5 Defunct Disney Attractions and What They Were Replaced With

While Disney World cherishes its classic rides and attractions and many elements of the original park can still be seen and enjoyed today, there have still been many changes made to Disney parks throughout the years. Walt Disney was a man who loved progress, and it was his dream that the parks never stop growing and improving themselves. There have been many attractions throughout the Disney parks that have served their purpose entertaining guests until their very end, and many of these attractions were replaced with new ones. Some of these now defunct attractions were favorites of many guests, while some prefer the attractions they were replaced with. Whether you are on team classic attraction or team new and improved, here are 5 defunct Disney attractions and the attractions that replaced them.

1. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in Disney World and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

While guests can still ride this ride at Disneyland in California, the version of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride that once existed in Disney World is no more. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was an opening day attraction for Magic Kingdom in 1971. It was very similar to its Disneyland counterpart however it contained two loading stations which gave guests slightly different ride experiences. The attraction followed Mr. Toad behind the wheel as he causes mayhem in the town. The attraction was closed in 1998 and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh took its place. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction was a dark ride experience that is for guests of all ages and is still operating to this day. This attraction follows the friendly adventures of Pooh in the Hundred Acre Woods; quite different from the chaotic ride experience that was Mr. Toad’s.

2. Maelstrom and Frozen Ever After

Located in EPCOT’s Norway pavilion, Maelstrom was an attraction that originally opened in 1988. This boat dark-ride took guests through several Norwegian settings and scenes including trolls and oil rigs. This attraction grew to be loved by many, and when its closure was announced in 2014 many guests were saddened. Frozen Ever After took Maelstrom’s place using the same ride system and track. Audio-animatronics of Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and other characters were added to the attraction, and guests are taken through Arendelle rather than Norway.

3. Universe of Energy and Cosmic Rewind

Universe of Energy, or Ellen’s Energy Adventure, was a slow-moving theater-style dark-ride attraction. This attraction educated guests on energy in an entertaining way, and starred Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye the Science Guy. Guests enjoyed this attraction for its dinosaur animatronics scene, as well as its entertaining films that played throughout. The entire experience was around 45 minutes long, and was a great way for guests to cool off as well. In 2017 it was announced that the attraction would be closing. The space and show building was used to create the innovative roller coaster: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. This coaster opened in 2022 to high-praise from guests who enjoy its impressive Imagineering, storytelling, and high speeds.

4. The Great Movie Ride and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

The Great Movie Ride was an opening day attraction for Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 1989. It became an instant classic, with guests enjoying its interactivity with the Cast Member hosts and scenes from movies that were brought to live using audio-animatronics. This attraction was closed in 2017 and was replaced with Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in March of 2020. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway became an instant classic as well, with its great use of special effects and innovative ride vehicles.

5. World of Motion and Test Track

Before Test Track opened in 1999 there was World of Motion. This attraction featured omnimover vehicles that explored the history of transportation. From cavemen walking, to Leonardo Da Vinci experimenting with air travel, to the world’s first traffic jam, World of Motion’s goal was to once again educate guests in an entertaining way. In 1997 it was announced that the attraction would close to make way for Test Track. Test Track still operates to this day, however it has seen many changes throughout the years. It is currently closed for another refurbishment that will change the attraction yet again.

Did you ride any of these defunct attractions? Do you prefer the original or the replacement? Let us know in the comments below!

Featured Photo: Emily Murray.