A popular Disney World restaurant is temporarily closing this week, and we don’t want you to be caught off guard! There is nothing fun about craving a particular Disney World restaurant only to find out it isn’t open.
We don’t want refurbishments and closures to surprise you at Disney World, so we are covering everything that will be closed this week, plus we have all the details on the Disney World restaurant that closes this week.
Beginning May 12th, the Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will be closed for refurbishment. It won’t be closed for long, though, as it is currently expected to reopen on May 21st, 2025.
While you won’t be able to take part in the shenanigans of Whispering Canyon during this time, there are still plenty of options at Wilderness Lodge for dining. You can stop by Territory Lounge, Roaring Fork, Geyser Point Bar & Grill, or Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White.
Let’s take a look at what else will be closed between May 11th and May 18th in Disney World!
Magic Kingdom
Dumbo the Flying Elephant — Indoor Playground
Beginning on February 24th, the indoor children’s playground in the Dumbo the Flying Elephant queue closed for refurbishment. The attraction itself remains open and available; only the indoor playground is closed.
The playground is expected to reopen in Spring 2025. The good news is that the attraction is still open, so you won’t have to worry about disappointing any kiddos or kids at heart!
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 U.S. President is elected. 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 off-site. So, if you are in Magic Kingdom this week, you will notice something big missing in Tomorrowland! However, Disney recently filed a permit that might mean we will see the attraction put back together soon.
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.
We had seen shrubs around the restaurant as they worked on the ground, but now the shrubs have been removed, and all the seating areas are open. When we stopped by recently, we spotted sauces out, so maybe we might see this restaurant open again soon.
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EPCOT
Test Track
Test Track closed on June 17th for reimagining! Disney released more details and announced that the ride will reopen in late summer 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. Disney recently released a look at the new Test Track car design, and we are getting more excited for the reopening. We can’t wait to see what the reimagined Test Track holds for riders!
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Disney’s Animal Kingdom
It’s Tough to Be a Bug
It’s Tough to Be a Bug has closed for good to make way for the new show, “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” It’s Tough to Be a Bug was a long-running show housed within the Tree of Life that takes you on an adventure with the characters of A Bug’s Life.
However, It’s Tough to Be a Bug in Disney’s Animal Kingdom officially closed forever on March 17th. This show is a divisive attraction in Animal Kingdom, as many people did not like it. However, we already know that the new Zootopia show will replace it, and that show is expected to debut in the winter of 2025.
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. Almost all of the buildings and decorations have now been removed. Animal Kingdom’s new land, Tropical Americas-themed, called Pueblo Esperanza, will be replacing DinoLand, U.S.A.
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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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. This week we finally learned the official opening date of the show! Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After will debut on May 27th, 2025. 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. We recently learned that the new show will be debuting on May 27th, 2025! The Voyage of the Little Mermaid marquee has been removed from the building, so we are excited to see the new sign.
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano closed forever on May 11th, 2025.
This Italian restaurant tucked away in the Muppets Courtyard area is being closed to make way for the new Monsters, Inc. themed land that will be replacing Muppets Courtyard. This is the first closure in preparation for construction to begin.
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Disney Springs
Starbucks on the West Side
The Starbucks location on the West Side of Disney Springs is temporarily closed for refurbishment. The location closed on March 3rd, 2025, and is expected to reopen in Spring 2025.
The good news is that the Starbucks at Disney Springs Marketplace is still open, so you can still get your Starbucks fix in Disney Springs!
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Blizzard Beach
Typhoon Lagoon officially reopened on May 1st, but Blizzard Beach closed for refurbishment. However, Blizzard Beach will only be closed for a short amount of time.
BOTH Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will be open at the same time from May 21st through September 7th, 2025. It has been years since both water parks were open at the same time, so we can’t wait!
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Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course
The Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course is being refurbished from April 28th until June 16th, 2025. The good news is that the course isn’t completely closing, as one of the courses will be open at a time. During the refurbishment, either the Winter Course or the Summer Course will be open.
Winter Summerland won’t be taking reservations for tee times, but you can visit without a reservation and play the course that is currently open. You won’t have your choice of which course to play like normal, but you can still stop by to get a round of miniature golf in!
Disney World Hotels
Jellyrolls — Disney’s BoardWalk
The popular dueling piano bar, Jellyrolls, closed for good at Disney’s BoardWalk on April 19th. Jellyrolls had its final farewell performance and closed its doors. However, it isn’t the end for Jellyrolls, as the bar has announced it is “making a move.”
We don’t know where or when, but we can’t wait to learn more about Jellyrolls’ future. Of course, we will keep you updated as we learn more about its future.
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.
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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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