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| A Polynesian-themed indoor waterpark, built under a glass dome. It was planned for Disneyland Paris.
|<ref>{{cite news|last=Heath|first=Thomas|title=In a blow to Prince George’s, Disney backs out of National Harbor|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/in-a-blow-to-prince-georges-disney-backs-out-of-national-harbor/2011/11/25/gIQAM2OKxN_story.html|accessdate=November 25, 2011|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=November 25, 2011}}</ref>
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==Theme park lands== ==Theme park lands==

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|-
| Lava Lagoon
| A Polynesian-themed indoor waterpark, built under a glass dome. It was planned for Disneyland Paris.
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Revision as of 15:37, 7 August 2014

This is a list of publicly known Disney attractions that were never built, that is, rides and shows of Disney parks that never reached the final building stage. Some of them were fully designed and not built. Others were concepts, sometimes with preliminary artwork. Many were developed as far as it could but funding was either reallocated, consolidated and optimized in the "best possible" return of investment. In other major projects, signs of reuse documentation was evident in some of the parks.

Theme parks

Name Description Reference
Disney's America A patriotic park to be located in Haymarket, Virginia.
DisneySea An indoor theme park designed to be a part of Port Disney.
Walt Disney's Riverfront Square An indoor theme park planned for St. Louis.
Disney's Arabia Disney's first theme park in the Middle East and a new indoor-theme park inspired by the 1992 Disney animated film Aladdin to be located in Dubailand in the UAE in the Middle East.
Disney Wharf at Sydney Harbour Disneyland in Sydney, Australia

Properties

Name Description Reference
National Harbor resort hotel a 500 room hotel to be located at the National Harbor, an attempt at a national convention and visitor area in Maryland. In May 2009, Disney had purchased 11 acres $11 million for the hotel. In November 2011, Disney canceled the project.

Resorts

Walt Disney World, Florida

Name Description Reference
Disney's Asian Resort A Thai themed to be located where Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is today.
Disney's Venetian Resort An Italian themed resort to be located between the Contemporary Resort and the Transportation and Ticket Center.
Disney's Persian Resort An Iranian themed resort to be located on Bay Lake north of the Contemporary Resort.
Disney's Mediterranean Resort A Greek themed resort to be located on the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Disneyland Resort, California

Name Description Reference
Disneyland Resort Hotel A luxurious, 800-room complex that was to be constructed in the style of San Diego's Hotel del Coronado. It was inspired by Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Walt Disney World.

Theme park lands

Disneyland

Name Development Years Description Reference
Lilliputian Land 1953–1955 A land that was to be located north of Tomorrowland east of Fantasyland. Everything would have been constructed on a greatly reduced scale.
Mythica Unknown A land inspired by Greek and Roman myths and legends.
Tomorrowland 2055 1993–1994 An update and makeover of Tomorrowland with a more Extraterrestrial theme, (2055 is the centennial of Disneyland). However after Disneyland Paris failed the project was abandond due to budget cuts.
"Big City USA" 1976–1984 A New York-themed area where Mickey's Toontown now sits; it was to have featured a big Broadway-style theater that presented live stage shows every day. This idea became the inspiration for the American Waterfront at Tokyo DisneySea.

Epcot World Showcase, Florida

Name Description Reference
Costa Rica Pavilion A Costa Rican-themed area.
Israel Pavilion Advertised on billboards when EPCOT opened, this would have recreated ancient Jerusalem with a courtyard stage and open-air restaurant. It remained unbuilt because of budget problems and security issues regarding the state of Israel.
Spain Pavilion Also advertised on billboards circa 1986, this pavilion would have featured a boat ride similar to Mexico, with a design blending elements of Barcelona and Madrid. Also planned were a film on Spain's history and a restaurant.
Switzerland Pavilion Planned primarily to bring a Matterhorn Bobsleds-style ride to Epcot.
United Arab Emirates Pavilion This pavilion would have paid tribute to the Middle East with a magic carpet ride attraction and a show focusing on how the Middle East paved the way for various ways of life and science.
Venezuela Pavilion This pavilion would have included a waterfall, a high-rise built into a cliff, and an aerial tram ride.

