10 Oldest Disneyland Attractions to Close

Sometimes, age doesn’t guarantee success. For the most part, if a Disneyland attraction survives a few years, it’s probably going to stay in the park. But every so often, whether it be a changing land, waning interest, or re-theming, decades-old attractions close their doors for good. Here are the 10 oldest attractions in the park to finally end their run.

#10: Mine Train (1956 – 1977)

 Source: Flickr

Today, Disneyland visitors associate Frontierland with Big Thunder Mountain. But the Frontierland of the 50s had a much different train – one that took guests on a far gentler tour of the scenery. The Mine Train beautifully showcased the spectacular landscapes and natural features built into the land. But as more and more coasters and thrill rides joined Disneyland’s lineup throughout the 60s and 70s, interest in the Mine Train waned. The train made its final loop around the track at age 21, before departing to make room for a thunderous replacement.

#9: The PeopleMover (1967 – 1995)

 Source: Disney.com

For 28 years, the PeopleMover was one of the most widely recognizable attractions at the park. The slow-moving ride circled above Tomorrowland, taking guests on a panoramic tour of the future. But the combination of changing safety regulations and the cost to run the attraction put it on the chopping block by the early 90s. In 1995, the legendary PeopleMover finally closed, and many fans (myself included!) have been hoping for a triumphant return ever since. Hey, if Disney World can make it work in the 21st century, why can’t we?!

#8: Country Bear Jamboree (1972 – 2001)

 Source: Wikia

What’s that saying…lightning never strikes twice? After the smash hit Country Bear Jamboree became a fan favorite in the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland decided to add their own version. However, the west coast version faced a few challenges its Florida sibling didn’t have. The theater was located in the most remote corner of the park, which meant much less foot traffic. On top of that, its location behind Splash Mountain meant it never stood out, either to passing crowds or on the park map. After a few decades of lightly attended shows, the theater finally closed for good after 29 years of operation.

#7: Splash Mountain (1989 – 2020/2021)

The newest member of this list isn’t quite a total closure so much as a thorough re-theming. In 2020, Disney announced plans to re-theme both US versions of Splash Mountain into a Princess and the Frog themed attraction. The track itself will remain the same, but the music, interior animatronics, exterior facade, and story will all be completely transformed. Disneyland has been closed since March 2020, and since the park hasn’t announced exactly when construction for this change will begin, the end date and official age at closure remains a little vague. If we count from 2020, Splash Mountain took its last dip into the briar patch at age 31.

#6: Motor Boat Cruise (1957 – 1993)

 Source: Disneyland Resort

Boats have always been popular attractions at Disneyland, and for many years, Fantasyland offered guests a place to pilot their own. Much like Autopia, drivers did have control of the vehicle, but were guided on a hidden track that prevented them from straying off course. The Motor Boat Cruise went through a revamp in 1991 to draw new interest, but the overlay, “Motoboat Cruise to Gummi Glenn” was a mess. The cheap, confusing overlay did not succeed in bringing new excitement to the attraction, and the boats docked permanently after 36 years of operation.

#5: Swiss Family Treehouse (1962 – 1999)

 Source: Yesterland

I know there are some Disneyland fans that are very much against updating attractions. Personally, I’m torn. I do think there are some things that should not be re-themed, but if you don’t incorporate Disney’s new characters and stories, you don’t draw in the next generation of Disneyland visitors. One attraction that seems to divide Disneyland fans is the treehouse. For 37 years, the Swiss Family Robinson lived above Adventureland, welcoming in daily visitors to their lofty home. But with the release of Tarzan in the 90s, Disney saw the perfect opportunity to freshen up the treehouse and bring in a new set of characters. Some fans hated losing the original treehouse, and others welcomed Tarzan’s version with open arms.

#4: Skyway to Fantasyland/Tomorrowland (1956-1994)

 Source: PhotoBucket

No ride closure has ever changed the Disneyland skyline as much as the Skyway. Once upon a time, visitors could float above the park, traveling from western Fantasyland all the way to Tomorrowland, passing through the Matterhorn mid-journey. Unfortunately, that special moment passing through the Matterhorn stressed the structure over time, and rather than go through the expense of re-routing the entire attraction, the Skyway closed. But for 38 years, the Skyway offered views of the park that unfortunately have never been matched for the next generation of visitors.

#3: Submarine Voyage (1959 – 1999)

 Source: Jim Hill Media

The Submarine Voyage in Tomorrowland always faced some challenges during its operation. For one, the subs were very slow loading, which meant the ride could host far fewer visitors per hour than its neighbors. And in addition, younger visitors, especially by the 80s and 90s, were unfamiliar with 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and thus fairly uninterested in the story. So, the voyage finally closed after 39 years of operation. While most Disneyland visitors know this attraction today as the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, the truth is the ride did not close to make way for Nemo & friends. In fact, the lagoon stayed dormant for almost a decade between the two themed voyages.

#2: Fantasyland Autopia (1959 – 1999)

 Source: PhotoBucket

It’s hard to believe, but most Disneyland visitors have never heard of an attraction that operated for 40 years in the park. In the late 50s and 60s, Disneyland hosted a number of mini Autopias. Fantasyland Autopia popped up after demand for the Tomorrowland ride surged, and eastern Disneyland seemed like a giant raceway! Over time, the smaller Autopias merged, forming one larger one, and the Fantasyland went through a brief overlay as the Rescue Rangers Raceway before closing altogether in 1999.

#1: Circarama/Circle-Vision 360 (1955 – 1997)

 Source: DHI

Tomorrowland faces a unique challenge in Disneyland; a land based on the future has to keep evolving, as we creep closer and closer to the future it portrays. After all, the original version of Tomorrowland was supposed to represent life in 1985! But for 42 years, Circarama (later re-named Circle-Vision 360) managed to stand the test of time. This impressive in-the-round theater spent most of its run showing America the Beautiful, a tour of American landscapes. And for many years, it was a massively popular attraction. But between the 60s and 70s, Disneyland went through a massive shift. Roller coasters and thrill rides forever changed the park experience, and unfortunately, a theater would never last in such prime real estate as its neighbors became increasingly immersive and exciting. Circarama’s departure from Tomorrowland truly marked the end of an era, when the land left the quieter, slower attractions of the 50s and early 60s behind.