Credit: Wally Gobetz, FlickrIf there’s one thing Disney World guests have learned over the past few years, it’s that no ride is entirely safe. The parks constantly evolve, and with every new land or shiny attraction, something older ends up on the chopping block. While many updates bring exciting changes, longtime fans often hold their breath, wondering if one of their favorites might be next.
Recently, chatter has picked up about not one, but two attractions that could soon be on the way out. And given Disney’s recent track record with closures, it’s easy to believe the speculation.
Classics Already Lost
Before discussing what’s possibly next, it’s worth remembering how many attractions have already been retired. Over the last decade, we’ve seen Disney slowly chip away at rides many guests grew up with.
Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America – This pair of Frontierland staples is already closed as Disney transforms the space. Both offered a more peaceful, nostalgic side of the park where families could explore caves, cross bridges, and drift along the river. With construction walls up and water drained, their future is sealed as Disney clears room for new projects.
Splash Mountain – Once one of Magic Kingdom’s most iconic rides, Splash Mountain officially closed in January 2023. Its transformation into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure represents Disney’s push to refresh outdated themes with newer, more inclusive stories. While many enjoy the new experience, there’s no denying that Splash Mountain’s closure left a hole in the lineup.
Muppet Vision 3D – Hollywood Studios said goodbye to this quirky 3D show, which delighted fans with corny Muppet humor and zany effects. Despite being a family favorite for decades, it officially shut down in June 2025.
It’s Tough to Be a Bug – Over at Animal Kingdom, this 3D theater experience tucked under the Tree of Life closed to make room for something bigger. The Zootopia-themed replacement is already in the works, signaling that even fan-favorite animal-themed attractions aren’t immune to change.
And those are just a few. Each closure proves that Disney isn’t afraid to shake things up, even if it means saying goodbye to classics that carried Walt’s nostalgic charm.
Current Refurbishments Raising Eyebrows
Beyond closures, some rides are undergoing long refurbishments, and fans are speculating about what will remain when the construction walls finally come down.
Spaceship Earth at EPCOT is the big one. The iconic geodesic sphere has long been the park’s symbol, and the ride inside has gone through several updates since it opened in 1982. Disney will close the attraction at the end of August with some much-needed updates. The focus will likely be routine as it is set to reopen later in 2025.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom is another attraction undergoing attention. Known as “the wildest ride in the wilderness,” it shut down in January 2025 for an extended refurbishment into 2026. While Disney hasn’t released many details, rumors suggest changes could alter more than just the track’s upkeep.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is also being significantly refurbished. While popular, it’s showing its age with outdated blasters and visuals. Disney’s upgrades will include a smoother ride and possibly better shooting accuracy.
These refurbishments raise the question: when does an “update” become a quiet replacement?
Gran Fiesta Tour Rumors
Then there’s EPCOT’s Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. Tucked inside the Mexico pavilion, this slow-moving boat ride takes guests through scenes of Mexican culture with the help of Donald Duck and his feathered friends.
For years, rumors have swirled that the ride could be replaced by something tied to Pixar’s Coco (2017). With its colorful visuals, beloved characters, and powerful music, Coco feels like a natural fit. Fans imagine a reimagined boat ride that would take guests through the Land of the Dead, serenaded by “Remember Me” and other hits.
While nothing is official, whispers have picked up again recently, and many believe Disney will eventually make the switch. It would follow the same formula as Frozen Ever After, which replaced Maelstrom in Norway. Will fans embrace it, or will they once again mourn the loss of a quirky, classic EPCOT attraction?
Another Ride on the Chopping Block: Carousel of Progress
Alongside Gran Fiesta Tour, another attraction with speculation swirling around it is Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. Located in Tomorrowland, this rotating theater takes guests through decades of innovation, from the turn of the century to a “future” that now feels a little outdated.
The show ends with scenes of virtual reality gaming and voice-activated appliances—technology that no longer feels futuristic but rather part of our everyday lives. Unlike thrill rides, Carousel doesn’t draw big crowds anymore. Many guests skip it altogether, leaving it vulnerable to change.
Disney might not completely remove it, but an update seems almost inevitable. Imagine a final scene reworked to include artificial intelligence or even space exploration. Animatronics could be upgraded, and the rotating mechanism could be smoothed out. On paper, that sounds great, but changes like that risk stripping away the nostalgic feel that makes it special.
The Carousel was one of Walt’s personal projects, still bearing his fingerprints. Fans worry that if Disney modernizes it too much, it will lose its original charm and touch of Walt Disney himself.
A Park That Never Stands Still
The truth is, Disney parks are living, breathing places that never stop changing. From Rivers of America draining out to the latest construction cranes over EPCOT, the cycle of closure and rebirth never ends.
Gran Fiesta Tour and Carousel of Progress may or may not be the next casualties, but the writing is on the wall: Disney is willing to let go of classics if it means keeping the parks “fresh” for a new generation.
For longtime fans, that’s bittersweet. We love seeing new technology and stories come to life, but we also crave nostalgia—the pieces of Disney that connect us back to Walt himself. The challenge will always be balance: bringing the future into the parks without erasing the magic of the past.