This Reopening Makes This Week The BEST Disney World Week EVER

We’ve been waiting for this week in Disney World for what feels like forever, but after being patient, the time has FINALLY come.

There are lots of construction projects still happening all over Disney World, both big and small, but this one? Yeah, this Magic Kingdom ride has been closed for months and months, and THIS WEEK it finally reopens to the public!

The biggest news from this upcoming week is that, after months upon months of closure for refurbishment, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom FINALLY reopens to the public on May 3rd!

We can’t wait for this ride to finally open its doors again, even if it means crowds are about to be VERY intense. However, we’d be lying to you if we said that there weren’t tons of other closures still happening around the resort this week, so without further ado, these are the closures you need to watch out for from May 1st through May 8th.

Magic Kingdom

Pete’s Silly Sideshow

Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus has been temporarily unavailable since 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 is temporarily closed, you can still meet these characters! Goofy and Minnie can be found at the entrance to Storybook Circus, and Donald and Daisy are in the back of Storybook Circus by the restrooms. Disney hasn’t announced a reopening date, but we will keep an eye out!

Big Top Souvenirs

Disney also temporarily closed Big Top Souvenirs, the merchandise location inside this area of the park. There’s no reopening date in sight, only that it’ll “reopen for guests later this year.”

They’ve completely taken apart the tent for structural repairs on the building. During the closure, you can find similar souvenirs at The Emporium and snacks at The Confectionery on Main Street.

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. 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.

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Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Vacation Fun

Vacation Fun, the short film that plays throughout the day in the Mickey Shorts Theater, closed for refurbishment beginning on April 29th. Don’t fret, though, because it won’t stay closed for long.

Disney revealed the reason for the closure is that the theater will host a special May 4th Star Wars merchandise event. It’s our assumption that the area will reopen on May 4th, but it’s unclear if that’s also when the actual film will resume playing as well.

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 and Walt Disney Presents are still open.

Animation Courtyard is closing down to make way for Walt Disney Studios. 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 can even spot the iconic Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat on top of the building right now. The new area will begin a phased opening on May 26th, starting with the courtyard and the Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! show. We also recently saw that some of the walls have come down, revealing more of the courtyard!

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

The retheme for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith to become Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets is well underway! Disney just announced that it will open on May 26th, 2026, and recently released the new soundtrack we’ll hear. The front entrance of the ride has also been painted a silver color, and there’s a new G-Force Records sign!

The guitar outside has also been painted rainbow colors, similar to what we saw in the original concept art. It’s certainly gotten mixed reactions from fans, but we’re still looking forward to seeing the final product! Oh, and Cast Members? Previews were just announced for the new version of this ride, so get excited!

Muppets Courtyard

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. Most recently, Disney filed FOUR new permits to begin installing signage and continue work on four of the buildings in the new land.

We also got some updated aerial shots of the new coaster coming to the area, and let’s just say, it’s looking big and beautiful!

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EPCOT

Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along and Impressions De France

Both Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along and Impressions De France (which are in the same theater in the France Pavilion) have been closed for weeks now, but we finally have a reopening date!

These experiences will reopen on May 10th.

Refreshment Port

Refreshment Port is closed for refurbishment as of January 12th, and now we know that it’ll reopen as La Poutinerie, and will be sponsored by Air Canada. Yes, the airline!

Again, no date has been announced yet, but now that we know it’s being rethemed, we’re hoping to get more information soon!

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom

On February 23rd, Disney temporarily closed the Wildlife Express over to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, effectively closing off the whole area until the new Bluey’s Wild World is ready for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER on May 26th.

While we’re looking forward to the new addition, we’re bummed that a whole section of this park is unavailable while so much other construction is going on.

DinoLand U.S.A.

As of February 2nd, DinoLand U.S.A. is officially closed to make way for the new Tropical Americas land coming to the park. It’ll feature three new rides, a quick service dining location, a beautiful fountain in the center of the land, and so much more.

Recently, Disney filed two new permits for the new Indiana Jones attraction on the way, which is a great step forward! We can only imagine what’s going on inside — we can’t wait to see more!

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Typhoon Lagoon

On February 15th, 2026, Blizzard Beach officially reopened! The same day, Typhoon Lagoon closed for refurbishment, but we’ve got good news! Typhoon Lagoon will reopen again for guests on May 15th, so if you’re visiting this summer, you’ll be able to visit both water parks.

We’re looking forward to having both of these parks open again for guests this summer — we’re hoping it’ll alleviate the crowds a bit!

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Disney World Hotels

Kiddie Pool Deck at Disney’s Pop Century Resort

It was recently announced that the Kiddie Pool Deck at Disney’s Pop Century Resort would close for a refurbishment last week, beginning on April 13th.

At the time, it was expected to open towards the end of April, but now, the Disney World website states that the closure is set to start May 4th, then continue through mid-May.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Construction at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, specifically on the porte cochere, will now continue through at least early 2027.

That’s not ideal for anyone staying at any Disney World resort, but this one is especially an issue since it’s one of the resort’s most expensive hotels.

Bay Cove Pool — Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

From January 26th, 2026, through early May 2026, the Bay Cove Pool, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa at Bay Lake Tower will temporarily be closed for maintenance.

While these areas are closed, guests will still be able to use the Bay Lake Pool, the feature pool, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

Dining location closures will be taking place at the hotel for the majority of the rest of the year. The Turf Club Lounge will close for refurbishment in early April and will reopen in early August. While that closure is happening, the Turf Club Bar & Grill will remain open with a pop-up bar serving a modified Lounge food and beverage menu.

Following that, the Turf Club Patio will close from early to mid-August, and then from mid-August through mid-September, the Turf Club Bar & Grill will be closed for refurbishment.

Crew’s Cup Lounge – Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

On February 23rd, the Crew’s Cup Lounge at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort temporarily closed for refurbishment and will reopen on June 1st.

It’s also important to note that Yachtsman Steakhouse will also close for refurbishment on May 11th, and isn’t expected to reopen until August. Yes, that means for a period of time, neither of these restaurants will be available!

Leisure Pools — Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resort are undergoing visible exterior maintenance, which has also led to the closure of some of the resorts’ leisure pools.

At Disney’s Yacht Club, the Admiral leisure pool will be closed for maintenance through early May 2026. At Disney’s Beach Club, the Tidal leisure pool will be closed through early May for refurbishment. Guests may also hear or see work during the daytime until the refurbishment is complete.

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.

Now we know that this wasn’t the end for Jellyrolls, as it’ll be moving to a new location about 10 minutes away, and will reopen in late summer or fall of 2026!

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We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disney World news, so stay tuned to AllEars!

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

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