All Events, Closures and Refurbishments at Walt Disney World during January of 2016 and 2023

January 2016

Jan. 01 - Sept 30th 2023Disney Resorts : Walt Disney WorldStar Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Disney announced that the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will be closing permanently. The final voyage for the Star Wars Hotel will be September 28th-30th, 2023.
Nov. 30 - CLOSINGAsia : Disney's Animal KingdomFlights of Wonder This show will close to make way for a new show featuring Russell and Dug from "UP!"
2021/11/18 - 2021/12/31EPCOT : Walt Disney World2021 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Early 2015 - Memorial Day WeekendPixar Place : Disney's Hollywood StudiosToy Story Expansion The expanded Toy Story Midway Mania new 3rd track opens Memorial Day weekend, 2016.
Apr. 15 - Early 2016Polynesian : Disney ResortsOasis Pool (East Pool) Expect noise and construction, possible some pathways blocked.
2014 - 2016The Marketplace : Disney SpringsDisney Springs Transformation The multi-year transformation of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs will treat guests to more shopping, dining and entertainment amid open-air promenades, springs and waterfront charm. Disney Springs will feature an eclectic and contemporary mix from Disney and other noteworthy brands, from boutique shops to unique flagship anchor stores. Due to heavy roadwork, expect delays on Buena Vista Drive. It is recommended that Guests use complimentary Walt Disney World Resort transportation from Parks and Resorts to Downtown Disney and plan to arrive early for reserved dining and entertainment experiences.
2014 - May. 31The West Side : Disney SpringsDisney Springs Transformation Parking Lots - Entrance 2 - Lots A-G. Loss of parking lot Entrance 2 to Guest/Cast traffic and associated lots A-G in preparation for the construction of Town Center and the East Garage.
6/2015 - Aug. 30BoardWalk : Disney ResortsVillas Renovation
Aug. 15 - Aug. 29Disney's Hollywood StudiosStar Wars: Galaxy's Edge Work is under way on the 14-acre Star Wars-themed land at Disney's Hollywood Studios that was announced during the 2015 D23 EXPO.
Aug. 17 - May. 05BoardWalk : Disney ResortsBoardwalk Inn Exterior repair and painting
Oct. 04 - Jan. 02Blizzard Beach : Water ParksBlizzard Beach
Early 2016 - Sep. 30Dolphin : Disney ResortsWDW Dolphin Hotel The first phase of the Dolphin Hotel room renovations will begin in 2016, with the entire room project currently scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017.
2014 - Through early 2016Polynesian : Disney ResortsGeneral Construction Around Resort Certain buildings or pathways may be unavailable at certain times. Construction will be taking place throughout the resort.
2014 - March 2016The Marketplace : Disney SpringsRoadwork on Buena Vista Drive Expect major traffic. Due to heavy roadwork, expect delays on Buena Vista Drive. It is recommended that guests use Walt Disney World Resort transportation from Parks and Resorts to Downtown Disney and plan to arrive early for reserved dining and entertainment experiences.
UnknownThe West Side : Disney SpringsDisneyQuest DisneyQuest at Downtown Disney will close sometime in 2016 to make way for the previously announced new NBA Experience, which will include a restaurant and a store.
10/26/15 - July 2017Wilderness Lodge : Disney ResortsHidden Springs Pool Area The Hidden Springs leisure pool, resort beach, playground and recreation fire pit will be unavailable starting October 26, 2015.
Jan. 01 - May. 20Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House : Disney ResortsSoft Goods Rehab - Villas Soft goods typically consist of design materials including bedding, wall, window and floor coverings and upholstery.
Jan. 03 - Mar. 11Art of Animation : Disney ResortsSchoolyard Sprayground
Jan. 03 - Mar. 19Typhoon Lagoon : Water ParksTyphoon Lagoon
Jan. 03 - Feb. 28Caribbean Beach : Disney ResortsOld Port Royale Path of Travel Guests in some parts of Martinique and Trinidad North may experience some construction noise.
Jan. 03 - Through 2017Wilderness Lodge : Disney ResortsCub's Den Children's Activity Center
Jan. 04 - Mar. 13Asia : Disney's Animal KingdomKali River Rapids
Jan. 04 - Opens June 17th - FastPass+ AvailableLand Pavilion : EPCOTSoarin' Update and Expansion Another theater is being added, as well as new screens and a projection system bringing a visually enhanced experience.
