In 1995, Disney introduced a televised special titled “Alien Encounters from New Tomorrowland,” promoting the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter attraction at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and hosted by Michael Eisner and Robert Urich, the special explored UFO sightings and extraterrestrial stories, leading up to a preview of Tomorrowland’s newest thrill ride.
Michael Eisner’s Dramatic Introduction
The special opens with Michael Eisner at a supposed remote military installation, teasing rumors of hidden alien spacecraft remains. Eisner suggests that alien encounters may be closer than some believe. He then invites viewers to the New Tomorrowland Convention Center, where X-S Tech, an alien corporation, demonstrates the latest extraterrestrial technology for human audiences.
Behind the Attraction: ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter
Originally opening on December 16, 1994, the attraction closed shortly after due to its intensity. Many considered it too frightening for younger children. After retooling for a less intense experience, it reopened in June 1995. The show featured a binaural sound system, creating an immersive audio experience. The storyline, produced in collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering and Lucasfilm, positioned guests as participants in a teleportation experiment that goes terribly wrong.
The Attraction’s Legacy and Closure
While some Disney fans embraced its darker tone, the attraction closed permanently on October 12, 2003, making way for Stitch’s Great Escape! Despite its short lifespan, the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter remains iconic for pushing Disney’s boundaries into suspenseful storytelling and science fiction thrills.
