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

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

September 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
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.
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.
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. 03 - Through 2017Wilderness Lodge : Disney ResortsCub's Den Children's Activity Center
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. 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.
Feb. 01 - PERMANENT CLOSUREBoardWalk : Disney ResortsSeashore Sweets Closed to make way for a new experience.
2016 - Through summer 2017Wilderness Lodge : Disney ResortsTrout Pass Pool Bar
Feb. 07 - OPEN SEASONALLYSunset Boulevard : Disney's Hollywood StudiosClub Disney According to the official Disney website, Club Disney in the Sunset Showcase will be closed beginning February 7. No word on when or whether it will return. The Sunset Showcase will continue to host special events, such as Club Villain, however.
2/16 - TBAESPN Wide World of SportsMulti-Use Sports and Entertainment Venue ESPN Wide World of Sports has teamed up with the nation's top cheerleading organization, Varsity Spirit, to create a new state-of-the-art cheerleading and dance team competition venue, which will include a flexible design for one large competition space that can be set up for as many as four competition areas. Additional areas are being tailored for warm up and practice, along with areas for judges and officials. With the capacity to seat more than 8,000 guests, plus performance and warm-up space, the new multi-use sports and entertainment venue will also be able to host six regulation basketball courts, six regulation volleyball courts or concert configurations. There will be concessions throughout the building, and an additional box office and entry to the complex. Construction is ongoing until further notice, with intermittent overnight lane closures, lane shifts, traffic congestion and noise along Osceola Parkway/Victory Way.
Now - Jun. 30Magic KingdomWalt Disney World Monorail System The Walt Disney World Resort Monorail System is undergoing refurbishment and may be on modified service and/or routes. If you plan to use this form of transportation during your visit, check to be sure of the best option available, as alternative transportation options will be available.
4/2016 - Through Summer 2016Port Orleans Riverside : Disney ResortsRoutine Roof Maintenance During this time guests may see work in progress.
Apr. 02 - Sep. 24Contemporary - Bay Lake Tower : Disney ResortsSoft Goods Refurbishment Soft goods typically consist of design materials including bedding, wall, window and floor coverings and upholstery.
Apr. 04 - Early 2017The West Side : Disney SpringsFulton's Crab House Becomes Paddlefish Paddlefish is set to open Saturday, February 4, 2017.
Apr. 19 - Summer 2016Caribbean Beach : Disney ResortsJamaica Village Pool
7/2016 - 10/2016Wilderness Lodge : Disney ResortsSturdy Branches Health Club
Jul. 06 - Oct. 24Adventureland : Magic KingdomSwiss Family Treehouse
Jul. 11 - Nov. 22Port Orleans French Quarter : Disney ResortsSassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory During this refurbishment, the Scat Cat Lounge adjacent to the resort lobby will feature some popular dishes, like jambalaya, gumbo, po' boys, and beignets. There will also be a selection of grab 'n' go meals available for purchase. For guests wishing for more selection, bus transportation will be provided from 7 a.m. to midnight to Port Orleans Riverside. In addition, the resort will continue to offer its in-room pizza delivery service from 4 p.m. to midnight daily. The menu includes pizza, hot and cold sandwiches and pasta.
Jul. 15 - Jan. 31Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village : Disney ResortsSoft Goods Refurbishment
Jul. 25 - Nov. 19Dinoland USA : Disney's Animal KingdomDinosaur
Jul. 25 - Nov. 19Dinoland USA : Disney's Animal KingdomDino Institute Shop
8/4/16 - Late 2018Beach Club : Disney ResortsConvention Center Expansion Work During this time, Guests may see or hear work in progress and certain pathways may be unavailable. To minimize any disruptions, work should be limited to between 9 a.m and 9 p.m.
8/4/16 - Late 2018Yacht Club : Disney ResortsConvention Center Expansion Work During this time, Guests may see or hear work in progress and certain pathways may be unavailable. To minimize any disruptions, work should be limited to between 9 a.m and 9 p.m.
Aug. 04 - Sep. 05Disney Springs : Walt Disney WorldArt in August Every weekend (Thursday through Sunday), tents will be set up throughout the promenade, with Disney artists and handmade treasures, including jewelry from Jortra and stationary from Boiled Books, and unique keepsakes such as the latest Precious Moments Dolls from doll designer Linda Rick. Painters like Greg McCullough and Darren Wilson will sit alongside niche craftsman selling items that include giftable plants (Petal Pushers), handmade soaps and beauty products (Rinse) and decorative house and garden flags (Swaying in the Breeze). The eclectic Pop Gallery on the West Side will have a booth featuring unique pieces, as will Name Works. On select dates, these artists will be joined by photographer Carlos Cuba, Precious Moments figurine sculptor Hiko Maeda, and game designer Quynh Kimball. Here's a partial list of artists/artisans who will be at Disney Springs this month (subject to change).
8/8 - 11/19/16Frontierland : Magic KingdomBig Thunder Mountain Railroad
Aug. 22 - Sep. 15Fantasyland : Magic Kingdomit's a small world
Summer/Fall - 2016Disney's Animal KingdomRivers of Light Show Debuts The all-new Rivers Of Light waterside show has been postponed. No new debut date has been announced. It was originally slated to open April 22, 2016.
September 2 - Oct. 31Magic KingdomMickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party From 7 p.m. to midnight on select nights guests can enjoy Mickey's "Boo-to-You" Halloween Parade; trick-or-treating throughout the Magic Kingdom at numerous locations; and the special Happy HalloWishes fireworks. Lots of characters are out in the park, wearing their favorite costumes. The 29 dates for 2016 are: September 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29, 30; October 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31.
Sep. 02 - Oct. 31Sunset Boulevard : Disney's Hollywood StudiosClub Villain at Sunset Showcase Friday and Saturday nights from September 2 to October 29, and on Halloween night, October 31.
Sep. 02 - Sep. 05The Marketplace : Disney SpringsGreat Irish Hooley The 5th annual hooley will be held at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant. New live music and dance entertainment, fresh menu creations and plenty of craft beer and cocktail options are on tap to celebrate the Hooley's fifth year. The complete entertainment schedule will be posted at www.raglanroad.com and www.greatirishhooley.com closer to the event.
September 9 - 10ESPN Wide World of SportsNight of Joy a two-night, ticketed event that features contemporary Christian music. In 2016, the event will expand and will be held for the first time at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Sep. 09Land Pavilion : EPCOTAllEars.Net Meet and Mingle Meet and mingle with members of the AllEars.Net Team from 10 to 11 a.m. at Sunshine Seasons in the Land pavilion! Your hosts Deb Wills, Scott Thomas, Linda Eckwerth, Kristin Ford and Jack Marshall will have swag, trading cards and warm hugs for all! RSVP not necessary, but you can let us know you're coming on the Facebook Event page.
September 14 - November 14EPCOTEpcot International Food and Wine Festival
Sep. 14 - Nov. 14American Adventure Pavilion : EPCOTEat to the Beat Concert Series every evening during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.