Disney World Closures & What’s New: Everything to Know

Disney World is not immune to routine maintenance and permanent closures.

Fortunately Disney is usually pretty great on staying on top of things and can give us a timeframe for such things!

If you’ll be visiting this year, check out this list of Disney World closures and what’s new before you book, so you can avoid disappointment with missing out on your favorite attraction or checking out the latest and greatest.

Closures and openings are subject to change at any time, including dates. This post will be continuously updated throughout the year as information is provided by official Disney sources.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

What’s closed

• Colors of Mo’ara face painting station in Pandora remains closed with no reopening date available as of publication.
• It’s Tough to Be a Bug! and the entirety of DinoLand USA are expected to close soon. Disney has not announced a date as of August 31, 2024. However, construction is expected to start soon on their replacements.

Epcot

What’s closed

• Test Track is closed and will reopen in 2025 with an all-new concept.

What’s new

• Communicore Hall & Plaza is now open.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

What’s closed

• Voyage of the Little Mermaid closed in March 2020 and will reopen with an all-new show in Fall 2024, but as of August 31, Disney has not yet stated when the new show will open.
• Star Wars Launch Bay is open, but the theater is closed and it’s unclear when or if it will ever reopen.

What’s new

• A revamped Voyage of the Little Mermaid show will reopen in Fall 2024.
• Star Tours added new scenes in April 2024.

Magic Kingdom

There’s lots going on at the Magic Kingdom this year!

What’s closed

The Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade closed June 23, 2024 to make way for a Disney Vacation Club lounge. No word yet on when the lounge will open.

• In addition, Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Belle boat ride, and all of Rivers of America will close to make way for 2 Cars-themed attractions. Disney has not yet stated when this area will close – so experience it while you still can, as they’ll be gone forever once they do!
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is rumored to be closing soon for a big refurbishment. Disney has filed for city permits for the work, but hasn’t announced when the ride will close and for how long. I suspect it may coincide with the above closures.

What’s new

• A Pirates of the Caribbean themed lounge is in the works and is expected to open in 2025, but Disney hasn’t given a more specific timeframe.
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is now open!
• Country Bear Musical Jamboree is now open!

Disney’s Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon water parks

• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is open.
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach is closed for refurbishment. A timeline for reopening is not yet communicated but historically occurs in late Fall.

With all of that said, Disney will close their water parks in the winter due to low temperatures.

So if you have your heart set on going to at least one of them, I recommend going outside of the Winter season.

Disney Springs

What’s closed

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is closed in March 2020 but Disney has suggested it will reopen some time in the future.

What’s new

• Summer House on the Lake restaurant opened December 14, 2023.

Disney’s BoardWalk

• The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers will open sometime in 2024, but Disney has yet to announce a date after the original 2023 opening timeline was ditched.

Walt Disney World Resorts

There’s lots going on at the Walt Disney World resorts these days.

I’ve broken this section down by resort so you can quickly skip to your preferred resort level to get the scoop before booking.

All-Star Value Resorts

At the All-Star Movies Resort, the food court and various areas of the resort are undergoing maintenance til mid-October 2024. Mobile order is available and there is limited seating in the food court area.

In addition, the Fantasia Pool will be closed between January 2025 and April 2025 (yes 2025!). During that time, guests can still use the Duck Pond Pool.

At the All-Star Sports Resort, the main pool (including the kiddie pool) will be closed for maintenance from January 2026 through April 2026. Guests can use the other pools on the property, as well as those at the All-Star Music and All-Star Movies resorts.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

The exterior of the lodge is currently undergoing refurbishment with an undetermined end date.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa started a major refurbishment of its rooms in March 2023 and it is still ongoing as of August 31, 2024. Much of it can be seen when riding past the resort on the monorail. An end date has not been announced yet.

No word on when the remaining activities will reopen, but hopefully it will be within 2024!

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort & Villas

Disney is currently expanding this resort by adding more villas where the Spirit of Aloha dinner show used to be held.

The new tower will open to guests starting December 17, 2024. However, construction throughout the resort is expected through 2026.

Port Orleans Resorts – Riverside & French Quarter

Some guests rooms at Port Orleans – French Quarter are undergoing refurbishment through November 2024.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – Cabins & Campsites

Due to construction at Fort Wilderness, horseback riding is not available through November. Other activities are still running.

Other resorts

Are you ready to book your next trip?

I hope this post helped you with planning your Walt Disney World vacation.

Be sure to check back before you visit, as this post is updated frequently, as new opening, closure, and refurbishment dates for the theme parks and resorts are announced.

For more trip planning tips, check out these posts:

• Everything to Know about Disney MagicBand+
• The Ultimate Disney World Packing List and Guide
• Everything to Know about Disney Skyliner Transportation

This post was originally published January 28, 2023. It was last updated August 31, 2024.