These threads are growing too fast to keep up.
I put the changes on this particular rumor at 30%. I first heard this one a while back, some more later and then saw it on this board. Theres also a lot of other information that fits too well into the picture to ignore. I still see a lot of reasons why this wouldnt happen, but no hard information that it wont. So I didnt post anything about this one, but wanted to drop a hint just in case.
Rumor analysis at Disney (and all of Hollywood) is more like military intelligence than its like gossip. Disney is so huge that most of the time related departments dont even know whats going on. And the Company is so rigid that an executive can force down an idea despite how stupid the decision seems to be to others. Figuring out whats true is an exercise of judging different bits of information, seeing what makes sense from past experience, and simply knowing how the company works.
A case in point is that Marty Sklar, the former head of WDI, told a newpaper that he would lie down in the street to prevent the closure of the submarines at
Disneyland. A few weeks later those submarines where hauled off to the scrap heap over that very same road. People had already been talking the situation (which is how the question scan up in the first place), and many people had already figured that money had already won over the guests.
Its not a pleasant time inside The Company now. For the last three years theres been a running battle between Walts Company (Animation, Parks) and Michaels Company (Broadcasting, Synergy). The basic feeling is that Walts divisions have been looted to pay for the failures of Michaels. Those few who are left feel defeated and disheartened. The fight is gone.
So a major old school attraction being closed to save a few bucks and push some more toys that idea really does seem possible these days to many people.