A major shift is about to happen at The Walt Disney Company. Josh D’Amaro, the longtime leader of Disney’s theme parks division, is preparing to take over as CEO.
That move places one of the park’s biggest champions at the top of the company.
For fans of Walt Disney World, that raises an interesting possibility. When someone with a deep parks background takes charge, the attractions themselves often become part of the conversation.
And several classic rides across the resort could eventually find themselves under review.
The Transition From Bob Iger to Josh D’Amaro
Bob Iger spent years shaping the modern Disney company. His leadership included major acquisitions, expansion of streaming, and continued investment in Disney’s theme parks.
Now the company enters a new chapter.
Josh D’Amaro will step into the CEO role after years spent overseeing Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products. Before that, he held leadership roles at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, building a reputation as one of Disney’s most influential park executives.
Because of that background, many observers believe the parks will remain central to Disney’s future strategy.
But maintaining the parks also means continuing to evolve them.
Why Disney Keeps Reworking Classic Attractions
Disney parks change constantly. Sometimes those changes involve brand-new rides or lands. Other times, Disney revisits existing attractions to improve technology or update storytelling.
That approach helps older rides compete with newer experiences while also giving Disney opportunities to connect attractions to recognizable characters or franchises.
Still, every change comes with debate. Fans often celebrate improvements while also worrying about losing the original personality that made those rides memorable.
As D’Amaro prepares to lead the company, several attractions stand out as possible candidates for attention.
EPCOT’s Attractions That Fans Watch Closely
EPCOT features multiple rides that frequently come up in discussions about potential updates.
Spaceship Earth remains the park’s defining attraction. The slow-moving journey through communication history sits inside EPCOT’s iconic sphere, and Disney once planned a large-scale update before postponing it.
Mission: SPACE faces a different challenge. The ride still delivers a powerful experience, but its intensity has also discouraged some guests. Disney introduced a milder version of the ride, though conversations about further updates continue.
Journey Into Imagination With Figment may generate the most passionate reactions of all. Figment remains one of EPCOT’s most beloved characters, and many fans still hope for a major overhaul that restores elements of earlier versions.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros rounds out EPCOT’s list. Located in the Mexico Pavilion, the ride has charmed guests for years but remains relatively simple compared with other park attractions.
Magic Kingdom’s Legendary Attractions
Magic Kingdom also houses several rides that often appear in speculation about future updates.
Space Mountain continues to draw long lines despite being one of the park’s oldest thrill rides. Some international versions feature updated effects, which has led to discussion about whether Florida’s version might someday receive a modernization.
Haunted Mansion stands as another beloved classic. Disney has added new details and effects over the years, but the ride’s core experience has stayed largely intact.
It’s a Small World represents a different kind of challenge. While the attraction remains iconic, versions in other parks have incorporated recognizable characters into scenes, creating an ongoing debate about whether Florida should follow suit.
Jungle Cruise offers a flexible attraction that Disney can easily tweak through storytelling updates and scene adjustments. Because the ride relies heavily on narration and humor, even small changes can refresh the experience.
Pirates of the Caribbean also remains a constant topic among fans. The Florida version is shorter than others around the world, which has fueled speculation that Disney might expand the ride in the future.
Hollywood Studios and the Future of Star Wars
Disney’s Hollywood Studios features two attractions that often come up in discussions of potential updates.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror continues to dominate the park’s skyline. While Disney transformed the attraction at Disney California Adventure into a Marvel ride, the Florida version still maintains its original theme.
Star Tours represents another attraction that could evolve. The ride existed long before the arrival of newer Star Wars attractions, but Disney has kept it relevant by introducing new destinations and characters.
That flexibility means the attraction can continue adapting alongside the Star Wars universe.
Change Is Part of Disney’s History
Disney parks have always evolved alongside the company itself.
As Josh D’Amaro prepares to lead Disney, fans naturally wonder which attractions might receive attention in the years ahead. Nothing has been officially announced for these rides, but their age and prominence make them likely candidates for discussion.
For many guests, that possibility creates both excitement and concern.
After all, Disney has shown time and again that even its most famous attractions are never completely frozen in time.