Jan. 04 - Jan. 06Old Key West : Disney ResortsSandcastle Pool
Jan. 04 - Jan. 25Asia : Disney's Animal KingdomMaharajah Jungle Trek
Jan. 04 - Feb. 18Asia : Disney's Animal KingdomKali River Rapids
Early 2015 - Feb. 03The West Side : Disney SpringsPlanet Hollywood Planet Hollywood will be transformed into a four-story stargazing observatory to "match the design aesthetic of Disney Springs." The interior will feature spherical, planet-shaped lighting fixtures and will create a welcoming atmosphere for fans to celebrate a new generation of superstar entertainers, while retaining the old movie memorabilia. There will be a new outdoor terrace and an outdoor bar space called Stargazers that will feature live entertainment. The main dining room will include a DJ. Planet Hollywood's renovations will be completed in 2016.
Jan. 06 - Jan. 08Caribbean Beach : Disney ResortsJamaica Pool
Jan. 06 - PERMANENT CLOSUREBoardWalk : Disney ResortsESPN Arcade and Retail ESPN Club dining not affected.
January 6 - 10Resort Wide : Walt Disney WorldWalt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna a range of events and races, each pacing through an assortment of exciting locations-including all four theme parks. There's a Family Fun Run 5K on Thursday, January 7, followed by a 10K on January 8, a Half Marathon on January 9 and the full marathon on January 10. For more details on the weekend, visit the runDisney site.
Jan. 10 - Jan. 14Frontierland : Magic KingdomSplash Mountain
Jan. 11 - Jan. 15Yacht Club : Disney ResortsStormalong Bay Slide
Jan. 11 - Feb. 29Port Orleans Riverside : Disney ResortsOl' Man Island Pool
Jan. 11 - Jan. 13Caribbean Beach : Disney ResortsMartinique Quiet Pool
Jan. 13 - Jan. 16Caribbean Beach : Disney ResortsFuentes del Morroo Pool
Jan. 18 - Jan. 22Liberty Square : Magic KingdomLiberty Square Riverboat
Jan. 18 - PERMANENT CLOSUREFuture World West : EPCOTHabit Heroes
Jan. 18 - Jan. 22Grand Floridian : Disney ResortsCourtyard Pool
Jan. 19 - Nov. 18Muppets Courtyard : Disney's Hollywood StudiosPizza Planet PizzeRizzo, themed after the Muppets character Rizzo the Rat, will open this fall in Muppets Courtyard at Disney's Hollywood Studios, in the former Toy Story Pizza Planet location. The casual Italian-American dining experience will feature pizza and other Italian specialties, with updated indoor and outdoor seating areas, a banquet room, and a special booth designated just for Rizzo's celebrity friends.
Jan. 20 - Jan. 22Saratoga Springs : Disney ResortsGrandstand Pool
Jan. 22 - Aug. 17Beach Club : Disney ResortsSoft Goods Rehab - Villas Soft goods typically consist of design materials including bedding, wall, window and floor coverings and upholstery.
Jan. 25 - Feb. 03Adventureland : Magic KingdomMagic Carpets of Aladdin
Jan. 25 - Jan. 28All Star Sports : Disney ResortsSurfboard Pool
Jan. 25 - Mar. 17Asia : Disney's Animal KingdomWarung Outpost
Jan. 27 - Jan. 29Caribbean Beach : Disney ResortsTrinidad North Quiet Pool

January 2023

Jan. 01 - Sept 30th 2023Disney Resorts : Walt Disney WorldStar Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Disney announced that the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will be closing permanently. The final voyage for the Star Wars Hotel will be September 28th-30th, 2023.
Mar. 17 - TBADisney's Hollywood Studios : Walt Disney WorldVoyage of the Little Mermaid Has not yet reopened since Disney World's temporary closure in 2020; Anticipated reopening date: Not yet known
Aug. 29 - Late 2023EPCOT : Walt Disney WorldCommuniCore Plaza CommuniCore Plaza will provide an outdoor space where guests can come to relax and experience all that the Festivals have to offer
Aug. 31 - Late 2023World Celebration : EPCOTCommuniCore Hall CommuniCore Hall will be housed within the CommuniCore Plaza, and will be the first fully-purpose built structure in FestiTal programing! there will also be a new location in EPCOT called “Mickey and Friends” where you can meet some of your favorite Disney characters!
