July is shaping up to be one of the busiest months of the year at Walt Disney World, but not every change will involve something new. Disney has confirmed that several guest experiences will temporarily close over the coming weeks, including one of Magic Kingdom's most recognizable attractions. At the same time, the resort continues introducing fresh entertainment, dining, and updated attractions, giving visitors plenty to experience throughout the summer. Before you pack your bags, here's a look at everything happening around Walt Disney World.
New Attractions Have Arrived Across the Resort
The resort has spent the past several weeks expanding what guests can experience before the latest round of closures begins.
At Disney's Animal Kingdom, families can now visit Bluey's Wild World, bringing another kid-friendly experience to the park.
EPCOT has also introduced Soarin' Across America as part of America's 250th anniversary celebration, temporarily replacing Soarin' Around the World with a new flight across iconic locations throughout the United States.
Disney's Hollywood Studios has arguably seen the biggest changes. Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets officially welcomed its first riders following the attraction's transformation, while Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run now features brand-new missions that continue expanding the Star Wars storyline.
Elsewhere in the park, guests can once again walk through the Walt Disney Studios Courtyard following its reopening, another milestone as Disney continues to reshape the area.
Magic Kingdom also celebrated the return of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad after months of refurbishment, giving guests another classic attraction back just ahead of July's scheduled closures.
Those additions help balance a month that will also bring several temporary interruptions.
Some Favorite Shopping Stops Are Closing
Not every July closure involves an attraction.
At EPCOT, La Signature in the France Pavilion will close beginning June 29 for a refurbishment expected to continue into late 2026. The shop has become known for its extensive selection of Guerlain fragrances and cosmetics, as well as personalized beauty consultations.
During the refurbishment, Disney says guests can still purchase Guerlain products nearby at Plume Et Palette.
Magic Kingdom visitors will also continue seeing construction walls around Big Top Souvenirs in Storybook Circus. The merchandise location has remained closed since February and is expected to stay unavailable throughout July. Disney still expects the shop to reopen sometime before the end of the year, although an exact date has not been announced.
While neither closure will significantly affect most vacations, guests planning to shop at either location should be aware of the temporary changes.
Don't Miss the Current Version of Carousel of Progress
The most significant closure arriving in July belongs to one of Walt Disney World's oldest attractions.
Disney first revealed plans in 2025 to refurbish Carousel of Progress, initially sharing only that the attraction's introduction would receive a new Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic.
Since then, the company has unveiled a much more ambitious vision.
Imagineers are redesigning the attraction with an updated timeline that moves through the 1960s, the 1980s, the turn of the millennium, and a hopeful future where technology continues improving everyday life. Disney says the goal is to keep the attraction relevant while preserving the optimism that has defined it since its earliest days.
The attraction is currently expected to reopen in 2027.
Carousel of Progress officially closes on July 6, making the next several days the final opportunity for guests to experience the attraction in its current form before the extensive refurbishment begins.
Disney Isn't Done Opening New Experiences
Alongside the closures, Disney continues adding reasons to visit.
Pete's Silly Sideshow returns on Saturday, June 27, with opening-day operating hours scheduled from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. The Fantasyland attraction once again allows guests to meet circus-inspired versions of beloved Disney characters.
Another opening follows almost immediately.
La Poutinerie officially begins serving guests on July 1 inside EPCOT's Canada Pavilion. Sponsored by Air Canada, the new quick-service location will offer authentic Canadian poutine along with specialty beverages throughout the day.
More Is Expected Later This Summer
Disney is also preparing to debut Magic of Disney Animation at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
The experience will feature Off the Page, inspired by Disney Animation production areas, Olaf Draws, where guests can learn to sketch with help from an Olaf Audio-Animatronic, and Drawn to Wonderland, an indoor playground based on Mary Blair's original Alice in Wonderland concept artwork.
Disney has announced only a late summer 2026 opening window. Although a late July debut remains possible, the current timeline suggests a mid-to-late August opening is more likely.
Even so, excitement continues building as Disney gets closer to revealing an official opening date.
A Busy Month Awaits
Guests visiting Walt Disney World in July should expect a mix of temporary closures and exciting additions. While a few longtime favorites will be unavailable for a while, Disney is continuing to expand what guests can experience across the resort.
From returning attractions and new dining locations to future projects already taking shape, this summer offers plenty of reasons to look forward to your next Walt Disney World vacation—even if a little extra planning is required along the way.
