History Ride / StitchsGreatEscape

** [[Characters/LiloAndStitchExperiments Stitch's cousins]] were seen in the first part of the pre-show as criminals of the galaxy (with their names and numbers written in [[{{Fictionary}} Tantalog]]), and the exit halls featured wanted posters for a few of them written in either Tantalog or English.[[note]]Specifically, 523/Slushy (in Tantalog), 222/Poxy (in English, [[SpellMyNameWithAnS name written as "Poxxy"]]), and 151/Babyfier (in Tantalog).[[/note]] Of course, this ride opened when ''[[WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitchTheSeries The Series]]'' was still airing on Creator/DisneyChannel and [[Creator/OneSaturdayMorningAndABCKids ABC Kids]]; there was even a poster promoting the show during the first few years of operation.

*** The experiments that passed through the screen in the pre-show were (in order) 625/Reuben[[note]]his name is written as "[=SixTwoFive=]", since this ride was made before ''WesternAnimation/LeroyAndStitch''[[/note]], 303/Amnesio, 520/Cannonball, 177/Clip, 624/Angel, 360/Drowsy, 344/Dupe, 345/Elastico, 151/Babyfier, 149/Bonnie, 150/Clyde, 222/Poxy, 258/Sample, 297/Shortstuff, 254/Mr. Stenchy... [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers and some green creature with the number 300M]].[[note]]It's actually a monstrous version of 300/Spooky that was used in ''The Series'' episode [[Recap/LiloAndStitchTheSeriesS1E20TheAsteroid "The Asteroid"]], with the name rendered as "Spookymorp". (They probably couldn't fit an "h" at the end as "Spookymorph" is longer than ten characters, as if it was like the screen adhered to the old ten-character limit for Franchise/{{Pokemon}} names.)[[/note]]

After entering seasonal operation after October 1, 2016 (the 45th anniversary of Walt Disney World), the attraction last operated on January 6, 2018. As a quick replacement, a Stitch costumed character meet-and-greet called Stitch's Alien Encounter Character Greeting![[note]]which first operated for a time between the penultimate and final seasonal operating runs[[/note]] operated in the attraction's former first pre-show room until Walt Disney World temporarily closed due to the UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic in March 2020. No other attraction has operated in the space since, and after two-and-a-half years of limbo and speculation, Disney [[https://attractionsmagazine.com/disney-world-permanently-closes-rivers-light-primeval-whirl-stitchs-great-escape/ eventually confirmed]] its permanent closure on July 16, 2020, with signage later removed on August 10 that year. No permanent replacements have been put in place since; the theater spaces were turned into break rooms/meeting rooms for cast members according to leaked videos, while the first pre-show room has also seen use as a temporary gift shop for Franchise/{{TRON}} Lightcycle / Run on the other side of Tomorrowland.

After entering seasonal operation after October 1, 2016 (the 45th anniversary of Walt Disney World), the attraction last operated on January 6, 2018. As a quick replacement, a Stitch costumed character meet-and-greet called Stitch's Alien Encounter Character Greeting![[note]]which first operated for a time between the penultimate and final seasonal operating runs[[/note]] operated in the attraction's former first pre-show room until Walt Disney World temporarily closed due to the UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic in March 2020. No other attraction has operated in the space since, and after two-and-a-half years of limbo and speculation, Disney [[https://attractionsmagazine.com/disney-world-permanently-closes-rivers-light-primeval-whirl-stitchs-great-escape/ eventually confirmed]] its permanent closure on July 16, 2020, with signage later removed on August 10 that year.

** Finally, in one of the gift shops connected to Stitch's Great Escape! (Merchant of Venus), pawprints can be seen going across the ceiling, leading all the way to a Stitch statue looking down from above. The gift shops (Mickey's Star Traders[[note]]today just Star Traders[[/note]] and [=MoV=]) also had murals with some ''Lilo & Stitch''-related imagery; Star Traders has one on its ceiling with Stitch and Jumba's ship appearing in an alien cityscape, while [=MoV=] has [[Characters/LiloAndStitchExperiments Stitch's "cousins"]] roaming around Tomorrowland (these murals were removed for several years when ''Franchise/StarWars'' merchandise took over the shop, but [[https://wdwnt.com/2018/09/photo-report-magic-kingdom-9-28-18-stitchs-great-return-tomorrowland-construction-beer-rabbit-plush-etc/ as of September 2018]] they've been restored despite the ride's lack of operation that led to its eventual closure).

