Credit: DisneyWhen you think of Walt Disney World, the classics are what stand out. These are the rides that feel like core memories—Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Peter Pan’s Flight are practically synonymous with a Disney vacation.
But history shows us that no attraction is truly safe. Disney has never hesitated to close or reimagine rides when it sees an opportunity, whether it was Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Maelstrom, or more recently, Splash Mountain.
That begs the question: which rides are most at risk of disappearing or being reimagined today, and which ones are secure for the next decade? Let’s rank them.
High Risk
At the very top of the list is DINOSAUR at Animal Kingdom. Disney has already confirmed that the ride will permanently close in early 2026, with its space being used for a new land inspired by Indiana Jones and Encanto. After nearly three decades of bouncing through the Cretaceous period, its time has run out.
Joining it in the high-risk category is Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros in EPCOT’s Mexico pavilion. Rumors have circulated for years that the ride could be reimagined into a Coco-themed attraction. The boat ride format makes it a perfect fit for scenes inspired by the Land of the Dead, and Disney has been leaning more heavily into IP-based overlays across its parks. While nothing official has been announced, the ride’s relatively small footprint and under-the-radar popularity make it a prime candidate for change. Fans of the Caballeros know they’re living on borrowed time.
Other once-beloved Magic Kingdom staples have already fallen into this category. Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat closed in mid-2025 to make way for a Cars-themed land. These attractions lasted for decades and were often overlooked compared to thrill rides, but their closures were a reminder that nothing is immune when Disney wants to move forward with a big project.
Moderate Risk
Some rides aren’t on the chopping block yet, but their extended refurbishments make fans nervous.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is currently closed for a long-term refurbishment and won’t return until 2026. While Disney insists it’s just a refresh, the scale of work raises questions. Could enhancements tie into new land theming? Could special effects be updated in a way that changes its feel? Big Thunder is too popular to ever disappear, but it might come back different enough to stir debate.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is another attraction in flux. It isn’t being removed, but it’s undergoing a complete reinvention. New ride vehicles, modernized scoring, and Pixar character additions mean the Buzz ride of the late ’90s will essentially be gone. It’ll live on in name, but the original experience will be history.
Low Risk
Other attractions feel stable for the foreseeable future, even if they occasionally show their age.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is one of them. It’s outdated by most measures, but it’s also one of the last attractions Walt himself had a hand in developing. Disney has left it largely untouched for decades, and while tweaks have been confirmed for the future, its legacy status confirms it won’t go anywhere.
Spaceship Earth at EPCOT is another safe bet. A massive reimagining was planned, then shelved, but the ride remains a centerpiece of the park. As the park’s visual icon, it’s practically immune to permanent removal, even if it eventually gets updated.
Virtually No Risk
Finally, we come to the crown jewels—the rides that are untouchable in the eyes of most fans and Disney itself.
Haunted Mansion continues to be a guest favorite, with its spooky blend of humor and chills. Pirates of the Caribbean is equally safe, having already been updated with small additions over the years but still thriving as one of the most reliable people-eaters in Magic Kingdom. Peter Pan’s Flight remains one of the longest lines in the park, proof that its appeal spans generations. And at Hollywood Studios, Tower of Terror has cemented itself as one of the best thrill rides Disney has ever built. These attractions define their parks in ways that make their removal nearly impossible, though the Tower of Terror still probably has less “staying power” than Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean.
Final Thoughts
Disney’s future is always in motion. The company is eager to bring in new intellectual properties and keep the parks feeling relevant, which means no attraction can be considered 100% safe. For now, here’s how the survival rankings look:
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Most at risk: DINOSAUR, Gran Fiesta Tour, Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat (all of which, besides Gran Fiesta, have already closed, or are confirmed to close)
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Moderate risk: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (Getting makeovers)
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Low risk: Carousel of Progress, Spaceship Earth (Also confirmed for makeovers)
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Virtually no risk: Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan’s Flight, Tower of Terror
If you love a classic ride, the lesson is simple: don’t take it for granted. Because as history has shown, even the rides that feel permanent can disappear or transform before you know it.