No one likes surprises on vacation—especially the kind that involve “Closed” signs at your favorite rides. Right now, Walt Disney World is deep in a wave of refurbishments and construction projects that are changing how guests experience nearly every park.
Magic Kingdom Feels the Crunch
Magic Kingdom tops the list of closures this season. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been closed since January and won’t reopen until 2026 after a complete overhaul. The Rivers of America area, including Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat, is gone entirely to make room for a new Cars expansion called Piston Peak.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is also getting a high-tech refresh and will be offline for months, while Mickey’s PhilharMagic remains temporarily closed. All of this means longer lines at attractions that are still open, especially at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Space Mountain.
Changes Beyond the Castle
At EPCOT, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is shut down for upgrades until mid-November, which has pushed guests toward other headliners. Over in Animal Kingdom, DinoLand U.S.A. is being demolished to make way for the new Tropical Americas area. That means TriceraTop Spin, The Boneyard, and snack locations like Trilo-Bites are gone. Kali River Rapids and Harambe Market are also temporarily closed.
Hollywood Studios is going through its own evolution. Muppets Courtyard has closed to make room for a Monsters, Inc. land, and Animation Courtyard is being transformed into Walt Disney Studios, an immersive new area with updated shows and play zones. For now, this leaves families with fewer entertainment options.
Hotels, Pools, and Water Parks
It’s not just the theme parks that are changing—resorts are, too. Bay Lake Tower and Port Orleans Riverside are both undergoing room refurbishments. Old Key West, Yacht Club, and Pop Century all have smaller projects in progress, so daytime noise and blocked pathways are common sights.
Blizzard Beach has closed once again for its routine winter refurbishment, leaving Typhoon Lagoon as the sole water park for now.
The Silver Lining
While it might sound like a long list of closures, every project points toward Disney’s next era of storytelling. The parks are being reimagined with bigger themes, more immersive tech, and upgraded attractions. It’s inconvenient today—but it’s the reason your next trip could be even better.
If you’re planning to visit soon, the key is flexibility. Keep checking the park app for updates, expect a few detours, and remember—sometimes the best Disney memories happen in the unplanned moments between construction walls.