Jun. 05 - Late 2023Disney Resorts : Walt Disney WorldBoardWalk Inn Addition of the new Cake Bake Shop. The Inn itself is undergoing a transformation, as well. “Light and airy touches” will (as Disney says) “reinvigorate” the hotel’s lobby, lounge, and guest rooms.
Oct 1, 2021 - Apr 1, 2023Disney's Hollywood Studios : Walt Disney WorldWalt Disney World 50th Anniversary Across all 4 parks
Mar. 1 - TBADisney Resorts : Walt Disney WorldDisney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort continues its renovation to spruce up and update this flagship resort for it's 30th anniversary.
Mar 1 - Late 2024Disney Resorts : Walt Disney WorldDisney’s Polynesian Village Resort While the Resort remains open to guests, areas are currently being renovated to include new Disney Vacation Club Villas, restaurants, and even new recreation offerings! The Disney Vacation Club Villas are expected to open in late 2024.
Aug. 01 - Late 2023Disney Springs : Walt Disney WorldSummer House on the Lake New restaurant coming soon to Disney Springs
Aug. 31 - Late 2023World Nature : EPCOTJourney of Water Journey of Water is a new attraction — the first ever inspired by Moana — coming to EPCOT in late 2023!
Early Jan. - Late Mar.Saratoga Springs : Disney ResortsHigh Rock Spring Pool High Rock Spring Pool is set to be closed for refurbishment from early January 2023 through late March 2023. The Grandstand Pool, The Paddock Pool and Congress Park Pool will remain open during this time. Be mindful that guests may see or hear construction while the work is underway, but no noise should be heard between dusk and 9:00 AM.
Early Jan. - Late Mar.Saratoga Springs : Disney ResortsOn the Rocks Pool Bar On the Rocks Pool Bar is set to be closed for refurbishment from early January 2023 through late March 2023.
January 4th - April 19thDisney's Hollywood Studios : Walt Disney WorldDisney After Hours Disney After Hours will return on select nights between January 4th and April 19th, 2023.
Jan. 4 - Jan. 8EPCOT : Walt Disney World2023 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
January 9th - March 27thMagic Kingdom : Walt Disney WorldDisney After Hours Disney After Hours is returning to select nights between January 9th to March 27th, 2023.
January 9th - January 27thEcho Lake : Disney's Hollywood StudiosFor the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration will close January 9th and reopen January 28th, 2023.
January 9th - January 13thFrontierland : Magic KingdomBig Thunder Mountain Railroad Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close for refurbishment on January 9th, reopening January 14th, 2023.
January 9, 2023 - Early April 2023Contemporary : Disney ResortsDisney's Contemporary Resort The Feature Pool and whirlpool spas will close for refurbishment beginning January 9th, 2023. During this time, the water play area and Bay Lake Pool will still be open but noise should not be heard from guest rooms between dusk and 9AM daily.
Jan 9th. - Jan. 27thDisney's Hollywood Studios : Walt Disney WorldFor the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration The Frozen Sing-Along is scheduled to close for refurbishment beginning on January 9th to 27th.
Jan. 9 - April 2023Fort Wilderness : Disney ResortsMeadow Swimmin' Pool and whirlpool spa Meadow Swimmin' Pool and whirlpool spa will be closed for refurbishment at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort from January 9, 2023 through early April 2023. The water play area, Meadow Snack Bar, the Wilderness Swimmin' Pool, and its whirlpool spa will remain open for guests during this time. Guests may see and hear construction noise while this refurbishment is underway.
2023/01/05 - 2023/02/21EPCOT : Walt Disney World2023 Festival of the Arts
Jan. 22 - Jan. 29EPCOT : Walt Disney WorldDisney Skyliner The Skyliner will close for refurbishment from January 22, 2023 to January 29, 2023.
January 24th - Late 2024Frontierland : Magic KingdomSplash Mountain Splash Mountain will close on January 24th, 2023 to reopen as the new Tiana's Bayou Adventure in late 2024.