UPDATED November 18, 2024

Even though we would like to experience EVERYTHING Disney World has to offer every trip, it’s a nearly impossible feat.

From its sheer size to limited seasonal offerings, Disney World challenges its guests with too much of a good time. For most, it takes MULTIPLE long trips to Disney World to experience everything the resort has to offer. Unfortunately, the challenge becomes even greater when you factor in closures.

Even when you plan that perfect Disney World trip, you are always susceptible to an ambush by closures and refurbishments. That’s where we can help! While closure dates aren’t always made available well in advance, here are a few ride and attraction closures you should be prepared for in 2024.

 

Magic Kingdom

The classic Swiss Family Treehouse closed for some TLC on November 18th, 2024.

The good news is that this closure is a relatively short one — the attraction is showing hours again on December 20th.

EPCOT

Test Track

As of June 17th, Test Track, which is located in EPCOT’s World Discovery, is temporarily closed so the ride can be — in Disney speak — reimagined!

Disney hasn’t released too many details about what the updated ride experience will be like just yet, but they did mention that it will take inspiration from World of Motion, the ride that was originally there when the park opened in 1982! 

Imagineers are adding new show scenes that will showcase technological advances and show “how our lifestyles and relationships to mobility connect everyone.” You will take a joy ride through scenes focusing on onboard technology, customization, and personalization, ending with a trip through a scenic outdoor route. At this time, a reopening date has not been announced, but Disney has shared that the attraction will reopen in 2025.

Find out more about the NEW Test Track HERE!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy in Disney’s Hollywood Studios has closed permanently to make way for a BRAND-NEW Disney Villains show debuting at Sunset Showcase in the summer of 2025.

The last day of operation  for Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy was October 7th, 2024.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Disney announced in December 2023 that a NEW show — “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” — is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the summer of 2025!

The new show will be a reimagined show inspired by the original animated classic from Walt Disney Animation Studios. “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” will premiere at the Animation Courtyard theater. The new version of the show will feature a combination of live actors, puppets, digital animation, and even some live motion capture seamlessly integrated together to fully replicate the underwater setting. When it opens, we can expect to hear musical numbers like “ “Daughters of Triton,” “Part of Your World,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and “Kiss the Girl!”

However, be aware that –with the announcement of the new production, it’s also been confirmed that Voyage of the Little Mermaid is permanently closed in Disney World.

Water Park Rides

The Disney World water parks have been operating as a one-on, one-off package for a while now and that is expected to continue into 2024.

Right now (as of November 4, 2024) Blizzard Beach is open while Typhoon Lagoon is closed. It goes without saying (but we’ll say it anyway) that when one water park is closed, those rides and attractions will be completely inaccessible during your trip.

Outdoor Rides During Inclement Weather

Bad weather doesn’t always ruin a Disney World Trip. After all, storms in Central Florida are fairly commonplace. However, sometimes it can get so bad that Disney has to take action and close outdoor attractions. 

If you find yourself at Disney World during hurricane season or in the middle of a lightning storm, you should expect ride complications during your trip. This is not only a 2024 tip, but a general rule of thumb for years to come.

Other Possible Closures

It’s Tough to be a Bug! (housed in Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life) is being replaced with a NEW Zootopia show in 2025. The new show ‘Zootopia: Better Zoogether’ will officially be coming to the Tree of Life theater in the winter of 2025!

This attraction retheme is confirmed; however, we do not yet know a specific closing timeframe for It’s Tough to be a Bug!

We’ll keep you posted here so you can be sure to catch all the BUZZ (see what I did there?) from the attraction one last time, if you’re able.

Disney has also confirmed that Encanto and Indiana Jones will be part of the DinoLand, U.S.A. re-theme! At 2024’s D23: The Ultimate Fan Event in Anaheim it was announced that DinoLand, U.S.A. is closing to make way for NEW things in 2027. The great thing is that we’re gaining a brand new land in its place — Pueblo Esperanza! 

Disney shared that construction on the land is set to begin this fall and will open in 2027.

So, while we don’t yet have an official closing date for DINOSAUR just yet, we want to give you a heads up juuuuust in case the attraction closes in 2024. That said, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro has shared the following: “don’t worry, you’ll still have plenty of time to experience Dinosaur again (and get that dino).”

We will be sure to bring you all the latest Disney World attraction closing and opening dates as they are made available and you can CLICK HERE to view Disney World’s comprehensive refurbishment and closure schedule. As always, stay tuned right here at DFB for all the latest news, tips, and reviews coming out of Disney World!

Do you plan around closures for your Disney World trips or do you go with the flow? Let us know in the comments!