* ExcitedShowTitle

* NamedByTheAdaptation: The hammerhead shark officer from the film is identified as "Lieutenant Sledge".

'''Galactic Armada Officer''': It appears we've been licked, sir!\\

* TheGuardsMustBeCrazy:
** Even when the new prisoner seemed cute and harmless, and you had both two DNA tracking cannons and a small army of recruits standing by, no good could come from raising the glass tube he's in.
** The recruits themselves were unarmed, inexperienced, and currently being forcibly held in place by DNA scanners that have already finished serving their purpose.

The premise was that the park's guests are new recruits working for the [[TheFederation United Galactic Federation's]] Prisoner Teleport Center. After being welcomed by the Grand Councilwoman and debriefed by Captain Gantu and a robotic sergeant, recruits were alerted to the impending arrival of a "Level 3" prisoner and taken to a large holding cell with seats surrounding a teleportation tube in the middle. Shortly after recruits are seated, the "Level 3" prisoner was teleported in and revealed to be an adorable looking creature called Experiment 626. Although confused at first, Gantu, his cohorts, and the recruits would soon learn why 626 is so dangerous, as the blue alien tricked his holding cell's security and began his "[[TitleDrop great escape]]".

After entering seasonal operation after October 1, 2016 (the 45th anniversary of Walt Disney World), the attraction last operated on January 6, 2018, and after two-and-a-half-years of limbo and speculation, Disney [[https://attractionsmagazine.com/disney-world-permanently-closes-rivers-light-primeval-whirl-stitchs-great-escape/ eventually confirmed]] its permanent closure on July 16, 2020, with signage later removed on August 10 that year.

* RevisedEnding: The first ending showed an animation of Stitch riding Astro Orbiter, either during the day or at night depending on the time of day at the real life Magic Kingdom. It was later changed to him climbing on and entering Cinderella Castle exclusively in broad daylight.

Stitch's Great Escape! was a "theater-in-the-round" attraction found in the Tomorrowland area at Creator/{{Disney}}'s [[Ride/DisneyThemeParks Magic Kingdom]] in Ride/WaltDisneyWorld. The ride opened on November 16, 2004, replacing the Ride/ExtraTERRORestrialAlienEncounter, and was the first ''Franchise/LiloAndStitch''-themed attraction by the company. After entering seasonal operation after October 1, 2016 (the 45th anniversary of Walt Disney World), the attraction last operated on January 6, 2018, and after two-and-a-half-years of limbo and speculation, Disney [[https://attractionsmagazine.com/disney-world-permanently-closes-rivers-light-primeval-whirl-stitchs-great-escape/ eventually confirmed]] its permanent closure on July 16, 2020, with signage later removed on August 10 that year.

The attraction was very unpopular during its existence; fans of the ride's predecessor were incensed over their attraction being replaced by a LighterAndSofter experience. Teens and adults were turned off by the ride's silliness and Stitch's gross behavior, while kids still ended up being scared by the loud noises and periods of darkness. Ultimately, what was meant to be the flagship ''Lilo & Stitch'' experience at the parks ended up tarnishing its title character's reputation to American Disney fans, and began the franchise's decline to a more niche franchise in that country. Aside from [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stitch%27s_Supersonic_Celebration an even shorter-lived stage show in 2009,]] Disney never attempted another ''Lilo & Stitch'' attraction in the United States ever since; Disney refocused their efforts with [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stitch_Encounter Stitch Encounter]][[note]]Stitch Live! in Disneyland Paris[[/note]] over at the non-American resorts and Ride/TheEnchantedTikiRoom: Stitch Presents Aloha e Komo Mai! at Tokyo Disneyland.

'''Captain Gantu''': What a day... Release the recruits. I need a vacation.

