Jurassic Park and Other Theme Park Rides About to Go Extinct

Kristina
Movies Disney
Movies Disney

The world turns and things change. It’s a fact of life, and sadly one for theme park rides as well. While ride updates are a good thing from a safety standpoint, seeing one’s childhood memories revamped or demolished kind of hurts.

When the legendary and long-beloved Tower of Terror closed and renovated into a Guardians of the Galaxy ride at Disneyland , there were feelings. A lot of feelings. Most of them not so good. The Tower of Terror is a staple of the Disney theme park experience. Sure, it’s dated, but it was always there, always ready to scare your pants off and throw your stomach into your throat. And then it was a Marvel ride.

While I will never forgive Disney for this crime against my childhood, I have more bones to pick and warnings to give. Some of your favorite rides may be heading for the chopping block next.

Though first, a moment of silence for the fallen Back To The Future: The Ride , Jaws , and Twister…Ride It Out at Universal Studios. We’ll never forget you.

The Tower Of Terror

The Tower Of Terror

RIP at Disneyland.

Unaware hotel guests get into an elevator. Elevator is struck by lightning. Hotel guests plummet to their gruesome death. While The Tower of Terror truly terrorized me as a seven-year-old, it’s long been one of my favorite rides, and a favorite ride of Disney park goers all over the world. Its closure and reworking is sad. Even though Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! keeps the bare bones and mechanics of the original attraction, it has a lot to live up to.

As of right now there are no plans to close The Tower at Walt Disney World , Tokyo DisneySea , or Disneyland Paris . But, you never know. As Disney’s cinematic universe continues to grow, they may seek to redo the infamous ride worldwide.

Jurassic Park – The Ride

Jurassic Park - The Ride

Extinct on September 3, 2018 at Universal Studios Hollywood.

For 22-years, guests were greeted and attacked by massive animatronic dinosaurs. But no more. With an apt and grimly branded “Countdown to Extinction,” the water-ride is in its final months at Universal Studios in Hollywood.

The ride is being replaced by Jurassic World – The Ride due to open in 2019. It makes sense they’d want to update the ride to reflect the blockbuster hit that is the Jurassic World part of the series. This was done with Pirates of the Caribbean and Jack Sparrow at Disney’s parks. I hope the nostalgia of the original will be preserved in the new ride much like it was referenced in the films.

Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone

Woody Woodpecker's KidZone

Rumored closing around Labor Day at Universal Studios Orlando .

This one isn’t going to break too many hearts. There wasn’t much for the KidZone to offer to be honest. This is one closure that I’m not broken up about because the unconfirmed project to replace it is Nintendo World.

That’s right, Mario, Donkey Kong, Yoshi, and friends are going to get their own section. There’s plans drawn up and everything. However, the closure still hasn’t taken place despite a scythe having been hanging over poor Woody’s neck for over a year now.

Tomorrowland Speedway

Tomorrowland Speedway

Rumored closing to make way for TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Walt Disney World.

Another rumor, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. The smash hit of Shanghai Disneyland , the TRON Lightcycle Power Run is making its way to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Where the indoor and outdoor coaster will go is the big question.

At the moment plans have the Lightcycle sitting smack dab on the old school Tomorrowland Speedway , a ride of a bygone era. However, it’s one of the nice slow rides that kids and adults enjoy. So it would be sad to see demolished. That being said, another rumored spot is currently where cast members park, leaving the Speedway intact.

For its Californian placement, the TRON Lightcycle may be re-purposed for the Marvel land at California Adventure. Or it may possibly take the site where Star Wars Launch Bay is.

Our favorite theme parks will continue to morph, re-design, and add as the years go by. So next time you’re at Disney or Universal Studios, ride as many rides as you can. You never know when you’ll never get another chance.

Kristina
Tea loving sound nerd with a travel addiction. Founder of The Baker Street Babes and The Nerdventurists. Really loves her dog.