9 Disney World Closures You Need to Plan For

There’s a lot you can do in Disney World for the holiday season, including attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, tasting festive treats, and shopping for holiday merchandise. But there are a few things you CAN’T do at the parks and hotels right now.

Holiday decorations in Magic Kingdom

Sometimes rides, shows, and other attractions will shut down in Disney World for refurbishments and updates. You’ll want to know about those closures before you leave for your upcoming vacation! So here’s a complete list of the temporary closures in Disney World from December 18th through the 24th.

Magic Kingdom Closures

Walt Disney World Railroad

Disney has dropped a few hints that the Walt Disney World Railroad could reopen soon. We’ve seen the train running a few times in the park (just for tests), and Disney released a video showing an engineer testing one of the trains as well. We’ve even seen the trains being tested on the construction site of TRON: Lightcycle Run.

Walt Disney World Railroad in Fantasyland

Disney hasn’t announced a reopening date for the railroad, but we’re hoping it’ll happen soon!

Tomorrowland Light & Power Co.

Tomorrowland has lots of construction projects going on right now. Most of the attention is on the upcoming TRON: Lightcycle Run roller coaster, but a nearby gift shop is also getting some work done.

Construction on the Tomorrowland Light & Power store

The gift shop at the end of Space Mountain (called Tomorrowland Light & Power Co.) is being refurbished now. Disney hasn’t announced a reopening date for this shop yet.

Enchanted Tales with Belle

Over in Fantasyland, Enchanted Tales with Belle is still closed. This attraction was where guests could help Belle tell the story of Beauty and the Beast.

Enchanted Tales with Belle

Disney hasn’t announced a reopening date for Enchanted Tales with Belle.

Meet Ariel at Her Grotto

In another part of Fantasyland, Ariel’s Grotto is closed. But remember that you can still see the Little Mermaid (in animatronic form) at the nearby Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid omnimover ride.

Ariel’s Grotto

Disney hasn’t announced when Ariel will return to the character meet-and-greet location.

Pete’s Silly Sideshow

One more character meet-and-greet attraction is closed in Magic Kingdom: Pete’s Silly Sideshow, where guests could previously meet Minnie, Daisy, Donald, and Goofy in their circus performer outfits.

Pete’s Silly Sideshow

Disney previously said that the Silly Sideshow would reopen sometime “in the coming months,” and that announcement was made a few months ago. We’re watching in the park for this spot to reopen!

Learn about an exclusive event at Magic Kingdom.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Closures

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

This stage show about The Little Mermaid has been closed for a long time in Hollywood Studios.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Disney hasn’t announced when or if the show will reopen.

There’s a hidden Mickey you’ve never noticed in Hollywood Studios.

EPCOT Closures

Cool Wash

This little snack kiosk near Test Track has been through a few different renovations. We previously saw a new sign installed that said “Refreshment Station,” but recently we noticed that the sign has been removed.

Cool Wash

Disney may be working on a new plan for the space, so we’ll keep watching for any more updates.

Find out what’s returning to EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts in 2023.

Disney Water Park Refurbishments

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

Typhoon Lagoon closed on November 13th, 2022, and it remains closed now. Disney hasn’t announced a reopening date for this water park.

Typhoon Lagoon

In the meantime, you can still visit Disney World’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, which reopened (with some updates!) as Typhoon Lagoon closed.

See the CHANGES at Disney World’s reopened Blizzard Beach.

Disney Hotel Refurbishments

Pool Closure at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside

The Oak Manor Leisure Pool will be closed at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside.

Oak Manor Pool

This pool is expected to reopen in mid-December (so it should be reopening soon!), and in the meantime, other pools at this hotel (like the Ol’ Man Island) will remain open.

We spotted filming at a Disney World hotel!

Those are all of the closures for Disney World this week! But before you head out the door — do you need a new outfit for your next trip? Check out this ensemble that’s perfect for the holidays in Disney World.