The Dates You NEED to Know for 2025 in Walt Disney World

2025 is less than TWO months away if you can believe it, and that means that the time to plan your upcoming vacations is HERE.

Disney has announced a LOT is on the way for their Disney World theme parks in the new year, and while we’re excited for it all, that means that lots of construction walls are getting ready to go up, and a lot is about to change. Change is good, but also difficult, especially if one of you favorite parts of the parks is going away. But just how much is on the way? If you’re heading to Disney World in 2025, these are dates you 100% need to know!

January

January 1st

Beginning the first day of the year, a new water park perk goes into effect for all Disney World hotel guests!

Anyone staying at a Disney World hotel in 2025 gets FREE admission to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon (whichever one is open at that time) included in their stay on the day of their check-in!

January 6th

The wildest ride in the wilderness is going away for at least a whole YEAR starting on January 6th!

That’s right — Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closing for a lengthy refurbishment at the beginning of 2025 and won’t be reopening until 2026!

January 8th-12th

The first runDisney race of the year is the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, taking place on January 8th-12th.

This race is entirely sold out, so expect to see higher crowds during this time of year!

January 13th

DinoLand U.S.A. closures officially begin on January 13th, when some very beloved areas of the park will close for good.

On the 13th, TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures will all be permanently closed as the area makes way for the new Tropical Americas theming, meaning the last day to experience these attractions is January 12th.

January 6th to May 19th

After Hours events are returning again in 2025, and Magic Kingdom is the first to kick off the party!

You can experience After Hours in Magic Kingdom on the following dates in 2025:

January 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th
February 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th
March 3rd, 17th, 24th and 31st
April 7th and 28th
May 5th, 12th and 19th

January 17th through February 24th

Festival of the Arts in EPCOT also just recently confirmed its dates for the new year!

While the entirety of this festival can be crowded because it’s so short, the opening day and weekend and closing weekend are often the most crowded.

January 22nd to September 3rd

After Hours in Disney’s Hollywood Studios are also returning in 2025!

You can experience this exciting event on the following dates:

January 22nd and 29th
February 12th and 19th
March 5th and 26th
April 1st and 30th
May 14th and 28th
June 4th, 11th and 25th
July 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th
August 6th, 20th and 27th
September 3rd

January 2025 to April 2025

Over at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, the Fantasia Pool will be undergoing refurbishment for the beginning third of the year.

However, the Donald Duck Pool at this hotel will still be available!

January 2025 to June 2025

One of the most popular pool areas on Disney World property is the Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool area at Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts, which will unfortunately be closed for refurbishment for nearly half of 2025.

However, the leisure pools at these hotels will still be open!

February

February 20th-24th

The second runDisney race of the year will take place from February 20th-24th, and that’s the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend!

Again, the parks will likely be very crowded for this event, so wait times are likely to soar!

February 27th through September 25th

EPCOT After Hours events are returning in 2025 as well, but they start a little later than Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios!

You can experience this exciting after hours event on the following dates:

February 27th
May 8th and 29th
June 19th and 26th
July 10th, 24th and 31st
August 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th
September 11th and 25th

April

April 3rd-6th

The runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend takes place from April 3rd-6th, and again, as we’ve said, it’s sure to attract loads of crowds.

Especially since this often falls near lots of kids’ spring break times, so there may be DOUBLE the crowds in Disney World at this time!

April 26th and 27th

A very special event happens in Disney World on April 26th and 27th, but not everyone knows about them — Dapper Day arrives!

Dapper Days are when Disney guests choose to dress up in some of their nicest outfits and have fun in the parks. It’s essentially like a regular park day, but with dressing up!

Events Without Set Dates

There are also TONS of additional big things happening around Disney World that don’t have exact dates yet. However, it’s still very important that you keep these events in mind when planning, and we’ll let you know as soon as we hear updates on dates for each of them!

Additional DinoLand U.S.A closures throughout 2025
Pirates of the Caribbean Lounge in Magic Kingdom
Spaceship Earth Lounge in EPCOT
Villains Show taking the place of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy show building in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure show opening in Hollywood Studios
New Test Track reopening in EPCOT
Zootopia Show at Tree of Life Theater in Animal Kingdom
The closure of Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat to make way for the Cars-themed land coming to Frontierland
Additional EPCOT festival dates
Construction begins on Monsters Inc. Land in Hollywood Studios (which could also mean the closure of another existing area)
Construction on Villains Land in Magic Kingdom (began in late 2024, but could mean the closure of the Walt Disney World Railroad again)