Since I was one of those who fairly laid into Disneyland for not immediately bringing back Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln at the end of the 50th Anniversary celebration, I’m obligated to report that the park has finally brought the show back. I’ve not seen it myself, but many who have report that the attraction has been returned to its former glory (well, for the most part).
The chief complaint is that the new facial technology brings the audio-animatronic figure too close to the uncanny valley. This new form of hybrid figure has facial movements controlled via electronics and body movements controlled the old fashioned hydrolic way. Apparently Tony Baxter says that all AA’s will be hybrids going forward. Have you see it, let us know what you think in the comments below.
Today marks the 200th anniversary of Abe Lincoln’s birth, and sadly the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln attraction at Disneyland remains shuttered after ‘temporarily’ closing for Disneyland’s 50th celebration. If this disturbs you as much as it does me, please write to Disneyland Guest Relations and share your desire to see Honest Abe, an inspiration for Walt Disney and our current President, returned swiftly to his place of honor in the Opera House.
Those who have been paying attention, and there are a lot of us, know the “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” attraction has been missing in action since the Opera House closed down to retool for Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary. It was supposed to be ‘temporary’, but it’s been four years and counting since this tragedy was perpetrated on this very special attraction. And it’s time that we fans demand President Lincoln’s return to the scene.
The good news is that the suits at Disneyland might even listen to us. Not because our power as fans has suddenly changed, but because change has come to the power that runs our country. President Obama has expressed his admiration for Abraham Lincoln countless times in his speeches and writings. He used the Lincoln Bible during his swearing in ceremony just a few days ago. Additionally, Steven Speilberg is working on an Abe Lincoln movie with Liam Neeson in the title role. Disneyland might be looking to capitalize on this renewed focus on Lincoln.
It sounds like plans are in progress to do some work at the Opera House and finally remove the 50th Anniversary exhibits. Included in those plans will be a relocation of the ‘Disney Gallery’ store from the exit area of the Opera House into a newly expanded ‘Bank of Main Street’. That certainly makes some sense, since you need a bank loan to pay for some of those collectibles. But I will miss the authentic feel of having a bank right in Town Square.
Finally, 2009 marks the 200th Anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. If fans of the attraction wrote Disneyland saying they’re looking forward to a return of the nation’s 16th President to the Opera House and are planning on making a visit once that has happened, it might spur them into some faster action. Click below the cut for the address to send your letters and please remember that civil letters that let them know they’ll get more of your money if Lincoln is brought back work better than angry missives.
