Disney World is always changing, which, while exciting, can also mean some bittersweet moments when some of our favorite attractions close down to make way for the new.
Magic Kingdom
There is a lot coming to Disney World in the coming years, so we wanted to round up the permanent closures that we are expecting Disney World to announce next year!
For starters, Disney World will likely announce a closing date for the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island in Magic Kingdom towards the beginning of 2025. Disney has announced the construction is expected to begin on the new Cars attractions in early 2025, and these new attractions will be located where the Rivers of America is currently.
Rivers of America
So not only will we be getting a closing date announcement, but based on Disney’s announcements, this area will also be closing sometime in 2025. This means that Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat will be permanently closing, so make sure you get your final rides and trips in soon!
Views from Tom Sawyer Island
Next up, the rest of DinoLand, U.S.A. will also likely be closing in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This area of Animal Kingdom is being rethemed to a Tropical Americas-themed land called Pueblo Esperanza. While the new land isn’t expected to open until 2027, the first phase of closures for DinoLand, U.S.A., has already been announced, and we will likely find out when the rest of DinoLand, including DINOSAUR, will be closing.
DinoLand, U.S.A.
The last day for TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures at Animal Kingdom is January 12th, 2025. We are still waiting for Disney to announce when the rest of DinoLand is closing, but we expect it to be sometime in 2025. Make sure you fit in your last rides on DINOSAUR soon!
TriceraTop Spin
We can also expect to see It’s Tough to Be a Bug close permanently next year to make way for the new Zootopia show. Zootopia: Better Zoogether! is expected to make its debut in the winter of 2025, so if that is the case, then It’s Tough to Be a Bug will have its final show sometime in 2025.
It’s Tough to be a Bug!
Finally, we may also find out a closure date for parts of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. A new Monsters, Inc. Land will be coming to Hollywood Studios and construction is expected to begin in 2026. We still don’t know exactly where this new land will be located, but the current contenders include the Muppets area or Animation Courtyard. Disney hasn’t given us any clues about where this new land will be though, so those are just our guesses, and we are keeping our eyes peeled for any additional news! While we likely won’t see any closures happening in 2025, we are thinking Disney might announce the closing date in 2025.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
While it is hard to know that some of our beloved attractions will be permanently closing soon, we are also excited to see all the new attractions and experiences that will be coming to Disney World in the coming years. If you want to learn more about ALL of Disney’s announcements that will change Disney World forever, make sure you check out this video:
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Honestly, I’m going to miss the River Boat at MK. Such a relaxing ride and great for the disabled. I think getting rid of this water feature is a mistake! Disney is turning MK into cement city!
I hope Disney World Won’t Close the Animation Courtyard because I am a huge fan of Doc McStuffins; and she happens to be my true love!
Any idea what’s going to happen to the Riverboat in Frontier Land? It would be nice if it could be put into service in some other part of the resort.
Now the Disney powers to be are thinking of closing Muppets in Hollywood Studios??? Please no!!!!
I am now putting together a letter writing campaign to ask for more of The Muppets at Walt Disney World and Disneyland
Well, it’s obvious to me why Disney has delayed telling us the location of the Monsters, Inc. Land. Would YOU like to be the one to inform Miss Piggy that she’s being cancelled and being replaced by Mike? Ooooh, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near that explosion.
Sad news for kids and adults all over when Muppets, Rivers and the rest close for Incanto…In who? Zoo what taking over bugs. Dad, dad