Credit: DisneyDisney World has officially confirmed something huge, and it honestly feels like one of those moments where fans need to sit down for a second.
Four classic attractions are being changed in ways that will permanently alter their identities. Not “minor updates,” not “some new lighting,” but fundamental, lasting transformations that will carry into the next generation of Disney World.
And if you grew up riding these attractions, or if they’re the reason you still feel nostalgic walking through the parks, this is going to hit a little differently.
Because after 2026, it’s clear that some of Disney World’s most iconic experiences will only exist in memory. The versions we know now are officially on borrowed time.
Disney Keeps Erasing the Classics
At this point, Disney World has made it evident that it doesn’t mind retiring beloved attractions, even when fans beg them not to.
Just look at what happened to Splash Mountain, which got replaced by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Then there’s The Great Movie Ride, which once felt like the heart of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and now it’s gone, replaced by Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
And of course, Disney is also moving forward with replacing Muppet Vision 3D with a new Monsters Inc. land expansion.
These weren’t random rides. They were legendary attractions with emotional value. But Disney has been pushing harder toward IP-based storytelling, even if it means wiping out pieces of park history.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Will Return as a New Ride
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been closed since January 6, 2025, and it won’t reopen until Spring 2026.
That’s already an extended closure, but the reason makes sense once you realize how massive the overhaul is going to be.
Disney has confirmed the ride will feature a refreshed storyline, updated lighting, and enhanced special effects. Even some scenes will change completely.
The most significant addition is Rainbow Caverns, which longtime fans will recognize as a deep-cut Disney reference that feels like it belongs in Frontierland.
Big Thunder is still Big Thunder, but once it reopens, guests will notice right away that it feels like an entirely different version of the attraction.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Is Ending Its Original Era
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster first opened on July 29, 1999, making it almost 30 years old at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
And now Disney has confirmed the end date of the original ride: March 2, 2026.
That means the Aerosmith era is officially coming to an end, and the attraction will close permanently in its current form.
Disney is retheming the ride to The Muppets, which is honestly a wild twist, but it also feels like Disney is trying to keep the coaster relevant for modern audiences.
Aerosmith will be removed, though Disney will likely hide a few references and easter eggs for longtime fans who know what used to be there.
DINOSAUR Has Officially Gone Extinct
DINOSAUR is now permanently closed, and the rest of DinoLand U.S.A. has also been wiped away as Disney prepares for a complete land transformation.
This isn’t just a ride closure. This is Disney removing an entire identity from Animal Kingdom.
The area is being rethemed into a Tropical Americas-inspired land, which will include new experiences themed to Encanto (2021) and Indiana Jones.
The most significant part of this is that Indiana Jones will actually take over the former DINOSAUR ride system, meaning the bones of the attraction will still exist, but the story will be rewritten entirely.
It’s part of Disney World’s bigger push to expand its lands and refresh older park areas with recognizable franchises.
Carousel of Progress Is Quietly Becoming a Different Show
Now we have the latest update on another classic attraction that’s about to change forever, and it might be the most surprising one of all.
Disney already confirmed in 2025 that Carousel of Progress would change, but a new permit filed on February 5, 2026, has added even more fuel to the speculation.
The permit is officially for new fire alarm and protection systems, but such updates often occur when Disney is preparing for a larger overhaul behind the scenes.
And this time, Disney’s plan isn’t subtle.
Walt Disney Himself Enters the Attraction
Disney has confirmed that Walt Disney will be added to Carousel of Progress at the very beginning of the ride.
That means guests will start the experience with Walt himself introducing the attraction and explaining his futuristic ideas before the family storyline even begins.
And honestly, that’s a massive shift in tone.
Carousel of Progress has always been tied to Walt’s vision, but now Disney is making that connection literal by giving him a direct role in the attraction’s storytelling.
This also connects back to the original concept of Carousel of Progress, which was always meant to represent Walt’s belief in progress, innovation, and a brighter future.
It’s still the same attraction, but the experience will feel completely different.
Why 2026 Feels Like the End of an Era
When you step back and look at all four of these changes together, it’s hard not to feel like Disney World is entering a totally new chapter.
Big Thunder is getting a new story and major visual upgrades.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is losing its original identity entirely.
DINOSAUR is gone, and DinoLand is being replaced by a completely different world.
And Carousel of Progress, one of the most historic attractions in the park, is getting a brand-new opening featuring Walt Disney himself.
None of these updates are minor. These are foundational shifts that rewrite what “classic Disney World” even means.
The “Classic Ride Era” Is Officially Ending
Disney World has continuously evolved, but 2026 feels different. This time, the company isn’t just refreshing attractions. It’s rewriting them.
For some guests, these changes will feel exciting, like Disney is finally investing in rides that need upgrades. But for longtime fans, it’s also hard not to feel like we’re watching the end of a specific era of Disney World history.
Because once these four rides reopen—or disappear—there’s no going back.
And by the time 2026 is over, Disney World’s definition of “classic” might look completely different from what it does today.