5 Life-Changing Announcements for Disney World Rides in 2025

Change has long been a constant at Disney World, with rides, shows, and attractions constantly evolving. 2025 is no exception, as some of the resort’s longstanding attractions are undergoing MASSIVE changes this year.

Some of these changes have been welcomed by fans as improvements, while others have been derided as destroying the essential core of Disney World.

Big Thunder Mountain Down

The Magic Kingdom’s iconic E-Ticket attraction has been closed since early January, as the coaster is undergoing a full track replacement and refurbishment. The ride is scheduled to be closed throughout the calendar year and open in 2026 with “new magic.”

Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin’s Evolution

On the other side of the Magic Kingdom, Tomorrowland’s Buzz Lightyear attraction is scheduled to close this coming August for a refurbishment.

When Space Ranger Spin reopens in 2026, the attraction will feature several improvements, including:

• An additional scene featuring a new robot character, Buddy, who helps make sure guests are “fully prepared for their mission, enthusiastically providing encouragement, final system checks on their Star Cruisers and a chance to hone their blaster aim.”
• New enhanced ride vehicles that include “video monitors that provide real-time scoring updates and other exciting features.”
• New redesigned blasters featuring a refined shape, an always-on laser, and “new lighting, sound and vibration effects, so players know where they’re aiming throughout the mission.”
• Updated interactive “Z” targets that react and light up when hit.

The Demise of the Rivers of America

The most controversial change is coming to Frontierland in  Magic Kingdom, as opening day staples The Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be closing to make way for a massive, Cars-themed expansion. Many longtime Disney fans are irate at the loss of the river, as well as the Liberty Belle riverboat that sails it, feeling like it’s “tearing the heart out of the park.”

It’s Tough to be a Bug turning into Zootopia: Better Zoogether

An opening day attraction has also closed at Animal Kingdom, where It’s Tough to Be a Bug has shuttered to make room for Zootopia: Better Zoogether. The move sees a day one intellectual property leaving Animal Kingdom to be replaced by one that arguably doesn’t fit the original theme of the park nearly as well.

The Muppets Take Over the  Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster

This one has a bit of an asterisk, as it hasn’t been confirmed that the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster will close in 2025. However, we do know for sure that the Muppets — who are being evicted from the former Muppet Courtyard area as Muppet*Vision 3D is going to be replaced by Monsters, Inc. — are taking over the coaster sometime in the very near future. According to Disney, “Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and more of their friends will be moving right along to Sunset Boulevard! The Muppets will be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival!”

These changes represent a larger evolution of Walt Disney World as the resort moves into its future. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on Disney World’s changes.

Um, Does Anyone Care that the Muppets Taking Over the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Totally Breaks a HUGE Disney Rule?

 

Which of the changes are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below.

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