Pirates of the Caribbean (original/non-P.C. version) March 18, 1967 - March 7, 1997

In honor of Walt Disney's 100th birthday I'm posting a video of the original version of PotC, before it went all P.C. on us. Pirates was Walt's favorite attraction, even though he died before it was finished. It was originally envisioned as a walk through attraction but was changed to the same flat bottom boat system as It's a Small World. The ride was also one of the most elaborate uses of animatronics ever attempted by Disney. This ride will always hold a special place in my heart. I remember dragging every single member of my family on it over and over and over again so I could go down that water fall and sing along with the pirates. I think they may have ended up hating the "Yo Ho, Yo Ho" song like most people hate "It's a Small World", and even though I don't necessarily agree with many of the refurbishments done to it over the years, it still reamains a must ride attraction. 

Ghostbusters Spooktacular June 7,1990-November 8, 1996

Ahhhh, the smell of burning marshmallows. I thought about this show a few days ago while I was waiting in line for Twister. The firehouse facade remained for the most part intact until Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit punched a big hole through it.

Back to the Future: The Ride (May 2, 1991-March 30, 2007)

My all time favorite ride ever, I went to Universal on its last day of operation and rode it from open to close. Thank you Doc Brown for always managing to save me from the T-rex at the last minute.

Journey Into Imagination (March 5, 1983 - October 10, 1998)

"Two tiny wings, eyes big and yellow, horns of a steer, but a lovable fellow! From head to tail, he's royal purple pigment, and there, voilà! You've got a Figment!"

I've never understood why Disney decided to get rid of this original attraction, and replace it with something  so incredibly awful. Every once in a while I'll give the "new" Journey into Imagination a chance, and every time I am 100% disappointed. Bring back the Dreamfinder Damn it!!!!! I found a few videos of whats left of the original Imageworks and it truly makes me sad. Like all of EPCOT Center, when it was in its prime, it was spectacular. I remember the young innocent me hopping all over the Stepping Tones trying to get them to play the melody to Billie Jean. I remember standing in the long lines to wait for a turn at the always busy Dreamfinder School of Drama and the Electronic Philharmonic because those things were always packed. I remember watching the holographic Figment hitting a baseball. Most importantly I remember that Figment thinks Dreamfinder should have a green bear, and when he colours outside the lines he can fix it with black paint.. 

Journey into Imagination Documentary (part 1)

Journey into Imagination Documentary (part 2)

Mr. Toads Wild Ride (October 1, 1971-September 7, 1998)

I'm going to start this blog off with the ride I miss the most. I absolutely loved everything about this ride. The plywood backgrounds that made you feel as if you were in a cartoon, "No Where in Particular" playing in the town square,  crashing through everything from barn doors to prison cells, and of course the hilariously dark ending. It all helped to make this zany, mad cap ride one if the most popular and missed attractions of all time.

                                                                     Track 1(right side)

                                                                      Track 2 (left side)

Check this great tribute site for the ride.

http://virtual-toad.com/index.html