[Belle's Momma]

Anyone have any info on what is set to replace AE? DH was looking forward to it on our upcoming trip.:( :cry: :madmad

[CowboyMickey]

Just the rumours, which I think are still unconfirmed, that it will be reborn still as Alien Encounter, but with a very heavy Lilo and Stitch theme to it, so probably expect more laughs and less scares...:nervous

CM

[LRTJS]

It hasn't closed yet has it? I have seen it but DH has not. Has anyone heard anything official about a closing or is it all rumor at this point? :hmmm

[Belle's Momma]

I don't think it is just a rumor anymore. Deb's site has it posted as closing Oct 12th and not reopening until next fall. They must be planning to totally gut the place.

[LRTJS]

Well, if Deb says it I believe it. I am glad that it will still be open for our trip. It is not my favorite but I am relieved that DH will be able to experience it and I will one last time. It is always sad when there are changes like this. But I think a Stitch theme will be better for kids.

[Park Hopper]

Oct. 12 is the closing date for Alien Encounter. Rumor has it that the Stitch re-theming renovations won't be completed until 10 months later, August 2004.

[alexa1466]

Wow, this wasn't good to news to hear for me. I love Alien Encounter! Its nice to have a variety of rides including some that are geared for the older crowd, and Alien Encounter was one of them. I wish this was a rumor.

[spike]

Looks like Oct. 11th is the official closing data.

Article from the Orlando Sentinel .

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There's a new alien in town at Disney
Published September 21, 2003


Going once, going twice . . . The Alien Encounter attraction at the Magic Kingdom, the show that Michael Eisner himself once shut down because it was too tame, will close for good Oct. 11.

To take its place, Disney is creating an attraction based on Stitch, the outer-space creature from the Lilo & Stitch animated movie. The new show opens next fall -- in plenty of time for Disney to take advantage of the huge popularity of the '02 movie, which has spawned a sequel and TV show.

For the record, Disney honchos will not confirm the Stitch stuff -- but insiders say there is no doubt that a show based on the tiny alien warrior is in the works. And here's a neat fact: The show will be the first Disney attraction based on a production done in Orlando, where animators worked on Lilo & Stitch.

As for Alien Encounter, Disney junkies may remember that it encountered some early turbulence. The show takes place in a darkened theater where an alien supposedly has gotten loose, and was opened in 1995 as part of a makeover of Tomorrowland.

But A.E. got the thumbs down from Eisner, who sat through an early showing and ordered creators to make it more intense.

They dutifully did as the Big Guy said. And, interestingly, Alien Encounter has always gotten complaints that it is too scary for some of Disney's pint-size fans.
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[dznygrl]

Well, now I wish I hadn't skipped AE on my trip, so I could've tried it one last time!!

But oh well...every time I decided to give it "one more try," I always ended up hating it more. Guess I'm not too sad to see it go! I really hope they do something Lilo & Stitch--that's my boyfriend's fave movie.

[mickaholic4077]

Kimberly---glad to see you're back!!!! I hope you had a great time at WDW. I'm not too sad that AE is closing. I went on it the last time that I was at MK,and it was okay.