Credit: DisneyJosh D’Amaro is only days away from stepping into one of the most powerful roles in the entertainment industry. When he officially takes over as CEO of The Walt Disney Company, the longtime theme park leader will inherit not just a global brand—but a massive collection of beloved attractions that millions of guests experience every year.
For Disney fans, leadership changes often signal something else entirely: change inside the parks themselves.
D’Amaro built much of his reputation through his work with Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, where he oversaw major expansions, new lands, and ambitious updates across Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Now that he’s about to hold the top job, many fans expect the parks to remain one of his biggest priorities.
And with that focus comes speculation that several fan-favorite attractions could soon be facing updates, reimaginings, or major overhauls. In fact, there are at least 11 classic Walt Disney World attractions that seem especially likely to land on D’Amaro’s radar.
Josh D’Amaro Steps Into Bob Iger’s Role
For years, Bob Iger guided Disney through enormous changes—major acquisitions, streaming expansion, and large-scale investments in theme parks. Now that Iger is preparing to step aside, D’Amaro is widely expected to carry the company forward.
The transition is significant because D’Amaro brings something different to the CEO position: a deep connection to the parks themselves.
Before moving into the executive spotlight, he served in several leadership roles across Disney’s theme park division. That includes overseeing Walt Disney World operations and later running Disney Parks globally. Because of that background, many fans believe D’Amaro understands the parks in a way few Disney CEOs ever have.
But familiarity with the parks doesn’t mean preserving everything exactly as it is.
In fact, Disney leadership changes have historically sparked waves of updates to keep the parks relevant for new generations of guests.
Disney’s Ongoing Trend of Updating Classic Attractions
One pattern has become increasingly clear over the past decade: Disney isn’t afraid to revisit its classic attractions.
Sometimes that means refreshing aging technology. Other times, it involves bringing modern storytelling or recognizable characters into existing rides. Recent examples include major ride transformations, updated scenes, and even full retheming designed to keep classic attractions competitive with newer experiences.
That strategy often divides fans. Some appreciate the effort to modernize rides, while others worry about losing the original charm that made those attractions iconic in the first place.
As D’Amaro prepares to lead the company, the question becomes which rides might be next in line for attention.
And several long-standing Walt Disney World attractions fit that description perfectly.
1. Spaceship Earth (EPCOT)
Spaceship Earth is one of EPCOT’s most recognizable experiences, sitting inside the park’s famous geodesic sphere. The slow-moving journey through the history of human communication has remained largely the same for years.
Disney previously planned a large-scale update for the attraction before those plans were paused. With D’Amaro now stepping into the CEO role, many fans believe the company could revisit modernizing the ride’s storytelling and technology.
Because the attraction represents EPCOT itself, any future update would likely aim to balance nostalgia with innovation.
2. Mission: SPACE (EPCOT)
Mission: SPACE remains one of EPCOT’s most intense attractions. While it still attracts thrill-seekers, it has also developed a reputation for being too intense for some guests.
Disney has already made adjustments over the years, including offering a less intense version of the ride. Still, some fans believe the attraction may eventually need a broader refresh to remain appealing to modern audiences.
Under D’Amaro’s leadership, Disney could explore ways to make the experience more accessible while still preserving its thrill factor.
3. Journey Into Imagination With Figment (EPCOT)
Few attractions inspire as much passionate debate as Journey Into Imagination With Figment.
The ride has gone through multiple versions over the years, and fans have long hoped Disney might restore more of the original spirit of the attraction. Figment remains one of EPCOT’s most beloved characters, and many believe the ride deserves a major creative overhaul.
If D’Amaro chooses to revisit this pavilion, it could become one of the most celebrated updates EPCOT has seen in years.
4. Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Space Mountain is one of Magic Kingdom’s most famous roller coasters, but it’s also one of the park’s oldest thrill rides.
While its nostalgic charm remains strong, the attraction’s ride system and overall experience are noticeably different from newer Disney coasters around the world. Some international versions of Space Mountain already feature upgraded effects and smoother track designs.
A future overhaul could modernize the attraction while preserving its legendary status.
5. Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios)
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror remains one of the most iconic rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, fans know Disney has not been shy about altering this attraction in the past.
At Disney California Adventure, the ride was rethemed into a Marvel attraction. While the Florida version still retains its classic theme, speculation about future updates never fully disappears.
With Marvel playing such a major role in Disney’s entertainment strategy, some fans believe Tower of Terror could eventually face changes of its own.
6. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros (EPCOT)
Located inside the Mexico Pavilion, the Gran Fiesta Tour featuring the Three Caballeros has been charming guests for years.
However, the ride has remained relatively simple compared with other EPCOT attractions. Rumors have circulated for some time that the pavilion could eventually introduce a new experience inspired by modern Disney animation.
Whether that happens or not, the ride’s future continues to spark conversation among fans.
7. Haunted Mansion (Magic Kingdom)
Haunted Mansion is one of Disney’s most beloved attractions, which makes it both iconic and delicate when it comes to updates.
Disney has occasionally added new effects and story details to the ride over the years, but it has largely preserved the original experience.
Still, technology advances constantly, and Disney has shown interest in enhancing classic rides with new effects. Any future changes would likely focus on improving immersion rather than altering the core story.
8. It’s a Small World (Magic Kingdom)
Few Disney rides are as instantly recognizable as It’s a Small World.
The attraction remains a staple of Magic Kingdom, but it also reflects a design philosophy from a very different era of theme park storytelling. Disney has updated versions of the ride in other parks, sometimes incorporating recognizable characters into scenes.
Whether Disney ever takes that approach in Florida remains an open question, but it’s a possibility fans often discuss.
9. Jungle Cruise (Magic Kingdom)
Jungle Cruise has been entertaining Magic Kingdom guests for decades, blending corny humor, jungle scenery, and the charm of live skippers into one of the park’s most recognizable adventures. But that hasn’t stopped speculation about additional enhancements or a complete rewrite.
The ride’s connection to Disney storytelling—including films and potential new adventures—means it could continue evolving. Because the attraction relies heavily on its narrative and live skippers, even small updates can dramatically change the experience.
Future tweaks could further expand the ride’s storytelling.
10. Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom)
Pirates of the Caribbean remains one of the most famous rides in Disney history. Over the years, Disney has added new characters, scenes, and effects inspired by the film franchise.
However, the Florida version of the ride remains shorter than its counterparts in other parks. That difference has fueled long-standing rumors that the attraction could someday expand or receive additional scenes.
Under D’Amaro’s leadership, revisiting this legendary attraction might be an appealing opportunity.
11. Star Tours (Hollywood Studios)
Star Tours played a major role in Disney’s partnership with the Star Wars franchise long before Galaxy’s Edge opened.
Today, however, the attraction sits in a very different park landscape filled with newer Star Wars experiences. That shift has led some fans to wonder whether the ride might eventually receive a refresh or new storyline.
Disney already updates Star Tours with new destinations and characters periodically, so it remains a flexible platform for future changes.
A New Chapter for Disney’s Classic Attractions
Whenever leadership changes happen at Disney, the parks tend to evolve along with the company.
Josh D’Amaro’s arrival as CEO could signal another wave of updates designed to keep Walt Disney World competitive and exciting for future visitors. While nothing has been officially announced for these attractions, their age, popularity, and history make them natural candidates for attention.
For fans, that possibility brings both excitement and nervous anticipation.
Because if Disney’s past has proven anything, it’s that even the most beloved rides can change when a new era begins.