2025 is a year of big changes for the Walt Disney World Resort. With an expansion of two new lands under way at Magic Kingdom, there are several closures and refurbishments happening around the parks. Discover Disney World Park Refurbishments & Ride Closures 2025!
Disney prides itself on its high standards of maintaining and keeping the parks up-to-date for visitors. That is what makes the resort so magical. The resort frequently undergoes refurbishments and closures. Although, Disney has a good system of rotating and keeping the refurbishments to a minimum, there are several attractions at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, & Animal Kingdom closed for routine maintenance, upgrades, and improvements in 2025.
These updates are necessary in ensuring that Disney parks continue to offer experiences that enhance safety, guest satisfaction, and introduce new technologies for guests to enjoy.
The Magic Kingdom Park is expanding and adding two new lands that promise to be thrilling and exciting. On the heels of the closure of Tom Sawyer’s Island and the Rivers of America, two iconic Magic Kingdom landmarks, Disney plans to open a Cars-themed land. It will be a race through mountainous terrains and geysers filled with rally racing and family-friendly attractions.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed on January 6th, 2025 for a year-long refurbishment. Although, it is one of our family’s favorite rides and we are going to miss riding it this summer, it is our guess that the long closure is also due to safety concerns as Disney’s construction of the New Villains Land gets under way. The New Villains Land is being constructed beyond the area of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Rivers of America.
No official announcement has been made to when these lands will open, but don’t expect any thing too soon, it is a rather large expansion and Disney did announce at D23 their 5-year plan of re-imagining and re-theming.
I don’t know about you, but I’m excited about the New Villains Land coming to Magic Kingdom. It is the land for me! The new land promises to offer a different experience of transporting guests into the dark, mysterious world of 13 infamous Disney Villains.
Disney fans are buzzing about the anticipated dark rides, the twist of magical experiences, and the sinister food this land might offer. I’m looking forward to exploring the dark side of the magic.
Other Magic Kingdom refurbishments: Astro Orbiter on January 13th, 2025 and will reopen summer of 2025, The Hall of Presidents closed on January 20, 2025, and will reopen later in 2025, & Dumbo’s Flying Elephants indoor playground closed on February 24, 2025, and will reopen in spring 2025.
The major changes Epcot has gone through in the last couple of years is finally coming to an end. The overhaul on Test Track that began on June, 17th, 2024 is slated to be complete and reopen in late summer of 2025.
Refurbishment has begun on Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros, the ride I love to hate, but keep riding over and over again. It closed on January 6, 2025, and will reopen on March 15, 2025. The refurbishment is expected to be significant, but not a re-imagining of the ride, although, I would like to see a Coco Ride developed somewhere in the area. If Disneyland is getting a Coco ride then we want one too! Drop a comment if you think this is good idea?
The Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom closed on January 6, 2025 for a short refurbishment and will reopen in March 2025 just in time for those hot summer months in Orlando. This will give guests a chance to cool off.
Two major closures happening at the park. It’s Tough to Be a Bug closes for good on March 17, 2025, to be replaced and to make room for Zootopia: Better Zoogether! And Dinoland USA is being transformed into a new land called Tropical Americas.
TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures closed permanently on January 13, 2025. While you still have a chance, make sure to ride Dinosaur. The ride is still open in 2025, but it will eventually be re-themed into an Indiana Jones attraction.
Disney has revealed new openings and permanent closures at Hollywood Studios. The Muppet’s Courtyard is coming to a close. With the Muppet’s finding a new home at the soon-to-be re-themed Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Let’s be honest, courtyard has seen its better days.
Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano will permanently close on May 11th, 2025 and Muppet*Vision 3-D and PizzeRizzo will permanently close on June 8th, 2025. This area will be making way for new construction beginning in 2025 for the New Monster’s Inc Land.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster has permanently closed and will be replaced by a live Villains on stage show. The park is making way for a new musical adventure by replacing the Voyage of the Little Mermaid with The Little Mermaid–A Musical Adventure. Both shows are scheduled to open in the summer of 2025.
Even with all the refurbishments and closures in 2025, a Disney World vacation still has a lot to offer if you plan on visiting the parks in the summer or fall.
Be on the lookout for a Bluey meet & greet at Hollywood Studios, a Pirates Tavern at Magic Kingdom, and a Spaceship Earth lounge at Epcot. This lounge will serve cocktails & offers a view of the park. Also coming in summer of 2025 is Disney’s Starlight Parade. Expect to be dazzled by a nighttime parade that celebrates magical moments from beloved Disney stories.
Click on the link: Disney World Refurbishments to visit the Disney website to get the latest and most up-to-date information about refurbishments and closures.