Disney World, the happiest place on Earth, continues to evolve and change to keep up with the times and provide fresh and exciting experiences for its guests. However, these changes often involve discontinuing certain attractions, services, and experiences. In this article, we’ll delve into what Disney World is getting rid of, why they’re doing it, and what it means for the future of the theme park.
Disney World is discontinuing several attractions and services including Splash Mountain, Meet Merida at Fairytale Garden, and Disney Enchantment. Other venues like Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, and various resorts are undergoing refurbishments. Services like Disney Floral and Gifts and Disney’s Magical Express have also been discontinued. These changes are due to reasons like maintenance costs, outdated technology, making room for new attractions, financial considerations, and changing guest preferences.
Attractions and Venues Being Discontinued
Disney World is saying goodbye to several attractions and venues, either for refurbishment or permanent closure. Some of the recent and upcoming closures include:
- Splash Mountain: Closed permanently in January 2023 to make way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, opening in late 2024.
- Meet Merida at Fairytale Garden: Closed permanently in Summer 2023.
- Disney Enchantment: Closed permanently on April 3, 2023.
- Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!: Closed for refurbishment from January 6, 2023, to November 11, 2023.
- CommuniCore Hall and Plaza: Closed for refurbishment from August 31, 2020, to late 2023.
- Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village: Undergoing updates and renovations from February 1, 2023, to September 2023.
- Beach Club Resort: Undergoing updates and renovations from June 2023 to late Fall 2023.
- BoardWalk Inn: Undergoing refurbishment.
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort: Undergoing renovation for its 30th anniversary.
- Narcoossee’s: Scheduled to close for a brief refurbishment from September 17, 2023, to mid-October 2023.
Discontinued Services and Experiences
Disney World has also discontinued certain services and experiences:
- Disney Floral and Gifts: Discontinued by the end of summer 2023 and replaced with a new, third-party vendor called Florida Fresh Floral.
- Disney’s Magical Express: Complimentary transportation service for Disney resort guests between the Orlando International Airport and Disney World was discontinued starting January 1, 2022.
- Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom: This interactive game at the Magic Kingdom was retired in 2021.
- ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter: This attraction at Magic Kingdom closed in 2003.
The Why Behind the Changes
Disney World has various reasons for discontinuing certain attractions and services:
- Maintenance costs: Some attractions may be costly to maintain.
- Outdated technology: Attractions with outdated technology may not be as appealing to guests.
- Making room for new attractions: Older attractions may be removed to make way for new, more popular attractions.
- Financial considerations: Due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney World had to scale back some services and experiences.
- Replacing with third-party vendors: Some services were replaced with third-party vendors to streamline operations and potentially reduce costs.
- Changing guest preferences: Disney World continuously evolves to meet the changing preferences of its guests.
The Future of Disney World
Disney World’s future plans include several new attractions, restaurants, and entertainment options. These changes are expected to enhance the overall Disney World experience by offering more attractions, shows, and characters, improving the guest experience through easier reservation processes and better crowd control.
Disney World is continuously working on introducing new experiences and improving existing ones to enhance the overall guest experience. As Walt Disney himself once said, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” The same holds true for Disney World.
While it’s always a little sad to say goodbye to familiar attractions, these changes are a sign of Disney World’s continuous evolution in its quest to deliver the most magical experiences possible. So, hold on to your Mickey ears, because the future of Disney World looks bright and exciting!
Frequently Asked Questions
What will replace the Disney’s Magical Express service?
Disney’s Magical Express service was replaced by a new, paid service called “Mears Connect” starting from January 1, 2022.
Why is Splash Mountain being re-themed to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?
Splash Mountain is being re-themed to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure as part of Disney’s commitment to inclusivity. The new ride will be inspired by the movie “The Princess and The Frog,” the first Disney animated film to feature a Black princess.
What is the purpose of refurbishments in Disney World resorts?
Refurbishments in Disney World resorts are done to update the facilities, improve guest experience, and sometimes to re-theme or modernize the resort to align with Disney’s current branding and guest preferences.
Was the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter attraction replaced by something else?
Yes, the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter attraction was replaced by “Stitch’s Great Escape!” in 2004, which was a less intense and more family-friendly attraction. However, “Stitch’s Great Escape!” has also since been closed.
Are there any plans to bring back the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game?
As of now, there are no official announcements from Disney World about bringing back the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game.
