Imagineers are on an ever-evolving mission to bring the next big thing to their parks. With this comes the simple fact that sometimes an exciting new experience means the closure of one most beloved.
Given the nature of a Walt Disney World trip, the attractions within these four parks hold a special place in the hearts of those around the world. Whether the music reminds you of a magical memory, the smell brings a tear to your eye, or the story simply sparks joy in your heart – there are any number of reasons to love an attraction.
Ride closures come part and parcel with the theme park experience and, oftentimes, a ride’s closure may have been expected for some time, although there are some Walt Disney World rides whose closure would cause total chaos among park fans.
1. Haunted Mansion
The Grim-Grinning ghosts made Magic Kingdom their home on opening day and have been enchanting unsuspected doom-buggy riders ever since. For many, Haunted Mansion is a Magic Kingdom staple and it’s hard to imagine the park without the mansion looming in the distance. Any need to say goodbye to the 999 happy haunts that reside within it would undoubtedly be met with criticism from parks fans, as Haunted Mansion holds up an engaging and genuinely spooky attraction to this day.
2. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
The PeopleMover has truly become the people’s attraction and a favorite for everyone from exhausted families to theme park vloggers. Slow-moving and peaceful, the PeopleMover is well-loved as it offers stunning views of Tomorrowland and Cinderella Castle as you take the weight off your feet. The discourse surrounding the recent change in narration on the PeopleMover is enough to signal that any major changes or even the closure of this attraction would spark uproar.
3. Peter Pan’s Flight
Disney naturally excels in producing family-friendly rides, but none quite match up to Peter Pan’s Flight and the constant queues in Fantasyland certainly prove it. Some of the magic of this attraction comes from its impressive tenure in Fantasyland, and while it may be nothing overly innovative, it’s a heartwarming and awe-inspiring way to experience Peter Pan’s story.
Its status as an opening day attraction means that those who rode the ride as a child are now able to take their children on this beloved attraction, but even newcomers find happiness in this sweet and timeless story-telling ride. Therefore, Peter Pan’s closure would likely come as a hit to parks fans.
4. Living With The Land
A little more on the cult-following side, although it seems everyone who rides Living With The Land almost immediately appreciates it for being the wholesome attraction that is it. This educational boat ride takes you through some of EPCOT’s ‘backstage’ horticultural areas and offers both an insightful and peaceful experience. With seemingly no need to ever shutter this attraction, it would be sorely missed if it ever closed its doors and would certainly come as a shock to the masses who adore it.
5. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
The Tower of Terror is an eerie delight and its reworking of the classic drop attraction format is adored by guests. Parks fans likely already recognize the devastation a Tower of Terror closure announcement would bring all too well. Disney California Adventure’s Tower of Terror closure was met with major pushback, although most are now delighted with its replacement.
For some, there was at least a little bit of relief provided by the fact that Tower of Terror remains open at Walt Disney World, therefore, a revamp of the spookily perfect Hollywood Studios attraction would likely cause chaos.
Have we missed any? Are there any other attractions that you think would majorly disappoint fans if they closed?