Disney's Animal Kingdom, Florida

Name Description Reference
Beastly Kingdom A "myths and legends"-themed land planned for Disney's Animal Kingdom. It was replaced by Camp Minnie-Mickey due to budget cuts. Much of the land designated for use by Beastly Kingdom will now be used for the forthcoming Avatar area.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Name Description Reference
Frontierland A Frontierland that would be similar to the Disneyland Paris version. This area would have featured the Haunted Mansion, a river raft ride, and an It's Tough to Be a Bug! 3D show.
Toon Town A much more advanced version than its sisters in the other Disney parks. This area would have featured a roller coaster, an animatronic show, character houses, and character meet-and-greets. It may have become the idea for Toon Studios at Walt Disney Studios Park.
Glacier Bay A land that was also planned at Tokyo DisneySea, would have had a winter/ice theme. Would have had an E-Ticket attraction along with a boat or dark ride. Was replaced by Toy Story Land.

Tokyo DisneySea

Name Description Reference
Glacier Bay An ice/winter themed land that was planned to go behind Lost River Delta and Arabian Coast. The path was supposed to lead to the land was to originate from where Jasmine's Flying Carpets currently are, and some space was left for a potential path to the land when the ride was built. A painting of the land is located in Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta.

Attractions

Disneyland

Name Description Reference
Atlantis Expedition A re-theming of the Submarine Voyage in Tomorrowland at Disneyland, in which guests would have been able to use a mechanical arm that extended out into the water from their submarine window to grab at gold coins & gems lining the sea floor. The box-office failure of the 2001 animated film Atlantis: The Lost Empire caused this planned revamp to be scrapped.
Candy Mountain An addition to the Casey Jr. Train Ride in Fantasyland, it was supposed to be a mountain, that looked like it was made out of rock candy (and other various types of candy, such as licorice, lollipops, and candy canes), with a glossy, translucent appearance. The planned Rainbow Road To Oz attraction, was supposed to go underneath the mountain, and the ride would be inside it. It was cancelled due to Walt Disney being concerned about how they would be able to maintain and clean the mountain "because of all the smog" that came from around Anaheim, California.
Geyser Mountain A Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror-style ride to be built in Frontierland. Guests riding in a huge drilling machine would be caught in a massive geyser and thrown into the air.
Herbie The Love Bug Ride An attraction conceived in 1976, to be placed in Fantasyland, it would take guests through scenes from the first two Herbie the Love Bug movies, The Love Bug and Herbie Rides Again,(in mini Herbies) such as Herbie driving up the Golden Gate Bridge, or the famous scene where Herbie skips across water. At the end of the ride, the mini Herbie ride vehicle would split in half (like in the movie). It was cancelled for unknown reasons.
Fireworks Factory An interactive shooter ride designed for Discovery Bay, housed inside a fireworks factory, where guests would shoot at skyrockets, pinwheels and other fireworks. A much smaller version was placed in Mickey's Toontown.
The Enchanted Snow Palace A dark ride that was planned for Fantasyland at Disneyland. Marc Davis was instrumental in its design. It was designed as a boat ride on a river of melting ice, past naturalistic scenes of Arctic wildlife, beneath a display of the Northern Lights, and into the realm of the Snow Queen, a fantastical land populated by frost fairies and snow giants. Although eventually scrapped, extensive concept art still exists for this attraction.
Lightkeepers A nighttime pageant that was planned for "Tomorrowland 2055". The show would have been about an entire race of god-like alien creatures that created light. They were alleged to come from a far-off mythical galaxy, where light was the source of everything. Created as a possible Main Street Electrical Parade replacement, the idea eventually inspired the short-lived Light Magic nighttime parade.
Indiana Jones and the Lost Expedition A huge complex designed to house the Indiana Jones Adventure as well as a mine cart roller coaster and part of the Jungle Cruise, with the Disneyland Railroad travelling through the middle.
Duck Bumps A bumper boat ride planned for Fantasyland, to be built against International Street alongside the lagoon.
The Museum of the Weird A planned attraction that featured many strange things, such as a chair that sat up and talked. It was cancelled because it was so strange and creepy, and it kept Walt Disney from being able to sleep one night. The planned attraction, and many of its designs were taken and incorporated into the popular attraction The Haunted Mansion. Some concepts such as the clock that had only one time on it, (being 13:00) were incorporated into The Haunted Mansion instead.
The Old Ferris Mill A ferris wheel ride next to Duck Bumps which would take guests twirling around on a windmill. The concept might have been based on the 1937 Silly Symphonies cartoon The Old Mill.
Dumbo's Circusland A sub-area of Fantasyland where Dumbo the Flying Elephant and the Casey Jr. Circus Train would have been relocated. The idea eventually inspired the Storybook Circus subarea of the Fantasyland expansion at the Magic Kingdom.
Circus Hot Air Balloons Would have bordered Discovery Bay and Dumbo's Circusland.
Dumbo's Circus A nutty adventure underneath the big top with Dumbo leading the way.
Mickey's Madhouse A funhouse adventure featuring clowns and such.
The Great Movie Ride A clone was planned for Hollywood Pictures Backlot.
Dick Tracy's Crime Stoppers A dark ride planned for Hollywoodland.
Toontown Trolley A motion simulator that was to be a tour of Toontown with Roger Rabbit.
Baby Herman's Runaway Baby Buggy A dark ride for Hollywoodland.
Rainbow Road to Oz A ride based on the classic Oz books for Fantasyland.
Space Voyage Because of the Success Matterhorn Bobsleds, Walt Disney wanted to make another roller coaster with four separate tracks, but due to Space limitations, the idea was scrapped.

