The greatest tournament for Disney Parks fans is back. Although this year it was potentially going to get cut. Maybe I’ll tell you the story of how we saved the tournament another day. Sorry, for the long delay. We wanted this to be really wonderful. It took time and planning to execute some brand new logos, and conceiving new teams. Although Extinct Magic Madness usually takes place in April we moved it back to mid-June. It’s still the same fun and interactive tournament, and we hope you fill out your brackets!
This year we took it up a notch. We got a new official logo for the tournament. Which was designed by Boardwalk Times designer Steven Harris. Plus all the teams old and new have received updated logos. Some of these might be t-shirt worthy…
Designs were done by Kristen Gruber along with Nathan Houtz.
Captain EO’s Crew
Captain EO’s Crew is a third year Extinct Magic Madness team.Captain EO was a 3D science fiction film starring Michael Jackson at Epcot. Since its closing in 2015, the attraction has gained a cult following. It will be interesting to see if the team can finally get it done in Extinct Magic Madness.
Paradise Rockers
This team acts as a salute to both Paradise Pier and the now defunct coaster of California Screamin’. It is a first year team in Extinct Magic Madness. California Screamin’ was a roller coaster in Paradise Pier. The themed land paid tribute to classic American amusement parks pre-Disneyland.
World of Motion Chaircars
This team was actually slated to be in the first ever Extinct Magic Madness but plans changed. Now World of Motion fans have something to cheer about. World of Motion is regarded as a classic attraction of EPCOT Center before it was replaced with Test Track.
Disney Quest Gamers
Another new team for this years Extinct Magic Madness. Everyone’s favorite arcade indoor theme park is now represented in the extinct tournament. Disney Quest opened in 1998. It was closed in 2017 although the building and the attraction itself was stuck in the nineties.
Hollywood Icons
The second year team represents the fallen icons of Disney’s MGM/Hollywood Studios. Both the Sorcerer’s Hat and Earful Tower have perished. Could this two for the price of one team actually pull it off in Extinct Magic Madness?
United Galactic Federation
Well let’s be real Stitch’s Great Escape is basically extinct. So that’s why the United Galactic Federation earned a bid into this year’s tournament. Stitch’s Great Escape is an attraction that has been dividing hardcore Disney fans opinions for years. The long standing Tomorrowland attraction is on its way out but will it succeed in Extinct Magic Madness.
Innoventioners
Innovention West is now closed, and Innovention East is on its final legs. Before we officially give the East our favorite E word. It is safe to say the Innoventioners will honor Innovention West in Extinct Magic Madness. Innovention West is now the Epcot Character Spot for the most part.
Streets of America Fighting Lights
This second year team is back. Streets of America Fighting Lights obviously represents Streets of America and the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights. If you are nostalgic towards Disney Hollywood Studios this is the team for you.
California Hang Gliders
This Extinct Magic Madness team honors Soarin’ Over California. Soarin’ is still around but it is now Soarin’ Around the World. Fans of the original will likely pick this team for victory. How will this attraction do against other formidable extinct opponents?
Toontown Farmers
This returning Extinct Magic Madness team is looking to finally win the big one. The highly interactive tournament will let us know if fans still care about Walt Disney World’s Toontown? Could the Farmers go all the way? Toontown at WDW lasted from 1988 to 2011. Then New Fantasyland took over the occupying space.
Great Movie Riders
Ah, yes this one is painful. The Great Movie Ride shuttered in 2017. The beloved attraction is now eligible for the tournament. The original opening day attraction will be a tough challenger in this year’s tournament.
La Nouba Legends
La Nouba is an interesting choice for Extinct Magic Madness. If you are a fan of Downtown Disney or Disney Springs this team will be for you. The Cirque du Soleil show lasted from 1998 to 2017. It was a highly promoted show throughout Walt Disney World Resort.
Lights, Motor, Action! Explosions
Lights, Motor, Action! Stunt Show Spectacular was a long time stunt show at Streets of America inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The show featured incredible stunt performers providing insane entertainment by performing daring acts. The stunt show was replaced for the upcoming Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This is a second year Extinct Magic Madness team.
Nemo’s Explorers
The third year Extinct Magic Madness team will try to win it all. Nemo’s Explorers is a tribute to 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: The Submarine Voyage. The former Walt Disney World attraction shuttered in 1994. The film the attraction was based on and Captain Nemo has a cult like following.
Jiminy Cricket’s Wishes
Another new team for this year’s tournament. Based on the former firework show that use to dazzle guests at the Magic Kingdom. The show debuted in 2003 and ended in 2017. The firework show was replaced by Happily Ever After. Wishes was a firework show hosted by Jiminy Cricket and the Blue Fairy. The show revolved around Disney characters and their wishes.
Ellen’s Energy Dinos
This new team is based off of the Universe of Energy. Ellen’s Energy Adventure was hosted by Billy Nye and Ellen DeGeneres. The attraction featured large format film and a slow moving dark ride through animatronic sets. The attraction lasted from 1996 to 2017. The attraction will be replaced by Guardians of the Galaxy.
Well that’s it for all the teams in Extinct Magic Madness. Now this is where you can get the bracket.
[EMBED PLACEHOLDER – MANUAL REVIEW REQUIRED]
The tournament’s first matchup is going to be Wednesday, June 20th. The rules are fill in your bracket, take a photo, and tweet it with #ExtinctMagicMadness before noon EST on June 20th.
The official voting will be @WaltsFrzenHead on Twitter. I encourage you to tag in both @TripleZ_87 and @WaltsFrzenHead when you send in your final bracket.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
