We had a feeling that several Disney rides would be closing in 2024.

While a few attractions could be closing forever this coming year, several are just temporarily shutting down for refurbishments. Disney will do this every now and then to maintain the rides and ensure they continue to work properly. Some rides notoriously close around the same time each year, while others close more spontaneously. Since January is just right around the corner, we thought we would share with you which rides you can expect to be closing in the coming month!

Both coasts (Disney World and Disneyland Resort) will have several rides closing in the first month of the year. So let’s take a look at what you can expect if you’re headed to Disney in January!

Disney World

Hollywood Studios

On January 8th, you can expect to temporarily say goodbye to one of the thrill rides in Hollywood Studios. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will be closing for refurbishment that day.

According to Disney’s website, the roller coaster will be closed until the Summer of 2024. It also states it’s for routine refurbishment, there is no indication of the ride changing or being re-themed. While we’ll be limited by one less thrill ride in Hollywood Studios, we will have it back in 2024!

Animal Kingdom

Also, on January 8th, Kali River Rapids stops showing open times. The ride is not currently listed under the refurbishments, but since we can’t see that it will be open, there’s a good chance we won’t be able to ride this water ride after January 8th.

The calendar only goes out to February 28th on the day that we wrote this, and the ride doesn’t show any opening times through then. We’re unsure at this time when the water ride in Animal Kingdom will reopen for riders. This is a pretty common time for Kali River Rapids to close for refurbishment, though, so we’re confident we’ll see it reopen sometime soon.

Magic Kingdom

Another ride not listed on the refurbishment list but which stops showing times is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. On January 16th, we no longer see open times for the fast-paced train.

Luckily, we do see times for the ride again on January 21st! So it looks like this will just be a short closure. However, it is one of our favorite rides, so any amount of time that we don’t get to ride it makes us very sad.

Now, let’s head over to the West Coast, to Disneyland!

Disneyland Resort

Disney California Adventure

Disney California Adventure will see two rides close in January. First, on January 8th, Grizzly River Run will be closing for refurbishment.

We’re unsure when this ride will reopen. There are no open dates for it through February 11th, which is as far out as we can see, currently. The ride is listed as a refurbishment, but Disney did not say when it will reopen. We’ll be on the lookout for it to be up and running, again!

Also closing in California Adventure is Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind. This is listed to close for refurbishment on January 22nd.

Luckily, we see our ride of emotions showing open times again on February 8th! So we shouldn’t have to wait too long to become one with our emotions, again.

Disneyland Park

Alright, on to the original Disney park! Two rides will also be closing in Disneyland in January. First on the list is “it’s a small world,” also closing on January 8th.

“it’s a small world” shows up on the list of refurbishments on January 8th and is no longer there on January 19th. However, the ride’s website continues to not show opening times past that date and into February. So we’re not sure when this slow-moving boat ride will actually be reopening.

Next up, and last on the list of January closures, is Haunted Mansion. We’ll see Haunted Mansion close in Disneyland on January 22nd. 

Disney confirmed that the ride will close on January 22nd to begin working on the expanded outdoor queue as part of the Haunted Mansion expansion. January 21st is also the last day of the season to ride on the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.

Reminder!

These previous rides are the ones that will be closing in January. However, there are a couple in Disneyland that are already closed and will continue to be throughout January. Those include the Mark Twain Riverboat and Astro Orbitor!

Be sure to check the Disneyland and Disney World apps on your trip to check for any temporary closures on the day of your visit! Rides will occasionally go down throughout the day, so save yourself some steps by checking the apps.

For more Disney news, keep following DFB!

Shocking Disney World Ride Malfunctions

Are you planning a Disney trip in January? Let us know in the comments!