Disney World Rides That Have Closed

Disney World is changing a lot right now, including closing 2 fan favorite rides within the next 2 weeks.

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Whether you’ve been within the last year or not for a while, you will be surprised to learn the 3 popular attractions are closing permanently within the next couple week. Although it is always bitter sweet to see rides close, there is only so much space in each park and sometimes we need to realize that out with the old, in with the new is the only way for Disney to keep updating and making the Magic Kingdom the best it can be.

Disney World Rides That Have Closed

These rides will join a long list of previous rides that have closed including. Here are some of the most memorable Disney World rides that have since closed:

Maelstrom Closed October 6, 2014

Despite fans attempt to #savemaelstrom on Twitter an other social media, the very popular Maelstrom ride located in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion will set it’s last sale on October 6, 2014.

The ride took guests on an adventure aboard a Viking ship. Guests were able to see Vikings form long ago, the legendary trolls, polar bears, and even go backwards on this exciting ride. You ended in a quaint fishing town where you could watch a video sharing the beauty of Norway.

Interesting Fact: Apparently when Epcot first opened Disney asked that the countries provide financial backing for the attractions in that countries pavilion. Think of it as a sponsored by Norway’s Board of Tourism.  So after years of paying, Norway stopped. So just like Disney got rid of the old Mexico ride when Mexico stopped backing, they really needed to update the ride to Norway wasn’t getting the same thing for nothing that they once got for paying $$.

The good news, Maelstrom is being replaced with an all new Frozen Ride! So although I’m sad to see Maelstom leave, I personally can’t wait for early 2016 and then chance to take the family on a ride based on Disney’s Frozen. Currently the plan is to also have a meet and greet alongside the ride.

Backlot Tour Closed September 27, 2014

The backlot tour was original from when MGM Studios became Hollywood Studios. The attraction allowed guests to see how several stunts are used in movies, take a tram ride to see old props/streets of Hollywood/costumes, and be immersed in a stunt themselves.

• Carsland (like in Disneyland California)
• Monsters Inc ride or rollercoaster
• Star Wars Land
• Toy Story Land (like in Hong Kong Disneyland)
• Expanding Toy Story Mania (the hugely popular ride)

American Idol Experience Closed August 20, 2014

Honestly, I’m not sad to see that the American Idol Experience is done. I could never understand who wanted spend their day at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios auditioning and singing anyway.

It is rumored that this space will house the Frozen Summer Sing Along and other Frozen fun as the parks continue to cater to fans who are going nuts over this movie!

Disney World Closures

Submarine Voyage (based on the movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) closed September 8, 1998. Interestingly, the ride was converted in Disneyland to become a Nemo ride where you can still ride in the submarines, but at the Magic Kingdom it was demolished completely.

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Skyway (running between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland) closed November 10, 1999.

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was a fan favorite ride in Fantasyland where guests got to pick one of 2 tracks as they whipped around in this “wild” ride. The ride closed in September 1998 to make room for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Here’s an interesting tidbit, take a look on the left side wall when you go through Owl’s tree house in the Winnie the Pooh ride to see a picture of Mr. Toad giving owl the “deed” to the space.

Hint: Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is still open at Disneyland in California.

Davy Crocket Explorer Canoes closed in 1994.

HINT: You can still find this ride in the newest Disney park – Shanghai Disneyland in China.

El Rio del Tiempo was a boat ride in the Mexico Pavillion of Epcot. The ride took guests through scenes of Mexico’s history. The ride closed in January 1997 and was replaced with Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros.

As noted above, when the country of Mexico stopped sponsoring the ride, Disney changed it to be less about tourism and history of Mexico and more about favorite Disney characters who visited Mexico.

Snow White’s Scary Adventure was a ride based on the classic movie Snow White. The classic ride was scary for children and therefore never very crowded. It was closed in September 1998. Princess Fariytale Hall took over the space of the ride and the ride was re-imagined into the Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train as part of the new Fantasyland Expansion.

Hint: This ride is still open at Disneyland in California.

Honey I Shrunk the Kids Play Area (closed 4/2/16

Although I understand that not as many people understood what this area was based on my kids miss this play area!

Disney World Shows that Have Closed

Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade ran for 5 years and closed in January 2014. It was replaced with Festival of Fantasyland Parade which features many of the Disney characters that got new “homes” in the Magic Kingdom after the Fantasyland Expansion.  The new parade offers guests a chance to see Anna & Elsa from Disney’s smash hit Frozen, some re-imagined floats, and even a fire breathing dragon from Sleeping Beauty.

Honey I shrunk the Audience was a 3D show in Epcot from the movies Honey I shrunk the Kids. The attraction was replaced in May 2010 with Captain EO (the show Honey I shrunk the Audience had replaced in 1994) as a tribute to the late Michael Jackson.

Note: You can still enjoy the large then life Honey I shrunk the Kids playground at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management was an attempt to give the original ride that originated with Walt Disney himself a update. It included favorite birds like Iago (from Aladdin) and Zazu (from Lion King). But after only 3 years, in 2011, it is reported there was a small fire which destroyed the Iago bird and the show was reverted back to the original Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.

Mickey’s Jammin Jungle Parade ended June 2014

This was such a fun, creative parade that showed animals and Disney friends in a whole new light. Unfortunately no parade has replaced this, although we admit viewing space was difficult at the Animal Kingdom.

Main Street Electrical Parade

We LOVE evening parades! The bright lights and cooler temperatures make them our favorite part of the day. Unfortunately, other than the special ticketed events at Halloween and Christmas, the Magic Kingdom has done away with their evening parade (s).

What Rides May be Closing Next?

It is rumored that the following rides may be closing….

• Soarin Over California (to be replaced with Soarin over the World) replaced with Soarin Over the World
• Indiana Jones Stunt Show Spectacular (possibly to make room for a Carsland, Toy Storyland, and/or Star Wars Land)
• Captain EO (possibly to be replaced with Star Wars Show or get rid of the pavilion completely) closed!
• Lights! Motors! Action Extreme Stunt Show (possibly to make room for a Carsland, Toy Storyland, and/or Star Wars Land) closed!

What ride(s) would you like to see close? Or better yet, what would YOU like them to do with all the new space they are making?

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