It’s Independence Day weekend, and while Walt Disney World Resort is packed with holiday cheer, not everything has gone quite as planned for some guests. If you were hoping to ride some of Magic Kingdom and EPCOT’s fan-favorite attractions, a few unexpected closures might have disrupted your itinerary.
Early in the day on July 4, the My Disney Experience app showed four major rides temporarily out of operation—two at Magic Kingdom and two at EPCOT. At EPCOT, Frozen Ever After and Living With the Land went offline. Meanwhile, over at Magic Kingdom, TRON Lightcycle / Run and Pirates of the Caribbean were also listed as unavailable not long after opening. By the time they reopened, Pirates and Living With the Land had returned with short waits of just five minutes, while Frozen Ever After and TRON drew longer lines of 30 and 65 minutes.
It’s not unusual for a few rides to experience downtime, especially during busy holiday weekends. While some closures are scheduled, others—like these—can catch guests off guard. With so many people in the parks, it’s always a good idea to stay flexible.
Speaking of scheduled changes, if you’re heading to Magic Kingdom this weekend, Frontierland is about to look a little different. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is already closed as part of a long-term refurbishment tied to the land’s upcoming transformation. Beginning July 7, Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America will also close, making way for the creation of Piston Peak National Park—a brand-new area inspired by the world of Disney’s Cars franchise.
Even with some attractions out of commission, there’s still no shortage of fun to be had. Magic Kingdom is going big for the Fourth, bringing back its spectacular Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky fireworks show for two nights only—July 3 and 4. It’s one of the few times a special nighttime spectacular joins the park’s lineup, lighting up Cinderella Castle with patriotic colors and music.
Throughout the day, guests can catch DJ-led dance parties happening in different lands across the park. Whether you’re in Frontierland or chilling in Tomorrowland, there’s a good chance you’ll come across some festive beats and high-energy entertainment.
And EPCOT fans—don’t feel left out. The park is also celebrating with a special post-show fireworks tag after its newest nighttime spectacular, Luminous The Symphony of Us. Stick around after the main event to catch Heartbeat of Freedom, a long-standing EPCOT tradition that caps off the Fourth with a bang.
Of course, the holiday weekend means big crowds. Orlando International Airport (MCO) recently reported that this year is shaping up to be even busier than 2024, so be prepared for lots of company at the parks. While it might not match Christmas or spring break levels, Fourth of July brings in plenty of guests looking to celebrate under the stars.
With all four theme parks and both water parks open, there’s still plenty to explore. Just pack your patience, plan your must-dos, and don’t forget to look up—those fireworks are worth it.
Spending the Fourth at Disney? Let us know how your day went!
