Theme park attractions come and go all the time, and even though we’d like all our favorite rides and shows to stick around forever, the sad fact is that we have to say goodbye to at least a few every year.
2020 was definitely a rollercoaster of a year, with the COVID-19 Pandemic closing every major theme park over the spring. And though many parks reopened (with the exception of Disneyland in California), this year we still had to say goodbye to several Disney attractions forever.
1. Stitch’s Great Escape
Location: Magic Kingdom
Status: Extinct as January 6, 2018
Though it has not been open since 2018 Disney has finally confirmed that Stitch’s Great Escape at the Magic Kingdom will never reopen. Unfortunately, there are no intended plans for replacing this attraction in the near future, and this prime space in Tomorrowland will remain vacant for the time being.
2. Rivers of Light
Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Status: Extinct as of March 14, 2020
Though all nighttime spectaculars at Walt Disney World are shut down right now, there is an expectation that shows like Happily Ever After and Fantasmic will return at some point. However, Disney has confirmed that Rivers of Light will not be among those shows coming back. Though rumors about low guest enjoyment levels have fueled talk about this show ending for several years now, it looks like Disney has finally pulled the plug on this show, permanently.
3. EPCOT Forever
Location: EPCOT
Status: Extinct as of March 12, 2020
Back in 2019, Disney debuted a limited-time nighttime spectacular, called “Epcot Forever,” which showcased the best of this park’s history with iconic themes and advanced pyrotechnics. And though this show was not meant to stick around long term, because Walt Disney World opened with no nighttime spectaculars, this show was not able to be performed again before the barges for the upcoming Harmonious show were installed.
4. Primeval Whirl
Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Status: Extinct as of February 2020
After an unexpected (and unexplained) four month refurbishment in 2019 we expected that we had seen the last of Primeval Whirl at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. However, this attraction unexpectedly reopened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom a few times this past President’s Day Weekend. However, it looks like that was the final run for Primeval Whirl, as Disney has confirmed that this attraction will never reopen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
5. Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Status: Extinct
Though other stage show attractions at Walt Disney World are expected to come back at some point, it looks like the long-running Voyage of the Little Mermaid ride will not be coming back in 2021, or any year beyond.
6. Frozen: Live at the Hyperion
Location: Disney California Adventure
Status: Extinct
Even though it has only been a year since Frozen 2 was released, many are speculating that many guests are suffering from “frozen fatigue”, which is one of the reasons why Disney confirmed earlier this year that the Frozen: Live at the Hyperion will not be reopening when Disney California Adventure welcomes guests once again in 2021.
7. Mickey and the Magical Map
Location: Disneyland
Status: Extinct
Over at Disneyland Park, Mickey and the Magical Map, which had been running since 2013 will also not be returning to the Fantasyland theater next year when the park reopens, and is expected to be replaced by a different show at the Fantasyland theater sometime in the next several years.
