Disney reaches retro’s limit, folds classic-tunes CD burner
Tucked away in a couple of corners of Walt Disney World, Burl Ives, Annette Funicello, Mary Martin and Fess Parker still belted them out. But no more.
Walt Disney World has closed a small, obscure, yet unique attraction: two consumer CD-burners loaded with old Disney music.
The "Wonderland" machines were set in back corners of the Once Upon a Toy store in Downtown Disney and the Virtual Magic Kingdom store in the Magic Kingdom. For $15.99, customers could burn copies of albums not elsewhere available for generations.
Dozens of offerings included Burl Ives — Chim Chim Cheree, Annette — Volume 1 and it's a small world 1964 World's Fair.
But the machines simply weren't very popular, a Disney spokesman said.
In their place are shelves of Disney CDs, including a few, such as Mickey's Top 40 Tunes, that feature repackaged, select oldies.
Disney observer Nathan Rose, creator of the Magicalmountain.net Web site, said few people knew about the CD burners because Disney did almost no promotion. He called their albums "lost music."
Rose said Disney insiders told him the company pulled the machines after deciding to sell all the music on the iTunes Internet music service run by Disney's business ally, Apple.
"When I heard it was going to iTunes, I was a little upset," Rose said.
A Disney spokesman disputed that report, saying the issue was Wonderland sales.
"During this trial period the guest response was not strong," Jacob DiPietre said.