Disney World fans are not exactly shy when it comes to sharing opinions.
Lately, there’s been a new debate brewing — one that’s turning into a hot-button topic for longtime parkgoers and casual visitors alike. Disney seems to be shifting more toward replacing beloved, decades-old attractions rather than focusing on building entirely new rides and shows. With closures like Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Belle Riverboat, and Muppets Courtyard, some fans are wondering if Disney is prioritizing “what’s new” over “what’s already loved.” So what’s going on here, and why is it rubbing so many people the wrong way? Let’s break it down.
Big Closures, Big Feelings
We’ve seen attraction closures before. It’s part of the natural evolution of theme parks — out with the old, in with the new. But right now, the closures feel different.
Tom Sawyer Island has been a fixture in Magic Kingdom for decades, offering a rare break from the high-energy rides and a little bit of old-school charm. The Liberty Belle Riverboat wasn’t just a boat ride; it was a slow, scenic journey through a version of Frontierland that felt straight out of Disney’s early storytelling days. And over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Muppets Courtyard was a quirky, colorful corner that gave fans a place to indulge in some nostalgia and lighthearted humor.
The closure of all three — in a short window — has left many feeling like Disney is erasing pieces of its own history.
The Replacement Strategy
Instead of focusing on entirely new builds that expand park capacity, Disney seems to be leaning into reimagining or replacing what’s already there. The strategy makes sense from a business perspective — building on existing infrastructure can save time and money — but it can also mean fewer total attractions in the park at any given time.
If you replace a ride, you’re still dealing with the same number of guests in line, just for a different attraction. And for visitors, especially those who remember these classic areas, it feels like a trade-off rather than a net gain.
That being said, Disney is working on a big addition with the upcoming Villains Land, which will be a new expansion. That’s the kind of capacity boost fans have been begging for — more rides, more experiences, more to spread out the crowds. But until then, these high-profile closures can make it feel like the park is shrinking instead of growing.
The Nostalgia Factor
For many fans, Disney isn’t just about rides. It’s about the stories, the memories, and the little details that bring them back again and again. Losing attractions like Tom Sawyer Island isn’t just about losing a place to explore; it’s about losing the specific atmosphere those spaces created.
Kids could burn off energy running across rope bridges, parents could enjoy a quiet moment away from the hustle of the park, and you could almost pretend you’d stepped into a different time period. That kind of immersive, low-pressure experience is harder to come by in modern Disney, where the focus often feels like it’s on IP-based rides and big-ticket thrills.
Why It’s Controversial
This new trend has fans split into two camps. On one side, you have the people who are excited for fresh attractions and don’t mind saying goodbye to older experiences if it means getting something newer, shinier, and possibly more technologically advanced.
On the other, you have those who believe Disney should preserve these iconic spaces while adding new ones — not replace them entirely. Both perspectives have valid points. Disney has to keep the parks feeling relevant and exciting, especially for younger visitors. But at the same time, part of the magic of Disney World is that it’s one of the few places where you can step into the same scene your parents or grandparents experienced.
What It Means for Your Next Trip
If you’re visiting Disney World soon, expect more changes like this. With several projects already in the works, it’s likely we’ll see more attractions swapped out for updated versions rather than a major boom in total rides.
This doesn’t mean your trip will be any less magical — just that it may look and feel different than past visits. It’s also a reminder to check attraction availability before you go. If something you’ve always wanted to experience is still open, make it a priority. You never know when it might be your last chance.
As Disney moves forward with its new plans, the debate over replacing vs. adding attractions probably won’t go away anytime soon. Whether you’re firmly in the “bring on the new” camp or holding tight to your nostalgia, one thing is certain — Disney’s choices about what stays and what goes will continue to spark passionate conversations for years to come.
For more news and updates, be sure to stay tuned to AllEars!
Millennials Are DONE with These Disney World Trends
So what do you think? Is this just the natural evolution of the parks, or is Disney letting go of too much history? Let us know in the comments below.
I agree. We need more attractions not rethemed attractions. At Magic Kingdom now, you have four attractions that are closed or under refurbishment (Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger spin, Liberty Belle and Tom Sawyer Island). All of those people are now being funneled into longer lines for the remaining attractions as I am sure Disney has not lowered park capacity for the fewer attractions. No one wants to spend $130+ per day on a park ticket to wait in an hour long line for a ride that takes less than 5 minutes (and in some cases 1 minute) with kids who are miserable waiting in long lines. This is not fun in anybody’s book. Disney just keeps making the experience worse and then wonders why people say they won’t come back.