January 6th is a BIG day for Disney World.

Unfortunately, we’re not looking forward to this day for anything opening, but the exact opposite. THREE popular Disney World rides will be closing for varying amounts of time for refurbishments. We’ll be getting a bit of new magic on one, while the other two will likely just see routine maintenance during their closures.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

We’ve been anticipating this ride closure for a while now, and on January 6th, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close for an extended temporary closure.

The “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” is closing for at least a year and will reopen sometime in 2026. When it reopens it will have some “new magic,” according to Disney. We can’t wait to see what changes will be coming to this ever popular roller coaster!

Kali River Rapids

Kali River Rapids is a popular water ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Since this is a water ride, and it’s a bit cold outside in Florida during the winter, Disney often closes this ride for refurbishment this time of year. It will close be closed on January 6th, and no times are available for the ride on the Disney World website as far as the calendar currently goes out.

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros

Over at EPCOT, the Gran Fiesta Tour ride at the Mexico pavilion will also be closing on January 6th!

The ride will temporarily close for refurbishment and is expected to reopen on March 15th!

Hurry to get on these rides one last time before their temporary closures on Monday, January 6th. To see what other attractions and locations will be closed this week, January 4th through January 11th, keep reading below!

Magic Kingdom

Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade

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

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.

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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.

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.

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!

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EPCOT

Test Track

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

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 shared more details at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience, and an updated opening timeline was just announced! We’ll be able to ride Test Track once again in late summer 2025.

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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.

Occasionally, we’ll see it open as a lounge or Kidcot Fun Stop. 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!

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Hollywood Studios

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.

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!

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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!

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.

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 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 Blizzard Beach

Disney World Hotels

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

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

Since July 29th, Everything Pop has been getting some work done. The refurbishment was supposed to end on September 29th. However, it was extended to November 30th, and now it has been extended AGAIN until April 2025. We recently visited the food court, and it’s looking great! There is far less construction, and almost everything is open and available again. This is a big improvement, and it’s great that people staying here have most dining shopping options available to them once again.

Stormalong Bay — Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts

Stormalong Bay is the shared pool between Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. It features a beach, lazy river, large pool, and exciting pirate ship slide!

From January until June, this pool area will be closed for refurbishment. While it’s closed, hotel guests can use the Tidal (Beach Club), Admiral (Yacht Club), and Dunes Cove (Beach Club) leisure pools.

Fantasia Pool — Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

From January 1st through April 30th, the Fantasia Pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort will be closed.

While this pool is closed, you can swim at the Duck Pond Pool also located at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort if you’re staying here.

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Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides:

• 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness
• What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride
• 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU!
• A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World!
• The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride

We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB.

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When is your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments!