A popular meet and greet area in Magic Kingdom will temporarily close this week! Have no fear, as you will still be able to meet the characters; they will just be in a slightly different location.
The meet and greet won’t be the only thing closed in Disney World this week, either. We want to make sure you are aware of the current closures at Disney World, so you’re not caught by surprise!
Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus will be temporarily unavailable beginning January 4th, 2026. This is the area where you can meet Daisy Duck, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy in their circus attire. While the meet and greet area will be temporarily closing, you will still be able to meet these characters!
Disney has announced that the characters from Pete’s Silly Sideshow will still be meeting in Storybook Circus. So keep an eye out for them in the main Storybook Circus area!
Let’s take a look at what else will be closed at Disney World from January 4th to January 11th.
Magic Kingdom
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has temporarily closed for refurbishment as of August 4th, 2025. This popular Tomorrowland attraction will receive several updates and is expected to reopen sometime in spring 2026. The ride will be getting a new show scene, updated ride vehicles, and gameplay enhancements.
Some of the gameplay enhancements include new reactive targets and handheld blasters. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will also be introducing a new character, Buddy.
Liberty Square Riverboat, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Rivers of America
The Rivers of America, including the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island, have permanently closed as of July 7th, 2025. There are lots of construction walls up around the area, the river has been drained, and structures on Tom Sawyer Island have been demolished.
This area is closing to make way for the new Cars area, called Piston Peak National Park. This will replace the Rivers of America and will feature two brand-new attractions. Disney has not yet released an opening date for this new area.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
The “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” officially closed for at least a year on January 6th, 2025! 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 spring 2026!
We have even spotted some trains on the track! Disney has stated that a new effect will be added “when the trains rattle their way underground to spectacular natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools,” illuminating stalagmites and stalactites.
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Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Harambe Market
Harambe Market temporarily closed on October 20th for refurbishment. It is currently expected to reopen in early 2026. The Disney World website shows hours beginning March 1st, so we anticipate it will open then.
You will still have lots of tasty quick service options in Animal Kingdom, though, including Flame Tree Barbecue and Satu’li Canteen. We aren’t expecting huge changes at Harambe Market, but we will keep you updated as we learn more!
TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, Fossil Fun Games, The Boneyard, Dino Bite Snacks, and Trilo-Bites
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.
While part of DinoLand, U.S.A. has closed, Dinosaur and Restaurantosaurus remain open. The Boneyard closed on September 2nd, 2025. Dino Bite Snacks and Trilo-Bites closed on October 20th, 2025. Disney has announced that the rest of DinoLand U.S.A. will be closing on February 2nd, 2025. So, make sure you plan one last visit!
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Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Animation Courtyard
Animation Courtyard closed on September 25th, 2025. This includes Star Wars Launch Bay, the Disney Jr. Play and Dance! show and the character meet-and-greets. “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” located right at the entrance to Animation Courtyard, and Walt Disney Presents are still open.
Animation Courtyard is closing down to make way for Walt Disney Studios. This new area in Hollywood Studios will take it back to the studio’s roots. This area will feature The Magic of Disney Animation, where animated characters will “come to life.” You will be able to watch portraits interact, see a short film, and even learn to draw Disney character sketches. The current Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will be getting a “fresh” take. As well, there will also be a new Drawn to Wonderland playground area, and you will even spot the iconic Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat on top of the building. The new area will be opening in summer 2026!
Muppets Courtyard, including Muppet*Vision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
As of June 8th, the Muppets Courtyard is blocked by construction walls, and both Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo are 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 coming to Hollywood Studios. Progress is being made, and we have noticed that the Muppet*Vision 3D sign has also been taken down. We will definitely miss Muppets Courtyard, but we are also excited to explore the new Monsters, Inc. themed land.
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Blizzard Beach
Blizzard Beach has been closed since September 8th, 2025. This summer, both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon were open at the same time for the first time in years. However, Blizzard Beach is now closed for refurbishment.
The good news is that if you are looking for a place to cool off, you can still stop by Typhoon Lagoon for lots of fun in the water! Although keep an eye out, as Typhoon Lagoon has been closing recently due to low temperatures in Orlando. Beginning February 15th, 2026, Blizzard Beach will reopen, and Typhoon Lagoon will be closed for refurbishment.
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Disney World Hotels
Surfboard Bay Pool and Kiddie Pool — Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
From January 2026 until April 2026, the Surfboard Bay Pool and Kiddie Pool at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort will be closed for maintenance. While the pool is closed, the Grand Slam Leisure Pool will remain open. As well, guests staying at Disney’s All-Star Sports can also use pools at the other All-Star Resorts, such as the Calypso Pool, Piano Pool, Fantasia Pool, and Duck Pond Pool.
Promenade Fine Art Gallery — Disney’s BoardWalk
The Promenade Fine Art Gallery, located on Disney’s BoardWalk, will be moving. The BoardWalk store has been closed since October 20th, 2025. The good news is that the gallery isn’t permanently closing; it’s just moving locations.
We don’t know yet where the art gallery will be moving to, but we will keep you updated as we learn more!
Jellyrolls — Disney’s BoardWalk
The popular dueling piano bar, Jellyrolls, closed for good at Disney’s BoardWalk on April 19th, 2025. 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.
Is the BEST Disney World Hotel Pool About to Be Dethroned?!
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!
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Are you visiting Disney World this week? Let us know in the comments!
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