Strap in for a nostalgic ride on some of Orlando’s most classic attractions./p>
Orlando has always been a forward-looking destination, but we also love our past ... particularly when it comes to classic theme park rides. On your next visit to Orlando, make time for these legacy attractions — including several that have been entertaining guests since their parks first opened.
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Classic Rides at Walt Disney World® Resort
Magic Kingdom® Park
You’ll find many of Orlando’s oldest theme park rides at Walt Disney World® Resort, which opened in 1971 with the introduction of Magic Kingdom® Park. Over a dozen of those rides and shows are still open to this day, including these classic picks.
Discover: Things to Do at WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort
“it’s a small world”® (1971)
Cruise the colorful canals of this Fantasyland attraction to experience the sights and sounds of nations around the globe. It’s a whimsical Walt Disney World staple for all ages.
Jungle Cruise® (1971)
Those with a more adventurous spirit can also embark on an exotic river tour with the world-famous Jungle Cruise.
Haunted Mansion® (1971)
Board a “Doom Buggy” if you dare for a tour through this ghostly retreat. It’s home to 999 happy haunts, and if you’re not careful, you might join their ranks.
EPCOT®
True to Walt Disney’s promise, EPCOT® has been in a state of becoming ever since it debuted in 1982. You can still enjoy two of the park’s original rides, plus groundbreaking new shows and attractions that celebrate curiosity, wonder and imagination.
Spaceship Earth (1982)
Travel back in time to see how communication shaped the world we know today aboard Spaceship Earth, an opening day attraction housed inside EPCOT’s iconic geodesic sphere. You’ll even get a chance to design the world of tomorrow as you drift back to Earth.
Living With the Land (1982)
Some of the produce used in EPCOT festivals is grown onsite at The Land Pavilion — and you can get a glimpse aboard Living With the Land, a tranquil boat ride through EPCOT’s innovative greenhouses.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
Disney’s movie-centric theme park premiered as Disney-MGM Studios in 1989. Disney's Hollywood Studios® has done more than change its name in the time since, as just one first-year ride is still available.
Star Tours® — The Adventure Continues (1989)
This classic attraction paved the way for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and it’s seen its share of upgrades over the years. Blast off to visit exotic locales and characters from the Star Wars universe, including some new additions from Disney+ series, Ahsoka. There are over 250 storyline variations in total for an adventure that’s out of this world.
Discover: Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror® (1994)
Experience old-school glamour and frights galore at the Hollywood Tower Hotel, where a rickety elevator will transport you on a scream-worthy journey to the Twilight Zone.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith (1999)
Speed past iconic Hollywood landmarks to the latest Aerosmith concert — accompanied by none other than Aerosmith, of course. Rocking tunes fill the air as you corkscrew and loop your way past traffic jams to make the big show.
Please note: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is currently closed for routine maintenance. It is due to reopen in summer 2024.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park opened on Earth Day 1998, and it’s been thrilling visitors with wild attractions, serene nature exhibits and more immersive fun ever since. You can still ride one of its opening day attractions, as well as two others that opened in the following year.
Kilimanjaro Safaris® (1998)
Set out on a rugged safari tour where you might encounter real giraffes, hippos, cheetahs, lions and other wild animals. Every expedition is unique, making this a must-do attraction since day one.
DINOSAUR (1999)
Travel back to the Cretaceous Period aboard a state-of-the-art Time Rover. But be careful: while you’re searching for dinos, someone — or something — may also be searching for you.
Kali River Rapids® (1999)
This rip-roaring whitewater adventure will plunge you deeper into the jungles of Asia. You’ll also learn a thing or two about conservation along the way.
SeaWorld® Orlando
Orlando’s second-oldest theme park, SeaWorld® Orlando has been in business since 1973. It’s continued to grow with an impressive lineup of coasters and immersive attractions, one of which has been open since day one.
Discover: Things to Do at SeaWorld Orlando
Sky Tower (1973)
Get a birds-eye view of Orlando’s main tourism districts on the 400-foot-tall Sky Tower. It’s been a beacon since the park’s early days and remains a prominent feature in SeaWorld’s spectacular coaster skyline.
Journey to Atlantis® (1998)
One of the very first thrill rides to debut at this conservation-driven park, this hybrid flume ride and roller coaster invites you to explore the lost city of Atlantis. One thing is for sure: You will get wet.
Kraken (2000)
Just two years later, SeaWorld would debut its first full-fledged roller coaster. Kraken remains a popular pick to this day, boasting seven inversions and speeds up to 65 mph.
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Studios Florida
Orlando’s theme park scene got an extra dose of movie magic with the arrival of Universal Studios Florida in 1990. The movie-and-film-focused park has evolved to include pop culture hits like Despicable Me and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, but you can also go back to the park’s early days with these nostalgic favorites.
Discover: Things to Do at Universal Orlando Resort
E.T. Adventure (1990)
Soar through suburban California, then lift off on a high-flying bicycle adventure to E.T.’s home on the Green Planet.
Men in Black Alien Attack (2000)
Suit up, agents: It’s crime-fighting time at this longstanding attraction, where you’ll rack up points for blasting alien scum from the streets of New York City. May the best Galaxy Defender win.
Revenge of the Mummy (2004)
A visit to the Museum of Antiquities goes horribly wrong, plunging you deeper into the fiery depths of the vengeful mummy’s tomb on this fan-favorite coaster, which debuted 14 years after the park opened.
Universal Islands of Adventure
Universal Islands of Adventure first gathered its famous collection of super-heroes, magical creatures and ferocious beasts in 1999. They’ve stood the test of time, too. Roughly half of the park’s rides have been around for 25 years.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (1999)
Get the scoop on Spider-Man’s latest antics in this 3-D battle against some of Marvel’s most notorious villains.
The Cat in the Hat (1999)
Take a wild ride with The Cat in the Hat and his mischievous friends aboard this family-friendly favorite. It’s one of many opening-day attractions still available at Seuss Landing.
Jurassic Park River Adventure (1999)
Marvel at prehistoric giants on this serene boat tour, which takes a sudden turn into carnivore territory. The only way out is down.
LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
LEGOLAND® Florida Resort opened in 2011 on the site of the former Cypress Gardens theme park. Along with a slew of brand-new family attractions, LEGOLAND also kept and updated some of its predecessor’s rides.
Discover: Things to Do at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
The Dragon (2004)
Ride on the back of a friendly green dragon in this rethemed family coaster. Originally called Okeechobee Rampage, the ride was updated in 2011 to include an indoor section and large LEGO® models.
Lost Kingdom Adventure (2011)
This original creation invites you to battle LEGO mummies and skeletons in an off-road search for hidden treasure.
Bonus: While it’s not a ride, theme park history buffs will also get a kick out of the botanical garden, a faithful holdover from the Cypress Gardens days — complete with LEGO Southern belles as a nod to LEGOLAND’s predecessor. You can tour this area by water courtesy of the park’s Pirate River Quest attraction, which debuted in 2023.
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