Disney World has changed a LOT over the past few weeks. Many character meet-and-greets have returned to “normal,” face mask policies have changed, and the new Connections Eatery & Café held a soft opening in EPCOT! These aren’t the only changes happening right now, though.
There are still several projects going on in Disney World. Some of these projects can mean that certain attractions, rides, or hotel amenities are unavailable for a while as Disney updates them. So that you’re prepared for your upcoming trip, let’s take a look at everything that’ll be CLOSED from April 25th through May 1st in Disney World!
Magic Kingdom Refurbishments
Walt Disney World Railroad
This fan-favorite attraction has been closed for a LONG time now, and unfortunately, it’s not showing any signs of opening soon. The Walt Disney Railroad closed due to some refurbishments on the ride and construction happening in Tomorrowland on the upcoming TRON: Lightcycle Run attraction. This construction interrupted the tracks, so the train can’t pass through.
We have seen some testing of the Railroad, but some tracks have been removed near the Fantasyland Station, so we’re not expecting the ride to open anytime soon. Disney hasn’t shared an opening date or timeline for the Railroad’s return.
QUIZ: How much do YOU know about the Walt Disney World Railroad?
EPCOT Refurbishments
Souk-Al-Magreb
In the Morocco pavilion of World Showcase, the Souk-Al-Magreb gift shop has been closed for a while. This shop is actually scheduled to open on April 24th (that’s today!) so we’ll check during our next visit to see if it’s available now.
Disney hasn’t officially announced that this shop will reopen — Souk-Al-Magreb just disappears from the refurbishments calendar on the 24th. So we’re not totally sure that it’ll actually open its doors today. Stay tuned with AllEars to find out!
Check out EPCOT’s NEW restaurant here!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Refurbishments
Finding Nemo: The Musical
Finding Nemo: The Musical is closed in Animal Kingdom, but we now know that this show will reopen this summer! When it does open in the next few months, it’ll actually be called Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!
The updated show will be based on Finding Dory instead of Finding Nemo, although it will still feature some fan-favorite songs from the original musical.
Check out a SNEAK PEEK at the updates coming to the reimagined show here!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Refurbishments
Fantasmic!
Fantasmic! is a nighttime spectacular that hasn’t reopened in Disney World since the 2020 closures. This show will return sometime this year, but we don’t have a specific opening date for it yet.
Like the Finding Nemo musical, Fantasmic! will be getting some updates as well. Disney has announced that new characters and stunts will be coming to the updated version when it reopens.
Learn more about how Fantasmic! will be different when it returns.
Disney World Water Park Refurbishments
Blizzard Beach
Disney World’s Blizzard Beach Water Park is closed right now. Disney hasn’t announced an opening date for this park.
If you’re looking for a water park experience during your upcoming trip, though, never fear! Typhoon Lagoon (Disney World’s other water park) is still open.
Hours are CHANGING soon at Typhoon Lagoon. Learn more here.
Disney World Resort Refurbishments
Note that none of the hotels on this list are fully closed. Each of them just has some refurbishments going on in certain parts of the resort.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
There are 200 new DVC Resort Studios coming to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort! These rooms, which are themed after Mary Poppins Returns, will be located in the Big Pine Key building.
You can already book a stay at the new DVC rooms (even if you aren’t a DVC member), and they should be ready for guests by late June 2022.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village, the Samawati Springs Pool is closed for refurbishments. The construction should last through April 2022, and once again, no reopening date is listed online.
That means we could see the pool reopen at the end of this week. We’ll watch for updates and let you know when it opens.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
The Martinique Village Pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is closed for refurbishment. Meanwhile, other pools at this hotel (including the Fuentes del Morro Pool) are available for guests to use.
The Martinique Village Pool is set to reopen in mid-April 2022, so we’re expecting it to open any day now.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
The Righteous Reef Playground at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has officially reopened!
Guests can now enjoy climbing and playing on this playground, which is in the Finding Nemo section of the hotel.
Check out the WORST Disney World hotels based on transportation.
And that’s everything that’s scheduled to be closed in Disney World next week! We’re always looking out for the latest news when it comes to closures, updates, and openings in Disney World, so stay tuned with AllEars to keep up with the latest information.
Not visiting Disney World this week? Check out upcoming closures here!
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Will these closures affect your upcoming trip to Disney World? Let us know in the comments.
I need to see Fantasmic! again. “This is my dream!”
The pool at kidani village is open. We were there all last week and it was open the whole time! It was great.
When is the real Tangierine Cafe going to reopen? The one that is in the food festival booth is nothing at all like the real cafe.