Disney World is constantly changing, and there are so many exciting new projects on the horizon!

Sometimes, attractions, rides, shops, and restaurants close to make way for new offerings, or they end up sitting abandoned. So much has happened this year at Disney World. We found out that eight new attractions will be making their way to Disney World over the next few years and also found out that certain areas, like Tom Sawyer Island, will close to make way for some of these new additions to the park. While we are still waiting for confirmation on when other areas of the parks will close, we have a list of 11 things that we permanently lost at Disney World this year.

This year, shops, restaurants, attractions, and even certain benefits were lost across the resorts, parks, and Disney Springs. Let’s take a look back at 2024.

Dreams that Soar

For a limited time this summer, you could catch Disney Dreams that Soar twice a night in Disney Springs. This drone show features some of our favorite Disney characters, such as Tinker Bell, Wall-E and Eve, The Guardians of the Galaxy, Figment, Orange Bird, and so many more. 

The show recently closed on September 2nd. We are hopeful that another drone show will make its return to Disney Springs, but as of now, Dreams that Soar is no longer.

Stores in Disney Springs

Speaking of Disney Springs, a long list of stores closed at this shopping center this year. Disney Springs is known for its shopping and dining options, so we were shocked to tally up the number of stores that closed this year. 

This year, the following stores closed:

• The Art of Shaving
• Alex and Ani
• Ever After Jewelry Co. (now reopened as Disney Ever After)
• Sanuk

Big River Grille & Brewing Works

The BoardWalk is a great place to grab a bite to eat! Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs finally opened, and The Cake Bake Shop is set to open its doors at the end of this year. 

Unfortunately, Big River Grille & Brewing Works ended up closing its doors on the BoardWalk earlier this year. This restaurant had a sports bar vibe and even brewed its beers on-site! From time to time, a food truck is put outside the doors to serve those on the BoardWalk, but a permanent restaurant has yet to be announced.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

While Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy still has about a month of operation left, it will officially close on October 7th. This space will be re-imagined to make way for a brand new Disney Villains show.

But race fans, don’t worry. Lightning McQueen and his friends will make their way over to Magic Kingdom when the brand new Cars-themed Land opens at Tom Sawyer Island’s current location. 

The Original Country Bear Jamboree

The Country Bear Jamboree was reimagined and reopened with a new show this summer. The new show features the bears singing covers of popular Disney tunes.

While all the Bears are still part of the new show, beloved songs like “Blood on the Saddle” are no longer sung. But we will say the Bears’ new outfits are super cute, and the animatronics got the love that they needed. 

Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade

Also, in Frontierland, the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade officially closed. 

This was closed to make way for a brand-new Disney Vacation Club lounge. There is currently an in-park lounge in the Imagination Pavilion in EPCOT. 

TRON Lightcycle / Run Virtual Queue

It is finally happening, and you will no longer need a Virtual Queue to ride the TRON Lightcycle / Run in Magic Kingdom. The change officially will take place in a few days on September 9th. 

This means that you will be able to wait in a stand-by line or purchase Lightning Lane Single Pass in order to ride. 

For the time being, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will still run using Virtual Queue. 

Waffle Sandwiches at Sleepy Hollow

Heartbreaking snack news happened this summer in Magic Kingdom. The beloved Waffle Sandwiches at Sleepy Hollow disappeared and were replaced with Mickey waffles.

There are still fruit and chicken waffle options, but they are not the same as the original waffles. Although it is nice to be able to get a Mickey Waffle for lunch, we wish the old waffles would make a comeback.

Test Track 2.0

The EPCOT transformation was finally completed this year when CommuniCore Hall and Plaza opened, but construction in EPCOT has not yet been done. 

Earlier this summer, Test Track 2.0 closed its doors to make way for a brand new, re-imagined version of Test Track! Test Track 3.0 will open in 2025 and pull inspiration from Test Track’s predecessor, World of Motion.

Mickey Meet and Greet at the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival

While CommuniCore Hall was under construction, Mickey’s meet and greet was moved to the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival in the Imagination Pavilion. 

He no longer meets here and now meets at the Mickey & Friends spot in CommuniCore Hall. 

Genie+ was Replaced with Lightning Lane Multi and Single Pass

Disney World’s pay-to-skip-the-line service changed this summer. Genie+ transitioned into Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and Individual Lightning Lane was turned into Lightning Lane Single Pass.

This new system reminds us of its predecessor, FastPass+, as rides are now grouped into tiers, and you can make your selection before you arrive at the parks.

To learn more about the new Lightning Lane system, you can read more about it here!

While certain offerings at Disney World close, we can look forward to what is in store for the future!

4 Major Changes Coming to Disney World in September

What will you miss most from this list? Let us know in the comments!