10 Extinct Things We Miss That Disney World Should Bring Back
Every Walt Disney World fan has extinct attractions that they miss, and would give anything to see one last time. This post takes a look at some of our favorite long-gone offerings from Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios, but with a twist: everything on this list actually could return.
While we spend a lot of time on this blog waxing nostalgic about EPCOT Center (our 10 Worst Walt Disney World Attraction Replacements is EPCOT-heavy), the reality is that extinct omnimover attractions are never coming back. Sadly, it’s unlikely that any ride is coming back, no matter much we might want it–and how good of an idea it might be. The best we can hope for on that front are sequels (of sorts), like the elusive Journey into Imagination reboot so many fans hope to see coming sometime this decade.
However, there are some things gone from Walt Disney World that could come back, and that’s what we want to focus on here. Making this a “top” 10 list and simply rehashing the EPCOT rides we miss the most would’ve been the easy route. Instead, we’ll focus on 10 things that we really miss, but that could conceivably return in some form, be it direct restorations or ‘spiritual successors’ that embody the same characteristics and quality.
Not only that, but it seems like the time is right for daydreaming about what Walt Disney World might do to recapture some of the magic. For one thing, Walt Disney World has had to make moves to undo damage done during the Chapek era. Efforts have already been made to address lost goodwill, including restoring perks, offering more aggressive discounts, and adding little things squarely aimed at diehard WDW fans.
We saw that this year, with the debut of Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, which is Magic Kingdom’s first night parade in a decade and first new one since the 1990s! Starlight isn’t perfect, but it is a refreshing addition that adds energy to evenings in Magic Kingdom, and enough to push SpectroMagic and Main Street Electrical Parade off this list.
It’s clear that 2026 is going to bring with it an added focus on little things, many of which will appeal disproportionately to Disney fans. Examples include Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets (more on that in a minute), upgraded Audio Animatronics in Frozen Ever After, new Carousel of Progress opening act, and the return of Magic of Disney Animation. Too bad we didn’t have that last one on this list–but it proves that extinct attractions returning is within the realm of possibility!
Playing the nostalgia card and catering to disillusioned fans is a savvy strategy in the next couple of years. As discussed in Should You Skip Disney World in 2026 & Wait for 2027?, there’s not much on the horizon for the next two years. At this point, the only upcoming project with an opening year is Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom in 2027. Judging by progress, that’s not opening until Late 2027.
Everything else is further down the road, but here’s roughly what we’re expecting:
- Monstropolis & Monsters Inc Door Coaster: 2028
- Piston Peak Cars Land: 2029
- Villains Land: 2030
There are minor things like more new restaurants and Disney Vacation Club expansion, but nothing around which marketing campaigns can be crafted that’ll entice first-timers to book vacations. Regular guests need blockbuster attractions, and those are still a couple of years (or more) away.
Fortunately, there are things that the company can do expeditiously to incentivize trips and win back weary former fans. Here’s our list of what Walt Disney World should bring back in the next few years…
10. Year of a Million Dreams
We really enjoyed this celebration, and a big part of that was surprise Magical Moments awarded by the Dream Squad. We won several times during that two-year celebration, the highlight of which was getting to ride in Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade during the event.
Year of a Million Dreams was a great way to make guests feel special and valued. It might’ve even convinced us to take more trips, wanting to win bigger. That’s us above in Summer 2008, sporting baby faces and Mickey Mouse ears we won while lining up for Journey into Imagination–one of several successes during the Year of a Million Dreams! Those fun surprises during the event were such a delight–and undoubtedly led to repeat bookings and positive word of mouth!
Regardless of what it’s called or the form it takes, a worldwide event paying tribute to Walt Disney World and celebrating the legacy of the theme parks would be cool. Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary was a complete bust, so this could be a nice mulligan for that. The Happiest Celebration on Earth was really the first time we heard much about the international parks, and it’d be fun for each of the parks to pay tribute to one another with a focus on Walt Disney World’s history and legacy.
9. Lights of Winter and Dreamlights
Fair Warning: there is a lot of Christmas on this list. Part of that is because it’s fresh in our minds. This holiday season, Walt Disney World does not feel nearly as festive as it used to be. There are a bunch of little things that are still missing, even as the parks are back to normal.
