This EPCOT Attraction Is One Step Closer to Reopening

A popular Disney World is getting closer and closer to reopening — and we got the chance to get a sneak peek!

Test Track closed more than a year ago to get an upgrade, and we are now less than a month away from its official reopening. However, ahead of its reopening, Disney has been offering previews for Cast Members, media, and more. We got the chance to ride and see the new queue, and we can’t wait for it to be open once again.

Test Track closed on June 17th, 2024, for reimagining, and it was recently announced that the ride will be reopening on July 22nd, 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.

The ride will continue to be a partnership with General Motors and Disney has also taken some inspiration from the original ride, World of Motion. Previews are happening right now, and then it will be open for all guests beginning July 22nd!

7 BIG Changes We Noticed at Test Track in Disney World

Let’s take a look at what else will be closed between July 6th and July 13th in Disney World!

Magic Kingdom

Liberty Square Riverboat, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Rivers of America

The Rivers of America, including the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island will be closing as of July 7th, 2025. Your last day to experience these parts of Magic Kingdom is July 6th.

This area is closing to make way for the new Cars area, called Piston Peak National Park. This will be replacing the Rivers of America and will feature two brand-new attractions. Construction is expected to begin this year, but Disney has not yet released an opening date for this new area.

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 later in 2025. Originally, it was supposed to reopen in spring 2025, but the date has been updated to just later in 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!

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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 have spotted them doing some ride envelope testing, which was very exciting. And we recently saw a new train car hidden underneath a tarp!

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!

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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. The Boneyard will close on September 2nd, 2025. 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.

Disney Adults Are Sounding the Alarm on the Animal Kingdom Expansion Plans

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Muppets Courtyard including Muppet*Vision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano

Beginning June 8th, the Muppets Courtyard is now blocked by construction walls, and both Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo have closed forever. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano closed for good on May 11th, 2025.

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.

Disney Imagineering Files 2 NEW Permits Ahead of MAJOR Construction Projects in EPCOT and 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!

Why Disney Springs Is Suddenly a MUST Do This Summer

Disney World Hotels

Shula’s Steak House — Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel

Shula’s Steak House inside the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel had its last diners on June 14th, 2025. 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 restaurant opens on July 26th, and you can make reservations now.

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.

Priceline Just Announced HUGE Disney World Hotel Discounts

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!

 

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

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