Bob Iger Quietly Cuts 15 Walt Disney World Classics From the Parks

Walk through Walt Disney World today, and something feels off. The charm that once gave the parks their soul has started to fade, replaced by sleek attractions inspired by modern movies. Longtime guests say it’s not the same place they remember.

Under Bob Iger’s leadership, Disney has swapped nostalgia for name recognition—and it’s leaving fans frustrated. Many are asking what Walt would think if he saw how much of his dream has changed. He probably wouldn’t be thrilled.

For decades, the parks celebrated pure imagination, where original ideas and heartfelt storytelling carried every ride. But these days, it’s about synergy. Disney has doubled down on using familiar franchises, even if it means erasing beloved experiences to make room for new ones. While that might boost marketing, it’s also chipped away at what made Disney World feel timeless.

Out With the Old

At Hollywood Studios, The Great Movie Ride once honored Hollywood’s best films with elaborate sets and live hosts. That celebration of cinema is gone, replaced by Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway—a flashy cartoon adventure full of color and chaos. Over at EPCOT, Maelstrom’s slow-moving boats once drifted through Norway’s legends and trolls. Today, it’s Frozen Ever After, a crowd-pleaser that swaps folklore for a musical sing-along.

Hollywood Studios lost even more under Iger’s hand. Entire portions of the park’s backlot, including Streets of America, were cleared to make room for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land. They’re stunning, yes—but the park’s old Hollywood soul is gone. Even the Country Bear Jamboree, one of Magic Kingdom’s longest-running shows, has been reworked. The bears now sing songs from movies like Frozen and Aladdin, leaving longtime fans wondering where the originality went.

New Lands, Old Wounds

Muppet Vision 3D, once a hilarious tribute to Jim Henson’s creations, is now gone—its space dedicated to the upcoming Monstropolis Land. Over at Animal Kingdom, DinoLand U.S.A. is being replaced piece by piece with the new Tropical Americas area, tied to Encanto and Indiana Jones. The peaceful Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island aren’t safe either; they’ve been closed to make room for Piston Peak, inspired by Disney’s Planes.

EPCOT lost Ellen’s Energy Adventure, a quirky mix of comedy and science, in favor of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind—a high-tech coaster that trades education for adrenaline. Magic Kingdom’s Toontown and Snow White’s Scary Adventures have both disappeared, too, swept aside for New Fantasyland’s modern makeovers.

The IP Era

Iger’s influence extended far beyond Florida. His team demolished Camp Minnie-Mickey at Animal Kingdom and built Pandora – The World of Avatar in its place. In California, they tore down A Bug’s Land to make room for Avengers Campus and reimagined Tarzan Rocks! into a lively Nemo-inspired musical.

They didn’t stop there. The Tower of Terror in California lost its eerie charm when Disney re-themed it into Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!. Most recently, Disney replaced the classic It’s Tough to Be a Bug! with the new Zootopia: Better Zoogether attraction—a flashy update that still hasn’t won over longtime fans.

What’s Next for Disney’s Magic

Fans fear the pattern won’t stop anytime soon. Iger’s legacy at the parks seems clear—bigger IPs, fewer originals. While new lands draw crowds, many feel Disney is losing its identity by erasing its roots. The hope now is that as Iger’s time winds down, the company might focus on expanding its parks instead of endlessly rebranding what already worked.

Because the truth is, Disney doesn’t need to erase its past to create its future. The magic has always been in its balance—where new technology meets the heart and storytelling that started it all. For now, though, the parks feel more like a movie studio than the dream Walt once built.