Overview
- Several recent, confirmed moves have removed or reshaped legacy experiences: Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Belle Riverboat have closed for a Cars‑themed Piston Peak expansion, Muppet*Vision 3‑D closed in 2025, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster was rethemed to The Muppets in 2026, and DINOSAUR has been officially slated to become an Indiana Jones attraction.
- Carousel of Progress is scheduled to close in July 2026 for a major overhaul that will replace its current timeline and add a new Walt Disney audio‑animatronic figure, a change that preserves the ride system but alters the show that generations knew.
- Disney frames the strategy as an investment in guests and revenue by using recognizable franchises to shorten marketing time, increase merchandise sales, and reuse existing ride systems to cut build time and cost.
- Fans and preservation advocates say the wave of rethemes erodes park atmosphere and erases historically significant, non‑IP experiences that offered quieter, immersive moments rather than blockbuster draws.
- Reporters note a widening list of at‑risk attractions that lack strong franchise ties—examples cited include Gran Fiesta Tour, Tomorrowland Speedway, Mission: SPACE, Figment, Star Tours, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and The Barnstormer—raising the prospect of further rethemes across all four parks.