New year, new you? Who knows what will happen in 2025? Maybe you’ll go on a fabulous vacation. Maybe you’ll buy your new favorite shirt. Maybe you’ll meet a new friend! Whatever you do, we hope you stick around because we have a LOT of Disney news to share in 2025.
Somehow, January is right around the corner, and that means a bunch of new Disney World CHANGES are on the horizon. If you’re planning a trip to Disney World this January, here are all the biggest changes and events happening throughout the month!
New Disney World Hotel Water Park Perk Begins
Disney World announced a brand-new hotel perk for 2025 stays! If you’re staying at a Disney hotel in 2025, you will get FREE admission to one of the water parks, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park or Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, on your check-in day included in your stay.
There are a few important caveats, though. This perk is only available for those with check-in dates from January 1st to December 31st, 2025. The perk is also subject to availability, and all visitors hoping to get into the water parks with complimentary admission must be listed on the hotel reservation. It’s also available for Disney Vacation Club stays — score!
A NEW Disney World Hotel Perk Is Coming in 2025
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Closes for Extended Refurbishment
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom is closing on January 6th, 2025. But this isn’t just a temporary refurbishment, so be warned!
Big Thunder Mountain will be closed until 2026, and Disney hinted that the ride will reopen with “a little bit of new magic.” The attraction will be closed for over a year, so if you want to squeeze in one more ride before the attraction is unavailable, head to Magic Kingdom before January 6th.
CONFIRMED: Full List of Disney World Ride Closures in January 2025
Kali River Rapids Closes
We’ve got another extended closure to warn you about! On January 6th, Kali River Rapids in Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close for its annual seasonal refurbishment.
The ride is set to reopen in March 2025, but Disney hasn’t shared an exact date yet. This is an annual event for the attraction. In the dead of winter (even in Florida), it’s too cold for most people to enjoy this ride, so Disney takes the opportunity to refresh and repair what needs maintenance.
CONFIRMED: A Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ride Is Temporarily CLOSING in January
Gran Fiesta Tour Closes
In the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT, you’ll find a cult favorite attraction. We’re talking about the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros!
Disney confirmed that the ride will be closed starting on January 6th, 2025. The ride is expected to reopen on March 15th, 2025; however, this could change. We’ve seen refurbs be extended and shortened, so that could be possible with this ride as well. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the status of this closure!
NEWS: EPCOT’s Gran Fiesta Tour Ride Announces CLOSURE Starting Next Month
Magic Kingdom After Hours Events Return
There’s a way to enjoy shorter wait times, smaller crowds, AND get free unlimited popcorn! How? Thanks to Disney’s specially ticketed After Hours Events!
After Hours Events will return to Magic Kingdom on January 6th! These events will happen on select nights through May 19th, 2025.
See the FULL LIST of Dates for 2025 Disney After Hours Events here!
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Every January, Disney World hosts a POPULAR event: the Walt Disney World Marathon!
These events bring a LOT of people to Disney World (both runners and their friends and family to cheer them on), so expect some extra crowds and traffic in the area. The Walt Disney World Marathon will happen from January 8th through January 12th, 2025. If you’re participating in the race, good luck!
The Dates You NEED to Know for 2025 in Walt Disney World
Dinoland U.S.A. Closures — Phase One
It’s the end of an era. Starting on January 13th, Disney will begin to permanently close a section of Dinoland U.S.A. in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures will permanently close in January. Eventually, Disney will completely re-theme this area to create Pueblo Esperanza, a Tropical Americas-themed land with new rides, a restaurant, and more.
DATE ANNOUNCED for First Phase of Permanent DinoLand CLOSURES at Disney World
Astro Orbiter Closes
The Astro Orbiter aerial carousel ride in Tomorrowland will close for refurbishment beginning January 13th, 2025.
There is no official reopening date, but the company says the closure will last until summer 2025. Disney did not explain if this is just a lengthy routine update that needs to be done in order to keep the ride working in tip-top shape or if we’ll see any significant changes to the ride.
NEWS: Another Multi-Month Ride Closure Announced for Disney World
Festival of the Arts Begins in EPCOT
One of our FAVORITE EPCOT festivals is returning! The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will take place from January 17th through February 24th, 2025.
This event will bring all kinds of artistic experiences to EPCOT! We’re excited about the new and returning snacks, the photo ops, the entertainment, and even the merchandise!
NEW Souvenirs and Entertainment Announced for the EPCOT Festival of the Arts
After Hours Events Return at Hollywood Studios
Good news! Even MORE After Hours Events are coming to Disney World!
Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, After Hours Events will take place on select dates from January 22nd to September 3rd.
Learn more about Disney After Hours Events
Magic Kingdom Closing Early
Mark your calendars! A Disney park is closing WAY early this January.
On January 30th, Magic Kingdom is set to close at 4:30PM — yes, really.
A Word of WARNING About Visiting Magic Kingdom on January 30th
If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!
As you can see, it will be a BUSY January! Who’s ready for the new year? In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.
Disney Reveals NEW Booth Coming to the 2025 EPCOT Festival of the Arts
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Will you be visiting Disney World this January? Let us know in the comments!
No to expensive and you have to put it ahead of time for your visit. I live in florida and I would get annual pass. Now I can’t go whenever I want to so I won’t go to Disney world.