food IS a theme park
Another Disney World attraction will be temporarily closing SOON!
Magic Kingdom
Disney closes rides and attractions from time to time for short periods so they can conduct refurbishments. These refurbishments are often for routine maintenance, but sometimes changes are also made. We keep track of the big closures happening around the parks, and there’s a NEW one you should know about if you’re planning a trip to Magic Kingdom in the coming month.
Disney World is about to be in a bit of a transformation.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
New lands are coming to Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, AND Disney’s Hollywood Studios. New Cars attractions will be available at Magic Kingdom, and an all-new show is headed to Hollywood Studios. And that’s not even everything! However, to make way for several of these new things, some classic attractions have had to close. For example, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy closed for good in Hollywood Studios on October 8th, but at least now we’re starting to see steps being taken for the new show to open!
Since the 2020 closures, Disney World has been treating its water parks a little differently.
Typhoon Lagoon
Before 2020, both water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, would be open at the same time throughout the summer, and then one would close in the winter for refurbishment. Nowadays, when one water park is open, the other is closed, and they switch out all year long, regardless of the season. As we’re headed into the winter season, it’s time for these two parks to swap out once again!
There are always new things coming to Disney World and old things being refurbished! Disney World is constantly changing, and that is part of what makes it magical, but it isn’t so magical when you don’t realize something is scheduled to be closed.
Test Track is undergoing refurbishment
If you are heading to Disney World this week, there are a few closures you will want to know about. We don’t want to be caught by surprise when something you wanted to visit isn’t open.
We’ve been waiting for YEARS for Disney World to do SOMETHING with an abandoned building at Hollywood Studios.
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
The Voyage of the Little Mermaid closed with the rest of the parks during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it did not reopen when everything else became available again. Then, earlier in 2024, Disney announced that a new The Little Mermaid show would be taking its place in the fall of 2024. However, that timeline has now recently been changed! This show will continue to be closed with several other Disney World attractions this coming week.
We’re looking forward to the coming week in Magic Kingdom!
Magic Kingdom
One of Magic Kingdom’s most popular and iconic rides will FINALLY be reopening. Get ready for tons of puns, the back side of water, and loads of jungle animals on a cruise down the Nile and other famous rivers of the world. Other than this reopening, though, Disney World still has several closures. Take a peek at what will be closed during your vacation on the week of October 12th through October 19th.
Last week, on September 29th, Everything Pop Food Court at Disney’s Pop Century Resort was supposed to end its refurbishment.
Everything Pop
However, Disney has delayed this food court reopening until later this year. This is not the only hotel food court that has had its refurbishment delayed. So, these two quick service restaurants will continue to be closed along with several other attractions, restaurants, and more around Disney World the week of October 5th through October 12th.
Two Disney World hotel restaurants have been closed for extended refurbishment.
Everything Pop
The World Premiere Food Court at All-Stars Movies Resort closed on July 1st and was supposed to open later in July; however, the refurbishment was pushed until mid-October. The Everything Pop Shopping and Dining food court closed on July 29th and is set to open this week! As you wander around Disney World this week, be prepared for a few other closures that will affect your vacation.
The landscape of Disney World is changing and we’re kinda here for it!
Magic Kingdom
On August 7th, the Walt Disney Company an earnings report revealed lower demand for the company’s domestic theme parks, including Disney World. Calling it “flat” theme park attendance, Disney Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston suggested that the theme park business is in a healthy spot, but slowing down at a tolerable rate. With massive expansions involving several beloved IPs on the horizon, this bump in the road is not expected to be permanent, so for those looking to take advantage of lower Disney World attendance, now’s the time.
The Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom has been undergoing refurbishment since August 26th.
Jungle Cruise
While specifics about the refurbishment are unknown, we do know that the ride will be closed until mid-October. It’s not uncommon for rides to close for refurbishment in Disney World. It’s how Disney is able to maintain its rides to ensure they work properly for many years to come. What is odd about this refurbishment, though, is the strange side effect it seemed to have caused in another area of Adventureland.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
