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Credit: Inside the MagicChange has always been part of Walt Disney World’s DNA, but lately, it feels like that change is speeding up. Longtime fans have started to notice a pattern: attractions that once felt untouchable are suddenly on the chopping block, reimagined, or quietly phased out in favor of something newer, shinier, and more IP-driven.
And 2026 is shaping up to be a major turning point.
Before we get into predictions and educated guesses, it’s important to acknowledge that Disney has already confirmed the permanent closure of two classic attractions in 2026. These aren’t rumors. These are locked-in dates, and they set the tone for why the rest of this list feels less speculative than it might have a few years ago.
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is officially ending its run to make way for Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. The final day to ride the Aerosmith version will be March 1, 2026. For many guests, this marks the end of one of Disney World’s most iconic thrill rides of the late ’90s and early 2000s.
Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, DINOSAUR is also confirmed to close permanently. Its last operating day will be February 1, 2026, with the attraction officially shutting down on February 2. This closure is tied directly to the massive Tropical Americas transformation, and it’s another clear signal that Disney is no longer hesitant to retire longtime attractions if they don’t fit future plans.
With those two confirmed closures setting the stage, here are five other classic Disney World rides that might not survive much longer beyond 2026.
1. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
Gran Fiesta Tour has felt like it’s been living on borrowed time for years. The attraction itself is charming and beloved by fans who appreciate its calm pace and classic EPCOT vibe. But it also sits in a pavilion that has been surrounded by rumors for a very long time.
The most persistent rumor? A retheme to Coco (2017).
Disney has never officially confirmed those plans, but the popularity of Coco combined with Disney’s increasing focus on recognizable IP makes Gran Fiesta Tour an obvious candidate for change. The Mexico Pavilion would still make sense thematically, and a modern, visually rich Coco attraction would almost certainly draw bigger crowds.
Gran Fiesta Tour may still be operating in 2026, but it wouldn’t be surprising if that year ends up being one of its final full years in its current form.
2. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Star Tours is in a strange position. On one hand, it’s still technically relevant, thanks to rotating scenes and updates tied to the Star Wars universe. On the other hand, it exists in a park that already has Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which was designed to be a fully immersive replacement for older-style attractions.
The numbers don’t help Star Tours’ case either. Its wait time almost never exceeds 15 minutes, even on busy days, and typically, it will be one of the lightest rides of the day in terms of wait times. That’s not necessarily a bad thing for guests, but it does raise questions from a long-term planning perspective.
Once Monstropolis officially replaces the Muppet*Vision 3-D area, Hollywood Studios will be even more IP-focused than it already is. At that point, Disney may start looking at underutilized spaces and asking hard questions about what still fits the park’s future identity.
Star Tours may not disappear overnight, but beyond 2026, its role in the park feels increasingly uncertain.
3. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Few attractions feel as iconic as Tower of Terror. It’s not just a ride—it’s the visual anchor of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and one of the most atmospheric experiences Disney has ever created.
That said, it’s also an attraction built around a television property that Disney doesn’t actively push the way it once did. And Bob Iger’s leadership style has made one thing very clear over the years: recognizable, modern IP matters.
Iger has already proven he’s willing to change the park’s iconography. The Sorcerer Mickey hat once dominated Hollywood Studios, and it’s been gone for years. A reimagined Tower of Terror—whether themed to a newer franchise or something entirely different—isn’t unthinkable, even if it would be controversial.
If any ride would spark massive fan debate, it’s this one. But beyond 2026, nothing feels entirely off the table anymore.
4. Mission: SPACE
Mission: SPACE has always been divisive. Some guests love it. Many avoid it entirely.
The concept is clever and ambitious, but the reality is that it’s one of the most nausea-inducing attractions at Walt Disney World. Even with the addition of the less intense Green Mission, the ride has a reputation that’s hard to shake.
As EPCOT continues its slow transformation into a more accessible, family-friendly park, Mission: SPACE feels slightly out of step. Disney has invested heavily in rides like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which deliver thrills without making half the audience feel sick afterward.
If Disney decides that space could be better used for something broader in appeal, Mission: SPACE could quietly become a candidate for replacement after 2026.
5. Tomorrowland Speedway
Tomorrowland Speedway has been around forever, and that history is both its strength and its weakness.
Disney has been steadily modernizing Tomorrowland in recent years. TRON Lightcycle / Run is open. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is getting a major refresh. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is set for significant updates. The land is clearly moving toward a cleaner, more futuristic identity.
Many fans have expected an electric overhaul or full replacement for years. If Disney is serious about completing Tomorrowland’s evolution, the Speedway feels like the most obvious next step.
It may still be running after 2026, but its long-term future feels far from guaranteed.