It seems almost inevitable: with the expansion of Fantasyland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, something had to give. And we now know that two popular attractions will be closing to make way for progress: Mickey’s Toontown, set to close next week, and Snow White’s Scary Adventures.
Mickey’s Toontown was a later addition to the park, and as a result, doesn’t seem to be causing too much angst among Disney fans. But Snow White’s Scary Adventures is another story altogether.
The ride, original to the park when it opened in 1971, will be closing at some point to make way for Princess Fairytale Hall, which will serve as a meet and greet location for that lucrative franchise that draws girls of every age: Disney Princesses.
Some fans are angry about the move, and see it as a betrayal of Walt Disney’s vision. Jennifer Neal, a Disney fan from Alabama, strongly disagrees with the closure of the ride. “It’s an insult to tear it down, but to tear it down for a meet-and-greet building is truly an insult to Walt Disney and the loyal fans,” said Neal, during a recent conversation with the Orlando Sentinel.
It seems, however, that Neal’s point of view isn’t widely shared by other fans. Sure, they’re sad about the passing of an original ride. But Snow White may have been a victim of its low-tech approach. And while other Fantasyland rides are similarly simple, they seem to be more popular with guests, judging from the varying wait times for Snow White versus other attractions, Like Peter Pan’s Flight.
Snow White fans won’t be left out in the cold, however. Disney plans to feature the story in one of its brand new attractions in Fantasyland – the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. And while Snow White herself doesn’t appear in the title of the attraction, fans can be sure that the Fairest of Them All will make an appearance.
Eric Jacobson, senior vice president of creative development at Walt Disney Imagineering says in this way, Snow White will still be represented in the Magic Kingdom, and will most likely “appeal to a broader audience than Snow White’s Scary Adventures ever did.” Jacobson says that the park fully intends to keep Snow White in a place of honor, as the tale was Disney’s first full length animated feature, adding, “That’s part of our heritage that we want to make sure is celebrated in the right way.”
