As Disney shifts its focus toward new expansions across its theme parks, several attractions at Magic Kingdom Park have now closed—some temporarily, others for good. While upcoming lands like Monstropolis, Pueblo Esperanza, and a Disney Villains area move into different phases of development, current parkgoers are seeing some changes firsthand.
Among the closures, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland shut its doors on August 4, 2025. The interactive attraction is undergoing an update with all-new ride vehicles featuring onboard score displays, constant-on laser blasters, and re-engineered handheld devices. A new robot character named Buddy will also appear in a newly added scene, introducing a fresh storyline element for returning fans.
In Frontierland, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed for refurbishment as of January 6, 2025. The roller coaster—set in a haunted gold mine and spanning 2.5 acres—will reopen in 2026 with newly installed track and upgraded effects. Guests can expect enhancements inspired by the version at Disneyland Resort.
Elsewhere in the park, Storybook Circus’s Dumbo the Flying Elephant continues spinning, but the indoor playground found in its queue has been shuttered since February 24, 2025. Housed beneath a Big Top tent, the space allowed kids to explore until their group was called. The playground’s reopening is scheduled for later this year.
Perhaps the most significant transformation lies along the Rivers of America, which officially closed on July 7, 2025. Alongside it, Tom Sawyer Island—once a quiet hideaway accessed by raft—also closed the same day. These closures pave the way for Piston Peak National Park, a new expansion inspired by Cars that’s set to reshape the Frontierland landscape. The Walt Disney World Railroad, which formerly encircled the park, now operates only between Fantasyland and Main Street, U.S.A.
Though not all closures are permanent, these updates reflect the broader changes that began after the 2022 D23 Expo, Disney’s first major convention following the pandemic shutdowns. It was then that the company first hinted at major park transformations to come.
With rivers being drained and longtime attractions fading from maps, the transition is underway. The arrival of new lands will bring fresh experiences, even as some beloved favorites step aside.
How do you feel about all these closures at Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments down below!
