Brief Summary
This video explores the history and legacy of Stitch's Great Escape, a Disney World attraction that replaced the Alien Encounter. It covers the ride's rapid development, mixed reception, and eventual closure, highlighting the challenges faced by Imagineers and the strong negative reactions from park goers. The video also touches on the attraction's unique opening ceremony and the various changes made during its operation.
- The attraction replaced Alien Encounter due to its intensity.
- It faced a rushed development and budget constraints.
- The ride was almost universally disliked by park goers.
- It operated seasonally before closing permanently in 2018.
Introduction
The video begins with a discussion about creating a video on a classic Disney attraction, leading to the selection of Stitch's Great Escape. The narrator expresses a personal fondness for the ride and the character of Stitch, setting the stage for an exploration of the attraction's history and the controversy surrounding it.
The Rise of Stitch
The video discusses the success of the 2002 film "Lilo & Stitch," which resonated with audiences due to its mature themes and relatable characters. The film's box-office success and merchandising potential quickly led to discussions about incorporating the franchise into Disney's theme parks. In November 2002, rumors surfaced that Stitch would replace the Magic Kingdom's Alien Encounter, an attraction deemed too intense for younger children. Disney officially announced the replacement on October 10, 2003, and Alien Encounter closed two days later.
Construction and Opening
Disney moved forward with the Stitch's Great Escape concept, facing challenges such as tight deadlines and budget constraints. Imagineers had less than a year to complete the attraction and had to repurpose assets from Alien Encounter. The attraction missed its initial summer 2004 opening date. On October 12, 2004, pass holders were invited to exclusive previews before the public opening on November 16. The grand opening featured a unique event where the castle was covered in toilet paper and graffiti, with Cobra Bubbles warning guests about Stitch being on the loose. Stitch crashed the ceremony with Elvis impersonators before being "captured."
The Ride Experience
Upon entering the show building, guests received a briefing as Galactic Federation guards. The pre-show repurposed elements from Alien Encounter, featuring a robot animatronic and teleportation tubes. The narrative introduced Sergeant E-470 three bk-27 0 4 - 9 o - 100, who explained the prisoner levels. Skippy, incarcerated for jaywalking, was introduced. Gantu warned of an incoming level 3 prisoner, Stitch. The main show featured a 39-inch tall Stitch animatronic and plasma cannons. Stitch spat on the audience, causing the cannons to misfire and plunge the theater into darkness. Guests experienced effects like feeling Stitch jumping on their shoulders and smelling a chili dog belch.
Reception and Changes
The ride was poorly received, with complaints about the obnoxious chili cheeseburger smell, the reuse of Alien Encounter's set pieces, uncomfortable restraints, and a weak plot. The Orlando Sentinel criticized the ride harshly. Disney made minor changes in March 2005, adding dialogue during the darkness and altering the ending to show Stitch landing on Cinderella's castle.
Closure and Legacy
Stitch's Great Escape remained unpopular and poorly maintained. By 2010, the ride frequently broke down. On October 2, 2016, it became a seasonal operation, and on January 6, 2018, it closed permanently. By October 2018, the attraction was completely dismantled. As of 2019, a Stitch meet-and-greet occupies the pre-show area. The future of the show building remains unclear.
