Credit: DisneyDisney World is always changing. But every now and then, the pace of change picks up, and it becomes clear that we’re entering a new era. That’s exactly what’s happening right now. Within just a few short months, three massive attractions—each in a different park—are either closing completely or being transformed so dramatically that their current versions will be gone for good.
This isn’t just a seasonal refresh or minor re-theme. It’s the kind of shift that longtime fans are already bracing for. One beloved thrill ride is being replaced with a wildly different experience, a Tomorrowland classic is getting a facelift that’s both respectful and game-changing, and an entire land is literally going extinct.
Let’s take a closer look at the three rides guests should probably experience now—because they won’t be around much longer.
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster as You Know It? Say Goodbye.
For over 25 years, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has blasted riders through the streets of Los Angeles in a stretch limo set to blaring rock hits. But that ride is almost ready to take its final bow—and the band’s last encore is coming sooner than most expected.
Disney has officially announced that in summer 2026, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster will reopen with an entirely new identity: Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. Yep, that’s real. The legendary Electric Mayhem band is stepping into the spotlight, and the experience is about to become a whole lot weirder—in the best way.
Here’s the story: The Electric Mayhem is set to perform the biggest concert of their careers, but of course, they’re nowhere to be found. Guests are taken on a “VIP tour” of the newly rebranded G-Force Records—now under Muppet management, naturally—and the chaos kicks off from there.
With help from Muppet Labs, penguin audio engineers, and a speeding limousine, riders race across Hollywood to get the band to the show on time.
Visually, the ride is getting a colorful new look. The giant red guitar out front is being repainted in psychedelic Muppet fashion, complete with golden piano keys and other surprises. While the physical track won’t change, everything else—from the soundtrack to the visuals—will be brand new.
If you love the current version of this coaster, now’s the time to ride it again. Once the change kicks in, Aerosmith is out, and the Muppets are in.
DINOSAUR and DinoLand Are Both Going Extinct
Over in Animal Kingdom, another big closure is looming—but this one’s permanent.
DINOSAUR, the intense, dark ride that’s been jolting guests through prehistoric chaos since 1998, will officially close on February 2, 2026. And it’s not alone. The entire DinoLand U.S.A. area is being shut down to make way for an entirely new themed land: Tropical Americas.
Disney announced the massive overhaul at D23, and now we’re starting to see the full picture. In the near future, the area once filled with dino-themed games, fossil dig sites, and time-traveling jeeps will become home to an Encantodark ride, a brand-new Indiana Jones adventure, a massive central fountain, and one of the largest quick-service restaurants ever built in a Disney park.
Much of DinoLand has already begun winding down. TriceraTop Spin, the Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s gift shop are already closed. By early 2026, everything else—including Restaurantosaurus and the Dino Institute gift shop—will close too. After that, construction on Tropical Americas will go full speed ahead, with Disney targeting a 2027 grand opening.
For fans of DINOSAUR, this one hurts. The ride has a cult following thanks to its bold visuals, aggressive ride system, and Dr. Seeker’s chaotic “bring back a dino” mission. But like the creatures it featured, this attraction’s days are officially numbered. It’s not getting a re-theme. It’s being wiped out.
Carousel of Progress Is Getting Its Most Meaningful Upgrade in Decades
Magic Kingdom’s Carousel of Progress isn’t going away, but the version we’ve had for nearly 30 years is about to change—big time.
During Destination D23, Disney announced that a brand-new Audio-Animatronic of Walt Disney himself will be added to the pre-show. That means guests will now begin their experience by hearing from Walt in his own words—setting the stage for the generational story that follows.
This change is more than just symbolic. It ties the attraction even more closely to Walt’s original vision. Carousel of Progress was one of his personal passion projects, debuting at the 1964 World’s Fair and later becoming a cornerstone of Tomorrowland. Over the years, it’s become something of a quiet classic—never commanding the longest lines, but always reminding guests of how far we’ve come.
Alongside the new Walt figure, Disney Imagineers are also updating the final scene. It’s long overdue. The current version has felt outdated for years, with a clunky version of “the future” that never quite made sense.
The refresh will bring the family into a much more modern setting, with tech and dialogue that match today’s world. Still, Imagineers have promised to keep the heart of the show intact—so yes, there will still be root beer, dad jokes, and that iconic song.
If you’ve never sat through this rotating theater show or haven’t done it in years, now’s the time to go. The new version sounds promising, but the current one is a slice of Disney history that won’t be around much longer.
Change Is in the Air
There’s something a little surreal about walking through Disney World and realizing that some of its longest-running attractions are on their final laps. Not just being refurbished or refreshed, but really changed—either permanently closing or being reimagined into something brand new.
These shifts are exciting, no doubt. A Muppets coaster sounds wild in the best way. Tropical Americas is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious new lands in Animal Kingdom’s history. And seeing Walt himself greet guests in Carousel of Progress? That’s going to be emotional for a lot of people.
But let’s be honest—part of loving Disney means occasionally mourning what gets left behind. These rides aren’t just attractions. They’re memories. They’re first roller coasters, family jokes, rainy-day favorites, and mid-afternoon air-conditioning breaks. And soon, they’ll be something guests can only talk about, not experience.
So if you’ve got a trip planned soon, don’t skip that final ride. Whether it’s one last loop through the streets of L.A., a farewell to a roaring Carnotaurus, or a nostalgic spin through the 20th century, these moments won’t be here much longer.