Timekeeper / CoP Closures

[tjkraz]

WDWMagic.com is reporting that Sunday, February 26th will be the last day that The Timekeeper is open at the Magic Kingdom. There are also rumors that Carousel of Progress may close for good later this year.

Speculation is that they already have unannounced plans for these two locations.

This news is particularly interesting given John Lassiter's new position at Imagineering. He has already been quoted as saying that there will be no more "mediocre attractions" at the Disney theme parks. If nothing else this seems to indicate that he intends on taking a very hands-on approach with his role at Imagineering.

However, given the breadth of his responsibilities across the animation department, the popular line of thinking is that it could be months before Lassiter has any real time to devote to decision making at WDI. It will be interesting to see how this plays-out.

I've never see The Timekeeper myself and coincidentally we'll be at the MK the night of 2/26. I just might try to check it out.

[DSNY FN]

I really like the timekeeper it is a fun attraction I also really like COP. It's a great big beautiful tomorrow and tomorrow is just a dream away.

[idratherbeinwdw]

Time are you saying that COP is mediocre? If so I totally disagree, I think it's great fun. One of Walt's originals too, and I would be SO sad to see it go.

If we are talking Mediocre let's get rid of:
Stitch
Journy to Imagination (old one was great, new one not)

[jnrrt]

Don't take my COP!

It may be corny, it may be old, but it's a childhood memory! And it's practically an institution!

I've been worried this would happen, though, because it's never very full when we're there. Ever. And that's always a bad sign.

[tjkraz]

are you saying that COP is mediocre?

Not at all. Many would argue that the vast majority of attractions WDI has turned out in the last decade are mediocre, and judging by Lassiter's comment, he apparently agrees.

The point of that comment was simply to highlight the fact that this (apparent) decision comes such a short time after Lassiter became involved at WDI. The concensus is that Lassiter will want final stamp of approval on ANY new attraction concepts before they move forward, and the odds of that having happened in the last 2-3 weeks seem remote.

Given the specific date attached to the Timekeeper closure, I suspect that one is probably a done deal. Maybe the wheels had already been set in motion before Lassiter arrived, or perhaps they gave him a presentation on the proposed replacement and he quickly approved it. Either way, it sounds like The Timekeeper is a goner.

As for CoP, I think that one is still very much up-in-the-air. We've been hearing "CoP is doomed" reports for years and it's still around.

[PoohsPal]

As for CoP, I think that one is still very much up-in-the-air. We've been hearing "CoP is doomed" reports for years and it's still around.
Ditto. CoP is kind of a Walt institution, though. I just don't see them taking it awway. Who am I to say though.

As for Stitch, dh and I loved it. Dh hated AE, though. I never did it. I think I'm with the minority, but I still don't see it as mediocre. JMO.

[athenna]

IMHO, it is almost sacriledge (sp) to close the COP:tsktsk:
It's bad enough it was seasonal, but permanently closed it a big mistake.
I only got to see the Timekeeper once, but I did enjoy it.:thumbsup:

[Rozzie]

It would be really really sad if they closed CoP. It was Walt's baby, and I think we would be losing another part of him if they decide to term it.:worried:

[idratherbeinwdw]

As for CoP, I think that one is still very much up-in-the-air. We've been hearing "CoP is doomed" reports for years and it's still around.

This is certainly true. And since they just rehabbed it and put new fabric on the seats it I thought that was an indication it was sticking around. I hope so! It hasn't even been seasonal these last couple of years, as it was for a while. COP has been open every time I have gone ion recent years, even at the least crowded times. Timekeeper seems to be the opposite, almost never open unless it's a really busy time.

I hope it's just a rumor, but I agree with jnrrt that COP is usually almost empty, (I don't understand why though) so it wouldn't be a total shocker if they closed it. :worried:

[lllovell]

As often as we go..and we are often there over busier weekend times...I have NEVER EVER EVER seen the time keeper itself open. They often use the building for other things.

COP is one that I like to ride each and every time we are there, especially in the summer months. The closing of it is becoming like a Disney Urban Legend. I hope it is just that, a rumor that never comes to be.

[Leftcoaster]

With COP, I wish they'd do a massive overhaul on it. I enjoy the show, I enjoy the concept. It's just way too jarring going to the final scene. In"my" version, I'd have them go from 1900 to 1940 to 1980 to 2020 (the future).

[greenban]

Time are you saying that COP is mediocre? If so I totally disagree, I think it's great fun. One of Walt's originals too, and I would be SO sad to see it go.

If we are talking Mediocre let's get rid of:
Stitch
Journy to Imagination (old one was great, new one not)

I think you are being to kind to Stitch, and unfair to Mediocre.

Ma'am, I *KNEW* mediocre, and Stitch is no mediocre!

Let's be honest, Stitch is Horrible!

I want my 20 minutes of my life back!

And like everyone else I lie to others about how great Stitch is, so that they too will waste a portion of their life that's never comming back!

Stitch, BLEH http://www.nightly.net/ubb/graemlins/puke.gif

BTW, I love stitch the character, just hate the attraction!

-Tony

[KNWVIKING]

Edited to unruffle anything that got ruffled.

As for TK. Not a bad attraction, but I really don't like standing up to enjoy an attraction, unless of course I'm at a shaker bar.

CoP is one of my favorite attractions. It contains two of my favorite features; Air conditioning and Cushy seats. How can anyone object to AC and Cushy.

[PoohsPal]

Editing, as I should not have taken that bait. :tsktsk:

We all have opinions. Let's be nice and respect them, even if we strongly disagree.

