But for those of us who grew up in the 60s, 70s or 80s, all this change comes with a bittersweet reality: the loss of the rides that defined our childhoods. No matter how high-tech a new land is, it’s hard not to miss the specific glow of the Rainbow Corridor or the smell of the submarine lagoon. Some attractions don't just close; they become part of a collective memory that defines what "Disney" meant to an entire generation.
Here is a look back at the icons we miss most, the special memories they left behind and what eventually replaced them.
Housed in a replica of Grauman's Chinese Theatre at Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios), this dark ride used 100+ animatronics and live actors to take guests through scenes from cinema classics like Casablanca and The Wizard of Oz. Fans loved the "live hijack" where a gangster or bandit would take over your ride vehicle, and the montage of movie clips at the very end. What’s There Now:Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, a trackless adventure that puts you inside a Mickey Mouse cartoon.
2. Maelstrom (1988–2014)
This massive log flume featuring the characters and Oscar-winning songs of the 1946 film Song of the South has featured in generations of families' memories of the Frontierland area of the Magic Kingdom. Beyond the 50-foot drop, fans remember the catchy "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" finale and the "snoring bear" in the queue—a "critter" sound effect carried over from an even older Disney attraction, America Sings. What’s There Now:Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a 2024 reimagining centered on Princess Tiana's quest to host a New Orleans celebration, featuring a "salt dome" farm and an original New Orleans-style soundtrack.
4. World of Motion (1982–1996)
Epcot's whimsical, slow-moving look at the history of transportation took guests from the invention of the wheel to futuristic "mag-lev" cities. Calm ride vehicles called "omnimovers" and blasting AC (sponsored by GM!) offered a nice cool-off break for parents and kids. Fans still miss the humorous visual gags designed by Disney legends Ward Kimball and Marc Davis, especially the "world's first traffic jam" scene featuring more than 30 animatronic figures and one iconic horse. What’s There Now:Test Track, a high-speed thrill ride that actually re-used the original pavilion structure, allowing guests to design their own virtual concept car and put it through a series of "proving ground" performance tests.
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6. Body Wars (1989–2004)
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8. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1971–1994)
This massive, 20-minute submarine voyage through a "liquid space" lagoon was a crown jewel of Fantasyland, where guests peered through heavy portholes at mermaids, shipwrecks and an underwater graveyard of sunken ships. Children of the 70s and 80s vividly remember the sweet, metallic smell of the "sea" water (actually bromine) and the vibrating hum of Captain Nemo’s voice over the speakers as the vessel descended into the dark. The ride’s terrifying climax—a struggle with a giant, glowing-eyed squid—remains one of the most indelible core memories for an entire generation of Disney travelers. What’s There Now: After sitting as an empty lagoon for nearly a decade, the site was eventually filled in to create the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, a family-friendly coaster that opened in 2014. While the submarines are long gone, fans can still find a tiny tribute to the ride carved into the wooden beams of the Mine Train’s queue, and a collection of the original 1971 portholes are currently on display at the Disney 100 Exhibit traveling to Madrid in 2026.
10. Journey Into Imagination (1983–1998)
The original 14-minute version of this Epcot icon featured the jolly, bearded Dreamfinder and his mischievous creation, Figment, as they traveled through the clouds in the "Dreamcatcher" to collect sparks of inspiration. Children of the 80s remember the ride's whimsical "Dreamport" storage room and the vibrant scenes dedicated to Art, Literature and Science, all set to the Sherman Brothers' iconic "One Little Spark." After exiting, the magic continued in the upstairs ImageWorks, a high-tech playground where fans spent hours in the neon-lit Rainbow Corridor—a rotating light tunnel so famous it served as the backdrop for a legendary Michael Jackson photoshoot. What’s There Now: A significantly shorter version called Journey Into Imagination with Figment, which focuses on the "sensory labs" of the Imagination Institute hosted by Dr. Nigel Channing. While the original second floor is now a private lounge, the current 2026 Festival of the Arts at Epcot features a nostalgic "Inspiration Station" at the Odyssey building with rainbow projections that pay direct homage to that beloved 80s tunnel.
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