FROM: Why Did Disney DO That?!? Published As Necessary

Messing with the Icons

Said Walt in 1955: "this is how it shalt be. And don't you mess with it!" Ever since, his people have been messing with it, pissing off the purists and providing fodder for the faithful to debate and decry. Has Lee Beatens an opinion? Is Mickey a Mouse?

- Lee Beatens, May 15, 2011

The Tronorail is still vying the tracks of Walt Disney World even as you read this. This cross-promotional wonder was designed and stickered to push the new Tron: Legacy movie... oh... about a year ago?

Note to Disney: The movie has been released, in theaters, and on disc. It may be time to retire the Tronorail.

Now, I didn't mind the look of the Tronorail, really. It was a cool concept with an understandable reason for existence. But that reason has long since expired, and Disney just won't let it go.

Why does Disney DO that?!?

Messing with Icons is never a safe bet. Puritans will hate it no matter what you do. Armchair Imagineers will think that they could have come up with a better idea. And those that don't mind it will probably stay quiet during the whole controversy.

And so Disney takes a hit. But kudos for trying! If Disney doesn't take a shot at upping the magic in the Parks, then we complain about the lack of creativity and innovation. And the odds are that, in trying, Disney will fail from time to time.

Spaceship Earth's Millennium Makeover

The addition of the number 2000 and the wand didn't thrill anyone! And here, Disney didn't err in trying something new, but in sticking with it for too long. Once the Millennium was over, the addition have been over, too.

But it didn't go away. It changed to EPCOT and a wand. And it stayed for years!

Disney fans will tolerate an adjustment to an icon short-term, but not long-term.

Birthday Cake Castle

Now, again, I thought this was an interesting idea. I can't imagine how much work it must have been to transform Cinderella Castle into a cake! But Disney fans hated it, and it still draws criticism today.

But Disney knew when to quit back then, and the Birthday Cake Castle only lasted a year.

Fans Freak as Attractions Tweaked

In the world of rides and attractions, Disney has tried new things with iconic favorites. Like adding Disney characters to It's a Small World. Putting the Tiki Room under New Management. And adding a funny queue alternative to The Haunted Mansion.

Disney fans freaked, or are freaking, about these changes.

But I think Disney is learning. And maybe listening to the fans. For the Tiki Room is rumored to be returning to the classic variation. And you can bypass the new queue area at the Haunted Mansion.

But in fear I must ask: What icon will be affected next?

Will Koda join The Country Bear Jamboree? Will we see Tom Hanks and Tim Allen animatronics along the shores of the Jungle Cruise?

Only time, and the Disney Marketing Department, will tell.

More: WHY DID DISNEY DO THAT?!?