Disney World fans know to expect changes, but September 2025 might feel too much at once. Whole lands are vanishing, icons are off-limits, and some of the most beloved rides are going through lengthy refurbishments.
This month is especially tough because closures are happening in every single park, plus at the water parks and resorts. It’s a reminder that Disney is in the middle of a massive transition period—one that’s exciting for the future but frustrating in the present. If you visit this fall, here’s what you won’t be riding.
Animal Kingdom: DinoLand’s Final Days
On September 2, The Boneyard, Animal Kingdom’s fossil-dig playground, will close forever. This oversized play area allowed kids to climb, crawl, and dig for fossils while parents got a rare break. Its closure follows the loss of TriceraTop Spin.
It’s Tough to Be a Bug, the quirky 3D show that once lived inside the Tree of Life, closed earlier this year. That show will eventually be replaced by a Zootopia attraction, which is expected to launch later in 2025. For now, though, DinoLand U.S.A. feels emptier than ever.
EPCOT: Spaceship Earth on Pause
The park’s landmark attraction, Spaceship Earth, shut down in August 2025 for an overhaul. Guests have long loved this slow-moving journey through the history of human communication, from cavemen to computers.
It’s one of EPCOT’s defining experiences, and while it is expected back later this year, the massive silver sphere is just a shell.
Hollywood Studios: Saying Goodbye
Hollywood Studios will see two closures on September 25: Disney Jr. Play and Dance and Star Wars Launch Bay. Play and Dance allowed younger children to dance alongside Mickey, Vampirina, and Doc McStuffins. Meanwhile, Launch Bay served as a Star Wars museum and meet-and-greet location. Both are shutting down for a refreshed Magic of Disney Animation.
And don’t forget—MuppetVision 3D already closed earlier in 2025, along with the restaurants in the Muppet Courtyard. For longtime fans, it feels like the park is losing more of its charm with each passing season.
Magic Kingdom: Classics in Limbo
Magic Kingdom may still be Disney’s most nostalgic park, but even here, the list of closures is long. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed in January and will not reopen until 2026. In August 2025, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin joined it on the refurbishment list, not returning until 2026.
The Storybook Circus playground, themed to Dumbo, is still under construction but should reopen before the year ends. Sadly, other attractions won’t ever return. Liberty Belle Riverboat, Tom Sawyer Island, and Rivers of America are permanently closed, reshaping the heart of Frontierland.
And while the Walt Disney World Railroad is technically running, the experience is limited. With the Frontierland station shuttered, guests can only enjoy a shortened loop until construction ends.
Blizzard Beach and Resort Work
Blizzard Beach water park closes for the season on September 8, with Typhoon Lagoon still open but possibly next in line for downtime. Guests planning a splash day should check schedules carefully.
Meanwhile, resorts across the Disney property continue to deal with major construction. Dining locations, pools, and even complete hotel sections are being refurbished. Anyone booking a Disney hotel stay this fall should confirm what amenities will be available.
The Big Picture
Between permanent closures, seasonal water park downtime, and major refurbishments, Disney World in September 2025 will look very different. Guests can still find plenty to enjoy, but the list of missing attractions is lengthy.
If one of these rides was high on your must-do list, you may need to adjust your plans—or wait until 2026 when some of these classics finally return.
