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Credit: Scott Gustin on X Disneyland has been drawing some backlash lately from fans upset at the announcement of yet another closure in the parks.
The Disney parks have faced a lot of criticism this year due to what feels like nonstop announcements about upcoming closures and changes to the parks. Earlier this year, Splash Mountain at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland closed to make way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, an attraction based on the 2009 film The Princess and the Frog. Splash Mountain fans were furious at the announcement and it’s caused several discussions about the way that the parks operate and handle new attractions.
The past year led to people wondering if the Disney parks had any intention of adding a third park in the case of Disneyland Resort or a fifth park at Walt Disney World, especially considering that Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe will be opening in 2025. Over the course of the year, it’s become clear that Disney does not have any major plan to compete with Universal’s newest park and it’s raising concerns about the future of Disney.
Yesterday, we covered that another area of the Disneyland Resort in California was quietly closed, sparking even more debate online about what is going on behind the scenes at Disney. Located in Disney California Adventure, Beast’s Library was themed after the tale as old as time itself, Beauty and the Beast, and has long been considered a “hidden gem” at the park. The library was not only a way for guests to escape some of the California heat but was also an interactive area for guests to watch their favorite characters come to life.
It was announced that the area would be closing to make way for an expansion of Disney’s Imagination Campus, which was being moved from its position at Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar in order to be replaced by an all-new DVC Welcome Home Center. For those that don’t know, the DVC is the Disney Vacation Club, Disney’s version of a timeshare-type membership. The DVC allows members to utilize special locations throughout the parks and gives them discounts on merchandise and other experiences.
The news of this library closing was shared by various accounts on Twitter (formally known as X), Reddit, and TikTok, and all from the responses, we can see that this is a highly controversial and disappointing move by the company. “I’m trying to think of a better location for a DVC lounge in DCA – the one at Disneyland is already terrible. Couldn’t they stick it in Hollywood with all the currently wasted space?” asked Reddit user u/epotosi.
“I don’t think this means a DVC member lounge. It says Welcome Home Center which I’m guessing will be a sale center mostly,” guessed u/Top_Necessary2710, to which u/epotosi replied, “That’s worse. There is a cart there already and an entire space at the GCH.” “Ugh. I’m getting tired of the normal guest experience being so heavily downgraded by DVC too,” agreed u/rolfraikou, “Don’t get me wrong, I get DVC getting an upgraded experience, but now it feels like they’re taking two good things away from the general park goers to benefit just DVC.”
“Maybe it’s because I’m not a DVC member, but absolutely none of the announced changes to the parks as a direct result of some added benefit to DVC has been good, what so ever. Utilizing the Innoventions building as a DVC lounge is such a waste of space when that entire area should be re-hauled into some big ticket attraction for all guests to enjoy. And now we’re losing the library just so DVC can move into the Blue Cellar? This is all just pandering to a wealthier subset of clients while detracting from the park experience for the other 99% of guests,” complained u/forlorn_hope28.
Emotions are running high on Twitter as well. Some were truly upset by the news. “Brb chaining myself to the Beast’s Library,” said @lavenderfiggly. “Why is life even worth living at this point,” asked @raetheforce. “IM GOING TO KILL MYSELF WHAT,” posted @TolkienToast. However, some put more blame on the Walt Disney Company and the park. “I don’t ever want to go to @Disneyland ever again. I am sick and tired of you people making awful decisions with your California parks. I’m 100% done,” cried @LittleManfish3.
Clearly, despite being a smaller and lesser known attraction, its popularity with Disneyland fans is strong. Many of the sentiments echoed complaints about a unique area being gutted for what is expected to be a DVC sales center when so much of the park is already empty or less used. Especially with Universal adding a brand new park to Orlando and bringing new parks and experiences to Texas and Las Vegas, proving it’s intention to expand across the country. Disney has no major rebuttal other than to close beloved attractions like Beast’s Library.
It’s been one heck of a hard year for Disney and Disney fans alike. We can only hope 2024 is kinder to us and brings us less closure announcements.
What do you think of this unique gem being closed for good? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.