paint here & there and maybe update a few things

Answer 1

Tell me about it... and what's funny is your post was titled "Orlando - As good as it was" but you only covered the parks.. what about the whole city. Do you remember when you could step outside after dark and not worry about getting murdered or kidnapped? Now you can't even give a house away.. the news this morning was talking about owners that have lowered the sale price by $100,000 and no one is even coming to view it?!?!!?

Answer 2

Nostalgia for the 1990's? Well the I can go back a little further.
BD (Before Disney which opened in 1971) there was 6-Gun Territory - long gone but it was my favorite place. An old west town with cowboys, Indians, saloons and dance-hall girls, They did shoot-outs in the streets and trick riding stunts on horses. Connected to the old-west town was a theme park of old fashioned carnival rides, funhouses and such.

Another Long gone park that I liked (and opened after Disney opened) was Circus World. It later morphed into Boardwalk and Baseball. For several years the KC Royals held spring training there. The theme park closed many years ago but the Baseball stadium hung on until the Royals moved spring training to the Cactus League in 2003. Now every ting is gone, including the stadium.


Still around that Pre-date Disney...
Silver Springs
Cypress Gardens
Lion Country Safari
Gatorland
Weeki Wachee
Marineland
Busch Gardens

Answer 3

Yes I do remember those days. I really miss 20,000 leagues under the Sea, Horizons at Epcot, Dreamflight at Epcot, the old Figment ride, Toad's Wild ride, Alien Encounter, Hanna Barbera, and Back to the Future. It seems like they got rid of all the good rides! Its pretty disappointing! Someone needs to tell Disney and Universal to stop retiring all the great rides! The old rides hold the most memories for me.

Also to Redgator: 20,000 leagues was open in the early 90's. I went to Disney World in 92 and it was still open. Here is a website that has videos of all the great retired rides.

http://www.mickeyclips.com/c_Retired_Attractions.html?PHPSESSID=ff44d8d6194f03934729b23b9e3c6036

Answer 4

I agree with you. The Old rides we will always hearken back to. We will always feel a bit nostalgic for the old rides that we lost. But I am sure that you do not take advantage of the 'old' rides that are still there.

When was the last time your rode,
Carousel of Progress
Ellen's Energy Adventure
The Country Bear Jamboree

The thing of it (minus 20,000 leagues) that the popularity fades, people don't ride them as much, and in response they update them i.e. The HORRIBLE update of The Enchanted Tiki Room

But take advantage of what is still there. Hold dear to your old memories, and just keep building memories, we will always reflect fondly on the past, but the key is to enjoy the moment you are in.

Answer 5

I live in Orlando and have to say, I agree that the parks have changed and that they have lost some of the great attractions, but I also like the new things too. I know they have to add new things, just to keep up with times. So its a no win situation. The new things bring in new people and keep things current, but the old attractions were just so much fun.

Answer 6

ya but the younger generations of kids have never heard of 20,000 leagues, king kong, hanna barbara,and hitchcock.... your getting too old for Orlando, grow up and go to Vegas or somewhere for Adults...

Answer 7

the parks hours vary by season. you have to change up rides to keep the park fresh and to keep people coming back. and 20000 Leagues has been gone since the 80's.