Then there’s the one very big thing: the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights, which we fear may never return. Walt Disney World bringing that display back for Christmas 2026 is the bare minimum. That’s doubly true after cutting out virtually every other major wow-inducing light display in the years prior to that.
The good news is that Walt Disney World has announced that Cinderella Castle is being repainted starting in early 2026, which has us hopeful (perhaps foolishly so) that the groundwork is being laid for the return of the Dream Lights.
To that point, the other “easiest” holiday light display to restore is in EPCOT, and could coincide with the new front of the park (hopefully) being finished by next Christmas. We miss the Lights of Winter so much that we made the trek to Kobe, Japan to see its Luminarie lighting, which bears an incredibly strong resemblance to the Lights of Winter.
The Lights of Winter was not a huge-scale offering, but perfectly set the mood for Christmas in Epcot. These archways ran between Future World and World Showcase, and were abruptly “retired” (to put it charitably) one year due to technical issues.
For the next few years, many fans hoped their infrastructure would be updated and they’d return, but I think that hope has mostly dissipated. With that said, these could still be rebuilt and restored on short notice, and would give Epcot a shot in the arm during the Christmas season. Perhaps not a bad idea as the park is a veritable unfinished construction site.
8. Extinct Foods
My official vote here is for Figaro Fries, the loaded fries that used to be offered in Fantasyland. There are also several desserts and a sandwich I miss at Sunshine Seasons, and a couple holiday cupcakes I really miss.
Bringing any of these back would be easy–if there was one thing Walt Disney World did well during the 50th, it was this. Menus like those would be the perfect accompaniment to a 90s nostalgia (or something like that) summer-time celebration at Walt Disney World.
Unofficially, I’m all for BeaverTails returning to Canada. This is an unofficial one because I don’t recall ever having them in the Canada pavilion at Epcot, but I have had BeaverTails in Canada (the real country) a few times, and they are spectacular. After a fake-out for the Food & Wine Festival, it’s time to bring these back for real.
7. Timekeeper or Alien Encounter
Tomorrowland ’94 was a huge hit for me as a kid and they would be fairly easy to bring back with retrofits to existing venues that could be accomplished in under 6 months (less than the time it took to create Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout!)
Walt Disney World is already bringing back one Robin Williams attraction in the Magic of Disney Animation, so let’s double the count with Timekeeper! I loved the time travel components, historical figures, and the animated personality Williams gave to Timekeeper. What went over my head at the time–that I think I’d appreciate today–was the range of filming locations beyond the Eiffel Tower. Bringing back this CircleVision 360 film wouldn’t be that tough.
Then there’s Alien Encounter. Stitch’s Great Escape reused a lot of the same infrastructure, props, and effects…just with a far worse execution. Restoring Alien Encounter would be far easier than creating something new from a blank slate. It would be feasible because Walt Disney World demographics skew more adult every year, and Tomorrowland in particular will soon be a land that caters towards an older (or at least taller) audience. Finally, Alien Encounter was just flat-out good.
Although it’s not on my personal wish list, another realistic possibility here is bringing back Stitch’s Great Escape with a new script and some other updates. With the live action Lilo & Stitch being a huge hit at the summer box office and a sequel already greenlit, it might make the most sense to simply capitalize on the newfound popularity of Stitch.
6. Adventurers Club
Another one that’s never coming back–at least, not in its former home or original form. Nevertheless, I think a concept similar to the Adventurers Club would be well-received and popular among Walt Disney World’s growing adult audience. It was quirky and unique–a better and more polished incarnation of an entertainment style that’s very popular right now.
The potential for Adventurers Club to return is aided by the fact that its original Cast Members still reunite for private events on a regular basis–we’ve attended multiple (one held outside at Beach Club is pictured above). With plenty of unused venues at Walt Disney World, it’d be easy enough to bring Adventurers Club back on a “limited time magic” basis.
This would be one of the best uses of the now-empty restaurant venues (plural) at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. Adventurers Club would be a huge hit there, and would be a much-needed shot in the arm to the BoardWalk. Walt Disney World’s secondary entertainment district has several vacancies, and one whole side now has dead mall vibes. A club dedicated to adventure would spice things up!
5. Pirate & Princess Party
We are guessing 99% of you reading this post never experienced the Pirate & Princess Party; the event occurred at various times for a couple of summers around the Great Recession, but was so sparsely attended that it was canceled.
