Alien Encounter!! Was it smart to take it away?

[Smack81]

I thought Alien Encounter was brilliant. It played on so many senses in an attempt to terrify you...and it succeeded admirably. I agree with the folks who have said that Disney attractions shouldn't all have to be centered on Disney. I mean, if they all had to meet that criteria, we wouldn't have The Tower, The Haunted Mansion, Expedition Everest...some of my favorites!

[Meggersuit83]

I remember going on this ride with my mom, dad, and nephew. Now not too much scares me being a horror movie buff and loving all things nightmarish but for some reason this ride terrified me...and for that reason I loved it! I literally walked out going, never again...and in the middle of Disney World of all places. I do miss it because it was a change of pace and again, I enjoy being scared every now and then. I also loved the pre-show, if I am not mistaken Tim Curry was the voice of someone correct? I heart him!
I am not a fan of the stitch ride and I am not a fan of Disney turning all of the rides into movie themes. Granted, I understand that the park is a reflection of the movies but it's taking away from the originality of the rides, plus they are forgetting a lot of the amazing movies. I'd love a ride based off of Roger Rabbit....maybe a ride like Eddie experiences as he enters toon town? Ah Disney.....

[MissTink]

Aww, I wasn't aware they had gotten rid of AE until I read this thread. Wow, I am so out of the loop since i moved away from Florida.

It totally freaked me out like whoa my first time, but I loved it. It sounds like WDW will be quite different the next time I am able to go back. I guess if there weren't retired rides, we wouldn't have this thread to reminisce about them.

[KINGCRAB]

I liked Stitches Great Escape.

Me too. I think that this attraction gets ragged on by Disney fans way too often.

In my opinion, SGE does not deserve the constant-bashing that it gets on Disney boards, especially because they seem to bash it for no real reason.

I still feel that Alien Encounter had no business being in the family-friendly Magic Kingdom. It was too over-the-top intense for that park and it had to be removed for that reason. Stitch's Great Escape is actually funny, light-hearted and a better fit for the MK than AE was.

In some respects, I think that SGE is even better than AE. It's more lively, has the impressive Stitch AA and you have those two awesome laser cannons firing from above.

So, to answer the question (and being realistic), yes, I think that taking AE away was a good idea. After all, if something gets complained about too much, something will have to be done to remedy the problem. Such as the case with AE.

[MagicGirl1394]

I thought Alien Encounter was brilliant. It played on so many senses in an attempt to terrify you...and it succeeded admirably. I agree with the folks who have said that Disney attractions shouldn't all have to be centered on Disney. I mean, if they all had to meet that criteria, we wouldn't have The Tower, The Haunted Mansion, Expedition Everest...some of my favorites!

i totally agree with everything you said.

[LisaAnn]

I personally cannot ride Stitch anymore...it makes me want to vomit, to put it simply. I dont think ill ever go on that again...so, no I dont think it was smart of Disney to take away AE...at least that didnt make me sick

[Creambunni]

While I say that Stitch isn't very good, I think AE needed an upgrade. I never actually went on AE, because I was very scared of it. But seeing the ride via youtube, the computer screen stuff and logos and stuff look very old and cheesy to me. Like the font was from the 80's. I guess what I'm trying to say through my ramblings is that AE needed an update. Maybe it just got the wrong upgrade.

[Mr.Blik]

Anyone have any pics of ae? Or do i have to stop being lazy and look it up? Ive never heard of the ride until now. And... now im curious >.<

[kdimattia]

Well I really enjoyed AE the first time I went because I didn't know what to expect, but for me after the 1st time it didn't really do anything for me anymore. Now I'm curious to ride SGE since it has mixed reviews. So I do think it was time for AE to leave and something new to come in it's place.

[elvistelth]

I think Tomorrowland should go back to the fanciful vision of the future...flying cars, etc. Base it on those awesome cartoons that were made while Walt was around. Tomorrowland's theme has gotten a bit too loose in my opinion.

I totally agree with the above post. Also, I thinks stitch blows. Alien Encounter wasn't great but the stitch version is even worse. It's just a cheesy re-hash of the previous attraction. I wish they'd do something really creative instead of just putting in a cost cutting filler like stitch's not-so-great escape.
With that said, the mission to mars ride which was the original attraction was also bad. Boring bad. It was like being locked in a room with an elementary school science film projected on the ceiling and floor. Maybe that building is cursed and it's impossible to put anything entertaining in that space.

[Park Hopper Dad]

Personally,I do not like the Stitch character,and I do not like the Stitch Encounter,or whatever it is called.I also did not like the Alien Encounter either.I went on it once and I thought it was a waste of time.I love Disney and pretty much everything in all of the parks,but that was worthless.
I remember something different in the building where Buzzlighter's ride is now.It was something back in the late 80's having to do with flying and was sponsored by the old Eastern Airlines.That was cool,with the little ride and such.
As for what was before Alien Encounter,I don't know.My first trip to DisneyWorld was in 1986.

[elvistelth]

It was called "If You Had Wings" Check out this link:Widen Your World - If You Had Wings - Main Page
That is the ride I miss the most.

[MagicalMarley]

It took some real convincing to get my dad to take us to WDW. He doesn't like crowds, heat, humidity or amusement parks. He is a nature guy. But, he finally gave in, and we headed to WDW in '96 (I think). He was reluctant, to say the least, that first day when he saw the crowds gathering outside of the Magic Kindom, and saw that great big pink cake (it was the year of the Anniversary).
We soon found ourselves in Futureworld, and wondered into AE. As we were walking out of the attraction, my dad turns to me with this huge smile and asked "Do you want to go on that again?" It was then he realized Disney was not just an amusement park, and it was that attraction that opened his eyes to the "magic" of Disney. It was kind of a bonding moment for my dad and I. Although, I will say, my sister (who was in jr high) hated it.
It turned out to be the best vacation we ever took, my Dad even agreeing on this point.
After these many years, we will finally be heading back to WDW in December! My dad called me last week, to remind me to put AE on our touring plan, and my heart sank.
My question to all of you.....Do we try Stitch's or do we just keep the memory of AE?
I'm conflicted between my fond memories of what it used to be, and the fact that I would like to give everything a try. Personally, I have never liked Stitch. Somehow, he doesn't capture the charm and magic I associate with Disney.
Sorry for the long post!

[elvistelth]

There are elements that are left over from AE so it's kind of a toss-up whether you should go on it. Seeing some of the old props used in a different way might help you to remember or it might just make you sad.

[Park Hopper Dad]

To Elvistelth,
Thanks for that info about If You Had Wings,and the site.I clicked and saved to look at later.Looks to be quite interesting.