Missing Piece: Disney Removes Vintage Mutoscope from Magic Kingdom Train Station
Disney has quietly removed one of the vintage Mutoscope machines from its Walt Disney World Railroad station at Magic Kingdom. The machine, featuring Fritz Lang's 1927 film Metropolis, was one of four such devices on display but is now missing after being spotted only a week prior to its removal.
The machines in question are flip-book style devices that provide an old-fashioned way for guests to watch films by operating the device and seeing a rapid sequence of images. The three remaining Mutoscopes at the station are Car Train Bag, Way Down East, and The Cats in the Bag.
Disney has not confirmed whether the removal is permanent or if the Metropolis machine will return. However, there is precedent for these machines being temporarily removed for maintenance before returning to their usual spots.
The disappearance of this small piece of Magic Kingdom history comes as the park undergoes one of its largest periods of physical change in its history, with projects such as Piston Peak National Park and a Villains-themed land under construction. While the removal may seem insignificant compared to these larger changes, it highlights the importance of preserving the vintage details that give the park its character.