Theme park attractions come and go all the time, and even though we’d like all our favorite rides and shows to stick around forever, the sad fact is that we have to say goodbye to at least a few every year.

2020 was definitely a rollercoaster of a year, with the COVID-19 Pandemic closing every major theme park over the spring. And though many parks reopened (with the exception of Disneyland in California), this year we still had to say goodbye to several Disney attractions forever. 

1. Stitch's Great Escape

Location: Magic Kingdom

Status: Extinct as January 6, 2018

Though it has not been open since 2018 Disney has finally confirmed that Stitch's Great Escape at the Magic Kingdom will never reopen. Unfortunately, there are no intended plans for replacing this attraction in the near future, and this prime space in Tomorrowland will remain vacant for the time being. 

2. Rivers of Light

Location: Disney's Animal Kingdom

Status: Extinct as of March 14, 2020

Though all nighttime spectaculars at Walt Disney World are shut down right now, there is an expectation that shows like Happily Ever After and Fantasmic will return at some point. However, Disney has confirmed that Rivers of Light will not be among those shows coming back. Though rumors about low guest enjoyment levels have fueled talk about this show ending for several years now, it looks like Disney has finally pulled the plug on this show, permanently. 

3. EPCOT Forever 

Location: EPCOT

Status: Extinct as of March 12, 2020

Back in 2019, Disney debuted a limited-time nighttime spectacular, called “Epcot Forever,” which showcased the best of this park's history with iconic themes and advanced pyrotechnics. And though this show was not meant to stick around long term, because Walt Disney World opened with no nighttime spectaculars, this show was not able to be performed again before the barges for the upcoming Harmonious show were installed. 

4. Primeval Whirl

Location: Disney's Animal Kingdom

Status: Extinct as of February 2020

After an unexpected (and unexplained) four month refurbishment in 2019 we expected that we had seen the last of Primeval Whirl at Disney's Animal Kingdom. However, this attraction unexpectedly reopened at Disney's Animal Kingdom a few times this past President's Day Weekend. However, it looks like that was the final run for Primeval Whirl, as Disney has confirmed that this attraction will never reopen at Disney's Animal Kingdom