Maybe It’s Time Disney World Permanently Closes THIS Ride

Permanent closures have been a part of Disney World since the resort’s earliest years, as a few attractions didn’t even make it out of the park’s first decade. Over that time, fans have been split. Some closures have devastated them, while other attraction closures have been greeted with reactions akin to “took long enough.”

Recently, we took to our Facebook page to ask our readers a simple question: “What’s one Disney World ride you think needs to permanently retire?” Unsurprisingly, you all had THOUGHTS.

We received thousands of responses, naming dozens of Disney rides, but there was one ride that was most often mentioned that readers feel is ripe for replacement: Tomorrowland Speedway.

The Tomorrowland attraction has long been a common target for removal, thanks to the odor of exhaust, the slow-moving ride system, and arguably most importantly: the massive piece of real estate it takes up, which borders both Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, meaning that it could be used for a new attraction — or attractions — in either land, or both.

Our readers did not hold back their thoughts on the Speedway and what should replace it, with some responses including reader Finley, who expressed the thoughts of many, writing, “Tomorrowland Speedway and it’s not even close. I actively avoid walking by it if possible.” Countless others lamented the fact that the upcoming Cars expansion, Piston Peak, is being constructed in Frontierland as opposed to the Speedway location.

Not every reader wanted to remove the Speedway entirely, however, as others called for the ride to be redesigned, rethemed, or both. Reader Steve called for an upgrade that would include “Electric cars, visual elements around the track” that could “bring it to life.” Sammy called for a ride system transformation, but went a step further, being one of many readers calling for the ride to be rethemed to the Wreck-It Ralph franchise.

As stated above, while the Speedway received the most votes, it was far from the only ride readers suggested replacing.

Some were unsurprising like Mission: Space (“That stupid Trip to Mars thing that pushed Horizons, the best ride they ever had, out” and the current incarnation of Journey Into Imagination (“The current useless version of Imagination… we need a completely new modern version with the old Heart and Soul and Dreamfinder and a proper home for FIGMENT”), while others caught us off guard (numerous readers suggested “it’s a small world”, which, not gonna lie, truly hurts).

Perhaps the most surprising was reader Chris, who came out swinging with “Spaceship Earth. Talk about a waste of prime real estate. Those dioramas were outdated 25 years ago, and the whole backwards segment down from the 80s planetarium up top is a total blank.”

Let’s wrap up with reader Chase, who took a different tack entirely, writing, “No retirement, just expansion!!! And updates! All of them hold memories for many… including those who created them… Small World, for example, does nothing for me, but I know it has a special place in the fabric of Disney. I hear folks also hate on Mission Space. It is one of my top 5 rides, I love it. So there are so many variations in tastes, and Disney does a great job covering all the bases, I think.”

Surprising no one, our readers had a lot of thoughts on what Disney World attraction needs to permanently close, and the closest thing to a consensus indicated that many have lost interest in the current incarnation of the Tomorrowland Speedway. If you’re interested in sharing your thoughts on this, or any other Disney or travel-related topic, follow us on the AllEars Facebook to join in on the next conversation!

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What, if any, Disney World would you like to see close? Let us know in the comments below.

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