Walt Disney World Announces Attraction Closures and Project Postponements .. #WaltDisneyWorld #ThemeParkNews

- Michelle Snow

Walt Disney World Resort

Last month, prior to reopening, Walt Disney World announced it was canceling this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Now comes word that Disney will be closing or postponing several more attractions and projected updates.

Here’s what we know so far:

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MARY POPPINS ATTRACTION

The planned addition of a Mary Poppins-inspired section to the United Kingdom pavilion at EPCOT has been postponed indefinitely. The pavilion was to include the addition of a Cherry Tree Lane installation, as well as an attraction themed to the film.

Mary Poppins-inspired section to the United Kingdom pavilion at EPCOT

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PRIMEVAL WHIRL

This spinning coaster in the DinoLand, U.S.A. section of Animal Kingdom has been closed. The rickety ride, a park attraction since 2002, never reopened with the park on July 11. The coaster has been listed as a seasonal attraction in recent years, with ride issues causing it to be closed more than open.

PRIMEVAL WHIRL

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RIVERS OF LIFE

This nighttime show at Animal Kingdom has been closed. It opened in 2017, but seemed plagued by delays and other issues, so I’m not too surprised by this one. There’s no word whether a new nighttime show is in development for the park to replace it.

Rivers of Light to Open at Disney's Animal Kingdom Feb 17, 2017

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SPACESHIP EARTH

Earlier this year, we reported on plans to revamp this long-operating EPCOT attraction. In June, Disney announced that the planned overhaul and refurbishment of Spaceship Earth would be delayed, then stated this month the project has been postponed indefinitely. Guests can still enjoy the current version of the ride when visiting the park.

Walt Disney World released details on a reimagined main entrance for Epcot

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STITCH’S GREAT ESCAPE!

This Magic Kingdom attraction has been permanently closed. Again, no surprise, since it wasn’t a popular attraction and hasn’t operated much in over a year. It opened in 2004, as a re-themed version of ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, which was deemed too scary for the Disney crowd.

STITCH'S GREAT ESCAPE!

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What do you think about these Disney cancellations and postponements? Any of them particularly hit you hard, or are you not really vested in any of these? Let me know in the comments.


About Michelle Snow

Michelle is the owner and editor of CitySurfing Orlando. She also owns Zengrrl.com, is a freelance writer specializing in travel and entertainment, and has authored/co-authored four guidebooks on Orlando and Florida. She lives in Orlando near Disney, and hears Magic Kingdom fireworks every night.
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