'''Captain Gantu''': What a day... [[HomePage Release the recruits.]] I need a vacation.

** [[Characters/LiloAndStitchExperiments Stitch's cousins]] were seen in the first part of the pre-show as criminals of the galaxy (with their names and numbers written in [[{{Fictionary}} Tantalog]]), and the exit halls featured wanted posters for a few of them written in either Tantalog or English.[[note]]Specifically, 523/Slushy (in Tantalog), 222/Poxy (in English, [[SpellMyNameWithAnS name written as "Poxxy"]]), and 151/Babyfier (in Tantalog).[[/note]] Of course, this ride opened when ''[[WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitchTheSeries The Series]]'' was still airing on Disney Channel and [[Creator/OneSaturdayMorningAndABCKids ABC Kids]]; there was even a poster promoting the show during the first few years of operation.
*** The experiments that passed through the screen in the pre-show were (in order) 625/Reuben[[note]]his name is written as "[=SixTwoFive=]", since this ride was made before ''WesternAnimation/LeroyAndStitch''[[/note]], 303/Amnesio, 520/Cannonball, 177/Clip, 624/Angel, 360/Drowsy, 344/Dupe, 345/Elastico, 151/Babyfier, 149/Bonnie, 150/Clyde, 222/Poxy, 258/Sample, 297/Shortstuff, 254/Mr. Stenchy... [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers and some green creature with the number 300M]].[[note]]It's actually a monstrous version of 300/Spooky that was used in ''The Series'' episode "The Asteroid", with the name rendered as "Spookymorp". (They probably couldn't fit an "h" at the end as "Spookymorph" is longer than ten characters, as if it was like the screen adhered to the old ten-character limit for Franchise/{{Pokemon}} names.)[[/note]]

* LongRunners: Despite the reception this attraction received, it managed to operate regularly for almost twelve years and existing for a little over thirteen, where Alien Encounter didn't even reach a decade.

The attraction was very unpopular during its existence; fans of the ride's predecessor were incensed over their attraction being replaced by a LighterAndSofter experience. Teens and adults were turned off by the ride's silliness and Stitch's gross behavior, while kids still ended up being scared by the loud noises and periods of darkness. Ultimately, what was meant to be the flagship ''Lilo & Stitch'' experience at the parks ended up tarnishing its title character's reputation to American Disney fans and beginning the franchise's decline to a more niche franchise in that country. Aside from [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stitch%27s_Supersonic_Celebration an even shorter-lived stage show in 2009,]] Disney never attempted another ''Lilo & Stitch'' attraction in the United States ever since; Disney refocused their efforts with [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stitch_Encounter Stitch Encounter]][[note]]Stitch Live! in Disneyland Paris[[/note]] over at the non-American resorts and Ride/TheEnchantedTikiRoom: Stitch Presents Aloha e Komo Mai! at Tokyo Disneyland.

Taking place before the events of the original ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitch'' film, the ride was an interactive experience where Experiment 626 (better known as Stitch) had a [[BlatantLies "treat for your eyes, ears, and nose"]].

The attraction was very unpopular during its existence; fans of the ride's predecessor were incensed over their attraction being replaced by a LighterAndSofter experience. Teens and adults were turned off by the ride's silliness and Stitch's gross behavior, while kids still ended up being scared by the loud noises and periods of darkness. Ultimately, what was meant to be the flagship ''Lilo & Stitch'' experience at the parks ended up being "Stitch's Great Mistake!", tarnishing its title character's reputation to American Disney fans and beginning the franchise's fall to relative obscurity in that country. Aside from [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stitch%27s_Supersonic_Celebration an even shorter-lived stage show in 2009,]] Disney never attempted another ''Lilo & Stitch'' attraction in the United States ever since; Disney refocused their efforts with [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stitch_Encounter Stitch Encounter]][[note]]Stitch Live! in Disneyland Paris[[/note]] over at the non-American resorts and Ride/TheEnchantedTikiRoom: Stitch Presents Aloha e Komo Mai! at Tokyo Disneyland.