Disney California Adventure

Name Description Reference
Rock 'N' Roller Coaster starring No Doubt An indoor roller coaster ride featuring music from the Anaheim-based rock band No Doubt.
Grizzly Railroad A railroad train which would have taken passengers on scenic trip around Grizzly Peak.
Paradise Pier Water Flume A "Chute-the-Chutes"-style boat ride that would have ended with a splash into Paradise Bay.
Green Army Men Parachute Drop A Parachute drop attraction themed to the Green Army Men from the film "Toy Story", Which would have replaced the former Maliboomer space-shot attraction.
The Walt Disney Story A film presentation & exhibit about Walt Disney coming to California which was to be housed inside the current Cathay Circle Theater building. The attraction was cancelled when it was decided that more film based attractions were not needed for the park, and the space would better serve as a restaurant to increase revenues.
Monster Inc. Rollercoaster An indoor rollercoaster attraction themed to doors from the film "Monsters Inc.". The attraction would have occupied the locations of where Stage 17 & "Muppet*Vision 3D" currently stand.
Mickey's Philharmagic A clone of the popular 3D film attraction from Walt Disney World. It would have replaced the current "Muppet*Vision 3D" attraction. The attraction was canceled when it was deemed that the entire Muppet*Vission theater would have had to be rebuilt in order to incorporate a screen wide enough to properly present the film in its intended size.
Toy Story The Musical A new production of the same stage show borrowed from the Disney Cruise Line. The show would have replaced "Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular" inside the Hyperion Theater.

Walt Disney World

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Name Description Reference
Dragon Tower A dragon-themed roller coaster planned for Beastly Kingdom. Laid-off Imagineers took the idea to Universal, where it became Dueling Dragons.
Quest for the Unicorn A hedge maze planned for Beastly Kingdom.
Fantasia Gardens A boat ride designed for Beastly Kingdom featuring the mythical animals in Fantasia. The current Fantasia Gardens is a miniature golf course located near the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resorts.
Enhanced DINOSAUR DINOSAUR was originally planned to have Ankylosaurus-shaped vehicles that would have traveled through prehistoric swamps and jungles. Additional scenes would feature feasting Tyrannosaurs, volcanic eruptions, high speeds, deinonychus attacks, and more.
Tarzan Rainforest Roller Coaster A Tarzan-themed inverted coaster that would be informative about the rainforest and all plants and animals that inhabit it that would go in Africa.
The Excavator A wooden runaway mine car roller coaster through an abandoned dinosaur dig, planned for Dinoland USA, but due to Budget cuts, it was replaced by Primeval Whirl.
Dinorama Meteor Dark Ride A dark ride regarded as a junior version of DINOSAUR, planned for Dinorama.
The Tree of Life Carousel Instead of The Tree of Life, this double-decker carousel would have been the park's iconic symbol. Guests would ride on a Dumbo-like ride on vehicles based on animals from around the world.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Name Description Reference
Dick Tracy's Crime Stoppers A ride based on the 1990 film Dick Tracy.
Baby Herman's Runaway Baby Buggy A Fantasyland-style dark ride based on Baby Herman, a character from Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
Toontown Trolley A madcap adventure that would have flight simulators surrounded by animated screens to take guests on a "hare-raising" trolley ride through a zany cartoon world with Roger Rabbit at the helm.
The Great Muppet Movie Ride A "misguided" tour through movie history, given Muppet-style. The ride could be part of a planned Disney's The Muppets themed area called Muppet Studios, along with Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3D.
The Chinese Theater's Great Disney Movie Villain Ride A 3D adventure where visitors would have been menaced by three-dimensional recreations of Disney's most famous fiends before the forces of good finally came to their rescue. The ride was planned for Disney-MGM Studios and would have replaced The Great Movie Ride at Walt Disney World.
Benny the Cab Ride Guests would go on an adventure with Benny the Cab from Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

