After Almost 30 Years, An Iconic Disney World Hotel Restaurant Is Closing

After nearly 30 years of serving at Disney World, an iconic steak house is permanently closing this week!

You only have a few days left to sink your teeth into one of their massive steaks and enjoy the dark and cozy dining atmosphere. While the restaurant is a bit of a hidden gem, it has a loyal fan base and many who are sad to see it close its doors.

Shula’s Steak House inside the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel will be taking its last reservations on June 14th, 2025. Then beginning June 15th, it will be closed permanently to make way for a new restaurant.

Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina will be taking its place. This will be the tenth Bourbon Steak location, and the third Bourbon Steak location in Florida. The new restaurant is expected to open sometime mid-summer 2025.

Let’s take a look at what else will be closed between June 8th and June 15th 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! While the closed message has been removed from the website, when we spoke with Cast Members, they let us know the playground is still closed.

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. However, it is starting to be reassembled in Magic Kingdom! We are looking forward to being able to take a spin on it soon.

Disney Just Answered One of the BIGGEST Burning Questions About the New Cars Land in Magic Kingdom

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! We recently spotted them doing some ride envelope testing, which was very exciting.

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. We have also spotted sauces sitting out, but still no luck on the restaurant reopening. However, you can use it as a lovely seating area currently!

REVIEW: This Is NOT Where We Expected to Find Our NEW Favorite Magic Kingdom Treat

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 recently spotted a new sign make its debut and noticed a sign up for the gift shop with a new name, Test Track Gear Shop.

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! Recently we have been able to hear vehicles running which is super exciting.

We Found Our NEW Favorite EPCOT Restaurant — And Yes, GEO-82 Is Worth the Price

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.

REVIEW: The NEW $6 Snack I MUST EAT Every Time I’m in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Muppets Courtyard including Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo

Beginning June 8th, the Muppets Courtyard is blocked by construction walls, and both Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo have closed forever.

The Muppets Courtyard area has been closed to prepare for the new Monsters, Inc. themed land that will be coming to Hollywood Studios. We will definitely miss Muppets Courtyard, but we are also excited to explore the new Monsters, Inc. themed land.

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.

It’s Official. This Is My NEW Favorite Spot to Hang Out in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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!

Um, The Perfect Hot Dog DOES Exist And It’s Hiding in Disney Springs

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 spotted that they had now filled the pools back up with water! We are getting closer to the reopening of this pool.

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.

5 SERIOUS Downsides To Staying at Disney’;s Caribbean Beach Hotel

Those are all of the closures for Disney World this week! Stay tuned to AllEars for more of the latest news from Disney World.

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!

FIRST LOOK Inside Disney World’s NEW Hotel Restaurant

Are you visiting Disney World this week? Let us know in the comments!

Post a Comment