Many masterpieces of Imagineering age like positive wines, getting higher and turning into much more iconic over time. Nevertheless, there are rides at Walt Disney World which have grow to be more and more outdated and even out of date. This record covers the sights–large and small–which are in want of overhauls or outright replacements. (Up to date December 8, 2024.)
There are a number of causes that some sights at Walt Disney World age higher than others. A trio of Magic Kingdom classics–Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jungle Cruise–all exemplify rides enhancing with every passing 12 months, turning into beloved by a complete new technology of followers.
It might be straightforward to attribute that to at least one commonality, that every one have obtained film variations to maintain curiosity excessive. Whereas that’s definitely true of the Johnny Depp and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson helmed franchises, it’s not truthful to say the identical applies to Haunted Mansion (the primary one…but additionally in all probability the second). It didn’t enter the cultural zeitgeist because of a film adaptation nobody noticed that scored 14% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Growing old poorly is just not essentially indicative of an attraction’s high quality. On the contrary, many rides on this record as soon as have been nice, and nonetheless are despite that datedness. The commonality isn’t that they’re unhealthy, however slightly, that time has handed them by. This normally means expertise has made them out of date. There are many examples of older sights receiving redos that inject then-current expertise, and incongruity seems between the unique and up to date elements over time.
In different circumstances, sights take a very modern strategy to expertise that merely doesn’t maintain up years later. We’d name this “The Mummy Returns Impact.” That 2001 movie leaned very a lot into bleeding edge (on the time) CGI, and the result’s Dwayne Johnson’s Scorpion King now wanting prefer it was rendered by a Sega Dreamcast. In the meantime, older movies like Jaws, E.T., Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and different outdated movies nonetheless maintain up as a result of they didn’t get carried away.
It’s the same story with a few of the sights on this record. However let’s not get forward of ourselves. As an alternative, we’ll dig into the record of 10 sights at Walt Disney World which have aged poorly and are urgently overdue for an overhaul or not less than some updates…
Mission: House — As Dinosaur counts right down to extinction in 2026, we’re granting it a reprieve from this record in equal components as a result of it’s getting up to date (properly, reimagined to Indiana Jones Journey) and since the attraction primarily based on the awesomest animal deserves a criticism-free farewell tour. To that finish, Mission: House is the newest entry on this record.
Mission: House is definitely quite a bit like Dinosaur within the sense that we need to like each. They’re primarily based on undeniably cool ideas which are universally beloved by youngsters…and the grownup scripting this. The concept of an outer house pavilion at EPCOT that provides pleasure and schooling seems like the proper marriage of the park’s authentic mission.
Sadly, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The story isn’t compelling, the interactivity is phoned in and fails to have interaction, and the visuals are outdated and underwhelming. Misson: House is principally what you get when you took a Sega arcade sport from the early 2000s, put it in demo mode, and positioned it on the again of a flatbed truck pushed on I-4 by a typical Central Florida vacationer. And in some way this was Walt Disney World’s costliest attraction ever when it opened?!
Mission: House is a usually disagreeable attraction that’s missing in payoff. The joys journey is discomforting as an alternative of exhilarating, a distinction that’s into stark reduction by Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, a journey that does nearly every little thing higher than Mission: House. Each time we journey the 2 sights back-to-back, Mission: House feels extra antiquated, due not only for a band-aid replace, however outright alternative. To not be a type of loopy, unrealistic EPCOT Middle followers, however…deliver again (a modernized) Horizons!
Spaceship Earth — This slow-moving darkish journey by Audio Animatronics-heavy scenes showcasing the development of communication feels prefer it’s caught prior to now. Spaceship Earth was scheduled for a reimagining roughly 5 years in the past, which was desperately wanted. The observe is in tough form and the descent provides off deserted mall vibes, with random black gentle triangles (rad!) and a sea of curtains cordoning off unused areas.
