Disney Made the Right Decision Getting Rid of These 5 Ridiculous Failures

[Disney4me]

Disney World has seen its fair share of hits and misses over the years.

Alien Encounter ©Disney

While some attractions become instant classics, others… well, not so much. Whether it was a concept that didn’t land, a ride that aged out of relevance, or just something that straight-up didn’t work, Disney has had to say goodbye to several failed attractions over the years. Let’s take a look at a few rides that flopped so hard they had to be shut down.

Stitch’s Great Escape (Magic Kingdom)

First things first, this one’s got layers. The building that housed Stitch’s Great Escape has a long history, starting with Flight to the Moon in 1971. That ride didn’t last long (because, you know, we actually made it to the moon). It was replaced by Mission to Mars in 1975, which kept the NASA vibes going until Disney decided to go full nightmare fuel in 1995 with ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter. That attraction was terrifying, so in 2004, Disney tried to dial it back with Stitch’s Great Escape, but it just didn’t work.

©Disney Stitch’s Great Escape

While the ride was technically meant to be less scary, the experience of being trapped in the dark with a burping, chili dog-breathing Stitch was somehow even more unpleasant. The attraction closed for good in 2018, and since then, the building has been mostly used for pop-up merchandise stores or, more recently, as a Cast Member break area.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy (Hollywood Studios)

This one never really got a fair shot. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy was a short, show-based attraction that debuted in 2019, featuring a high-tech animatronic Lightning McQueen.

Lightning McQueen animatronic

While the tech was impressive, the show itself was short, not super engaging, and easy to skip. It kind of felt like filler content rather than a must-see attraction. Disney must have thought so, too, because it’s already on its way out.

©Disney

The space is being repurposed for Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After, a stage show debuting in summer 2025 that will let guests watch Disney’s most notorious villains plead their cases for why they’ve been “unfairly” treated. Honestly? Sounds like a fun upgrade. But it is interesting that it’s being placed in Hollywood Studios when an entire Villains Land is making its way to Magic Kingdom. Choices.

It’s Tough to Be a Bug! (Animal Kingdom)

If you ever wanted to be poked, prodded, and sprayed in the face while watching a 3D movie, It’s Tough to Be a Bug! was the attraction for you.

It’s Tough to be a Bug

This A Bug’s Life-themed show opened with Animal Kingdom in 1998, but over time, it became one of the park’s least popular experiences. The film itself felt outdated, and I’m not sure how many people wanted to feel like bugs were crawling all over them, no matter how “immersive” that might be.

It’s Tough to be A Bug!

The show officially closed on March 17, 2025, to make way for Zootopia: Better Zoogether, a brand-new show based on Zootopia, set to open in winter 2025. For the low wait times and the sheer fear this caused children, this “failure” did stick around for a really long time.

©Disney

Body Wars (EPCOT)

EPCOT’s Body Wars was basically Star Tours, but instead of space battles, you were zooming through the human body. This motion simulator ride, which debuted in 1989, was part of the Wonders of Life pavilion and took guests on a journey through the bloodstream.

©Endorexpress.net

The concept was cool, but the ride itself? Not so much. The intense motion made a lot of people feel sick (which probably wasn’t ideal for an educational attraction), and once Star Tours came along, Body Wars just couldn’t compete.

©Wikipedia

The pavilion also had limited seasonal hours, which didn’t help. By 2007, it was officially shut down.

World of Motion (EPCOT)

World of Motion was another EPCOT opening-day attraction, taking guests through the history of transportation – from the invention of the wheel to futuristic cars.

©Disney

It was lighthearted, full of animatronics, and had that classic Disney dark-ride charm. But as time went on, it started to feel outdated, and Disney wanted something with a little more thrill factor. General Motors, the ride’s sponsor, agreed, and in 1996, World of Motion closed to make way for Test Track, which brought a more high-speed, interactive experience to the space. While Test Track has been a solid hit, some EPCOT purists still miss the charm of World of Motion. Now, Disney is adding a bit of World of Motion back into Test Track during its refurbishment. So was it really a failure? Only time will tell, we guess.

©Disney

Not every Disney attraction can be a Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean, and that’s okay. These “flops” – whether they were poorly received, outdated, or just plain weird – show that Disney is always willing to evolve and try new things. Some of these replacements have been massive successes, while others just didn’t cut it. Either way, it’s always interesting to look back at what was and speculate on what’s coming next.

In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest from Disney.

If You’re In Your “No, Please, I’m Too Old For This” Era, You’ll Love These 12 Disney World Rides

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

---

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

GET YOUR GUIDE NOW

Which of these extinct Disney Worldrides do you miss the most? Or are you glad to see them gone? Let us know in the comments!

The post Disney Made the Right Decision Getting Rid of These 5 Ridiculous Failures first appeared on the disney food blog.

View the full article