Disneyland ParkNews

Famous Disney Ride Closes Indefinitely Leaving Thousands of Guests Displaced

It feels like not a day goes by without Disney Experiences announcing yet another closure at one of their iconic destinations.

its a small world holiday overlay
Credit: Disney

The Disney resorts in the United States—Disneyland Resort in sunny Southern California and Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida—are two of the most popular theme park destinations on the planet. Drawing in millions of visitors each year, these parks have delighted guests for decades.

However, even Disney is not immune to criticism. In today’s fast-paced, opinion-driven digital landscape, every decision is put under a microscope. Right now, many fans are voicing concerns about the major transformations happening at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Aerial view of the 'Cars' area in Frontierland in concept art.
Credit: Disney

At Magic Kingdom, the iconic Frontierland is being completely reimagined to make way for Pixar’s Cars franchise. This means saying goodbye to beloved attractions like Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America, which are officially being removed by Disney Experiences. Over at Hollywood Studios, the much-loved Muppet*Vision 3D will close on June 7, paving the way for a brand-new Monsters, Inc.-themed land.

On the West Coast, Disneyland Resort isn’t seeing as dramatic a shake-up, but significant changes are still on the horizon. The ambitious DisneylandForward initiative is set to reshape the resort in the coming years, while Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park will double in size.

Still, not all the news involves such sweeping changes. Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World are dealing with numerous refurbishments and indefinite closures stretching well into 2025. For example, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Walt Disney World is shuttered until at least 2026. Meanwhile, at Disneyland Park, the beloved “it’s a small world” attraction has now closed indefinitely.

Animatronics at "it's a small world"
Credit: Disney

According to Disneyland Resort’s official website, “it’s a small world” is currently “closed for refurbishment,” with no reopening date provided. While it may not be an e-ticket ride, the classic attraction is a staple of Disneyland Park and a fan favorite for many. Its indefinite closure is sure to cause frustration among guests.

Adding to the challenge, “it’s a small world” is one of Disneyland’s highest-capacity attractions, capable of accommodating over 3,000 guests per hour thanks to its continuous loading design. With this ride out of commission, those thousands of visitors will now be directed to other areas of the park, which could lead to increased crowding.

A wide shot of the front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park in California.
Credit: Disney

This closure marks the second time in just a few months that “it’s a small world” has gone dark. The ride was previously closed in September 2024 and reopened briefly in November for the holiday season. And if that wasn’t enough, other guest-favorite attractions like the Disneyland Railroad and Disneyland Monorail are also currently unavailable.

It’s clear that Disney parks are going through a major period of transformation. But for fans, these closures—especially long-term or indefinite ones—are coming fast and furious in early 2025.

How do you feel about “it’s a small world” closing indefinitely at Disneyland Park? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his favorite TV show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer except when it's One Tree Hill. He loves sandy beach walks, forest hikes, and foodie days out in the Big City. Thomas lives in England, UK, with his fiancée, baby, and their dog, a Border Collie called Luna.

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