Disney World is changing y’all! No shocker there, right? It’s always changing…but some super BIG closures and additions are on their way.
After the announcements from D23 earlier in August, we got a look into what is to come for Disney World, and it is a lot. With these new announcements came the unfortunate news that current attractions and lands would close to make way for these new projects. While we expect more closure announcements, there are five permanent closures that have already been confirmed for Disney World.
All four parks have exciting new projects on the horizon. For these new projects to start, other parts of the park must be closed and cleared to make way for the newer lands and attractions. This also means that you can expect a lot of construction across Disney World for many years to come. Let’s take a look at what is closing.
It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
It’s Tough to Be a Bug! resides in the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom. It was announced that this show would be replaced with a Zootopia-themed show, and this information was confirmed at D23. The new show, Zootopia: Better Zoogether, will take over for It’s Tough to Be a Bug! in the winter of 2025.
While no closing date has been announced for It’s Tough to Be a Bug!, we can expect it to be somewhat soon to keep on track for the opening timeline of Zootopia: Better Zoogether.
DinoLand U.S.A.
Animal Kingdom is also home to an extensive overhaul. While being teased for quite some time that DinoLand, U.S.A., will close to make way for a Tropical Americas-themed land.
Pueblo Esperanza will be the name of this new land. We will get three brand new attractions, which unfortunately means that DINOSAUR, TriceraTop Spin, Dino-Rama, and the Boneyard will close to make way for the latest attractions.
DINOSAUR will become an Indiana Jones attraction, there will be an Encanto-themed attraction and a carousel featuring some of our favorite Disney animals.
While no closing date has been announced for DinoLand, U.S.A. permits have already been filed to start construction on the area, and it was announced that this overhaul will be done in phases and completed by 2027.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
It was just announced that Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy in Hollywood Studios will close on October 7th to make way for a new Villains show which will open in summer of 2025.
This is interesting since both a Cars-themed Land and a Villains Land are coming to Magic Kingdom. We are still awaiting the announcement of where the new Monsters, Inc. Land will go in Hollywood Studios.
NEWS: Disney Announces NEW Villains Show for Hollywood Studios
Rivers of America
The Rivers of America will be drained to make way for the new Cars-themed Land coming to Magic Kingdom. While the concept art does show some water, it is scaled down. This sadly means that the Liberty Square Riverboat will be no longer.
Tom Sawyer Island
Along with the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island will close as the new Cars-themed Land will go in its place. While Aunt Polly’s has only been operating as a seasonal quick-service location, the closure of Tom Sawyer Island confirms the permanent closure of Aunt Polly’s.
The new Cars-themed land will be totally different from its West Coast counterpart. There will be two brand-new attractions. From the concept art, it also looks as if there will be a walking path connecting Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to the Cars Land to the Haunted Mansion. This is really exciting and could save you so much time walking in the parks.
While it is sad to see parts of Disney World close, it is also exciting to look forward to all the new offerings at the parks. We will continue to watch for closure notices as timelines for other new additions are announced. As always, stay tuned to AllEars.net for more Disney news, updates, and tricks.
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The changes for Magic Kingdom: ALL BAD. As a 69 yr old who grew up
in Anaheim, CA and went to Disneyland every summer as a youth,
I recall the magic. As you all know Walt Disney World was Walt’s
dream and sprit. Especially Epcot. More on that in just a bit.
Losing the Rivers of America, “Frontierland”, huge mistake. The Cars
ride needs to be at the studios. Villianland, WRONG MESSAGE totally!
If they just have to have it put it as well in the studios.
Epcot, four years and we have a park, with no fountain and a multi-use room.
Really? Walt Disney would be furious over that. Epcot has lost it’s way.
They should have kept “Futureworld” and still focused on the future. I loved Epcot,
I went in 1985, 1992, 2003, 2014. I’ve seen the changes. Some good, and as of now
not so good, do I love it now? Sorry, but the thrill is gone and so is the magic.
I’m really sad about it all. When they chose to dry up the Rivers of America,
well, now I’m done and the money I would have spent on another trip to
Disney World is dried up as well.
So terribly sad!
Sincerely,
JD
I don’t think so.
During early development of the Florida property, Walt Disney wanted to build an experimental planned community showcasing modern innovation, known as “EPCOT”, an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. \
After Disney’s death in 1966, the company felt his grand vision was impractical.
However, it laid the groundwork for EPCOT Center, a theme park that retained the core spirit of Disney’s vision. The park was divided into two distinct areas, Future World reprises the idea of showcasing modern innovation through educational entertainment attractions inside avant-garde pavilions, while World Showcase highlights the diversity of human cultures from various nations. From the late 2010s to the early 2020s, the park underwent a major overhaul, adding new attractions and Future World was restructured into three areas: World Celebration, World Discovery and World Nature.
I know that things need to be changed for new experiences, Walt always said that the parks were never going to be finished but the closing of the rivers and Tom Sawyer island is going to ruin the Magic Kingdom. The atmosphere of Frontierland and Liberty Square is not going to be good! Plus in what world does Cars got to do with the American west or the revolution?
I couldn’t agree more, Mike. The Sternwheel Boat is as iconic to me as the Castle! It was a time to relax and smell the roses. We are losing so much of our past, which is not being taught anymore. It is a shame that Disney drank the Kool-Aid.
So,so,so hoping Dinosaur is still there 11/24/2024 for my 5 y/o grandson who can’t wait to ride it with “GrandEd” 6 times in a row for his 6th B’Day. It appears MK is scheduled for more changes in the next 3ish years than it has gone through in it’s 50 years. Is the visiting public really demanding this much change?
These changes are mostly being made to counter the effects of the 2025 opening of Epic Universe. Disney has known about Epic for many years and is VERY late to the game in mounting any sort of response. These changes are – mostly – lame and will sadly come at the expense of much-beloved Americana in favor of the ongoing Six Flags-ification of the Disney parks. That’s all the current Board and CEO are allowing Imagineering to do. The hard-core drive for leveraging any and all IP is the primary focus instead of imagining and building game-winning attractions and experiences for Disney parks guests.
I know that things need to be changed for new experiences, Walt always said that the parks were never going to be finished but the closing of the rivers and Tom Sawyer island is going to ruin the Magic Kingdom. The atmosphere of Frontierland and Liberty Square is not going to be good! Plus in what world is Cars got to do with the American west or the revolution?
Yeah, I think I’m done. The magic is gone.
We are seriously considering selling our DVC. With our very limited income, we could spend it in other places that appreciate patriotism and our history!
Any word on what will happen to the Liberty Square Ruverboat? I can think of a few options…
The destruction of Disney marches on so sad what this park has become. Now no Liberty Square. I really have no desire to fo to the parks anymore.
And not going saves you a ton of money!
Why can’t cars stay in the Studios?
For many reasons, I haven’t been to Disney since 2012. With all the changes, I have no desire to return.
No sense in knocking the changes until they happen and actually visit to see them with your own two eyes. After that you can give your pros and cons. Things change, some good some not so good.
Disney is killing the magic.