Walt Disney World is heading toward 2027 with another pair of familiar experiences missing from its lineup.
The resort has spent much of 2026 replacing attractions, renovating existing spaces, and preparing for projects that will change what guests see on future vacations. But not every departure involves a major ride or a construction wall.
Two places outside the theme parks have now ended their public operations. One was a longtime option for evenings after the parks. The other gave Disney Springs visitors a different kind of sweet treat.
Both closures are permanent, although what happens to the spaces afterward is not quite the same.
A Disney Springs Favorite Serves Its Last Guests
Sunshine Churros has officially left Disney Springs after operating two stands in the shopping and entertainment district.
The business served its final customers on September 5, 2026, and both locations have since closed permanently.
These weren't simply stands selling the usual cinnamon-sugar churro. Sunshine Churros experimented with specialty flavors, including Pop Rocks and Dubai chocolate, offering guests something different while they explored the district.
Its Churro of the Month promotion also brought rotating options to the menu. That gave regular visitors a reason to stop by again.
For anyone who liked picking up a snack between shops, the closure removes another convenient choice.
There is some good news for churro fans, though. Walt Disney World still sells churros elsewhere around the property. It's Sunshine Churros and its particular lineup of flavors that guests can no longer find at these stands.
The business joins several other Disney Springs departures from 2026, including Shore, Sprinkles, and Francesca's.
Disney Springs continues to offer plenty of places to eat and shop, but returning visitors may find that some familiar names are gone.
And another closure elsewhere at the resort affects something entirely different.
Disney Visitors Lose an Iconic Spot
At Disney's BoardWalk, Atlantic Dance Hall has ended its run as a public nightclub.
For years, the venue offered adults a place to spend their evenings dancing, listening to popular music, and enjoying time with friends after a day in the parks.
Its final night of regular public operations came on September 27, 2026. That wasn't the beginning of a temporary refurbishment. The public nightlife experience has permanently closed.
Guests can no longer walk in for a night on the dance floor, and Disney hasn't announced plans to bring back regular public entertainment there.
The building, however, still has a purpose.
Starting October 1, Disney made Atlantic Dance Hall available for private functions arranged through Disney Meetings & Events and Disney Fairy Tale Weddings.
In other words, the nightclub is closed to ordinary visitors, but eligible private gatherings can still use the venue. The distinction matters because the space hasn't been abandoned or removed.
The surrounding BoardWalk area has welcomed a new option, too. Hurly-Burly Lounge opened in October at the former Jellyrolls location.
That gives guests somewhere else to enjoy an evening, but it doesn't restore the public-dancing experience that Atlantic Dance Hall once provided.
The Parks Have Their Own Goodbyes
The two latest departures fit into a year when Disney has also retired familiar versions of several attractions.
At Disney's Hollywood Studios, Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith ended its original run in March. The coaster debuted in 1999, and Disney has since introduced Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.
The updated attraction uses the existing ride system but changes the music, characters, and surrounding theme.
At Disney's Animal Kingdom, DINOSAUR closed permanently in February. Guests originally knew the attraction as Countdown to Extinction when the park opened in 1998.
Disney is turning that space into Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent for the Tropical Americas expansion.
Not every closure means an attraction is gone for good. Magic Kingdom's Carousel of Progress closed in July for a reimagining, with a reopening expected in late spring 2027.
Disney plans to update scenes and include a Walt Disney animatronic in the refreshed presentation.
What Guests Should Know Before 2027
These changes serve as a reminder that a Disney World vacation involves more than just the four theme parks.
Guests also build traditions around shopping, snacks, and nighttime entertainment. Losing those options can change the feel of a return visit, even when new experiences arrive nearby.
Atlantic Dance Hall's building will continue to host private events, while both Sunshine Churros stands have ceased operations.
For anyone planning a 2027 trip, checking what's still available before arriving could prevent an unexpected disappointment.
