UPDATED December 23, 2024

You may already be aware of several factors that go into planning a Walt Disney World vacation. You’ve likely considered things like the time of year you’d like to visit, which Resort hotel you might stay at, and — most of all — which attractions you’d like to ride in the four Disney World theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

But there’s something you may not have considered: REFURBISHMENTS and CONSTRUCTION.

From classic rides that have been running since Disney World’s DAY ONE to behind-the-scenes work on upcoming NEW experiences, several locations around the Resort are often receiving a little TLC or even undergoing major construction “for your future enjoyment!”

While the results are usually pretty terrific, some refurbishments may affect your vacation in unexpected ways. What if one of your must-do attractions is under wraps for a little while? Or maybe a major project is in the works at your chosen Resort?

That’s why we’re offering this resource so you can be informed of current, ongoing, and upcoming refurbishments and construction around Walt Disney World.

Magic Kingdom

Current Closures

• Various areas of Adventureland near the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction — Stores such as the Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar have been temporarily relocated to accommodate construction for a NEW Pirate-themed tavern opening in Magic Kingdom in late 2025! 

Upcoming Closures

• Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Square Riverboat — Permanently closing in early 2025 to accommodate constructions to two new Cars-themed attractions coming to the park
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — Closing for a lengthy refurbishment beginning January 6th, 2025, and will not reopen until 2026
• Astro Orbitor —  Closing for a lengthy refurbishment beginning January 13th, 2025, and will not reopen until Summer of 2025
• Magic Kingdom’s The Hall of Presidents — Closing to be updated beginning January 20th, 2025; A reopening date is not yet known

EPCOT

Current Closures

• 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! At this time, a specific reopening timeline has not been announced; however, we do know Test Track will reopen in late Summer 2025.
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros — The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros in the Mexico Pavilion will be closing for refurbishment on January 6th, 2025. According to Disney, the EPCOT attraction will be closed for just over two months, with a scheduled reopening date on March 15th, 2025.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Current Closures

• “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the summer of 2025! This new show will premiere at the Animation Courtyard theater, which was the location for the now permanently closed Voyage of The Little Mermaid show.

Permanent Closures

• Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy in Disney’s Hollywood Studios has closed permanently to make way for a BRAND-NEW Disney Villains show — called Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After — debuting at Sunset Showcase in the summer of 2025. The last day of operation  for Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy was October 7th, 2024.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Upcoming Closures

• It’s Tough To Be a Bug — This attraction, housed in Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life, will receive a Zootopia-themed makeover and will become: Zootopia: Better Zoogether!  The new attraction will open in winter of 2025; however, an official closing date for the current attraction has yet to be announced.
• Kali River Rapids — This water ride will close for its annual seasonal refurbishment on January 6th, 2025. Stay tuned for a reopening date!
• DinoLand, U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom will begin a phased closure starting January 13th, 2025. The land is closing to make way for a new land themed to the Tropical Americas, Pueblo Esperanza. For the first phase, Disney announced that the last day for TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures at Animal Kingdom is January 12th, 2025. Specifically in regards to the DINOSAUR attraction, Disney has stated that “2025 is your year to visit before it goes extinct!” So, if you want to ride Dinosaur at least one more time before it’s gone for good, make sure you plan a trip to Animal Kingdom in 2025.

Disney World Water Parks

• In recent years, Disney has only been operating one water park at a time. Blizzard Beach Water Park is currently open (as of November 4, 2024), and therefore Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is closed for the season. We’ll keep you posted when the next change is announced.

Disney’s All-Star Resorts

Upcoming Closures

• The Fantasia Pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort will be closed from January 2025 to April 2025. While it’s closed, guests can swim in the Duck Pond Pool (as well as the feature pools at the neighboring All-Star Resort hotels).

• From January 2026 until late April 2026, the Surfboard Bay Pool and the kiddie pool at All-Star Sports Resort will be closed for regular maintenance. During that time, the Grand Slam Leisure Pool will continue to be available. Also, guests of All-Star Sports will be welcome to check out the pools at the other two All-Star Resorts.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Current Refurbishment

• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is undergoing a lengthy refurbishment from September 2024 to September 2025. While the resort is still available to book during these times, rooms may be limited. Disney also warns that guests will see and hear construction work throughout Bay Lake Tower. You’ll also want to allow extra time for travel as the typical routes may not be open.

Upcoming Refurbishment

• From January 26th, 2026 through May 2026, the pool offerings will be unavailable at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. During that time, the Bay Cove Pool, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa will all be closed for maintenance. However, the water offerings will remain open next door at Disney’s Contemporary Resort for Bay Lake Tower guests to use. This means that the Bay Lake Pool, the feature pool, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa will all be operating at the Contemporary.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has undergone a LOT of changes in recent years with the opening of new Disney Vacation Club villas, an updated Narcoossee’s restaurant, and changes at Citricos and Victoria & Albert’s, too. And the renovations continue! The Disney World website does warn that the hotel “is currently undergoing refurbishment. Guests will be able to see and hear construction around the resort – including the lobby – during daytime hours.” But, they note that “Most Resort hotel amenities will remain available.”

Ultimately, the lobby itself will also receive its own refurbishment. Disney has shared that the new look “will maintain the classic theming [guests] know and love with some fresh new enhancements.”

Check out the new Grand Floridian Resort rooms here.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

• At Disney’s Pop Century Resort, guest rooms will be undergoing refurbishment from late March 2025 through mid-February 2026. All of the resort amenities will be available during this time, but guests may see and hear the construction during daytime hours.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter

• From May 2024 through Spring 2025, some rooms at the Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter are under refurbishment. This means that those rooms are not available to guests. It also means that guests may hear some construction noise during the day.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside

• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside will be refurbishing the guest rooms in the Magnolia Bend area of the resort from early April 2025 through January 2026. While the refurbishment is happening, guests might hear and see construction work during daytime hours. 

Disney’s Riviera Resort

• Please be aware that Topolino’s Terrace will be closed for refurbishment from January 12th through January 25th, 2025. So if you are hoping to dine at this restaurant to enjoy Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends or a signature dining experience in the evenings, you will need to plan around those dates.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

• Heads up if you’re planning a stay at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort! A major refurbishment is taking place on the exterior of the hotel. The Disney World website has a warning advising guests of the refurbishment, and as of August 5th, you may see and hear construction work at the Wilderness Lodge “during daytime hours.”
• The Copper Creek Villas & Cabins will be undergoing refurbishment from mid-May 2025 through September 2025. During this time all resort amenities will still be available, but guests may notice ongoing construction during daytime hours.

Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

Upcoming Refurbishment

• From January 2025 to through June 2025, Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool will be CLOSED at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club. This closure is due to routine maintenance and guests staying at those resorts may hear construction noises during the daytime. During the closure, guests are welcome to swim at the Tidal, Admiral, and Dunes Cove leisure pools.

We’ll continue to keep you posted on all these projects — and their end results, of course! — around Walt Disney World, so stay tuned! And you can check out these and MORE changes taking place around Disney World in our DFB YouTube Video!