A blog by Cameron and Shannon

Now that we are in the top 5 on this theme parks listing, we’re getting to rides that I’m really ticked aren’t running any more. Which means I have to work a little harder to actually be informational in what I am saying and not just break into a rant.

That said…

Theme Parks #4 - Back to the Future, Universal Studios Orlando

Opened: 1991. Closed: 2007.

I really can’t think of a movie that is more deserving of a theme-based ride. Not only does this movie star Michael J. Fox, it’s about time travel. Interestingly, time travel is one of the few topics in the world that can be an awesome plot basis for any type of movie…comedy, blockbuster, drama, romance, thinker, action…really, any type.

Additionally, BTTF has one of my favorite movie songs ever. Anyone? Anyone? I’ll give you a hint:

Don’t need money / Don’t take fame / Don’t need no credit card to ride this train!

That’s right, it’s “Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News.

You can clearly see this movie not only has all the elements for successful box office results, but for an awesome ride.

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Theme Parks #5 - Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies, Universal Studios Orlando

Opened: 1990. Closed: 2003.

Yes, that is right. Someone actually closed an attraction that showcased the work of one of the most awesome filmmakers, oh, ever. As if it were not bad enough that Universal phased out Charlton Heston, they also got rid of good old Mr. Hitchcock.

I’ll admit I am a little on the crazed side of biased when it comes to Hitchcock, but I am fairly certain that everyone in the world needed to see this attraction. A Hitchcock fan? Great! You will love it. Not a Hitchcock fan? Great! You will be! Read More »

Theme Parks #7 - Earthquake, Universal Studios Orlando

Opened: 1990. Closed: 2007

This ride was actually on my list before last Saturday’s sad news, though I do think Mr. Heston’s death magnifies the sadness of this ride being closed.

Earthquake was a ride based on the 1974 film of the same name wherein, well, you were in an earthquake. But that wasn’t all! First, you pass by assorted memorabilia from the film. As a child of the 80’s, I obviously had no memory of the film Earthquake, but it didn’t matter - this was real stuff really in the movie, so it was cool.

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8. Body Wars, Epcot, Walt Disney World

Opened: 1989. Closed: 2007.

The second Florida theme park I visited as a child was Epcot. When I was 7, as a Christmas present to our family, my grandparents took us all to the theme park of my choice. Anyone who has been to Epcot will at this point wonder what seven year old in their right mind, given their choice of all Orlando theme parks, would choose a trip to Epcot. The basic answer is that my family tricked me into thinking it was going to be cool. Let me tell you, Epcot was talked up like a stinking trip to Europe itself. You get to visit so many countries! And explore them! Yay!

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As you all may or may not know, Cameron and I are from Florida. Cameron is from wayyy on over in the panhandle in Pensacola, and I’m from Live Oak, in the north central part (ever heard “Way Down Upon the Suwannee River? I’m from there.) We’ve been planning our summer trip back to good old FL, and got the idea that perhaps a theme park would be a fun choice for our visit.

I get the impression that most American children are taken on several trips to the Orlando parks - for the typical Floridian child, that number is multiplied by about 3 to 5. It’s not because Floridian children are spoiled; it is because they live in Florida - weekend trip? Theme park. Day trip? Theme park. School trip? Theme park. When you go to a theme park so many times, you start to get used to things a certain way - you begin to pick favorites attractions, and so forth. So imagine my surprise as I perused the various theme park sites and began to see that things were not as I left them as a child - heck, things are not as I left them as a college student. When I cross referenced that information with Wikipedia and Google searches to find out what happened to some of my favorites over the years, I began to get really…ticked. So I’ve compiled a list - the top ten Florida attractions that should have never been altered/cancelled/shut down. I realize these incidents are the result of an accumulation of years, but these things are really starting to add up and I can’t take it anymore!!

As I began writing this, I realized if I listed all 10 at once, it would take me about 5 hours and would be quite lengthy, so I’ll list one a day, starting with ten and counting down. Reminisce with me!

10. Ghostbusters, Universal Studios Orlando.

Opened: 1990. Closed: 1996.

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