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Credit: Joel Sutherland, UnsplashIf there’s one thing Disney World never does, it’s stand still. Year after year, the parks evolve—sometimes in small ways, like a fresh coat of paint or new snacks, and other times through sweeping changes that altogether redefine an area.
Fans have come to expect that nothing is ever truly safe, no matter how long it’s been around. And with so many big moves already behind us, it’s now obvious: this land could be next in line for a massive overhaul.
A Year of Saying Goodbye
Guests have already had to watch several attractions disappear this year. At Magic Kingdom, Tom Sawyer Island has closed, taking a piece of old-school Disney charm that was more about exploration than thrills. Rivers of America was drained in the same park and is undergoing extensive changes, signaling that nostalgia-heavy corners aren’t untouchable.
Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the long-running Muppet Vision 3D show finally took its last bow, leaving fans with mixed emotions about the loss of a Jim Henson creation that had entertained for decades.
The message is clear: the era of retiring smaller, older experiences to make room for the future is in full swing.
Lands Aren’t Safe Either
Disney is targeting not just individual attractions. Whole lands have been on the chopping block. At Animal Kingdom, DinoLand U.S.A. has officially been marked for closure, set to be replaced by the ambitious Tropical Americas project.
Fans will soon step into vibrant worlds inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones, signaling Disney’s confidence in the power of IP-driven lands. The demolition of DinoLand makes it clear that even an entire themed area can vanish overnight if it doesn’t fit Disney’s vision for the future.
Significant Changes in Other Parks
Beyond Animal Kingdom, sweeping updates have hit the other parks as well. EPCOT has been under construction for years, and it’s now showcasing its reimagined look with new attractions like Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. At Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland thrives with new attractions, parades, and dining.
Every park seems to evolve, raising the stakes for what’s untouched. And that leads us to the next possible target: Adventureland.
Tomorrowland’s Example of Change
Looking closely at Tomorrowland helps explain why Adventureland may be up next. Disney recently unveiled TRON Lightcycle Run, a state-of-the-art coaster that blends neon visuals and cutting-edge technology. It completely reshaped that side of the park, drawing in enormous crowds.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is currently undergoing a major refurbishment. Rumors are swirling that the updates could be significant, given that the attraction has felt outdated in recent years. Even Space Mountain, the park’s classic roller coaster, is the subject of ongoing speculation about future changes.
If Tomorrowland can undergo so many updates in just a few years, it makes sense that another land that hasn’t kept pace could be next.
Why Adventureland Could Be Next
Adventureland has already seen some changes in recent years, including the new Beak and Barrel marketplace and adjustments inside Pirates of the Caribbean. Longtime fans know that Pirates has been tweaked several times, from updating controversial scenes to adding characters like Captain Jack Sparrow from the films.
The land has proven it can handle significant transformations, but many now suspect an even more dramatic overhaul could be looming.
Compared to Tomorrowland with TRON or Fantasyland with Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Adventureland doesn’t pack quite the same punch. Its lineup includes the Swiss Family Treehouse, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jungle Cruise.
While Pirates and Jungle Cruise remain strong draws, the other attractions don’t command the same attention. That makes Adventureland a prime candidate for sweeping changes.
What Could Be on the Chopping Block
Among the attractions most likely to face changes, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is at the top of the list. While it’s a beloved piece of Disney history, it no longer pulls in big crowds. Rumors suggest a reimagining tied to Moana, with characters like Hei Hei possibly appearing. That update would keep the tropical theme while connecting the show to modern audiences.
The Swiss Family Treehouse is another likely candidate for removal. Once a walk-through curiosity, it feels more like an outdated relic than other park experiences. Much like Tom Sawyer Island, its exploratory charm doesn’t align with what guests are looking for today, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see it bulldozed to make way for something entirely new.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, often criticized as a clone of Dumbo, could also be vulnerable. With other spinners already spread across the parks, losing this ride wouldn’t make a massive dent in Magic Kingdom’s offerings.
What’s Likely to Stay
Pirates of the Caribbean is almost certainly safe, though Disney has never been shy about changing scenes or adding new effects. A few more tweaks could easily arrive in the future.
Jungle Cruise is also expected to stick around, especially after receiving recent updates that modernized some of its more dated jokes and scenes. That said, a few fresh gags or even a new set piece wouldn’t be surprising to keep the ride feeling current.
Looking Ahead
Adventureland is the obvious next candidate for a massive transformation when you put it all together. It’s surrounded by lands that have already seen major upgrades, and its mix of classic attractions and smaller crowd-pullers leaves room for Disney to push bold new ideas. With the company showing no hesitation in removing long-running favorites like Muppet Vision 3D or Tom Sawyer Island, it’s only a matter of time before Adventureland follows.
Whether it’s a new Moana show or ride, a complete reimagining of the Swiss Family Treehouse, or the quiet disappearance of the Magic Carpets, Adventureland is on shaky ground. Disney loves to balance nostalgia with the future, but the current landscape suggests change is coming sooner rather than later.
Adventureland’s Days Could Be Numbered
Disney World has repeatedly proven that no attraction, and no land, is ever truly safe from change. From the closure of DinoLand to Tomorrowland’s high-tech upgrades, the parks are in constant motion. All signs now point toward Adventureland as the next big project, with its weaker attractions ripe for replacement and its classics due for updates.
For fans, it’s both exciting and nerve-wracking. The future may bring new adventures, but it could also mean saying goodbye to iconic pieces of Disney history. Adventureland may not look the same in a few years, which might just be Disney’s plan.