UPDATED November 7, 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 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

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 at some point in 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 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.
• 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.

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).

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

• 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.

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 Polynesian Village and Resort

Current Construction

• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort — While the Resort remains open to guests, areas are currently being renovated to include new Disney Vacation Club Villas, restaurants, and even new recreation offerings! The Disney Vacation Club Villas are expected to open on December 17th, 2024. 

• One immediate affect of this construction is that the walkway between the Polynesian and Grand Floridian is currently closed. Guests will need to take the Monorail in the meantime.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Current Closures

• Everything POP Food Court is undergoing a refurbishment at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and it is slated to reach completion on November 30th, 2024. The Disney World website advises that guests “Please be prepared to use alternate entrances to the food court—and be aware that dining room seating may be limited.”

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 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.”

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!