There are some attractions at Walt Disney World that feel almost untouchable—calm, reliable, and so woven into EPCOT’s identity that guests assume they’ll always be running.
Living with the Land is one of those attractions. It’s a slow-moving boat ride through greenhouses and agricultural displays, offering a peaceful break during even the busiest EPCOT days. But lately, that sense of stability has been shaken by a string of issues that have left guests wondering whether the ride may be headed toward an unexpected closure.
Over the past couple of weeks, the attraction has faced several problems that go far beyond simple resets. Boats haven’t just stalled—they’ve taken on water. In one recent incident, a guest recorded a boat slowly sinking beneath them as water crept up toward their feet. Another very similar situation happened just weeks earlier, confirming that this wasn’t an isolated hiccup. In both cases, Cast Members acted quickly and evacuated the boats safely, but the pattern is hard to ignore.
When guests start saying their relaxing greenhouse tour turned into a splash zone, it becomes clear that something behind the scenes needs attention. Living with the Land has also gone down for hours at a time on multiple days recently, leading to longer waits elsewhere around EPCOT and plenty of speculation online. It’s not often that this ride makes the news, but right now it’s doing so for all the wrong reasons.
The timing also adds pressure. Disney just switched the attraction over to its Glimmering Greenhouses holiday overlay—a glowing, festive transformation that has become a seasonal favorite. With the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays about to officially begin, this ride plays a big part in the nighttime charm of the park. Having it constantly go down (or worse, potentially close) during one of EPCOT’s most popular events is far from ideal.
So what’s behind all of this? Disney hasn’t offered an explanation yet, but longtime fans are pointing to the usual suspects: aging pumps, worn-out components in the trough system, or the simple reality that this attraction has been operating since 1982. Even gentle rides eventually show their age. Repeated sinking incidents usually suggest something that can’t be fixed with a quick on-site adjustment.
This is where the shutdown rumors begin. Many guests think a short, focused refurbishment—maybe just a few days to a week—could give the maintenance teams the breathing room needed to get everything back in working order. Nothing is confirmed, nothing is scheduled, and Disney is trying hard to keep the ride running through the holiday season. Still, with each new downtime, the questions grow louder.
Living with the Land isn’t flashy, but it’s one of EPCOT’s most unique experiences. Its greenhouse scenes, glowing lights, and classic educational charm make it a must-do for many families. That’s why these recent issues are causing genuine concern. No one wants to see a holiday favorite sidelined, but guests are also hoping Disney will do whatever it takes to keep the attraction safe and reliable.
For now, Living with the Land is still open. But with boats sinking, multi-hour closures piling up, and festival crowds about to surge into EPCOT, it’s not unreasonable to think the ride may be inching closer to a sudden, temporary shutdown. Fans will be watching closely to see how Disney responds in the coming weeks.
