Another Disney World ride will close in January 2025.
Cinderella Castle
We already know that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close for at least a year beginning January 6th, 2025. And over in Animal Kingdom, Kali River Rapids will close for refurbishment on January 6th. Also in Animal Kingdom, TriceraTop Spin will be closing permanently on January 13th, 2025, to make way for the new Tropical Americas land. Now, Disney has just announced that a Tomorrowland ride will close soon. Let’s take a look!
The Astro Orbiter will close January 13th, 2025, for refurbishment in Disney World. The ride will not re-open until Summer 2025, according to Disney World’s website.
The Astro Orbiter will be closed for several months.
Astro Orbiter is an aerial carousel attraction (that means it goes in a circle like a carousel, but you’re suspended in air in your ride vehicle). Disney World has several of these attractions — including the classic Dumbo and the Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Magic Kingdom. What makes Astro Orbiter different is that you are soaring above Tomorrowland — the ride is mounted atop the PeopleMover platform.
Astro Orbiter
Astro Orbiter opened as Star Jets in 1974 at Disney World, as part of a Tomorrowland expansion. It was overhauled in 1994 and renamed Astro Orbiter.
This way to the Astro Orbiter!
The last lengthy closure of the Astro Orbiter was in 2019, when it was closed from July through September.
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It strikes me as odd that they would close an iconic attractive Big Thunder Mountain for an extended period in 2025. Any major changes next year should be put on hold, until 2026. Take down the walls and have everything at capacity operationally. Because you would think that the Disney execs would realize that they are going to have to be battle ready, to not lose a ton of money, with Universals EPIC Universe opening this year.
Well that’s a bummer – headed in June and it is one of my favorite rides, especially at night – hoping it will be re-open by then.
Agree with Jack also – would think Disney would want to really limit the longer term refurbishments (like more than a few weeks) with BTM headed into a long closure as well
Hi, Jack –
I totally agree. My family has already canceled our scheduled January 2025 trip, due to closures (Big Thunder is my husband’s favorite ride!) and DAS changes.
As much as I love Disney, Universal is totally going to eat their lunch next year. The only question now is how badly Disney is willing to let them do so.
The Disney execttives and board are so far removed from reality, they do not understand what is happening to the industry and Disney’s place in it from trend setter to an also ran status. The rides at Disney are not the attractions they once led the world wide amusement/entertainment industry. Too bad, they were number 1 for about 50 years, now…not so much.
Here’s to hoping they replace the elevator