Walt Disney World guests may want to take another look at their vacation plans before heading to Orlando.
The resort is experiencing a considerable number of closures as Disney continues construction and refurbishment projects throughout its theme parks and hotels. Right now, 18 locations are affected, and the list includes everything from attractions and restaurants to stores, transportation areas, and entire lands.
Some will reopen shortly.
Others aren't coming back at all.
Several Disney World Classics Are Already Gone
Magic Kingdom contains some of the most significant changes.
Carousel of Progress closed July 6 for an extensive refurbishment. Disney plans to update scenes throughout the attraction and add a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic figure.
The attraction isn't scheduled to return until 2027.
Elsewhere, guests are watching an even bigger transformation unfold.
The Rivers of America, Liberty Square Riverboat, and Tom Sawyer Island permanently closed in July 2025.
Disney is using the former area for Piston Peak, its upcoming Cars-inspired Frontierland expansion. Two new attractions are planned, although Disney hasn't revealed an opening date.
Hollywood Studios Looks Very Different
Disney's Hollywood Studios is another construction hotspot.
Vacation Fun closed August 9 without a confirmed reopening date. Annual Passholder magnet distribution is currently taking place inside the location through September 24.
Parts of the former Animation Courtyard remain affected by a much larger transformation that began when several experiences closed in September 2025.
Disney has already started opening its replacement in phases, with additional experiences scheduled to arrive September 14.
A short distance away, another major project is underway.
Muppets Courtyard is being transformed into Monstropolis.
Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo permanently closed in June 2025. Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano closed in May.
Construction has since taken over the area as Disney prepares its Monsters, Inc.-inspired replacement.
EPCOT Guests Will Notice Changes, Too
At EPCOT, La Signature in the France Pavilion remains closed for refurbishment with no announced reopening date.
Germany has multiple unavailable areas.
Most of the Volkskunst shop closed in July while Disney works on Cast Member bathrooms behind the scenes. Public bathrooms in the pavilion have also closed.
Work is additionally underway on the Das Kaufhaus roof, although stores haven't closed because of that particular project.
Disney hasn't provided reopening dates for Volkskunst or the affected restrooms.
Animal Kingdom Has Lost an Entire Land
Animal Kingdom's biggest closure is much harder to overlook.
DinoLand U.S.A. officially closed February 2.
Disney is transforming the property into Tropical Americas, meaning a large section of the park will remain a construction zone while the new land takes shape.
It's one of several permanent closures currently changing the Walt Disney World guests knew only a few years ago.
Resort Hotels Face Their Own Shutdowns
The closures extend beyond the four theme parks.
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort started a Convention Center refurbishment August 10 that will continue through September 2027. Work also affects the El Centro Corridor and surrounding portions of the hotel.
At Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, construction around the porte cochere is expected to continue into early 2027.
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort has construction scheduled through late 2027, meaning upcoming hotel guests could encounter noise and visible work during their stays.
Several dining and entertainment destinations have also been affected.
Turf Club Bar & Grill at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort is undergoing refurbishment.
Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney's Yacht Club Resort has been closed since May 11, but this closure finally has an end date. Disney plans to reopen the restaurant August 28.
Changes continue at Disney's BoardWalk.
The Village Green is temporarily closed through September 4. Promenade Fine Art Gallery has left its former location but is expected to relocate rather than disappear permanently.
Jellyrolls is another familiar BoardWalk name that guests won't find where they remember it. The dueling piano bar permanently closed its Disney's BoardWalk location in April 2025 and plans to reopen elsewhere later in 2026.
Disney World Is Changing Fast
Not all 18 closures carry the same weight.
Some involve normal refurbishment work. Others will only affect guests temporarily. But permanent losses including DinoLand U.S.A., Muppets Courtyard, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Rivers of America show just how extensively Disney is rebuilding parts of the resort.
That creates an unusual situation for 2026 visitors.
They can see pieces of Disney World's future taking shape, but they're also visiting during the construction required to make those projects possible.
Anyone with a trip approaching should check the latest operating information before leaving home.
At Walt Disney World right now, something that was available during your last visit may already be behind construction walls.