[KNWVIKING]

Editing, as I should not have taken that bait. :tsktsk:

We all have opinions. Let's be nice and respect them, even if we strongly disagree.


You didn't have to do that. I've got extremely thick skin.

Besides, I've got a call into Doc. Maybe he'd be willing to walk me thru the process.

[PoohsPal]

Didn't do it for you. Did it for me. If you want to talk to Doc, more power to you. Still don't think you'll get me banned from here. ;)

[cobbler]

TK they can close. I watched it once, it was ok.

CoP they better not. I like that one, nice relaxing break and one of the few Walt things we have left.

[RweTHEREyet]

While I enjoyed Timekeeper, I am not sure that I would miss it all that much. I have never walked past when it was closed and been really disappointed.

I would miss Carousel terribly though. As old and outdated as it is, I am disappointed if we aren't able to see it once a trip.

Yep, I think Walt would come out of cryo if they closed down COP.

[jaysue]

Timekeeper - ok, I can live with that one

COP - no way! It is a great show and a tradition - not everything has to be glitz and toss type rides!

WDW, are you :listen: ing?

The rides that should be reconsidered at MK IMO:

That Alladin/Camel ride thingy that is another version of Dumbo - not much imagination there

Donald's Boat that sometimes has water, sometimes not

cheers
jaysue

[jnrrt]

You know, I've never been there when TK was open, so I've never seen it. That's been a bummer because I like to do everything at least once, so I hate to know I won't get to.

How often is it open, anyway?

[kathyseb]

I think you are being to kind to Stitch, and unfair to Mediocre.

Ma'am, I *KNEW* mediocre, and Stitch is no mediocre!

Let's be honest, Stitch is Horrible!

I want my 20 minutes of my life back!

And like everyone else I lie to others about how great Stitch is, so that they too will waste a portion of their life that's never comming back!

Stitch, BLEH http://www.nightly.net/ubb/graemlins/puke.gif

BTW, I love stitch the character, just hate the attraction!

-Tony

Hey Tony, thanks for the smiley. I have been home sick for the last two days doing exactly that. How did you ever know :thumbsway

I think one of the reasons COP is empty a great deal of the time is that it is "seasonal." Although, I would think that EVERYONE shows up in Tomorrowland at one time or another.
When we see the chains are down, we can't get up the ramp fast enough.
It would be so sad if it were to go.

We signed an electronic petition a few years ago to keep it. So maybe this is just a bad rumor.

We love them both. Last time we saw TK was during MVMCP a few years ago.

[willy39]

They need to keep COP. What they can tear down and use as a parking lot for all I care is the Tomorrowland speedway. This is soooo outdated and has nothing to do with the future. I never ride it and think it is a waste of good space. I know small kids enjoy it, but they could do something really cool to make it better. Change the track so there are high banks and turns, add a few tunnels, and change the cars to rocket ships, or futuristic looking cars. And try to muffle that antique car engine sound with some sound effects or something. Does anyone else agree that the tomorrowland speedway is below Disney? It is a average ride that I would expect to see at a Six Flags, but not at Disney. Change it, or bulldoze it!

[carolina_yankee]

Did anyone get into Timekeeper over the weekend? I think it went from season to gone without so much as a farewell . . .

I'd be surprised to see CoP get mothballed, but I wouldn't be surprised to some sort of major change in the near future. (Pure conjecture on my part).

In it's defense, it's been listed as seasonal, but open daily (more or less) since AE went down for Stitch); they're refurbing the theatre, and it is one of Walt's World's Fair attractions. All of them still survive in one way or another. Given Eiger's apparent commitment Walt's legacy, I'd think he himself would have to approve it's termination. There are are even rumors that the Wedway might come back in some fashion at DL, or at least the track get re-used for something.

What wouldn't surprise me would be to see a major makeover or a relocation to another park, or someplace else within in the MK, or both.

Here's hoping it lasts!!

[idratherbeinwdw]

They need to keep COP. What they can tear down and use as a parking lot for all I care is the Tomorrowland speedway. This is soooo outdated and has nothing to do with the future. I never ride it and think it is a waste of good space. I know small kids enjoy it, but they could do something really cool to make it better. Change the track so there are high banks and turns, add a few tunnels, and change the cars to rocket ships, or futuristic looking cars. And try to muffle that antique car engine sound with some sound effects or something. Does anyone else agree that the tomorrowland speedway is below Disney? It is a average ride that I would expect to see at a Six Flags, but not at Disney. Change it, or bulldoze it!

While some folks may think otherwise I agree with you. The attraction is in major need of a makeover. I wouldn't care if they razed it, but I know other people would, so at least updat e it! :hypnotict

[jaysue]

They need to keep COP. What they can tear down and use as a parking lot for all I care is the Tomorrowland speedway. This is soooo outdated and has nothing to do with the future. I never ride it and think it is a waste of good space. I know small kids enjoy it, but they could do something really cool to make it better. Change the track so there are high banks and turns, add a few tunnels, and change the cars to rocket ships, or futuristic looking cars. And try to muffle that antique car engine sound with some sound effects or something. Does anyone else agree that the tomorrowland speedway is below Disney? It is a average ride that I would expect to see at a Six Flags, but not at Disney. Change it, or bulldoze it!

My kids love it - would love it even more with some updating - it is at best an average ride

Cheers
jaysue
:headbange

[lllovell]

It does appeal to my little ones as well, but it could be much more fun! Also, it is VERY noisy and stinky so in some ways, I would be quite happy for it to me gone. However, I hope not any time soon (and if they remodel it, I would hope it would happen quickly). Too many things seemed closed or being redone into non-ride attractions.

Laura