Disney World Theme Park in Orlando, Florida, has always been synonymous with magic and imagination. Among its many iconic attractions, one experience stood out for pushing boundaries and perhaps being too intense for its younger audience. It was a ride so scary, that they re-themed it to make it more family friendly.
Delving into the realm of science fiction, this innovative attraction took visitors on an otherworldly adventure, leaving a lasting impression on those brave enough to face the unknown. Let’s revisit a legend of the Magic Kingdom, and discuss the captivating history of Alien Encounter and its impact on Disney World visitors.
Before the Scares:
Long before the birth of Alien Encounter, "Mission to Mars" was an attraction that debuted in Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, in 1975. It was also later replicated in the Magic Kingdom. The original "Mission to Mars" attraction was an immersive experience that simulated a journey to the Red Planet.
Guests would board a spacecraft and embark on a simulated space voyage, complete with special effects, sound, and motion. The attraction aimed to provide visitors with a glimpse of what a future mission to Mars might be like, capturing the excitement and wonder of space exploration. Over time, the popularity and interest in space exploration changed, and the attraction underwent some modifications and adjustments before experiencing a complete overhaul.
The Birth of Alien Encounter:
Alien Encounter opened its doors in the Magic Kingdom park on June 20, 1995 (Three years after Disneyland opened its own version.) Designed as a replacement for the previous attraction, "Flight to the Moon," Alien Encounter aimed to provide an entirely different level of excitement and suspense. The attraction was created by Walt Disney Imagineering, in collaboration with renowned filmmaker George Lucas, known for his imaginative storytelling in the Star Wars franchise.
The original concept was an attraction called “Nostromo” based upon the Alien franchise. Disney at the time had a partnership with MGM Studios, but the concept was too scary. To soften the experience Disney enlisted the help of Star Wars creator George Lucas, who changed the storyline based around a new corporation X-S. Ultimately that storyline survived and made it into the ride. Don’t lament the lost use of the Xenomorph in Alien Encounter, it found a home in the Great Movie Ride for decades, conjuring up scares in its own way.
Upon entering the attraction, guests found themselves in the futuristic setting of the fictional company, "X-S Tech," at their research facility on the planet of X-S. As part of a demonstration, visitors were invited to witness the company's newest creation, a teleportation device known as "TransWarp." However, as expected, things didn't go as planned.
Guests were seated in a circular theater built around a clear teleportation tube. The demonstration of Transwarp tech was designed to bring the alien to the audience rather than teleporting the entire audience to the meet the alien “Clench.” As the demonstration begins, the teleportation gets intercepted and we learn that the wrong alien has been sent to Earth.
As the demonstration commenced, a mischievous alien creature, known as "S.I.R.," managed to escape from its containment chamber. Chaos ensued, with darkness, flashing lights, and eerie sounds creating an intense atmosphere.
Guests could feel the breath of the alien on the back of their necks, and even experience simulated touch and movement to enhance the realism of the encounter. Although the alien never became visible, the sensations and special effects made it an unforgettable experience for visitors.
Without every physically seeing the alien manifest for the duration of the experience, Disney played upon the imagination and sensory experience of the audience to deliver a hyper realistic encounter, one that left younger park goers forever scarred by their fiction close encounter. The attraction delivered scares for eight years until was changed and ultimately set on the path towards extinction.
In 1998, Alien Encounter underwent many changes. In oder to make it more family-friendly, the attraction was renamed "Stitch's Great Escape!" and featured the mischievous character from Disney's animated film "Lilo & Stitch." While the storyline and effects were altered, the core elements of suspense and surprise remained intact.
Closure and Legacy:
For diehard fans of Alien Encounter, Stitches Great Escape was an insufficient re-theme of a once truly scary ride. For others, Stitches Great Escape still did not go far enough at removing the fear factor from the ride. As a result, Stitch's Great Escape! faced a turbulent journey, pleasing neither devotees or casual park goers and so the attraction eventually closed its doors on January 6, 2018, leaving behind memories of both excitement and apprehension for those who experienced it.
Alien Encounter ultimately pushed the boundaries of what a theme park attraction could offer, showcasing Disney's commitment to innovation and immersive storytelling. Alien Encounter's intense and suspenseful nature set it apart from the typical Disney experience, and while it may have divided opinions, it undoubtedly left guests with an unforgettable adventure that ventured into the unknown.
Perhaps the most important lesson learned from all of this was that location matters. Could Alien Encounter have survived if placed in another park? Perhaps Disney Parks greatest err was to place this ride in the Magic Kingdom. Sure the Haunted Mansion stirs up thrills, but not the hardcore scares we experienced from Alien Encounter. Imagine the longevity if this ride had been more appropriately placed in Hollywood Studios. Imagine the possibilities of a revival in a theater like Voyage of the Little Mermaid? One can dream.
Alien Encounter at Disney World's Magic Kingdom stands as a testament to Disney's creativity and willingness to take risks. From its inception as a thrilling extraterrestrial encounter to its transformation into a family-friendly experience, this attraction embodied the spirit of adventure and imagination that defines Disney World. While Alien Encounter may no longer exist, its impact continues to resonate with those who dared to explore the unknown, making it a cherished part of Disney history.
