As much as we love new Disney World rides, it often means having to say goodbye to the ones we’ve loved even more.
So, allow us, Dear AllEars Reader, to take you on a journey into yesteryear as we remember some now-defunct Disney World rides. And, if you remember them like we do, well, then it might be time to invest in a solid anti-aging cream.
Okay, listen, before you get upset just hear us out — we remember these rides too, so this is just as much a self-deprecating walk down memory lane for us. And, since preventative skincare is all the rage these days you pretty much only need to be like, 25, to remember some of these rides.
Horizons
Horizons opened in EPCOT on October 1st, 1983, just one year after the park itself opened. It eventually was sponsored by General Electric and was designed to be a look back at “past visions of the future” (i.e. how historical figures imagined the future would look) while the second half focused on the the future of America in the new millennium.
But, when General Electric chose not to renew its sponsorship of the attraction, Horizons was left in a limbo state where it would open and close multiple times while Imagineering tried to figure things out. Ultimately, Horizons fell into disrepair and it was closed in 1999, to be replaced by Mission Space a few years later.
Backstage Studio Tour
You might remember the Studio Backlot Tour in Hollywood Studios (then called MGM Studios) but before that, it was called the Backstage Studio Tour! It was a whopping two hours long and even had a built-in break. It was renamed in 1996 and became the ride folks often remember today. The concept of the Backstage Studio Tour was built around the idea that MGM Studios was supposed to be a functioning movie studio.
Maelstrom
When Disney announced it was getting rid of Maelstrom in EPCOT’s Norway Pavilion, fans of the ride were rightly upset. This boat ride took people on a traditional shoot-the-chutes water flume ride with a booming voice informing them that “those who seek the spirit of Norway face peril and adventure, but more often find beauty and charm.”
Trolls then appeared and got upset with riders for “invading” their space and put a spell on their boat that propelled them backward at high speeds. It was one of EPCOT’s most popular attractions in the park, so when Disney announced that Frozen Ever After would be replacing it in September 2014, folks weren’t too quick to “let it go,” if you will.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
An original ride to Magic Kingdom, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was an “E-Ticket” attraction that took people underwater on 38-passenger subs disguised as Captain Nemo’s submarine. It traveled through coral reefs, dark caverns, and unexpected danger.
The ride closed in 1994 with virtually no notice to parkgoers despite its popularity. 20,000 Leagues proved to be difficult to keep running — it was prone to constant ride breakdowns, loading difficulties, long lines, and high maintenance costs.
ExtraTERRORestrial
George Lucas and Imagineering teamed up to create this utterly terrifying attraction that involved a scary alien encounter. ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter was located in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland and took folks into a “demonstration chamber,” a theater in the round. A device was then lowered onto your shoulders holding you in place.
During the “demonstration,” things go awry and an angry alien teleports into the center of the room before escaping in wreaking havoc in the chamber where you’re sitting. Yes, it was terrifying. Disney shut the attraction down on October 11th, 2003, and replaced it with the also now-defunct Stitch’s Great Escape.
Body Wars
This EPCOT attraction shrunk riders down and took them on a journey through the human body. Body Wars was located in the Wonders of Life Pavilion, and was initially a massive success. The attraction, which featured a film directed by filmmaker and Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy, was the first thrill ride in EPCOT and the first simulator in Walt Disney World. However, things began to turn quickly.
The combination of the attraction’s boldly-themed ride film combined with its simulator mechanics made it particularly prone to afflicting guests with motion sickness. Disney attempted to rectify this, but ultimately, Body Wars operated on a seasonal schedule from 2004 until January 2007 when it closed forever.
The Great Movie Ride
The Great Movie Ride was once located in the Chinese Theater in Hollywood Studios and featured scenes from twelve classic MGM films. The ride’s experience was truly like no other in the way it combined audio-animatronics, projections, live actors, and special effects. It became an instant classic, drawing large and enthusiastic crowds for many years.
But, in 2017, after a 28-year-long run, to the heartbreak of many fans, The Great Movie Ride closed its doors to make way for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway — the first-ever attraction to feature Mickey Mouse. Disney felt it was time to bring something new to the park, and they did!
Of course, these aren’t the only defunct Disney World rides — that’s a pretty long list. But if you remember any of these, well, we’ll drop our skincare recs below.
Looking for our skincare essentials for when we’re in the parks? Check them out below!
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How many of these rides do you remember? Tell us in the comments.
Ok, sure. I’ve been going to Disney World since 1982 and have ridden every ride here (some are NOT that old). So, where’s the Skyway running at the Magic Kingdom. You could get on it either in Tomorrowland or Fantasyland… I have great photos from that ride of 20,000 Leagues, Mr. Toad, Snow White, Cinderella’s Castle. Anybody remember the Skyway? Mr. Toad and Snow White? Loved the cast member who sat midway through the Skyway… always nice. btw… you’re NEVER too old for Disney.
I remember all of them. My favorites being BODY WARS, 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, & Great Movie ride.
There is a Show that I remember loving as a Kid and I can’t remember where in Epcot it was. It was a Restaurant that had Characters do a Stage show then they came in Audience for Pics/Autographs.
Kitchen Cabaret was the name.
The one thing Disney doesn’t get, some rides should be left alone. And now with their going woke it’s worse. Leave it be people don’t come to see new, they come to share the experiences of there youth. And if you wouldn’t mind how about bringing back some of the old menu items. Nobody really enjoys your meals anymore there just paying for the characters. Time to get it together.
Mr Toads Wild Ride is sorely missed.
I remember all of them and really miss Alien Encounter – super fun and scary.
You didn’t mention the Energy Pavilion ride, with its huge robotic ancestors to the cars used in Rise of the Resistance and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. It was revamped at some point to include Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye, but ultimately closed down to be replaced with Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind.
I worked on many of them and know them all.
I stood in the longest line and in the rain just to experience the great movie ride it was worth the wait too.
I rode it for the last time in July 2017.
“if you had wings” is missing from your list?
Thanks for the memories. I must be getting older because I remember all those attractions and enjoyed all of them. “Progress” moves us forward but it’s bittersweet. So glad I was able to experience these and grateful you brought them all back, if only in our memories.
I remember all of these rides. I loved Body wars!
Yes I am getting older, but I am only 5 years old at any Disney park!
Every single one of them. Our family used to go to Disney every other year. Miss the old rides but undèrstand about adding new ones.
You left out Cranium Command, which was AWESOME!
I was a ride operator for Horizons, World of Motion and Living Seas!
I remember three of the attractions
I remember each one of these rides, and I especially miss Horizons and the Great Movie Ride! Not only were these beautifully imagined rides, but they were a good 10 or 15 minutes long. Their replacements are quickies…..in & out WAY too soon.
I’ve only been to Walt Disney World since 2019, but it’s nice to hear about the rides that aren’t there anymore.
Remember them all and I miss them too.