For an attraction highlighting how human communications have advanced, the best way during which the journey communicates to company–particularly within the finale–likewise feels antiquated. One may argue that features of the attraction, mockingly sufficient, fail to attach with company with storytelling that’s clunky and a conclusion that fails to encourage. Humanity’s shared story is a compelling one and the journey’s location inside EPCOT’s iconic geodesic sphere is absolutely cool, however Spaceship Earth squanders a lot of its potential.
Purists may cringe at these criticisms, themselves (understandably) not eager to rock the boat and lose the final of EPCOT’s Audio Animatronics-heavy sights. Nevertheless, the present state of the second-half of the attraction is embarrassing, the script is drained, and the tacky screen-based ending is atrocious.
Spaceship Earth deserves higher, and diehard followers shouldn’t must worry a refurbishment as a result of the tip consequence may, in some way, be even worse. Right here’s hoping that Imagineers do a implausible job with the World of Movement-inspired Check Observe 3.0 overhaul, reassuring followers that Spaceship Earth must be subsequent up for reimagining in late 2025 or 2026!
Buzz Lightyear’s House Ranger Spin – We in all probability might save an honest period of time and keystrokes with one entry for all of Tomorrowland. I wish to love Buzz Lightyear’s House Ranger Spin. I really like the concept of it as a shooter journey that really makes use of bodily present scenes to make it participating for company who wish to benefit from the attraction passively. A number of the staging, props, and Audio Animatronics are actually cool. The interactivity is enjoyable, and Walt Disney World might use extra sights like this.
With that mentioned, Buzz Lightyear’s House Ranger Spin is basically proof of idea…that did show the idea. As different interactive shooters have adopted in its footsteps, this drained darkish journey hasn’t been modernized in over twenty years. It’s nonetheless a reimagined journey of one other reimagined journey (with some remnants of its predecessors, Delta Dreamflight and If You Had Wings, nonetheless in place).
The parks in Anaheim, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai have all since iterated upon and improved the Buzz Lightyear shooter journey, and it’s long gone time for Magic Kingdom to observe go well with. We’re particularly intrigued by the Wreck-It Ralph journey coming to Tokyo in 2026 or 2027 and wonder if that is likely to be cloned to Florida within the 2030s. On the very least, import the much-newer Buzz Lightyear props, blasters, and different stuff from Japan. That model of the journey nonetheless felt model new when it closed!
Tomorrowland Speedway – Loads of Walt Disney World followers will argue that Tomorrowland Speedway must be demolished and changed, because it takes up an excessive amount of prime actual property in Magic Kingdom. That perspective contends that the idea is outdated, and that the journey is noisy, smelly, and simplistic.
They’re proper and flawed. Like Dumbo and Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare, Tomorrowland Speedway is a ceremony of passage attraction that’s deserving of its place in Magic Kingdom. For youths, sitting within the driver’s seat and steering by a automotive course is absolutely cool. Nevertheless, youngsters don’t creator blogs like this one (regardless of what the writing high quality, or lack thereof, may counsel) in order that perspective isn’t usually voiced.
However, if Tomorrowland Speedway is deemed ‘culturally important’ (or no matter) and worthy of a lot house in Magic Kingdom, it must be differentiate itself from dime-a-dozen go-cart rides. Changing the fleet with fashionable automobiles having putting design kinds and present scenes with character could be a begin. Make the automobiles enjoyable for all ages, and the surroundings worthy of a Sunday drive.
We’re curious as to how a lot overlap there will likely be with the upcoming Automobiles E-Ticket Changing Rivers of America. Which may make Tomorrowland Speedway redundant and ripe for alternative or redevelopment…together with over half of Tomorrowland. Hmmm.
Journey into Creativeness with Figment — If you happen to’re visiting EPCOT for the primary time at present, it’s unimaginable to grasp how what seems to be a Spyro knock-off (he’s not) and his underwhelming attraction have such a fan following. You may simply chalk it as much as Disney Grownup idiosyncrasies, very like I assume persons are obsessive about Dunkin’ Donuts as a result of they’ve by no means had every other doughnuts or espresso. In each circumstances, there’s extra to it than meets the attention.
