If You Had Wings | Disney World

Last Updated on: January 21st, 2024

Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom’s extinct If You Had Wings ride including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!


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About If You Had Wings

If You Had Wings | Extinct Disney World Attractions

“If You Had Wings” was a classic dark ride attraction that once existed at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. It opened on June 5, 1972, and was sponsored by Eastern Air Lines.

The attraction was designed to celebrate the joy of travel and adventure, taking visitors on a journey around the world with a catchy theme song that began with the lyrics, “If you had wings, you could do many things, you could widen your world if you had wings.”

Riders boarded Omnimover vehicles that transported them through a series of scenes and destinations, showcasing various cultures and exotic locations. The ride featured a combination of projected images, Audio-Animatronics figures, and practical sets to immerse guests in the travel experience.

Some of the memorable scenes included flying over the majestic Matterhorn in Switzerland, exploring the vibrant streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras, and soaring over tropical islands with crystal-clear waters.

Eastern Air Lines’ sponsorship was subtly woven into the attraction, with the company’s logo and branding appearing throughout. The ride aimed to inspire a sense of wanderlust and adventure in its visitors.

Despite its relatively simple technology by today’s standards, “If You Had Wings” was beloved for its nostalgic charm and catchy theme song. It remained a popular attraction for many years but eventually closed in 1987, as Eastern Airlines faced financial difficulties.

The space previously occupied by “If You Had Wings” has seen various reincarnations, including the “If You Could Fly” and “Dreamflight” attractions, but today it houses the Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin ride in Tomorrowland.

Although “If You Had Wings” is no longer part of the Disney World experience, it remains a cherished memory for many who fondly recall the magic of travel and adventure it once offered to visitors of the Magic Kingdom.


If You Had Wings Fun Facts

  • The attraction was sponsored by Eastern Air Lines, and it was one of the first flight simulator rides at Disney World.
  • The attraction’s queue featured a number of interactive elements, such as a large airplane model, and a number of Tomorrowland-themed posters and signs.
  • The attraction was popular among guests looking for a fun and thrilling ride, and for those who wanted to experience the feeling of flying.
  • The ride featured a number of different scenes, including views of tropical locations such as the Caribbean, Mexico, and Florida.
  • “If You Had Wings” was replaced by “Delta Dreamflight” which had a similar concept, but it was sponsored by Delta Air Lines. After that, it was replaced by “Dreamflight” which was a simulator ride that took guests on a journey through different parts of the world. It closed in 1998 and it was replaced by “Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin”


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About the Author

Craig Smith
I am founder and editor of DisneyNews.us. My passion for all things Disney goes pretty far back to my first trip to Walt Disney World in the mid-80's. I have since returned to the magical place more than 20 times. I started this site when I came to the realization that I spent a significant portion of my day reading articles about Disney and watching Disney content with my 8-year old, so it made sense that I would start sharing some of what I read and see and building a little community around it. Other interests include 80's nostalgia, vintage toys, video games, LEGO, Star Wars and tech gadgets. Other sites include DMR and VideoGamesStats.com.