Guests planning Magic Kingdom Park trips for next year should take note: a Fantasyland character experience will be temporarily unavailable starting in early January.
Pete's Silly Sideshow, the circus-themed meet-and-greet location where theme park guests encounter their favorite Disney friends dressed as circus performers, will undergo refurbishment beginning January 5, 2026. The closure affects both the “Meet Dashing Disney Pals as Circus Stars” and “Meet Daring Disney Pals as Circus Stars” experiences at Pete's Silly Sideshow, according to information posted on Walt Disney World Resort's official website.
Magic Kingdom Construction
While character greetings will pause during the maintenance period, Big Top Souvenirs won't be affected by the work. The merchandise shop and Quick-Service snack location are attached to Pete's Silly Sideshow, but will continue serving Disney Park guests throughout the refurbishment timeline.
The temporary closure appears to be connected to permit filings submitted by Walt Disney World Resort in October. Those documents likely address exterior damage visible on the tent structure housing the character meet-and-greet experience. Disney hasn't released specific details about the scope of work planned for the building, and no completion timeline has been shared publicly.
Character Greetings Continue Elsewhere in Storybook Circus
Fans of Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, and Goofy won't miss out entirely during the construction phase. According to Walt Disney World Resort's website, the four characters “will be greeting guests in Storybook Circus” throughout the refurbishment period.
Details about exact meeting times and the specific spot where the characters will appear haven't been confirmed. It's also unclear whether The Astounding Donaldo, The Great Goofini, Minnie Magnifique, and Daisy Fortuna will continue wearing their signature circus costumes during their temporary relocation.
Guests visiting Magic Kingdom Park after the January closure date should check the My Disney Experience app before their visit. The app provides real-time updates on character greeting locations and availability throughout the Central Florida Disney parks.
Stay tuned to Disney Fanatic for more information about this refurbishment and other ongoing projects at Walt Disney World Resort.
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