These 12 Closures in Disney World Will Affect Your Trip

Disney World is going through some big changes in 2023!

So far we’ve seen the addition of new rides and new restaurants, as well as some policy changes for things like Disney Park Passes. But there is plenty more excitement on the horizon…so long as you watch out for these upcoming closures!

Magic Kingdom

Let’s start things out in Magic Kingdom, where Splash Mountain closed permanently earlier this year. The ride is currently under construction because it’s being transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Like it’s predecessor, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will also be a log flume ride, but it will have a new storyline, new animatronics, and new music! We can’t wait to check it out when it opens in summer 2024.

EPCOT

Multiple things are currently closed in EPCOT. The main thing you’ll notice during your visit is that the middle of the park is blocked by construction walls. This is because Disney is working on a massive transformation of EPCOT, which will be completed in fall 2023. When that’s done, we’ll have a new attraction (Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana), new festival spaces (CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza), and much more.

As far as dining goes, there are two restaurants that are currently closed in the World Showcase. First is Restaurant Marrakesh, which has been unavailable since the park closed for the pandemic back in 2020. It was briefly used as a lounge space for visitors, but it hasn’t reopened with dining options since.

The other spot is Tokyo Dining in the Japan Pavilion. This restaurant is just closed for a refurbishment, but it’ll be unavailable through summer 2023. There’s no reopening date yet.

So if you’re making dinner plans for EPCOT, just be aware of these closures!

Hollywood Studios

Two attractions are currently closed at Hollywood Studios, the first being Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. The ride is currently closed for an extended refurbishment, lasting until sometime in the summer, though Disney hasn’t set a reopening date.

The other attraction is Voyage of the Little Mermaid, located in Animation Courtyard. This show hasn’t reopened since the pandemic, and Disney has been pretty tight-lipped about its future. We’re interested to see if it comes back or gets replaced!

Hopefully these two attractions will be up and running in time for your next trip!

Blizzard Beach

Ever since the pandemic, Blizzard Beach Water Park and Typhoon Lagoon Water Park have taken turns operating in Disney World. Typhoon Lagoon reopened in March, which means that Blizzard Beach is currently closed indefinitely.

We’ll let you know as soon as Disney announces a reopening date for this park!

Disney World Resorts

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Multiple hotels are getting updates currently, starting with Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Guest rooms at the Grand Floridian are getting a big refurbishment, and while some have been completed, some buildings are still under construction.

Also, the lobby is set to get a refurbishment sometime in the future, so keep that in mind if you’re planning a trip to stay at the Grand.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is getting a BIG addition in 2024 — a new Disney Vacation Club tower. In order to construct the new building, the Spirit of Aloha dinner show had to be demolished, but now construction is well underway.

The expansion will include new dining and recreation offerings. We can’t wait to check it out!

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

At Fort Wilderness, a longtime favorite restaurant is closing soon to get a makeover — Trail’s End Restaurant. The table service spot currently serves meals family-style, but once it is refurbished, it will reopen as a marketplace-style quick service spot.

Disney hasn’t announced a closing date yet, but currently, hours are only listed for the restaurant through early May.

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Moving on to the All-Star Sports Resort, there are some more room updates in progress. The other two All-Star resorts have already been updated, and now All-Star Sports is getting the same treatment.

The outside of the resort isn’t affected by this change…just the rooms. The rooms will be updated to have two queen beds, one of which is a Murphy bed.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

And last but not least, we have Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. Multiple changes are scheduled for this hotel, including hotel room updates that are currently in progress, a lobby refresh, and a new restaurant!

The Cake Bake Shop will open at the BoardWalk sometime in 2023, and we’ll be interested to see what the new lobby looks like as well.

Those are all the big closures that you need to know about in Disney World for now, but we’ll keep you updated as more are announced. Stay tuned to AllEars!