Declassified Disasters Archives - Page 3 of 3

June 17, 2020May 23, 2023

The Backstage Studio Tour: Behind the Screens of the Death of the Disney-MGM Studios

Not every attraction is destined for greatness. Not every attraction stands the test of time. We’ve seen tone-deaf “upgrades,” character overlays, fried technologies, and outright embarassments turn fan-favorites into Declassified Disasters.

But even standing aside unfortunate disasters like Stitch’s Great Escape, DisneyQuest, and the Rocket Rods, there may be no attraction on Earth that serves as a bigger symbol of an entire park’s gradual decline in concept and quality than the Backstage Studio Tour – the multi-hour mega-attraction meant to headline the Disney-MGM Studios that signalled its downfall instead.

In fact, the 25-year life of this doomed attraction mirrors the unthinkable reality faced by Disney’s designers: their studio park was not going to survive. Today, we’ll go backstage on the Backstage Studio Tour to see its lofty ambitions… and to see how its decline mirrors the abandonment of the park’s purpose. Even Disney’s most eager fans may be surprised at the tumultuous history of this disastrous ride…

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June 2, 2020August 31, 2021

SON OF BEAST: The Fall of the World’s Tallest, Fastest, and Only Looping Wooden Roller Coaster

Have you ever had the crushing, gut-wrenching feeling that you were waist-deep wading, into a mistake? Have you ever had that stinging sensation when you realize the project you’re working on is hopeless? How do you know when it’s too late too turn back? How much time, energy, and (gulp) money can you spend on a decision that’s doomed? And how do your paper over your mistakes in the meantime?

Today, our Lost Legends series sets its sights on one of the most massive roller coasters ever imagined; a record-breaking, unimaginable engineering marvel meant to serve as the “sequel” to a beloved, generations-old favorite. Together, we’ll unravel the almost-unbelievable story of one of the most wild rides the world has ever seen: SON OF BEAST, the tallest, fastest, and only looping wooden roller coaster on Earth.

Towering over the skyline, Son of Beast shattered records and nerves. And just a decade after its debut, the wooden skeleton of this gargantuan icon stood, abandoned, over one of the most visited parks in North America, never to run again. Son of Beast burned bright and fast, and today, we’ll ride through the legacy of this unbelievable engineering marvel and the ultra-extreme ride experience it offered.

So, did the sequel stand up to the original? We’ll leave that to you to decide…

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May 19, 2020May 23, 2023

BODY WARS: An “Inside” Look at EPCOT’s Abandoned, Pulse-Pounding Voyage Through the Human Body

Over the past few years, we’ve been working hard to build a library of Lost Legends, telling the in-depth behind-the-scenes stories of beloved-and-lost rides from around the globe. We’ve survived Disney’s scariest attraction ever, Alien Encounter; ventured 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to revisit the sunken Magic Kingdom classic; taken flight to relive the lost experience of Soarin’; toured the skies of Walt’s Tomorrowland aboard The Peoplemover; we’ve even merrily raced along to Nowhere in Particular aboard Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Across the site, keep your eye out for links to other Lost Legends, or set course for your favorite.

But today, we return to what may be the international capital of closed classics: EPCOT. It seems that rides at this uniquely ambitious park are doomed from the start, and a number of our Lost Legends resided here once upon a time. Today’s entry earned its place in Disney Parks’ history books by being the first thrill ride at EPCOT; a unique fusion of education and entertainment in a shuttered pavilion.

This can only be the story of BODY WARS, the would-be classic that nauseated a generation en route to an unfortunate and unusual closure. Even today – a decade after its closure – Body Wars is sealed away behind closed doors, rusting and awaiting its own demolition. In today’s in-depth entry, we’ll explore the history of the doomed Wonders of Life pavilion, the experience of its headlining thrill ride, and what became of it. Brace yourself, because this ride is not for the feint of heart… or stomach.

And before we head off, remember that you can unlock rare concept art and audio streams in this story, access over 100 Extra Features, and recieve an annual Membership card and postcard art set in the mail by supporting this clickbait-free, in-depth, ad-free theme park storytelling site for as little as $2 / month! Become a Park Lore Member to join the story! Until then, let’s start at the beginning…

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