3 Critical Disney World Ride Warnings to Watch Out for in 2025

How are your 2025 Disney World plans coming along?

Hopefully, you’re locking in those plane tickets and hotel reservations, and figuring out your itinerary for each day. Speaking of itineraries, as you know, as magical as Disney World is, there are instances where your favorite attractions, eateries, and even modes of transportation are down for refurbishment. To that point, we’ve got a couple of critical ride warnings we want you to keep in mind so they don’t derail your plans for your 2025 trip!

As we were saying, there are a couple of Disney World ride closures that could put a kink in your itinerary, but if you’re in the know, you can plan ahead, avoid the hassle, and still have an unforgettable time! So let’s dive right in!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Dates to watch: January 6, 2025 – 2026

You may want to be sitting down for this one because the wildest ride in the wilderness is going offline for a major overhaul. Yep, you read that right. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed from January 6th, 2025, through the entirety of 2025, and even spilling into 2026.

Now, I know that you’re thinking, “How can Disney do this to us?” But here’s the thing, Big Thunder Mountain is one of the oldest and most iconic rides in Magic Kingdom, so this long-term closure is most likely necessary to give it the TLC it desperately needs.

Why the Closure Matters:

- It’s a fan favorite. Let’s be real. Big Thunder is a staple for most Disney World-goers, especially for thrill-seekers who love all those wild twists and turns. If it’s on your 2025 must-do list, this is going to be a pretty big blow.
- It’s got an extended timeline. This isn’t just a seasonal refurb. It’s a year-long project, which means you’ll need to wait until at least 2026 to ride the rails again.
- Its park impact. With such a popular ride offline, crowds will undoubtedly shift toward the other headliners like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, TRON Lightcycle / Run or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, meaning those lines could be even longer than usual.

Pro Tip: If you’re traveling during this closure window, don’t let it derail your plans! Magic Kingdom is packed with other great attractions like Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and more!

Kali River Rapids

Dates to watch: TBD January – March 2025

Over in Animal Kingdom, we’ve got another closure that might dampen your spirits (pun fully intended). Kali River Rapids, the wet-and-wild whitewater raft adventure, is expected to be down for routine maintenance during the first quarter of 2025.

This closure is pretty typical. Disney tends to shut down Kali River Rapids for refurb during the colder months when fewer guests are eager to get soaked. If you’re someone who’s itching to get on this water adventure, this closure might come as a bit of a bummer.

Why the Closure Matters:

- It’s perfect for hot days. Florida heat is no joke, and Kali River Rapids is usually the perfect way to cool off after a day trekking through the park, but to be honest, those winter months aren’t really conducive for a dip in the rapids. That being said, if you’re visiting during this window and you’ve got your heart set on it, you’re going to be out of luck on that front.
- Short-term impact. Fortunately, the closure is typically limited to just the winter months, so if you’re planning a spring or summer visit, you’ll still be able to ride the rapids!

Pro Tip: If you’re an Animal Kingdom enthusiast who’s sad about missing Kali, don’t worry! There are still plenty of amazing attractions to enjoy like Expedition Everest for a heart-pounding ride or take a journey to Pandora for Avatar Flight of Passage.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Dates to watch: Potential closure starting January 2025

This one’s still a bit up in the air, but it’s one you definitely want to keep an eye on. While Disney hasn’t confirmed any dates yet, there’s a good chance that early 2025 could see a closure. The ride that Tiana’s replaced — Splash Mountain — used to close early each year for maintenance.

If you’re hoping to enjoy a ride on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the first few months of 2025 might be pivotal. We’ll keep you updated!

Why the Closure Matters:

- It’s a fan favorite. Similar to Big Thunder Mountain, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is one of the headliners at Magic Kingdom. If it’s on your 2025 must-do list, this is going to be a pretty big blow.
- We don’t know the timeline. As we said, Disney hasn’t announced the dates, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for any updates.
- Its park impact. If this ride goes offline, crowds will shift toward the other top attractions like Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, meaning those lines could be even longer than usual.

Bonus

While these next ones aren’t rides per say, they are a couple more you’ll want to keep on your radar.

Skyliner Maintenance

Dates to watch: Winter months (exact dates TBD)

The Disney Skyliner is a fan-favorite for hopping between resorts and parks in a scenic and speedy way. As much as we love flying high above Disney property, the Skyliner also needs some downtime for routine maintenance. This typically happens annually during the winter months. At the moment, Disney hasn’t released exact dates just yet.

Disney Skyliner at International Gateway Station at EPCOT

Why the Closure Matters:

- It can disrupt transportation. The Skyliner has become a game-changer for getting around Disney World, especially for those staying at resorts like Disney’s Pop Century or Art of Animation. If you’re staying at a Skyliner resort and it’s down for maintenance, you’ll have to rely on buses or other forms of transportation, which could add extra time to your travel plans.
- It’s a Fan favorite. Let’s be honest. Riding the Skyliner isn’t just about transportation; it’s an experience in itself! The views, the breeze, and the sheer fun of gliding above Disney World make it a must-do. If it’s down, you’re definitely missing out on one of the most unique ways to get around Disney World.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Disney’s official announcements for Skyliner closure dates, and plan accordingly. If you’re staying at a Skyliner resort, make sure to build extra time into your schedule for travel if the gondolas aren’t running.

Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon:

Lastly, these water parks typically alternate their closures throughout the year for maintenance, so depending on when you visit, one may be down. For example, Typhoon Lagoon will close on November 4th, 2024, just as Blizzard Beach reopens.

Make sure to check the schedule ahead of time if you’re hoping to splash around in a specific Disney World water park. Whether you’re a Blizzard Beach fan or a Typhoon Lagoon enthusiast, don’t get caught off-guard by the closure!

Those are just a couple of the critical Disney World Ride warnings that you need to watch out for in 2025. Now we love hearing from you, so go ahead and share your thoughts down in the comments. Until then, keep it right here at AllEars for all the latest Disney news!