** When the ride first opened, Cinderella Castle was "decorated" with toilet paper and graffiti as part of Stitch's rampage through the Magic Kingdom.[[note]]Visiting guests were ''not'' happy with effectively ruining the Castle for their trip.[[/note]]

* CanonDiscontinuity: Considering that Gantu didn't recognize Stitch when he was first revealed in the original film, and that Stitch didn't speak any English until after he arrived on Earth in the film, it's easy to say that the attraction wasn't even canon to begin with.

* LongRunners: If this ride could claim anything over Alien Encounter, it's the fact that it managed to outlast that ride in terms of how long it has operated/existed, operating regularly for almost twelve years and existing for a little over thirteen. Alien Encounter? Didn't even reach a decade.

** [[Characters/LiloAndStitchExperiments Stitch's cousins]] were seen in the first part of the pre-show as criminals of the galaxy (with their names and numbers written in [[{{Fictionary}} Tantalog]]), and the exit halls featured wanted posters for a few of them written in either Tantalog or English.[[note]]Specifically, 523/Slushy (in Tantalog), 222/Poxy (in English, [[SpellMyNameWithAnS name written as "Poxxy"]]), and 151/Babyfier (in Tantalog).[[/note]] Of course, this ride opened when ''[[WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitchTheSeries The Series]]'' was still airing on Disney Channel and [[Creator/OneSaturdayMorningAndABCKids ABC Kids]].

* MythologyGag: From October 2017 to March 2020[[note]]when Walt Disney World began its long temporary closure due to the UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic, with meet-and-greets remaining closed after reopening[[/note]] the first pre-show room of the attraction was made into a meet-and-greet area that's titled ''Stitch's Alien Encounter Character Greeting!'', a not-so-subtle nod to the building's third tenant.

The attraction was very unpopular during its existence; fans of the ride's predecessor were incensed over their attraction being replaced by a LighterAndSofter experience. Teens and adults were turned off by the ride's silliness and Stitch's gross behavior, while kids still ended up being scared by the loud noises and periods of darkness. Ultimately, what was meant to be the flagship ''Lilo & Stitch'' experience at the parks ended up being "Stitch's Great Mistake!", beginning the franchise's fall to relative obscurity in the United States. Aside from [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stitch%27s_Supersonic_Celebration an even shorter-lived stage show in 2009,]] Disney never attempted another ''Lilo & Stitch'' attraction in the United States ever since; Disney refocused their efforts with [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stitch_Encounter Stitch Encounter]][[note]]Stitch Live! in Disneyland Paris[[/note]] over at the non-American resorts and Ride/TheEnchantedTikiRoom: Stitch Presents Aloha e Komo Mai! at Tokyo Disneyland.

* MythologyGag: In October 2017, the first pre-show room of the attraction was made into a meet-and-greet area that's titled ''Stitch's Alien Encounter Character Greeting!'', a not-so-subtle nod to the building's third tenant.

Taking place before the events of the original ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitch'' film, the ride was an interactive experience where Experiment 626 (better known as Stitch) has a [[BlatantLies "treat for your eyes, ears, and nose"]].

Stitch's Great Escape! was a "theater-in-the-round" attraction found in the Tomorrowland area at Creator/{{Disney}}'s [[Ride/DisneyThemeParks Magic Kingdom]] in Ride/WaltDisneyWorld. The ride opened on November 16, 2004, replacing the Ride/ExtraTERRORestrialAlienEncounter, and was the first ''Franchise/LiloAndStitch''-themed attraction by the company. After entering seasonal operation after October 1, 2016 (the 45th anniversary of Walt Disney World), the attraction last operated on January 6, 2018, and after two-and-a-half-years of limbo and speculation, Disney [[https://attractionsmagazine.com/disney-world-permanently-closes-rivers-light-primeval-whirl-stitchs-great-escape/ eventually confirmed]] its permanent closure on July 16, 2020.

* LongRunners: If this ride can claim anything over Alien Encounter, it's the fact that it managed to outlast that ride in terms of how long it has operated/existed, operating regularly for almost twelve years and existing for a little over thirteen. Alien Encounter? Didn't even reach a decade.