Doesn’t it seem like something new is always popping up in Disney World?

In order for all this change to happen, we sometimes have to say goodbye to some of our favorite attractions, shops, and even restaurants. Over the past couple of years in particular, though, there have been a few attractions that have had permanent closures. Let’s talk about it!

These 12 Disney World attractions have been permanently closed in Disney World.

Magic Kingdom

Dreamflight (1989-1998): Eventually the ride was reworked into Delta Dreamflight and later Disney’s Take Flight, both of which were thematically similar. In 1998, the attraction would be retimed entirely into Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter (1995-2003): Arguably the most legendary closed Disney attraction, Alien Encounter’s terrifying close encounter with a violent extraterrestrial still gives nightmares to those who experienced it. It had been replaced by Stitch’s Great Escape, which closed in 2018! Now it sits closed awaiting further news about what might replace it.

Splash Mountain (1992-2023): It permanently closed on January 23rd, 2023. Fans of log rides and great Disney animated movies need not worry, however, as it is being replaced by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in late 2024.

EPCOT

Captain EO (1986-1998, 2010-2015): “Captain EO” starred Micheal Jackson and was written by George Lucas and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It used 3-D and multisensory effects. “Captain EO” first closed in 1998, but Disney brought it back in 2010 for another short run after Jackson’s death. Now it’s the home of the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival.

Journey Into Imagination (1983-1998): The beloved dark ride that detailed the Dreamfinder and Figment’s tour of the concept of imagination remains so beloved and merchandised — that it’s hard to believe its replacement, Journey Into Imagination With Figment, has been around longer than the original.

Maelstrom (1988-2014): This ride was quirky, but beloved by many. We still feel wistful nostalgia from remembering its trolls, Vikings, and near-backward drop. It was closed to make way for Frozen Ever After in 2014.

Universe of Energy (1982-2017): The Universe of Energy, both in its original and Ellen-infused 1990s retheme was a controversial attraction amongst EPCOT fans. Many loved it, especially thanks to its animatronic dinosaur segment, while others found it overly long and tedious. Either way, the attraction closed in 2017 to make way for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

World of Motion (1982-1996): This whimsical, animatronic-packed journey through the history of transportation was an opening day staple of EPCOT Center, and remained so for nearly 15 years. It closed for Test Track after sponsor General Motors requested a new thrilling and product-centric attraction as a condition of renewing. Disney recently announced that Test Track will be getting a re-imagining sometime soon — and they said we can expect some throwback to World of Motion in the new ride!

Animal Kingdom

Primeval Whirl (2002-2020): Primeval Whirl is another attraction on our list that’s quite controversial. Those who didn’t enjoy it saw it simply as an “off-the-shelf” carnival ride, while its fans passionately defend it as one of Walt Disney World’s most fun attractions. Since its closure, there have been a lot of rumors and Blue Sky concept art of what could potentially replace it, however, there has been no definitive announcement of what will be taking its place.

We do know that the land in which it was located — Dinoland U.S.A. — is being replaced with a new land based on the Tropical Americas, but Disney has not announced many specifics or a timeline for this change.

Hollywood Studios

The Great Movie Ride (1989-2017): It was the former centerpiece of Hollywood Studios, this massive attraction used screens, scale sets, live performers, and hundreds of animatronics to take riders into their favorite films. It was closed to make way for Mickey and Minnie’s Runway Railway.

Studio Backlot Tour (1989-2014): When the then-Disney/MGM Studios was built, it was supposed to be more film studio than a theme park, with the Backlot Tour serving as its main attraction. Once the studio work dried up, however, the Tour was continuously cut down to the point that the version that closed in 2014 was nearly unrecognizable from its original incarnation. It was closed in 2014 to make way for Toy Story Land.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid is permanently closed in Disney World. We had suspected this was the case for some time, but Disney’s latest announcement about a new show coming to the space means it’s true. Voyage of the Little Mermaid was a stage show located in the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It closed in 2020 with the rest of the parks for the pandemic but failed to reopen — and has sat vacant ever since.

The new show will be called “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” and is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Fall 2024! It will be a “fully reimagined theatrical production inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic” of the same name. So, this show will be all about the original and not the live-action remake.

We’ll be sure to let you know if we hear that any other attractions will be closing, so make sure to follow along so that you don’t miss anything!

Disney Confirms PERMANENT CLOSURE of Voyage of The Little Mermaid in Hollywood Studios

Which of these closures were you most upset about? Let us know in the comments!