
Multiple projects are currently underway across Walt Disney World Resort, bringing exciting changes—and a fair share of speculation—to the parks.
From the removal of signs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to towering cranes lifting coaster tracks at Magic Kingdom, 2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year for Disney World. As Universal Orlando prepares to unveil its highly anticipated Epic Universe, Disney’s ongoing refurbishments continue to draw attention. While Disney has not officially linked its maintenance efforts to Universal’s expansion, the timing has certainly sparked conversation among theme park fans.
On January 6, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom closed indefinitely, adding to the list of major attractions currently undergoing refurbishment. Construction crews were spotted swiftly moving in, with large sections of track being hoisted high above the park. Disney has confirmed that the beloved Frontierland coaster will reopen in 2026 with what they describe as “a little bit of new magic.”
Looking ahead, Frontierland itself is set for a major transformation in the coming years. The much-anticipated arrival of Pixar’s Cars franchise—officially announced at last year’s D23 Expo—has stirred mixed reactions among Disney fans. The introduction of Radiator Springs to the area signals a shift in Frontierland’s classic Western theme, leaving many eager to see how Imagineers will integrate this new storytelling.
But it’s not just Frontierland feeling the effects of change. Over in Tomorrowland, another iconic attraction, Astro Orbiter, is also closed indefinitely. Disney has stated plans to reopen the high-flying ride by summer 2025, but for now, the once-vibrant skyline looks noticeably different. Last week, a crane was spotted on-site, and recent reports reveal that the attraction is currently unrecognizable.
Photos from WDWMagic show that the signature planetary elements of Astro Orbiter have been entirely removed, leaving behind only the skeletal frame of the attraction.
“A large crane, brought in at the start of the refurbishment, was used to remove the planets over the weekend,” they reported. “Based on past refurbishments, including the 2014 update, it’s likely the crane will be temporarily removed once this phase of work is complete.”
“It is expected to return later in the refurbishment to reinstall the planets and finalize other thematic elements of the attraction,” they added.
Astro Orbiter’s absence will certainly be felt by guests visiting Magic Kingdom over the next few months. The ride has long been a staple of Tomorrowland’s skyline, sharing the space with icons like Space Mountain and Cinderella Castle further down. Without its brightly-colored planets, Tomorrowland might feel a little less futuristic—at least for now.
Of course, Magic Kingdom isn’t the only park experiencing a wave of change. Over at Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney Imagineering has officially broken ground on the upcoming Tropical Americas-themed area, which will replace DinoLand U.S.A. Several attractions and experiences in the area have already shuttered, and construction is now in full swing, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the beloved park.
How do you feel about Astro Orbiter’s indefinite closure at Magic Kingdom? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!