A lot is happening in Magic Kingdom right now! Work is being done on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a new Pirates of the Caribbean lounge will be opening, the park is getting ready for the addition of a Cars area and a Villains land, and so much more.
But one Magic Kingdom attraction is about to look totally different this week, and we don’t want you to be caught by surprise!
Beginning on February 24th, the indoor children’s playground in the Dumbo the Flying Elephant queue will close for refurbishment. The attraction itself will remain open and available; only the indoor playground will be closed.
The playground is expected to reopen in Spring 2025. The good news is that the attraction will remain open, so you won’t have to worry about disappointing any kiddos or kids at heart!
Let’s take a look at the other closures that are happening in Disney World this week!
Magic Kingdom
The Hall of Presidents
The Hall of Presidents closed on January 20th and will reopen later in 2025.
This attraction, which is located in Liberty Square, was an opening day attraction in Magic Kingdom and has been receiving updates every time a new President is elected to the United States. We will keep you updated once a reopening date has been announced!
Astro Orbiter
On January 13th, Astro Orbiter closed at Magic Kingdom.
The exciting, up-in-the-air ride will be closed until this coming summer. While Disney hasn’t given a specified date, we’ll be watching for updates! During the refurbishment, the ride itself has been removed from Magic Kingdom and will be refurbished offsite. So, if you are in Magic Kingdom this week, you will notice something big missing in Tomorrowland!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
The “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” officially closed for at least a year on January 6th!
The ride is undergoing maintenance and a “little bit of new magic” is being added to the popular Magic Kingdom ride. It will reopen sometime in 2026!
Tomorrowland Terrace
Tomorrowland Terrace is a restaurant in Magic Kingdom that was usually only open occasionally, generally during particularly busy seasons. However, it’s been a LONG time since we’ve seen this spot open at all.
Currently, it’s only used for Magic Kingdom fireworks dessert parties where you can grab all-you-can-eat treats. You must reserve your spot at these parties in advance, and they can sell out. Unfortunately, there’s no word on when the restaurant itself might serve food again.
Tortuga Tavern
Tortuga Tavern is also a seasonal restaurant, just like Tomorrowland Terrace. It hasn’t been as long since we saw this restaurant open, but it has still been a bit. It was most recently used as a cookie distribution location during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
The restaurant has been closing off areas of the restaurant for maintenance. It looks like they did some work on the ground, but we will be sure to keep you updated as we learn more. However, Tortuga Tavern is still not showing hours yet.
Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade
Disney filed a new permit for work to be done on the new DVC lounge, McKim’s Mile House! The permit includes putting up signage for the new lounge. The opening day attraction, the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade, officially closed on June 23rd.
This closure is to make room for a new DVC lounge opening in Frontierland. This will be the third DVC lounge in Disney World, but we don’t have an opening date yet.
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EPCOT
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
The three Caballeros said goodbye for a multi-month-long refurbishment on January 6th.
The ride in the Mexico pavilion at EPCOT is expected to reopen again on March 15th!
Test Track
Test Track closed on June 17th for reimagining! Disney released more details and announced that the ride will reopen in the late summer of 2025!
We know that the ride will continue to be a partnership with General Motors and that they will be taking some inspiration from the original ride, World of Motion. We can’t wait to see what the reimagined Test Track holds for riders!
Restaurant Marrakesh
Restaurant Marrakesh in the Morocco pavilion of World Showcase is closed as the restaurant it used to be. From time to time, Disney will reopen it as a lounge.
You can grab some snacks and sit in the air conditioning here while it’s available as a lounge. However, we’re still waiting for the full dining experience to return to this restaurant.
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Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy has been inside the Sunset Showcase building for years, but sadly, it has now permanently closed.
Disney announced that a new villains show, Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After, will be replacing the Cars-themed attraction in the summer of 2025. We recently got a look at some of the villains that will make an appearance during the show. We are looking forward to some Disney Villains in Hollywood Studios!
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
The Voyage of the Little Mermaid, as we know, will NOT return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s closed now, and Disney has confirmed that this show has permanently closed to make way for an updated version.