Figment is in style not for the prevailing attraction in its present sorry state, however for the unique Journey into Creativeness. If something, the truth that the journey and its star character nonetheless have a strong maintain on adults of a sure age a long time after they disappeared speaks volumes in regards to the indelible impression they left on the youth of the Nineteen Eighties and Nineties.
The unique Journey into Creativeness was mesmerizing. Above all else, it was imaginative, as cliche as that may sound. As a younger baby, I used to be spellbound by the unique, its characters, and the evocative scenes they inhabited. I bear in mind it in vivid element not as a result of my household rode it again and again (though we did!), however as a result of it was a timeless attraction that captivated company, sparked their imaginations, and cast lifelong Walt Disney World followers.
The alternative, Journey into Creativeness with Figment, looks like it strives to harass slightly than encourage. Sarcastically sufficient, it showcases the facility of creativeness…with the least imaginative and obnoxious attraction doable. What was as soon as an okay band-aid between the Figment-less Journey into Your Creativeness and a brand new attraction has now outlived the unique, and is wanting actually worse for put on. Every thing about it’s outdated, the the primary three-quarters of the ride-through appears like one thing is lacking. What’s lacking is creativeness. It’s time to reimagine Journey into Creativeness.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh — I’m going to say what everyone seems to be pondering: Winnie the Pooh is a baller. No, you weren’t pondering that? Effectively, solely as a result of the Walt Disney Firm has completely squandered the potential of Winnie the Pooh, sidelining he and his posse’s potential for pranks and tomfoolery.
In a simply world, it could be Winnie the Pooh and never Paddington who’s beloved by generations. Give it some thought, what does Paddington possess that Winnie the Pooh doesn’t? Preserved jam sandwiches? Give me a break. Winnie the Pooh is a straight-up honey fiend, risking life and limb for a style of the candy stuff. Pooh is simply as laid again, chill, beneficiant, and deferential as Paddington. On high of that, Pooh rolls deep, with a crew extra pure of coronary heart than AFC Richmond.
However I digress. The purpose is to not disparage Paddington, himself a global treasure, however to query why Winnie the Pooh doesn’t obtain extra love amongst Individuals? This journey, that’s the reason. It’s rudimentary and dated (regardless of not being that outdated), failing to showcase the guts and attraction of those beloved characters. An attraction primarily based on Winnie the Pooh must be timeless, full of childlike surprise, and extra in style than Peter Pan’s Flight. We all know a Pooh-centric attraction can attain these heights as a result of there may be an older one that’s precisely all of these items…but it surely’s at Tokyo Disneyland.
Peter Pan’s Flight – Talking of which, that is certain to be a controversial choose. That’s very true given the enduring reputation of Peter Pan’s Flight and the truth that it instructions a few of the longest wait occasions in all of Walt Disney World. Moderately, Peter Pan’s Flight makes the record regardless of its reputation.
Pretty much as good because the attraction premise is and as particular as it’s to fly over the streets of London and Neverland, it nonetheless has unrealized potential. Plussing the journey to combine projection mapping or different lighting results–as has been performed in Anaheim, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo–could possibly be a gamechanger. Overhauling the journey system so the flight is much less jerky and extra clean would assist with suspension of disbelief.
Imagineering obtained it proper with Peter Pan’s Flight a long time in the past, and it’s a really timeless attraction that will likely be loved by generations of company to return. That doesn’t imply that there aren’t little methods to reinforce the attraction to maintain the icon contemporary. Imagineering has performed precisely that with Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean during the last a number of years.
