When you picture your Disney World vacation, chances are you imagine hopping from ride to ride, chasing fireworks, and catching every show. But let’s be real—sometimes the magic needs a little maintenance.
Disney World has several major attractions either under refurbishment or permanently closed right now, and if you’re visiting this spring or early summer, a few favorites may not be available. That doesn’t mean your trip is doomed—but it does mean you should plan with your eyes wide open.
Here’s what’s currently closed and how to make the most of your visit, even with spring break crowds still hanging around.
Let’s start with what’s unavailable. As of April 2025, here’s the breakdown:
Magic Kingdom
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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed for a long refurbishment (reopening in 2026).
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Astro Orbiter is offline until summer.
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Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will close this August for upgrades.
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Hall of Presidents remains closed with no official return date.
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Both Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat are expected to permanently close later this year.
EPCOT
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Test Track is still under reimagining and probably won’t reopen until late summer or fall.
Animal Kingdom
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It’s Tough to Be a Bug and TriceraTop Spin have permanently closed.
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DINOSAUR and The Boneyard will stay open through 2025 but are slated to close in early 2026 for the Tropical Americas expansion.
Hollywood Studios
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Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is gone.
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Voyage of the Little Mermaid has been retired—but a brand-new Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure debuts later this year, along with a new Villains-themed stage show.
Water Parks
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Blizzard Beach will close from May 1–20 for refurbishment.
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Typhoon Lagoon reopens May 1. Starting May 21, both water parks will operate simultaneously for the first time in years.
How Crowded Will It Be? (April–May Crowd Watch)
The worst of spring break is behind us, but it’s not exactly quiet yet.
April crowds are still noticeable—especially on weekends and around remaining school holidays. Things tend to settle a bit in early May, which is honestly one of the better times to visit. But don’t let your guard down too much—Memorial Day weekend always delivers a surge of guests, especially this year with the debut of two new shows.
The sweet spot? Mid-May. If you’re visiting then, you might just hit that perfect window of manageable crowds and decent weather.
Planning Tips From Someone Who Goes All the Time
After visiting Disney during every season, I’ve learned that crowd levels don’t matter nearly as much as how well you plan. Here are a few ways to stay ahead of the game:
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Buy your Lightning Lane access early. Disney now offers Single, Multi, and Premier Passes—each giving you a way to reserve rides in advance. Premier is the most expensive and allows you to ride everything, so if you truly want to have no planning and are willing to dish out the extra cash — to the tune of more than $200 per person — you’ll have an easy day regardless of when you go. Regardless, you can book Multi and Single passes seven days in advance for Disney Resort guests and three days in advance for those not staying on Disney property.
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Rope drop smart—not obvious. Everyone rushes to headliners first thing. Instead, hit a few less-popular rides with no wait, and save your Lightning Lane bookings for mid-morning when lines peak.
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Use the evenings to your advantage. After the fireworks, lines drop off. Magic Kingdom is especially great after dark if you’re not ready to call it a night.
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Embrace mobile ordering. Get your food ahead of the crowds. It sounds simple, but it can save you a full hour during lunch rush.
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Keep your plans flexible. Check wait times throughout the day. If crowds spike at one park, consider hopping to another. It’s easy to pivot if you’re not locked into a rigid schedule.
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Use the water parks! With both opening together this summer, they’re your best midday break option—especially for families who want to cool off without standing in 90-minute queues.
Bottom line: don’t let a few closures or busy days throw you off. With the right prep, you can still enjoy the magic—and maybe even discover some hidden gems while the big rides take a breather.
