With two classic rides retiring at Walt Disney World, the theme park giant has taken the unprecedented step of lifting the block-out dates a little early for seasonal passholders so they can visit one last time.

The Great Movie Ride will give way to Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway at Hollywood Studios and Ellen's Energy Adventure at Epcot, featuring Ellen DeGeneres, will be replaced by a Guardians of the Galaxy ride. They are slated to close Aug. 13, but the annual summer block-out dates were supposed to run through Aug. 11.

Walt Disney World has decided to lift the block-out dates for all four of its theme parks for the month of August, the company announcned, so fans have a chance to say goodbye. The parks opened to seasonal passholders starting Tuesday.

Florida residents and Silver passholders can save money on annual passes that have summer and holiday block-out dates. The next block-out dates are Dec. 18-Jan. 2.

Contact Sharon Kennedy Wynne at swynne@tampabay.com. Follow @SharonKWn.