Epcot

Name Description Reference
Simulated Bullet Train Ride A unique variation on Disney's CircleVision 360 show. Guests would have found themselves standing aboard a vibrating recreation of the passenger compartment of a Japanese bullet train. Looking out through the oversized faux windows in this passenger car, they would have been treated to a high-speed travelogue as some of Japan's most beautiful scenery whizzed by the windows. The attraction was planned for the Japan Pavilion at Epcot.
Godzilla Bullet Train Ride Similar to both the Mt. Fuji and Bullet Train ideas, in this case having the bullet train run afoul of Godzilla in Tokyo Bay, followed by a race to safety. This ride would be planned for the Japan Pavilion at Epcot.
Rhine River Cruise A cruise down Germany's most famous rivers, including the Rhine, the Tauber, the Ruhr and the Isar. Detailed miniatures of famous landmarks would also be seen, including one of the Cologne Cathedral. The ride entrance and the building that would have housed it are still visible at the Germany pavilion.
Time Racers A high-tech thrill ride about fast-forwarding through history that was to replace Spaceship Earth.
Jr. Autopia The Disneyland attraction would be added next to the new Test Track for a new Transportation pavilion. The concept emerged in response to Test Track's high rider height requirements.
Thames River Ride Designed as part of the UK pavilion, this full-scale water ride would visit key London landmarks. Concept art from 1986 shows the Tower of London, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament.
WEDway PeopleMover When the Communicore (now Innoventions East and West) buildings were built, they were designed with a second level and very high ceilings. This was because a peoplemover system was destined to be installed on the second level.

Magic Kingdom

Name Description Reference
Western River Expedition A Pirates of the Caribbean-style ride through the Wild West. This was first proposed for Walt Disney's Riverfront Square. The land proposed for the ride is now used by Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Nostromo The genesis of ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter. Originally based on the film Alien and slated to star the film's titular creature, the idea was scrapped because the source-material, a rated-R horror film, was deemed too frightening for the Magic Kingdom. There is an Alien scene in The Great Movie Ride.

Disneyland Paris

Name Description Reference
The Undersea Voyage of the Little Mermaid A Little Mermaid-themed dark ride, due to open on the hillside facing Pizzeria Bella Notte, so that it would fit the "Mediterranean" look of this part of Fantasyland. However, since Disney California Adventure Park and Magic Kingdom have built this ride, it may open in the European Resort in the future.
Matterhorn Bobsleds An updated replica of the popular ride from Disneyland which would have been placed behind Fantasyland Station. A still existing tunnel was created below the station so that the ride could have been accessible from both the Toad Hall area and from Le Pays des Contes de Fées.
Indiana Jones Adventure Since 1995, the large "Jungle Exploration" space behind Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril has been reserved for an attraction of the size of Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. It is unknown if it may become reality or whether the space is entirely for that attraction.
Splash Mountain Since Splash Mountain and Disneyland Paris were built at the same time, the ride was not part of the original design. However, Imagineers intended to have it built in the Cottonwood Creek area of Frontierland in the following years. They designed Frontierland Depot so that the station can be easily removed and relocated elsewhere. They decided against it due to cold weather in Paris and for budgetary reasons.
Geyser Mountain A free-fall ride envisioned for Frontierland, possibly located in the Cottonwood Creek area. Designed as a mining facility in the middle of a geyser field, it would have taken guests to subterranean caves filled with golden ore, until they reached the heart of an active geyser known as the Old Unfaithful. The adventure would have come to a climax with the geyser erupting.
Lava Lagoon A Polynesian-themed indoor waterpark, built under a glass dome. It was planned for Disneyland Paris.