They’ve additionally performed this with different variations of Peter Pan’s Flight around the globe. That is one other one like Buzz Lightyear’s House Ranger Spin, the place it appears like Imagineering has “forgotten” in regards to the Magic Kingdom incarnation because the creatives have given numerous like to different variations and proven how even little plussings have given them new life. The Magic Kingdom did not too long ago get a prolonged refurbishment and scene alternative, however extra ought to’ve been performed throughout that. It’s about time Peter Pan’s Flight left its datedness within the mud and obtained an opportunity to soar larger.
Magnificence and the Beast: Reside on Stage — This stage present retelling Magnificence and the Beast in condensed kind is actually as outdated because the animated film itself. It’s pleasurable, doing an sufficient job with choreography, performances, and dramatic styling. And in equity, not each theatrical manufacturing must be edgy or envelope-pushing to seize company’ consideration. Generally simple-but-good is greater than sufficient.
These are truthful factors, however this simply feels outdated. I can’t fairly articulate why or how, however just about every little thing about it simply provides off Nineties vibes. In isolation, it’s tough to level to any particular aspect that provides the present away as being dated. It’s the totality of all of it, and the way it contrasts with newer variations of animated films that provides it away. So many extra fashionable productions have come and gone at Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line that could possibly be plugged into DHS and could be a breath of contemporary air, comparatively talking.
House Mountain — I’ve lengthy defended Magic Kingdom’s House Mountain, which stays my favourite even in comparison with the newer variations at Disneyland and past. Though it lacks audio…and a clean journey…it makes up for that with extra character within the queue, post-show, and the journey itself. Nevertheless, I’m very cognizant of the truth that that is the nostalgic in me talking.
The datedness of this darkish curler coaster goes to be thrown into even starker reduction as soon as TRON Lightcycle Run opens straight subsequent door to it. I don’t know what the answer is, and I’d hate to lose House Mountain and all of its historical past and iconic qualities, however having two in-the-dark curler coasters proper subsequent to at least one one other was all the time going to end in side-by-side visitor comparisons, and the circa-1975 House Mountain is woefully outdated as in comparison with the circa-2016 TRON Lightcycle Run.
Soarin’ Across the World — One other choose that’ll undoubtedly be polarizing given the recognition of this hang-glider simulator journey. I’m not notably averse to Soarin’ Across the World, however the CGI, tacky animals, and distortion has worn on me over time. With every passing 12 months, both it appears worse or I get grumpier. In all probability each, however follow me right here.
You understand how somebody appears youthful proper after they’ve had a facelift (or no matter beauty surgical procedure is in style lately), however over time, their pores and skin begins wanting pretend and plastic-like? In the meantime, the one who embraced their snort strains and crow’s ft seems to age gracefully? It’s the identical concept with Soarin.
I had the prospect to catch each variations days aside earlier this 12 months, and felt that Soarin’ Over California has aged much better. To make sure, it doesn’t look model new and there are little clues that it was shot within the late Nineties. Nevertheless, OG Soarin’ advantages from its footage being actual movie, whereas CGI Soarin’ already appears dated as in comparison with newer visible results. I’d even argue that there are variations of the FlyOver movies (non-Disney, however from the creator of Soarin’) which are higher than each.
To Imagineering’s credit score, they did not too long ago refresh Soarin’ to exchange the EPCOT finale to replicate the brand new World Celebration whereas additionally largely “unbending” the Eiffel Tower. It appears higher! I’d nonetheless wish to see a completely new movie that’s really filmed as an alternative of created inside a pc. Talking of which, there are one other half-dozen movies at EPCOT which are in all probability worthy of inclusion on this record. We cowl these individually in We Solely Skip One Experience at EPCOT, However We Keep away from A number of Exhibits.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Do any sights at Walt Disney World strike you as notably outdated or out of date? Suppose there are any newer rides which have aged poorly by advantage of leaning too closely into evolving applied sciences? Something you assume our record “snubbed” that belongs amongst WDW’s outdated rides? Do you agree or disagree with our record? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
