Disney dropped A LOT of news on us! There is a lot happening in Disney World, and we have some updates for you.
Magic Kingdom
From closure dates for some attractions in Disney’s Animal Kingdom to the opening date for Jingle Cruise in Magic Kingdom, we are rounding up ALL the announcements Disney made on October 14th, 2024, so you are up to date with the latest Disney World news.
First off, Disney announced dates for the first DinoLand U.S.A. closures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. These closures will mark the beginning of construction for the new Tropical Americas themed land coming to Animal Kingdom, Pueblo Esperanza. Disney announced that the last day for TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures will be January 12th, 2025.
TriceraTop Spin
Construction walls will go up around these areas on January 13th. For now, DINOSAUR, the Boneyard, Restaurantosaurus, Dino-Bite Snacks, and Trilo-Bites will stay open, but these attractions will eventually be closing to make way for Pueblo Esperanza.
Dinosaur
Additionally, Disney announced a YEARLONG closure of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom. Not only is Magic Kingdom getting a Villains Land and new Cars attractions, but Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be undergoing refurbishment.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close for refurbishment on January 6th, 2025, and won’t re-open until 2026! It is time to mentally prepare ourselves for a very extended closure. However, Disney did also note that the ride will be opening “with a little bit of new magic.”
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
As well, the reimagined The Little Mermaid show in Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been delayed. “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” is a reimagining of the stage show “Voyage of the Little Mermaid,” which hasn’t opened since the parks closed due to the pandemic.
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
The reimagined show was supposed to debut in the fall of 2024. However, it looks like we will have to wait a bit longer now. The opening date has now been pushed back to summer 2025. We will just have to wait a bit longer to go under the sea with Ariel again!
©Disney
The Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom is currently undergoing refurbishment but will reopen to guests on October 16th, 2024. Shortly after its reopening, it will be revamped with its annual holiday ride overlay!
The Jingle Cruise
In addition to special outfits, holiday boat names, and punny holiday jokes, the ride will also temporarily be named Jingle Cruise! We are less than a month away from some good ol’ holiday shenanigans on the Jingle Cruise.
Jingle Cruise
It was DEFINITELY a news-filled day, and we are excited to be getting some concrete dates for happenings in Disney World. Make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World news!
Check out 8 things Disney World is doing for the first time in 2025!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Which announcement surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
It all sounds great, I just have a problem affording the ticket…
The most surprising announcement to me is that Big Thunder Mountain will be closed for a year. That’s a long time for a major attraction. I can’t imagine how it would be done, but I hope that there isn’t a re-theme that is going to ruin it. Some of the theming associated with BTM is pretty old, I know, but there seems to be a war on anything classic in the parks.