“The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” an all-new stage show, will replace the show in the Animation Courtyard theater. However, its opening has been pushed to Summer 2025. The Voyage of the Little Mermaid marquee has been removed from the building, so we are excited to see the new sign!
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Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Bat Exhibit at Maharajah Jungle Trek
The bat exhibit on the Maharajah Jungle Trek closed for refurbishment on February 17th, 2025. The area is expected to reopen in early March 2025.
While the bat exhibit is closed for refurbishment, you can still enjoy the rest of the Maharajah Jungle Trek.
Kali River Rapids
The water ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom closed for its annual refurbishment on January 6th.
When it’s too cold out for water rides, Disney closes this one for yearly maintenance. It’s expected to reopen in March, but we’ll keep our eyes out for updates on a specific date!
TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and Fossil Fun Games
The first round of closures began in DinoLand, U.S.A., on January 13th, 2025. TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and Fossil Fun Games were permanently closed, and construction walls were put up. Animal Kingdom’s new land, Tropical Americas-themed, called Pueblo Esperanza will be replacing DinoLand, U.S.A. The construction walls went up on January 13th, and TriceraTop Spin has been dismantled.
While part of DinoLand, U.S.A. has closed, Dinosaur, The Boneyard, Restaurantosaurus, and the snack stands remain open. Disney hasn’t announced an official closing date for the remaining areas. However, they have stated that “2025 is your year to visit before it goes extinct!” So, we are thinking these areas are expected to remain open through 2025.
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Typhoon Lagoon
Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach swap being open throughout the year. Blizzard Beach is currently open, and Typhoon Lagoon is closed for refurbishment.
If you’re hoping to enjoy a water park throughout the winter, you’ll need to head to Blizzard Beach. We expect Typhoon Lagoon will reopen once again sometime in the spring! For now, enjoy the slopes!
Learn more about Blizzard Beach here!
Disney World Hotels
Boat Transportation — Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Beginning February 10th, boat transportation from Disney’s Old Key West Resort to Disney Springs will be unavailable. There will be Disney buses available during this time, though.
The boat transportation is expected to resume in early April 2025.
Everything Pop Food Court — Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Everything Pop Food Court is a surprisingly great place to grab a bite of food if you’re staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. This food court has been under construction since July 29th, and it was supposed to reopen to its full capacity on September 29th! Then the refurbishment was extended until November 30th. But now, it has been extended once again until April 2025!
Currently, almost all the walls are down. Only one food window is still under construction. The Disney World website has also been updated to state that the full menu is available, and all the dining is now open. Guests may still hear or see construction, though.
Stormalong Bay — Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
Stormalong Bay is closed from January through June 2025 for refurbishment. When we stopped by recently, we could see lots of work going on at the pool area!
The pool, lazy river, and pirate ship slide are all closed to guests, along with Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Grill and Bar. If you’re staying at one of these two hotels, you can enjoy one of the three leisure pools instead! There are two leisure pools at the Beach Club and one at the Yacht Club.
Fantasia Pool — Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
The Fantasia Pool closed on January 1st for a multi-month-long refurbishment.
This pool is expected to be closed until April 30th. While this pool is closed, guests at All-Star Movies can swim at the Duck Pond Pool!
Courtyard Pool, Spa, and Courtyard Pool Bar — Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
The Courtyard Pool, spa, and Courtyard Pool Bar will also be undergoing refurbishment in Disney World!
The pool, spa, and pool bar will be closed from January 27th until late February 2025. While this pool is closed, the resort does offer a second pool for you to enjoy! And if you’re looking for some good snacks and drinks, check out Gasparilla Island Grill.
Merchandise Locations — Disney’s BoardWalk
Currently the Screendoor General Store at Disney’s BoardWalk is under refurbishment. Merchandise locations along Disney’s BoardWalk will be refurbished in phases through May 2025. There will be two merchandise locations available throughout the refurbishment.
Currently, the Screendoor General Store is closed, and when we spoke to a Cast Member, they estimated it would take about 6-7 weeks, and work will continue down the line with Character Carnival next.
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Those are all of the closures for Disney World this week! Stay tuned to AllEars for more of the latest news from Disney World.
Stay tuned to AllEars for all your Disney World news!
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Are you visiting Disney World this week? Let us know in the comments!
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