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.
And though the second half of 2019 will bring a dozen new additions to Walt Disney World, there are a few attraction, including more than a few character meet and greets as well as a nighttime spectacular, that will be closing forever in the next few weeks!
1. Kylo Ren character meet and greet at Star Wars: Launch Bay
Image: Brittany DiCologero
Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Status: Closing permanently August 29th
On the same day next month that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens Disney will be closing the Kylo Ren character meet and greet at the Star Wars Launch Bay, presumably due to Kylo Ren’s presence inside this new land. Kylo Ren is being replaced at the Star Wars Launch Bay by original trilogy villain Darth Vader.
2. Baymax, Joy and Sadness meet and greet
Image: Disney
Location: Epcot
Status: Closing permanently September 8th
Though Epcot is moving around several characters (as well as Club Cool) as part of the reimagining of the central hub of Future World, one duo that won’t be getting a new location as part of this massive shuffle is Inside Out duo Joy and Sadness, who will be having their last day at Epcot’s Future World on September 8th. In addition, Baymax from Big Hero 6 will also be having his last day at Epcot on this date as well.
3. Innoventions East (Colortopia)
Image: Disney
Location: Epcot
Status: Closing Permanently September 8
In addition to the character closings on September 8th, the rest of Innoventions (which is just the Colortopia exhibit) will be closing forever as well, marking the end of an era at Epcot.
4. Mickey and Minnie’s Surprise Celebration Meet and Greet
Image: Disney
Location: Magic Kingdom
Status: Closing permanently September 30th
Mickey and Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at Magic Kingdom, will officially come to an end on September 30, which means guests only have a few more weeks to experience the Mickey and Minnie suprprise celebration meet and gteet inside Town Square Theater. After this date, this space will go back to being a Mickey-only meet and greet, and Minnie Mouse will return to Fantasyland’s Toontown Fair.
5. Limited Time friends meet and greet
Image: Disney
Location: Magic Kingdom
Status: Closing permanently September 30th
Surprise characters have been meeting guests at the flagpole on Main Street USA this year also as part of Mickey and Minnie’s Surprise Celebration, including Nick and Judy from Zootopia, Remy and Emile from Ratatouille, and Robin Hood and Friar Tuck from Robin Hood. However, as this celebration draws to a close, this special limited-time offering will be coming to a close as well.
6. IllumiNations
Image: Disney
Location: Epcot
Status: Closing permanently September 30th
Though we’re excited for the future of Epcot., September 30th will be a bittersweet day as the iconic IllumiNations nighttime spectacular will officially close on this date after a two decade run at this park. Directly after the end of this show, the brand new limited time Epcot Forever will debut on October 1st, 2019
