Disney World’s Boldest Ride Makeovers—The Best, The Worst, and The Ones Fans Still Debate

Disney World has always been a place of constant evolution. Walt himself believed the parks should never be finished, and that idea has shaped decades of change across the resort. Some of those changes have been widely celebrated, while others sparked years of debate. From complete overhauls of iconic rides to subtle updates, here’s a look at the major rethemes—ranked from the best Disney has ever done to the ones that left fans divided.

1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (Best)

When EPCOT replaced the beloved Universe of Energy with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the stakes were sky-high. Fans worried that Marvel characters wouldn’t mesh with EPCOT’s theme. Instead, Disney delivered one of the best attractions in the resort’s history. The indoor coaster features backward launches, rotating ride vehicles, and a killer soundtrack. It balances thrills with storytelling, and it’s become the must-do ride at EPCOT. This is how you modernize without losing the magic.

Guests riding Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind through space — Credit: Disney

2. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

The closure of Splash Mountain for a Princess and the Frog retheme caused plenty of controversy. But Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has proven that Disney can breathe fresh life into a classic. The ride keeps the same flume-drop thrills while layering in vibrant animatronics, new music, and a story that feels authentic to the film. It honors what came before while creating something new for a broader audience, making it one of the strongest rethemes in Disney’s history.

3. Frozen Ever After

Replacing Maelstrom in EPCOT’s Norway pavilion wasn’t an easy decision, but Frozen Ever After has become a fan favorite. The ride reuses the same track as Maelstrom, yet the new animatronics, songs, and icy setting make it feel completely transformed. The only downside is that it shifted the pavilion’s focus away from Norwegian culture toward a Disney IP, but for families, it’s a win.

Guests ride into Elsa's palace in concept art for 'Frozen Ever After,' made before the Walt Disney World ride opened. — Credit: Disney

4. Test Track (Original Retheme)

Test Track has been through multiple overhauls, but the first big retheme in 1999 remains one of Disney’s best. Replacing World of Motion, it introduced guests to a high-speed automotive testing experience that felt cutting-edge for its time. It was thrilling, fun, and educational in a way that fit EPCOT perfectly. The later neon-heavy retheme in 2012 didn’t quite capture the same charm, which is why Disney is currently refreshing it once again.

5. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh took over the space once occupied by Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride at Magic Kingdom, and while that decision upset many fans, the new attraction has stood the test of time. The ride is playful, colorful, and filled with kid-friendly charm. Still, it doesn’t quite carry the same sense of chaos and humor that Mr. Toad brought, leaving some longtime Disney fans wishing both rides could have coexisted.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction interior at Disneyland — Credit: Disney

6. Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid

Disney poured resources into Fantasyland’s massive expansion, and Ariel’s attraction was a big part of it. While the ride features impressive sets and animatronics, many guests feel it plays things too safe. The story is condensed, and the pacing leaves some moments feeling flat. It’s far from a failure, but compared to other rethemes, it lands in the middle of the pack.

7. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

EPCOT’s Mexico pavilion once hosted El Rio del Tiempo, a cultural boat ride through Mexico’s history and traditions. The 2007 retheme added Donald Duck, José Carioca, and Panchito to the mix, turning the ride into a lighthearted chase. While fun for kids, it arguably stripped away much of the pavilion’s cultural depth. Rumors have swirled for years about it being rethemed again, possibly into Coco.

Mark your calendars, Disney fans! On September 3, three animatronic characters perform on a colorful stage with red curtains. From left to right, there's a duck wearing a blue hat and holding maracas, a bird in a sombrero holding a baton, and a turtle playing a guitar and wearing a hat. — Credit: Wally Gobetz, Flickr

8. Journey Into Imagination with Figment (Worst)

Few rethemes in Disney history have been as controversial as this one. The original Journey Into Imagination, featuring Dreamfinder and Figment, is still remembered as one of EPCOT’s greatest creations. But when Disney replaced it with Journey Into YOUR Imagination in 1999, the backlash was so severe that it didn’t even last long. The current version brought Figment back, but many fans still consider it a shadow of the original. It remains EPCOT’s weakest attraction and the most disappointing retheme Disney has ever done.

An image of two glass pyramidal buildings at sunset. The structures, part of EPCOT, are lit up with colorful lights. A banner reading "Journey Into Imagination" is displayed near the entrance of the building in the foreground. Trees and greenery surround the base of the pyramids, leading to a Disney Vacation Club Member Lounge. — Credit: Disney

Final Thoughts

Rethemes are a tricky business. Disney has to balance nostalgia with innovation, and not every attempt hits the mark. For every Cosmic Rewind that takes the crown, there’s a Journey Into Imagination that misses the target. But at the end of the day, change is what keeps the parks alive. Love them or hate them, these rethemes remind us that Disney World is always evolving—and the next big update could end up anywhere on this list.