Disney World first opened with one theme park, Magic Kingdom, in 1971. Since then it has added 3 more theme parks, 2 water parks, and a lot of hotels. The area has changed a lot though because old rides have left and new ones have come. These are are the Disney World rides that permanently closed.
Ellen’s Energy Adventure
Universe of Energy had Ellen’s Energy Adventure for quite a while. It had Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye the Science Guy teaching you all about energy. This EPCOT attraction opened in 1996 and closed for good on August 13, 2017.
Dreamflight
Dreamflight was an attraction in Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom. It first opened June 23, 1989 and closed its doors on January 5, 1998.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was a beloved attraction in Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom. It closed on September 7, 1998. The building for it was turned into The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh. You now have to go to Disneyland to go on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. See a list here of Disneyland attractions that are not at Disney World.
Extraterrorestrial Alien Encounter
Extraterrorestrial Alien Encounter was a theater style attraction in Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom. It opened on June 20, 1995 and closed on October 12, 2003.
Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain was a long time running Magic Kingdom attraction. It opened in October of 1992 and closed in January of 2023. It has been redone to be Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which opened in June of 2024. See more Disney World rides that have been rethemed here.
Journey Into Imagination
Journey Into Imagination was an attraction in EPCOT that opened on March 5, 1983. It closed in 1998 and became Journey Into Imagination with Figment, which is still there today.
Maelstrom
Maelstrom was a water ride in the Norway Pavilion of EPCOT that took you through Norwegian culture and folklore. It opened on July 5, 1988 and closed on October 5, 2014. The ride was changed into Frozen Ever After which opened on June 21, 2016 and is still there.
World of Motion
World of Motion was an attraction in EPCOT from 1982 to 1996. It closed to make room for Test Track, which is another attraction about vehicles.
Primeval Whirl
Primeval Whirl was a mouse trap style roller coaster that used to be in DinoLand USA in Animal Kingdom park. It opened on March 31, 2002 and closed on March 13, 2020.
The Great Movie Ride
The Great Movie Ride was in Hollywood Studios (previously known as MGM Studios). It opened in 1989 and closed in 2017. The building for the ride was turned into Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway which opened on March 4, 2020.
Studio Backlot Tour
Studio Backlot Tour was an attraction in Hollywood Studios park in Disney World. It was open from 1989 to 2014. The area it was in is now where Toy Story Land is.
Adventure Thru Inner Space
Adventure Thru Inner Space was another attraction in Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom that permanently closed. It opened in August of 1967 and closed in September of 1985.
Horizons
Horizons was a dark ride in EPCOT. It opened October 1, 1983 and closed on January 9, 1999. It was about future technologies.
The Skyway
Magic Kingdom had the Skyway that was a gondola style attraction. It went between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. It opened in 1971 when Magic Kingdom opened and closed in 1999.
Captain EO
Captain EO was a short film attraction that featured Michael Jackson. It was in EPCOT park. It ran from 1986 to 1998 then was brought back from 2010 to 2015.
Honey I Shrunk The Audience
Honey I Shrunk The Audience was in EPCOT from November 1994 to 2010. It was replaced by Captain EO. It was a show based on the movie Honey I Shrunk The Kids.
Body Wars
Body Wars was a motion simulator attraction in EPCOT. It was in the Wonders of Life pavilion. It opened October 19, 1989 and closed on January 1, 2007.