Some elements of the party were brought back later as Summer Nightastic, a special event we’d also love to see return. Modern Walt Disney World may be reluctant to offer free special events when a hard-ticket event is a possibility. In the case of the Pirate & Princess Party, we’d be willing to pay.
We attended only once, and loved the Enchanted Adventures Parade, fireworks, and moody atmosphere of the event. If Magic Kingdom would run this parade during Disney After Hours, that would be the nudge we need to buy tickets to that event.
“Disney Adventures After Hours” has a certain ring to it, and is a sufficiently open-ended concept that it could incorporate elements from Pirate & Princess Party and characters from the 90s, when Disney Adventures magazine was a huge hit with kids.
4. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
It’s hard to believe this is actually a realistic suggestion, and yet, it is. Only a few years ago, we were watching as the Harmonious infrastructure was installed in World Showcase Lagoon. Given the scale and cost of that (rumored) $100 million production, it seemed like Harmonious would be around for the long haul.
Fast-forward to today, and there’s another new nighttime spectacular: Luminous The Symphony of Us. This is a huge upgrade over Harmonious, despite being arguably less ambition. Luminous has more flexible infrastructure that, itself, feels like a canvas for future nighttime spectaculars. It also offers a number of nods to IllumiNations. Together, those two things make us wonder whether a modified version of IllumiNations could headline an EPCOT event.
A seasonal reprisal of IllumiNations after a long hiatus would definitely draw locals and long-time fans back. To be sure, it would not be the original show nor would it be permanent, but it’s something that probably could be pulled off with the Luminous infrastructure without a ton of physical work. That’s a compromise I’ll happily take if it means getting to see IllumiNations again for a few months!
3. MuppetVision 3D
Remember all of those new lands and attractions opening between 2027 and 2030 that we discussed above? Well, in order to pave the way (literally) for those additions, a few fan-favorite attractions have closed. The two most notable (so far) are the Rivers of America and MuppetVision 3D, the former of which is never coming back.
It’s potentially a very different story with MuppetVision 3D. Both Disney and the Jim Henson Company have offered statements suggesting that MuppetVision will, in fact, live on in some capacity. This has led us to wonder Where Will MuppetVision Be Relocated at Walt Disney World? The most obvious answer isn’t at WDW at all, but rather, on Disney+ or somewhere else entirely.
However, MuppetVision 3D is (or was) a stage show and there are several suitable venues at Walt Disney World, including ones that are currently vacant or underutilized. It could go into the Imagination pavilion at EPCOT, where it’d fit nicely alongside Figment, or even across the park at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The most intriguing (and logical) scenario involves creating a new Muppet Courtyard miniland to go along with the upcoming Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets. There’s a plausible scenario where MuppetVision 3D is revived and replaces Villains Unfairly Ever After once Villains Land opens in Magic Kingdom. It’s unlikely, but we’re foolishly optimistic. It would make this corner of the park thematically coherent for the first time ever.
2. Country Bear Christmas
Assuming the costumes and props are still backstage somewhere (a bold assumption, to be sure), Country Bear Christmas could run again next year with only a short refurbishment to accomplish the changeover. Aside from the past few years (due to scaled back operations), Tokyo Disneyland typically does Jingle Bell Jamboree, and it is glorious. Some might say jovial bears singing Christmas carols captures the true spirit of the season.
We’ve suggested this in the past, but think it’s actually more plausible now with the reimagining of the show into Country Bear Musical Jamboree. During that process, Disney Live Entertainment and Imagineering made the attraction more flexible for future updates, which also means it could accommodate seasonal shows.
Christmas music has universal appeal–just like Disney tunes. With November and December attendance at Magic Kingdom surging since the show last ran in the mid-aughts, Country Bear Christmas would be a great way to soak up some of those crowds.
1. Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is amazing. Rise of the Resistance is mind-blowing–the #1 attraction at Walt Disney World. However, in our Star Wars Land vs. Osborne Lights post, there was no place at Walt Disney World we loved being in more than the Osborne Lights. It brought smiles and awe to the faces of other guests was really a sight to behold—it was the embodiment of “holiday cheer.”
