A lot of changes are coming to the Walt Disney World Resort.
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There’s no denying that Walt Disney World and The Walt Disney Company have both changed tremendously over the last few decades. From multi-billion-dollar deals with 20th Century Fox, Lucasfilm, and Marvel to massive new theme park expansions, it’s always exciting to keep tabs on what’s going on with the Disney brand.
However, there have never been as many changes and updates on the horizon for the Disney theme parks as there are currently, with the company set to change not just Magic Kingdom but Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom as well.
All three parks are set to receive some of the biggest overhauls they’ve ever received. Fans have been excited about these projects, as well as disappointed, confused, and even angry.
Some are scared of what Walt Disney World will look like 10 years from now, as several fan-favorite attractions are now on the chopping block.
Multiple attractions and locations have already closed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In June, guests said their final goodbyes to Muppet*Vision 3D, a hilarious and irreverent 4D comedy film starring none other than Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie the Bear, and all the rest of Jim Henson’s puppet crew.
The attraction has been part of the park for decades, as has Muppets Courtyard, the area it was formerly located inside. Both the show and Muppets Courtyard closed permanently in summer 2025, a decision that has proven highly controversial and even unpopular among hardcore Muppet fans.
Work is now underway to give this land a total makeover. When complete, Muppets Courtyard will become Monstropolis, the fictional city seen in Pixar’s Monsters Inc. The land will feature several new attractions and experiences, namely a suspended roller coaster, a first for Disney World.
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Magic Kingdom will undergo perhaps the most controversial Disney theme park transformation of all time. During Disney’s D23 event in 2024, the company announced the park would receive a brand-new area inspired by another Pixar property, Cars.
This new area, officially called Piston Peak, will feature all kinds of outdoor activities and experiences. The headlining attraction will be an off-roading thrill ride similar to Radiator Springs Racers at Disneyland.
Fans were onboard when Disney made the original announcement, but things quickly turned sour once the company revealed where Piston Peak would be going. See, to make room for this new area, Disney will be closing tomorrow Sawyer Island, the Liberty Square Riverboat, and the Rivers of America.
Each of these three installations has existed for decades, shaping the Magic Kingdom both metaphorically and literally. To say guests were taken aback would be an understatement, and many are still very unhappy with the decision.
Some have labeled it the worst decision Disney has made for its theme parks, while others worry about what other classic Disney rides and attractions may close. Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat, and the Rivers of America will permanently shut down in July 2025, marking the end of an era at the Magic Kingdom.
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Things have already changed significantly over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In January 2025, the park closed half of its DinoLand U.S.A. This prehistoric land has been part of the park for decades, housing several rides and attractions, as well as a few quick-service eateries.
Currently, there are only a few attractions left to enjoy: DINOSAUR and The Boneyard. The Boneyard will close in late 2025, with DINOSAUR set to close sometime in 2026. DinoLand will eventually be replaced by a new South America-inspired land. When complete, this new land will feature several new rides and attractions, one of which will be based on Indiana Jones.
This project has also been very controversial with the Disney World community, though DinoLand has long been a divisive spot anyway. Many have argued that it just never fit into Disney’s Animal Kingdom and looked cheap. Others found ways to love the land and its attractions, with DINOSAUR arguably being Disney World’s scariest ride to date.
Change is a necessary art of the Disney theme parks; this is undeniable. However, the Walt Disney World Resort has never seen such a large-scale overhaul and updates at the same time. Only time will tell what the resort looks like in 20 years, though it’s safe to say guests are excited, worried, scared, and intrigued.
What are your thoughts about Walt Disney World?
The post Why Fans Are So Worried About the Future of Disney World Right Now appeared first on Inside the Magic.
