A Major Disney World Refurbishment Is One Step Closer To REOPENING

Disney World is about to be in a bit of a transformation.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

New lands are coming to Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, AND Disney’s Hollywood Studios. New Cars attractions will be available at Magic Kingdom, and an all-new show is headed to Hollywood Studios. And that’s not even everything! However, to make way for several of these new things, some classic attractions have had to close. For example, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy closed for good in Hollywood Studios on October 8th, but at least now we’re starting to see steps being taken for the new show to open!

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

The Cars-themed show featuring Lighting McQueen permanently closed on October 8th, 2024, to make way for a brand-new Villains show.

Sunset Showcase

The Cars show was previously housed in the Sunset Showcase building, but the last day for guests to enjoy it was October 7th. The new Villains show is supposed to debut in the summer of 2025. We’re always watching for more details about the new show, and we recently spotted a casting call for Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent! Seems like Disney is making progress on the new production.

Read about the NEW Villains show coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

These attractions will remain closed for now, along with others around Disney World. Keep reading to find out what else will be closed the week of November 9th through November 16th.

Magic Kingdom

Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade

We had to say goodbye to an opening day attraction on June 23rd.

Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade with construction walls around it

The Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade was around for generations and provided simple fun to all who played. Now, the attraction has closed to make room for a new Disney Vacation Club lounge. This lounge will be the third in Disney World, joining one in EPCOT and one at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Disney has not yet announced when the new lounge will open.

Reviewing These New Magic Kingdom Confectionery Treats Was Truly a Roller Coaster Ride

Tomorrowland Terrace

Tomorrowland Terrace is a quick-service restaurant that has been closed since the 2020 pandemic-related closures, but even before that, this spot was only occasionally open.

Tomorrowland Terrace

Once in a while, you’ll see the dining room open as a rest area (and it’s still being used for the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties), but it’s usually all roped off and empty.

Tomorrowland Terrace

Disney hasn’t announced when this spot could finally reopen, but we’ll be watching for updates. If you’re looking for a nice spot to hang out in Disney World and sit down for a rest, this could be it!

REVIEW: Disney, Here’s Our Petition to Add More Loaded Tots to This Magic Kingdom Restaurant

EPCOT

Test Track

Test Track closed on June 17th, and Disney is giving this ride a BIG makeover!

Test Track Construction

Disney has shared that the new version of Test Track will take inspiration from the old ride, World of Motion, that was originally there when the park opened in 1982. Disney recently shared more details at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience, including an opening timeline! We’ll be able to ride Test Track once again in 2025.

EPCOT Has a BIG Festival of the Holidays Problem, and I’m Formally Requesting a Solution ASAP

Restaurant Marrakesh

Restaurant Marrakesh is currently closed as a dining location in the Morocco pavilion of EPCOT’s World Showcase, and there’s no word yet on when the restaurant could fully reopen.

Restaurant Marrakesh

However, it is currently open as the Florida Blue Lounge during the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. So, if you’re in the Morocco Pavilion, check it out to see if it’s open. We’re watching for updates on when the full restaurant could reopen!

2 NEW Food Booths Announced for the 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays

Hollywood Studios

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Voyage of the Little Mermaid is currently closed in Disney World. But we recently spotted some construction walls up at the building along with a new permit filed!

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Disney is going to introduce a new, updated show in this spot, though it will still be themed to the animated movie The Little Mermaid! The new show will be called “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure,” and it is now coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Summer 2025.

The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure

Disney still hasn’t announced an official opening date for the new show, but it has been postponed from its Fall 2024 opening timeline. It will be a “fully reimagined theatrical production inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic.”

NEW LOOK at “The Little Mermaid” Show Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Typhoon Lagoon

Blizzard Beach officially welcomed guests back on November 4th! That same day, Typhoon Lagoon closed its gates for the season.

Typhoon Lagoon

Typhoon Lagoon will likely be closed throughout the winter until sometime in the spring. Disney has been having one water park open at a time seasonally since 2020. In the meantime, you can enjoy the slopes at Blizzard Beach this winter!

Click here to learn all about Typhoon Lagoon

Disney World Hotels

Everything POP Shopping & Dining — Disney’s Pop Century Resort

The Everything Pop Food Court will continue its refurbishment for the time being.

Everything Pop

Since July 29th, Everything Pop has been getting some work done. The refurbishment was supposed to end on September 29th. However, Disney updated the refurbishment timeline to extend it to November 30th. This means the food court should have been back to full and normal operation, but that’s not the case. However, we did stop by and noticed a few updates — it’s looking really good so far! Guests can grab food at several counters and on mobile order, as well as use the limited seating while work is being done.

World Premiere Food Court — Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

The World Premiere Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort has been undergoing refurbishment since July.

All-Star Movies

This food court closed for refurbishment on July 1st and was set to reopen on July 31st. Currently, the Disney World website only lists the Rialto coffee shop as being closed for refurbishment until the end of November 2024.