Letting Go: Finding Magic in Change

Two more attractions closed at Disney World this week: The Great Movie Ride and Ellen’s Energy Adventure. The Great Movie Ride, housed in the Chinese Theater in Hollywood Studios, is being reworked into a Mickey Mouse-themed attraction. Ellen’s Energy Adventure, located in the Energy Pavilion in Epcot’s Future World, will be changed into a Guardians of the Galaxy-themed attraction. Both are scheduled to be completed by 2021, in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary.

Closing attractions at Disney World is nothing new. Hollywood Studios, in particular, has had several attractions, shows and character meet ‘n greets removed from the line up in the last few years. The majority of the closures are to make way for new adventures, such as Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Nevertheless, I’ve read other Disney blogs and seen various posts where Disney fans are clearly upset about the closings.

“How could they close a ride of my youth?” one fan laments. “If only I could have ridden it one more time,” proclaims another. “Disney doesn’t have a clue,” a discouraged Instagramer noted. And my personal favorite, “The Great Movie Ride was the only reason I visited Hollywood Studios.”

Ugh. Really?

Although I certainly understand the nostalgia wrapped up in all things Disney, these posts got me thinking. What’s wrong with letting go and moving on? Are we really preserving memories or just resisting change? What if change is part of the “magic” in theme parks… and life in general?

Walt Disney was a mastermind at chasing the next big thing. He exhausted himself perfecting animation techniques, dreaming of attractions that had never been done before and taking risks that made others think he was crazy. His original vision for the film Fantasia, for example, was to immerse viewers in the film rather than to just watch it on screen. He wanted theaters to spray perfume to emulate the scent of flowers and revamp their sound systems to deliver the classical score in surround-sound fashion. Although some theaters accommodated his vision, many could not and did not. That was in 1940.

As Fantasia gained popularity in major cities, Disney started thinking about updating the film. During planning meetings he stated, “the film might vary from theater to theater, from week to week, day to day.” He also stated they could consider completely reworking the film “every year.” This was not an uncommon notion for Disney, who’s high standards often made him disappointed in the quality of his films shortly after their release.*

Sometimes I wonder if the current theme parks make enough changes to live up to Walt Disney’s standards.

Sixty years later Disneyland opened it’s first Soarin’ attraction. The ride incorporated wind, water and scent to simulate a flight over California landmarks. Guests were completely immersed in the ride, which also included a beautiful classical soundtrack. In 2016, the attraction was updated with a new film that enables guests to visit breathtaking landmarks around the world such as the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. Every time I ride the Soarin’ attraction at Disney World I think about how much Walt Disney would have loved this ride. I also can’t remember, or care to remember, whatever attraction was closed to make Soarin’ possible.

For Walt Disney, change provided a welcome opportunity to make things better.

After opening Disneyland, Walt Disney claimed his park will “never be completed.”* Unlike his animated films that were developed on a set schedule and released to the public, the park’s attractions could be constantly modified and improved. It was a place for him to live out his crazy dreams and incredible visions. It was also a place for him to set the stage for others to dream and imagine too.

How can you achieve dreams without letting go and embracing change?

Before you think I’m getting too lofty here, let me confess. I’m one of the worst at letting things go. When the early rumors at Disney World suggested the company would convert the Tower of Terror into a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction like they did in California, I was conflicted. I love the Tower of Terror. Could I stand to see it go?

I realize my affection for this ride is primarily based on my early memories of riding it. Have you ever noticed how we tend to love things as we first discovered them and then be skeptical of any changes that happen after that discovery?

Outside of my theme-park addiction I don’t fare too much better at letting stuff go. I can relive that ridiculous decision, poorly-crafted comment or frivolous purchase in my head longer than I care to admit.

It’s part of why I still love Let it Go even though most people I know over the age of 6 cringe at the thought of it. The lyrics still inspire me.

How about you? Is there something you need to let go? A ride at a theme-park or something much more significant?

Whatever it is, it’s okay to make the change. Letting go is an opportunity to dream bigger, correct mistakes and make things better. If you don’t like whatever change you made, change it again!

So, the next time you hear of an attraction closing at Disney World, take heart. Letting go of something, even something as insignificant as a theme-park attraction, doesn’t mean you’re losing it. You’ll still have your memories. It means you’re opening yourself up to the opportunity to correct mistakes, make things better and dream bigger.

Embrace the change and add a little magic to your world!

*I tend to pull from multiple sources when writing blog posts. In this case the bulk of the details on Walt Disney’s history with Fantasia are from Walt Disney: The Triumph of The American Imagination by Neal Gabler.