There were nights we went to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for no other reason than the Osborne Lights, and we’d spend hours just standing back on the Streets of America. Even when it was wall-to-wall people, the Osborne Lights just oozed happiness. There are a ton of Osborne Lights fans out there like us. Bringing it back somewhere would give a big boost to attendance in November and December.
Obviously, due to the closures Star Wars land necessitated, the Osborne Lights can never return in their previous form…but a large scale Christmas light display could be added elsewhere at Walt Disney World. As for the “where” of the Osborne Lights, what about Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Animal Kingdom? That’s exactly where Walt Disney World has chosen to put Bluey in 2026, which is probably a strategic move. A light display at Christmas 2026 would be similarly savvy, and help give DAK a needed shot in the arm until Tropical Americas debuts the following year.
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Your Thoughts
What things–insignificant or major–do you miss at Walt Disney World? Are there seasonal events, entertainment, or attractions you’d like to see resurrected? Do you agree or disagree with our list? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Mickey’s Backyard BBQ, we loved it !
Relaxed atmosphere, good food, best entertainment. The open-air pavilion was great, but unfortunately was torn down.
We were there 4 times, even at the very last event on New Year’s Eve 2018.
I would be really happy if this fantastic BBQ-Party could be relaunched somewhere else in Disney World.
Alien Encounter was excellent but TERRIFYING. In its early 90s heyday, it felt like a WDW attempt to compete with things happening at Universal, and it just didn’t fit, mostly because of its location in Magic Kingdom, where the Haunted Mansion is (I think) the upper bound for “scary” rides. It would work in Hollywood Studios, but I wouldn’t want to see it revived at the original location.
Night races – Wine and Dine Half Marathon was a lot better when they ran it starting at 10:00pm followed by an after party in EPCOT.
Dan,
I had such high hopes for the after-party the year my adult daughter ran the night-time Wine & Dine Half. I even loved spectating in the rain. But I paid $75 to get in to EPCOT for the promised events, open attractions, wine offerings, etc. But…there were no events. None of the attractions were open. And, despite the way the advert was worded, no free samplings at all. Essentially, the $75 got me in the gate but nothing more. Nor was anything offered to the runners, either. She and I both loved the race as a night-time event, but the after-party…not so much.
When our kids were young we visited Walt Disney World in Florida every year in early December to begin our Christmas season. We loved walking through The Osborne Lights, snow falling, drinking hot chocolate. We also looking forward to seeing the Country Bears Holiday Version, so much fun and laughter from all ages seeing the show. We also miss seeing the castle draped in ice, it was truly lovely and our favorite of all the versions we have seen over the years.
The Sharkey Family
Great Movie Ride, the original Butterfinger cupcake from Starring Roles, and Jedi training academy!
I would submit a vote for “Tapestry of Nations”, the parade at EPCOT World Showcase. I think it ended in 2000 or 2001.
Country Bear Christmas,Adventurers Club and Osborne family lights all have a special place in our family memories. We visited WDW in Dec of 2001 and found ourselves in an almost deserted Hollywood (MGM at the time) studios at night on the street with all the lights and the snow. I will never forget that experience a few years we were back and then could enjoy the coordinated music /light show and also see the reaction of the crowd. Both times it was magical.
For years we planned our Disney vacation in early December. our number one favorite attraction was the Osborne Family Lights. Nothing put you more in the holiday mood than walking down the “Streets of America” singing Feliz Navidad with hundreds of other guests with that artificial snow falling. Please, please, please bring that type magic back to WDW. We also loved “The Year of a Million Dreams” and won’t forget the wonderful surprise experience we had. we still have our ” Year of a Million Dreams” pins. These were the things that made the magic and made guests feel special.
I would love to see the dining plan, extra magic hours, hotel themeing & the rest of the perks for staying on property that were taken away. if I want steril white rooms I’ll stay at the holiday inn. Also what happened with the parks needing new monorail the ones they have ate severely broke down and just plain nasty
To me, the biggest losses are The Osbourne Lights and Disneyquest. Not only would we make a special trip to DS to see the Osbourne Lights, we would drive two hours from home just to see them! Oh, how we miss them. Shuttering Disneyquest was another major flub IMO, we used our passes nearly every day we were on property. A big chink out of the Disney Magic for our family.
Man, I did not care for Alien Encounter – that attraction scared the bejesus out of a teenage me (causing my to grab the arm of some poor random guy next to me).
