In Keep, Update, Or Demolish, I have selected and reviewed attractions that I’ve heard a lot of critical reviews of. I combine my personal opinion with the general consensus of these attraction and determine the fate of certain Disney Parks attractions – whether Disney should keep it, update it, or demolish it.
Golden Zephyr – Demolish
Paradise Pier in Disney California Adventure is one of the few places on any of the Disney Parks properties were there is an obviously lack of creativity put into the attractions. Many of the Paradise Pier attractions were not fully designed by the Disney Imagineers. These attractions were basically bought off the shelf. The Golden Zephyr is no exception to this rule. This very basic attraction lacks the creativity you expect when visit a Disney Park. This attraction is something you could expect to see at a cheap local theme park.
Jumpin’ Jellyfish – Demolish
The Jumpin’ Jellyfish attraction is a parachute-style ride which brings guests slowly up and down a 50-foot tower. This attraction is certainly too slow to be considered a thrill ride, and is even boring to children. Guests typically walk off of the Jumpin’ Jellyfish feeling disappointed that they even bothered riding it. Like the Golden Zephyr, this attraction should be demolished because it lacks the creativity you’d expect from a Disney Park. Although the theming is slightly better than the Golden Zephyr, it still lacks the Disney touch.
Mickey’s Fun Wheel – Keep
Thrill seekers may not realize it, but Mickey’s Fun Wheel is one of the scariest attraction at the Disneyland Resort. The swinging gondolas version of this attraction is especially scary. If you are afraid of heights, you will want to stay away from this attraction. Otherwise it is a great attraction in this park. While it is guilty of being simplistic like the Golden Zephyr, at least it is thrilling, and more importantly, fun to ride. Not only is this a great attraction in its own right, but it is also a crucial backdrop to the World of Color nighttime show.
Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! – Update
Tucked in the back of Hollywood Land is Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! This is a fun attraction for families. This attraction does lack an interactive feature that is present in a similar version of this ride in Tokyo Disneyland. Adding a similar interactive feature would be a huge upgrade to this ride, and might garner much longer lines. Because Disneyland Resort has so many annual passholders, it is important that some attractions are interactive making the ride experience different every time guests ride it.
Silly Symphony Swings – Keep
The Silly Symphony Swings are a simplistic attraction much like the Golden Zephyr, but unlike the Golden Zephyr, guests seem to love the Silly Symphony Swings. Yes, it is an off the shelf attraction, but as long as the guests love it, then it should stay. The tandem seats allow guests to ride in pairs of twos, which is a fun way for parents and children to ride together.
Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies – Demolish
Disney can do better than bumper cars. This isn’t an attraction that typically attracts a lot of of guests, and for good reason. Guests can ride bumper cars anywhere. This attraction takes up a fairly large portion of “a bug’s land”. This land could be better allocated to a new attraction that is more creative. You certainly don’t need to pay the price of a Disney ticket to ride an attraction like this. For this reason alone they need to demolish this attraction.
