Isn’t it wild how close we are to 2025?!

And if you’re planning a Disney World trip in 2025, you’re going to want to brace yourself. Three of the four parks – Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios – are about to enter construction chaos. Big changes are coming, which is exciting in the long term, but in the short term? It’s going to be a mess. Let’s break down why these parks might have you reaching for an extra churro (or three) to cope.

Animal Kingdom

If you haven’t heard, DinoLand U.S.A. is going to be going the way of the dinosaur and it all starts on January 13th, 2025. The short of it is that entire area is closing to make way for the brand-new Tropical Americas land. While this transformation is super exciting, it does mean our favorite construction walls will be back and we’ll have limited access to the area for quite some time.

Here’s a glimpse at what is coming:

• Encanto Ride: an all-new Encanto-themed ride with the family Madrigal inside the enchanted Casita.

• Indiana Jones attraction: will have a brand new story which will set it apart from any other Indiana Jones ride in existence.

And if that wasn’t enough, over on Discovery Island, Zootopia: Better Zoogether! will be replacing “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” at the Tree of Life Theater by winter 2025.

While these updates sound fantastic, the reality is that Animal Kingdom will feel smaller and busier than ever. Closing DinoLand U.S.A. is like cutting off an entire section of the park, which will leave fewer attractions to absorb the crowds. Combine that with construction noise and visual clutter, and you’ve got a recipe for some very crowded walkways.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is also undergoing a major transformation. The Muppets Courtyard is closing permanently to make room for the brand-new Monsters, Inc. Land. While that is exciting, if you’re a Muppet’s fan, it’s a bittersweet announcement.

But wait, there’s more! Rock ’n’ Rollercoaster is getting re-themed into a Muppets-themed coaster.

Similar to Animal Kingdom, during this construction phase, the park is going to feel…chaotic. Hollywood Studios is already notorious for its bottlenecks. Now, add in closures, re-routing, and construction walls, and you’ve got a logistical nightmare.

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom has some of the biggest changes on the horizon, and in 2025, the park will essentially be a construction zone.

Here’s the short on what’s happening:

• Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America are closing forever. These areas are being replaced by a new Cars-themed area.

• Villains Land is being built beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close on January 6th, 2025, for a refurbishment lasting over a year.

• Astro Orbiter will also close for refurbishment starting January 13th and will reopen in the summer of 2025.
• The old Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade is being replaced by a DVC lounge.

If you’re doing the math, that’s a lot of closures. While we can’t wait to see what Disney has planned, construction on this scale is going to create a lot of headaches for guests. Between rerouted pathways, blocked views, and increased congestion in Frontierland and Liberty Square, it’s going to take some serious patience to navigate Magic Kingdom in 2025.

What This Means for Your Disney Trip

Here’s the bottom line: 2025 is going to be an “interesting” year to visit Disney World. With three parks undergoing significant construction, you’ll need to manage your expectations. Ride closures, construction walls, and heavier crowds in the remaining open areas will definitely make planning a bit trickier than usual.

So, if you do decide to visit, here are some tips:

• Plan Ahead: Stay updated on which attractions will be open during your visit.
• Book a Shorter Trip: With fewer rides available, you might not need extra days to experience everything.
• You might want to Focus on EPCOT: Since EPCOT isn’t facing the same level of chaos, it might be the easiest park to enjoy in 2025.

At the end of the day, 2025 could still be your year, so you might want to pack  some extra patience, and maybe your best pair of walking shoes.

Until then, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney World news!

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Will you be visiting Disney World in 2025? Tell us in the comments!