(West Center Street) — As Walt Disney World paves over the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island for a shiny new Cars-inspired Piston Peak National Park, theme park purists are predictably losing their minds.
But squeezing out classic attractions for new intellectual property is practically a corporate tradition in Lake Buena Vista. Long before the Liberty Belle was slated for extinction, these five legendary Magic Kingdom rides were unceremoniously relegated to history:
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (1971–1998): Opening on day one in Fantasyland, this chaotic jaunt through traffic was superior to its Disneyland cousin thanks to two completely unique tracks. Fans literally protested in the park when rumors swirled about its demise, but Disney bulldozed Toad anyway to make way for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
The Skyway (1971–1999): Before the Skyliner took over the resorts, this classic bucket gondola shuttled guests straight over Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. It was quietly retired in 1999, and in true Disney fashion, the former stations were eventually flattened to construct themed restrooms.
Mike Fink Keel Boats (1971–2001): Named after the legendary “King of the River” from Disney’s Davy Crockett miniseries, these small watercraft navigated the Rivers of America alongside the larger steamships. The ride quietly sputtered out in 2001, leaving its dock to be swallowed up by The Haunted Mansion’s overflow queue line.
The Plaza Swan Boats (1973–1983): Requiring a coveted “D Ticket,” these graceful foot-pedaled craft took passengers on a leisurely float around the Central Plaza hub and the Swiss Family Treehouse. High operating costs and slow boarding times killed them after just a decade.
The Timekeeper (1994–2006): Featuring a 360-degree Circle-Vision screen and an Audio-Animatronic robot voiced by Robin Williams, this Tomorrowland sci-fi adventure sent a nine-eyed camera through history. It was retired in 2006 to make way for Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.
Any of these lost rides could anchor a lesser regional park. At Walt Disney World, they are just expensive footnotes underneath modern merchandise shops.
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