Disney has officially confirmed the future of a beloved EPCOT attraction.
January Closures at Disney World
The start of the New Year at Walt Disney World is set to bring significant changes as the resort gears up for major refurbishments and closures across its parks. Among the impacted attractions are Test Track at EPCOT and Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios—both already closed—and several other fan favorites slated for downtime.
Over in Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will take its last ride on January 5, 2025. This iconic Frontierland coaster is scheduled for an extensive refurbishment and will remain closed until 2026. Disney has teased “a little bit of new magic” for the attraction, fueling speculation it could receive upgrades similar to its Disneyland counterpart.
Meanwhile, Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland will close on January 13, 2025, for refurbishment. The attraction is expected to reopen by summer.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the transformation of DinoLand U.S.A. is moving full steam ahead. TriceraTop Spin will permanently close on January 13, 2025, signaling the start of the area’s evolution into a Tropical Americas-themed land inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones. Additionally, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures and Fossil Fun Games will close on the same day. However, the DINOSAUR attraction will remain operational through the end of 2025, offering guests one last chance to experience the ride before further changes.
Elsewhere in the park, Kali River Rapids will begin its seasonal closure on January 6 and is scheduled to reopen in March. Over at EPCOT, fans of the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros should take their final rides soon, as the World Showcase attraction will close on January 6 and is scheduled to reopen on March 15, 2025.
These closures highlight Disney’s commitment to reinvention, blending nostalgia with innovation to create a new chapter for its parks.
EPCOT’s Encanto Show Lives On
In February 2025, EPCOT was set to bid farewell to ¡Celebración Encanto!, the vibrant stage show at CommuniCore Plaza celebrating Disney’s 2021 animated hit Encanto. However, Disney has now announced that the popular production will continue indefinitely.
“Walt Disney World announced that *“¡Celebración Encanto!” will now be offered as full-time entertainment at EPCOT,” shared Kenny the Pirate. The My Disney Experience app currently lists showtimes at 10:20 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 2:50 p.m., 3:55 p.m., and 4:50 p.m., ensuring fans of Mirabel, Bruno, and the Madrigal family can keep singing along for the foreseeable future.
The show features beloved music from the movie paired with dazzling performances from Mirabel and Bruno Madrigal. Initially planned to run through September 2024, the extension of ¡Celebración Encanto! into 2025 and beyond solidifies its place as a fan-favorite offering at EPCOT.
As Walt Disney World undergoes an intense period of transformation, including the introduction of Cars and Disney Villains-themed areas in Magic Kingdom and the complete reimagining of DinoLand U.S.A., the continuation of ¡Celebración Encanto! is a comforting reminder that not all changes mean saying goodbye.
How do you feel about this exciting update at EPCOT? Let us know in the comments below!