I know it will never happen, but I would love 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea back. I also miss Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (I got to go to Disneyland almost a decade ago and realizing that they had a submarine ride and Mr. Toad almost made me cry. If only it weren’t so far away from the East Coast. [But then WDW would be farther away…sigh….])
Would also love to see a return of Body Wars (and Delta Dreamflight – I went on this ride when I was a kid right after it first opened and the CM working it saw that I had a broken arm in a cast and let me ride through a second time; it was really cool of them)!
And just because, I’d also like to see them put the honey I shrunk the kids play area back in some place (even in AK or something) – I think it was after my time but seems like something my own kids would really love to experience!
The family and I were really hoping for a Country Bears Christmas overlay when we were there last year – it would be such a smart move for multiple reasons (we were also hoping for it’s a small world – my teenager was so disappointed when he found out that Disneyland has one but WDW does not)!
Is Adventure’s Club something along the lines of the movie Up? That would be a cool theme for a ride or restaurant.
I really miss the Livin’ With the Land song! I don’t know why they took that away. The ride is incomplete without it. Does anyone else miss Ellen’s Energy Ride? I always thought it was amazing to watch a whole theater move, Ellen’s part was hilarious, and it was a great, long ride on a hot day. And the original Journey Into Imagination with Figment and the whole pavilion was perfection! That has been a sad, sorry change.
The Osbourne Lights were the most memorable experiences my family had at Disney. Like you said, it brought everyone joy. I hope they bring them back in some form. I am so disappointed they are closing Splash Mountain, one of my favorite rides for decades. Disney is making a big mistake. I also miss the Tapestry of Nations parade at Epcot. Although I like the updated Pirates of the Caribbean, there’s still a part of me that misses the original version where we found ourselves chanting “we want the redhead!”
I want Jedi Training Academy back. My son loved it, it was great entertainment for people walking by, and it provided lifelong memories.
Horizons, World of Motion, Journey into Imagination, Practically everything that’s been ripped out since 1990s. I know it’s not possible to bring those rides back, to me, they represent so many happy memories with family members that are no longer here. I would give my right arm to ride them again and again. Please leave Splash alone too. I am heartbroken that I’ll never ride it again.
I totally agree.
I like much of your list, especially a good nighttime parade (Spectromagic for sure!!). I like the Runaway Railway, but it pales in comparison to the Great Movie Ride. While I liked Alien Encounter, after the first time, the surprises were no longer surprising so I only went to watch first-timers freak out. The Osbourne Lights were a favorite with my family and we too, went occasionally just for that experience. A good list, Tom; opinions vary so we get interesting conversation. BTW, what we don’t need is more roller coasters. Thrill rides will turn the parks into dime-a-dozen regional parks, which there are a lot from which to choose. Keep the rides as “experiences;” it’s what makes Disney unique and “magical.” This point is similar to Tom’s frequent harping on theming in hotels and restaurants. He is of course, spot on. Thanks for your wisdom,Tom; Keep on harping!!!
I want the Great Movie ride back and also Tower of Terror at DCA. We will be going to Disneyland on 1/27 for opening day for Mickeys and Minnie Runaway railroad. First Disney trip since pandemic!
Great Movie Ride. Osborne. Spectromagic. Alien Encounter. Leave Splash Mountain Alone. Bring back magical cast members and customer service. Magical Express. The Train. Trollies. And much more. All yes.
They all sound like good suggestions but one. Alien Encounter? Was that the one where you sit shackled to your seat in pitch black darkness while an alien runs around snarling, touching, terrorizing the captive audience, and scaring the bejeezuz out of children? There was a reason that went away. It was awful.
That was the one. And the squirting water was “blood”. It was very, VERY anti-Disney and not in keeping with the spirit of Disney AT ALL. Universal Studios, yes.
I loved Alien Encounter! It is definitely my most memorable ride from our family vacation! I was 16 and most Disney rides aren’t that appealing to a teen who loves roller coasters but this one was great! I also loved that it scared the heck out of my brother!! Not all rides need to be geared for young families. If they want to continue to compete with Universal they need more appealing rides for the teens/thrill seekers. My kids are 12 and 14 and are much more excited about the Universal part of our Florida vacation then the Disney one!