
Walt Disney World Resort is off to a busy start in 2025, with closures and changes affecting multiple attractions as the Central Florida destination undergoes significant transformations.
In just the first three weeks of January, the Resort has bid farewell to several iconic experiences. While some closures, like EPCOT’s Test Track, have carried over from 2024, new shutdowns have added to the growing list of changes.
Between January 6 and January 13, Disney World shuttered multiple attractions, including Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for seasonal maintenance and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom. The latter, a fan-favorite roller coaster, will remain closed for over a year. Recent photos show parts of the iconic track being dismantled and hauled over Frontierland, marking the beginning of a complete overhaul.
January 13 also brought permanent closures to three attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures. These closures signal the first major steps toward transforming DinoLand U.S.A. into Pueblo Esperanza, a Tropical Americas-inspired land featuring franchises like Encanto and Indiana Jones.
This year is shaping up to be pivotal for Disney World, with several large-scale projects already underway. Among the most significant is Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland transformation, which will introduce Pixar’s Cars franchise to the area. The decision to merge sentient automobiles with the Western era has sparked debate since its announcement at last year’s D23 Expo. Meanwhile, the highly anticipated Disney Villains-themed land is also in development, generating excitement among fans.
Amid these sweeping changes, another operational shift has quietly come to light at EPCOT. The Seas with Nemo & Friends will now close earlier than the rest of the park.
“At EPCOT, guests have noticed a large sandwich board announcing that The Seas with Nemo & Friends will close at 7:00 p.m. this evening,” Kenny the Pirate reported. “Disney has not announced a reason for this early closure.”
According to the official Walt Disney World Resort website, the attraction’s 7 p.m. closing time is indefinite, extending through at least March 18, where the calendar runs up to. While the rest of EPCOT remains open until 9 p.m., the reason for this earlier closure has yet to be confirmed.
Known for its educational charm, The Seas with Nemo & Friends invites guests to explore marine life at SeaBase Aquarium. However, the manatee exhibit is currently roped off, with the animals having been relocated to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.
Reports suggest the early closure may be tied to ongoing refurbishment work, which includes walkway expansions, escalator maintenance, and updated health and safety measures for divers assisting disabled guests.
While EPCOT continues to offer attractions like Frozen Ever After in World Showcase and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in World Discovery, guests planning their day should note that not everything remains open until the park closes.
Will this change impact your EPCOT plans? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!