Is Disney World Just Trying To Crush Our Hopes With This Website Change?

Disney, are you messing with us? Is this part of an elaborate New Year prank?

Magic Kingdom

We are always watching for Disney World news, so you always stay on top of all the happenings. Today, we noticed something strange on the Disney World website.

Earlier today, we noticed that Tortuga Tavern showed hours beginning on January 1st. The Disney World website showed that Tortuga Tavern would be open from 11AM until 5PM on January 1st. It seemed like a miracle, but the website was quickly updated.

We spotted hours! ©Disney

When we checked back later, we found no more operating hours listed. Not only were the hours for January 1st removed, but there are no hours listed at all through February 28th (which is how long the calendar currently goes out).

Tortuga Tavern

Tortuga Tavern is a seasonal quick-service restaurant located in Adventureland in Magic Kingdom. While the restaurant has been considered seasonal for a while, it used to be open much more often than it is now. It closed unexpectedly in June and reopened as a store called Tortuga Treasures in July. Tortuga Treasures replaced the Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar gift shop at the exit of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

Tortuga Treasures

Then, in October, Tortuga Treasures closed, and Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar partly reopened. However, Tortuga Tavern hasn’t reopened as a quick-service restaurant yet. It was used during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party as a cookie station, but other than that, it has remained closed down.

Tortuga Tavern

We were hoping to see it reopen on January 1st, but that doesn’t look like it will be happening based on Disney World changing the website. We are keeping our fingers crossed that it reopens soon, though. It can be a hit-or-miss restaurant, but having more dining options in Magic Kingdom is always helpful.