|}

Tokyo DisneySea

Name Description Reference
The Jungle Book Adventure Audio-Animatronics Show A Jungle Book-themed show that would have been situated next to the Indiana Jones attraction.
The Undersea Voyage of the Little Mermaid When it remained unbuilt at Disneyland Paris, Imagineers redesigned the attraction for Hong Kong and Tokyo DisneySea. A variant of it is currently operating Paradise Pier at Disney's California Adventure and in the New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. A variant would be built in the "Mermaid Lagoon" section of Tokyo DisneySea.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Name Description Reference
Peter Pan's Flight A dark ride that would have been placed in Fantasyland. It would have been similar to the Magic Kingdom one.
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure An attraction that was mentioned in the project fact sheet in 1999. A variant of it is currently operating Paradise Pier at Disney's California Adventure and in the New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom.
Raging Spirits A speedy roller coaster that would whisk guests through a very dark jungle. This ride would have been placed in Adventureland. The ride would have shared its name with a ride at Tokyo DisneySea.
The Boneyard The popular Animal Kingdom attraction would have been recreated in Adventureland.
Grizzly River Run-style river raft ride A version of the California Adventure river raft ride was originally planned as an opening day thrill. It is unknown if the design of the mountain would have changed.
Pirates of the Caribbean A Splash Mountain-style water ride that would have been placed in Pirate Coast. Redesigned for Shanghai Disneyland.
Toy Story Mania! A 4D ride that would have been placed in Toy Story Land.

Restaurants

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Name Description Reference
Copperfield Magic Underground Based around David Copperfield, the famous stage magician. It was also considered for Downtown Disney.
Gonzo's Pandemonium Pizza Parlor Muppet-themed restaurant; the Great Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat's version of a pizza parlor.

Disneyland Paris

Name Description Reference
Nautilus Restaurant An undersea restaurant designed for the Nautilus walkthrough inside Discovery Mountain.

References

  1. Michael Eisner. Work in Progress. ISBN 0-7868-8507-6.
  2. Brian Burnes; Dan Viets; Robert W. Butler (June 2002). Walt Disney's Missouri: The Roots of a Creative Genius. Kansas City Star Books. ISBN 978-0-9717080-6-8. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  3. Heath, Thomas (November 25, 2011). "In a blow to Prince George's, Disney backs out of National Harbor". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
  4. "Disney's Asian Resort". WDWHistory.com. Retrieved August 4, 2006.
  5. "Disney's Venetian Resort". WDWHistory.com. Retrieved August 4, 2006.
  6. "Disney's Persian Resort". WDWHistory.com. Retrieved August 21, 2006.
  7. "Disney's Mediterranean Resort". WDWHistory.com. Retrieved August 4, 2006.
  8. "Disney to Build Del Coronado-Inspired Hotel at Anaheim Resort". Retrieved 2007-03-05.
  9. "Disneyland and Europe: Walt Disney's First Magic Kingdom".
  10. "Mickey News: What Might Have Been".
  11. "Answer.com: Tony Baxter".
  12. "Jim Hill Media: Another Kingdom That Never Came".
  13. ^ "The Neverland Files: Epcot".
  14. "A Visit to EPCOT Center 1979".
  15. "Jerusalem Post on Encyclopedia.com: Israel at Epcot".
  16. "Jim Hill Media: Monday Mouse Watch".
  17. "Walt Dated World: Ecopt: World Showcase".
  18. ^ "Jim Hill: Unrealized Epcot".
  19. "Hong Kong Disneyland That Never Was".
  20. "Disney and More: Hong Kong Disneyland: Coaster to Rescue".
  21. "Geyser Mountain". The Neverland Files.
  22. "Why For?". Jim Hill Media.
  23. "Discovery Bay". The Neverland Files.
  24. Shaun Finnie (2006). The Disneylands That Never Were. pp. 72–73. Retrieved 2012-12-20.
  25. "Disneyland in a New Light". LA Times.
  26. "Indiana Jones and the Lost Expedition ... Found!". Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  27. Strodder, Chris. The Disneyland Encyclopedia: The Unofficial, Unauthorized, and Unprecedented History of Every Land, Attraction, Restaurant, Shop, and Major Event in the Original Magic Kingdom. Santa Monica Press. ISBN 1595800689.
  28. ^ "Dumbo Circus Land". The Neverland Files.
  29. Kurtti, Jeff and Bruce Gordon: The Art of Walt Disney World Resort, p.20. Disney Editions, 2009.
  30. "Widen Your World – Thunder Mesa".
  31. "Copperfield's Magic Underground".
  32. "You will believe that a Pig can fly. (Frogs too!)".

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