If you are heading to Disney World soon, we want to make sure you are prepared for the closures! There are FOUR new closures starting this week, and we don’t want you to be caught by surprise. There is a lot of construction happening in Disney World right now.

Work is being done on Pueblo Esperanza in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Piston Peak National Park in Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney Studios in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the new Monsters, Inc. land coming to Hollywood Studios. Plus, other dining locations and attractions are also closed for refurbishment!

This week, four new theme park closures are hitting Disney World! Let’s take a look at these closures:

Harambe Market — Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Harambe Market, a quick-service dining location in Animal Kingdom, will be temporarily closing on October 20th, 2025. It will be closed for a few months, and it is currently expected to reopen in early 2026. While we are sad to see the dining options decrease in Animal Kingdom, there are still lots of delicious options!

You can stop by Flame Tree Barbecue or Satu’li Canteen for a tasty, quick-service meal. We aren’t expecting huge changes at Harambe Market during the refurbishment, but we will keep you updated as we learn more!

Dino Bite Snacks and Trilo-Bites — Disney’s Animal Kingdom

DinoLand, U.S.A. in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is being rethemed as a Tropical Americas themed land called Pueblo Esperanza. Disney has been closing certain areas of DinoLand as construction on the area has progressed. Beginning October 20th, two more closures will be happening in DinoLand.

Dino Bite Snacks and Trilo-Bites will be closing forever to make way for Pueblo Esperanza. You can still ride DINOSAUR and stop by Restaurantosaurus, but the rest of DinoLand, U.S.A. will be closing on February 2nd, 2025.

Vacation Fun – An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie — Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Vacation Fun – An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie will be temporarily closed beginning October 20th, 2025, in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The good news is that it is just a temporary closure, and it is expected to reopen later this year! 

Vacation Fun is joining an already lengthy list of closures in Hollywood Studios, including Animation Courtyard and Muppets Courtyard. There is still plenty to do in Hollywood Studios, but be prepared for a fair amount of construction happening!

Let’s take a look at the other attractions and locations that will be closed this week, from October 18th through October 25th, at Disney World.

EPCOT

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth has been closed for routine refurbishment since August 25th, 2025. We only have a few days left without Spaceship Earth, though, as Disney has announced it will be reopening on October 25th!

We aren’t expecting any major changes to the attraction, just general maintenance and routine work. During this time, the Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future exhibit will be closed, as well. It is definitely going to be sad experiencing the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival without being able to ride Spaceship Earth, though.

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Magic Kingdom

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

A popular Tomorrowland attraction is closed! Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has closed for refurbishment as of August 4th, 2025, and isn’t expected to reopen until 2026. While the ride is closed, it will be getting some upgrades!

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be getting a new ride scene, new ride vehicles, a new character, and enhanced gameplay elements. Some of those gameplay elements include handheld blasters (soon you can shoot whenever you want!) and reactive targets. We recently got the chance to take a look at the new ride vehicle and test out the new blasters, and we have to say we were impressed!

Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island

An iconic part of the Magic Kingdom is now permanently closed. As of July 7th, the Rivers of America, including the Liberty Square River Boat and Tom Sawyer Island, are closed for good to make way for the new Cars area, Piston Peak National Park. There are some construction walls up in the area now, and we have seen workers on Tom Sawyer Island. The river has also started to be drained!

Piston Peak National Park will be replacing this area of Magic Kingdom, and construction is expected to begin in the area this year. Disney has not yet released an opening date for the new Cars area, but we do know that it will feature two brand-new attractions and will be themed to look like a National Park.

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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

On January 6th, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed for an extended temporary closure. The “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” will be closed for at least a year and will reopen sometime in 2026. The ride will be undergoing maintenance while it is closed. When it reopens, it will have some “new magic,” according to Disney.

Recently, Disney announced some of the new magic! Riders will see “spectacular natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools, shimmering and illuminating iridescent stalagmites (the ones on the floor) and stalactites (the ones on the ceiling)” — the Rainbow Caverns! We can’t wait to see what other changes might be coming to this ever-popular roller coaster! We have spotted some ride testing happening, which was very exciting, and a train car has arrived! It was still covered in a tarp, but it was exciting to see.

Tortuga Tavern

Tortuga Tavern is a seasonal restaurant in Magic Kingdom. It has been a bit since we saw it open. Most recently, it was used as a cookie location for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

We had previously spotted shrubs around the restaurant as they worked on the flooring. However, all the shrubs have been taken down now. We don’t know exactly when/if this restaurant will reopen, but we will keep you updated if we learn more!

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Kali River Rapids

Kali River Rapids is about to close for refurbishment! This water adventure will be temporarily closing beginning October 6th, and it is expected to reopen in December 2025. We aren’t expecting any huge changes to the ride, just some maintenance and general refurbishment.

We commonly see Kali River Rapids close during the cooler months for refurbishment. Splashing through a water ride just isn’t the same when it is cooler outside, so we can see why Disney chose the fall or winter months to do some maintenance on this attraction.

TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, Fossil Fun Games, The Boneyard, Dino Bite Snacks, and Trilo-Bites

The first round of closures began in DinoLand U.S.A. on January 13th, 2025. TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and Fossil Fun Game were closed down, and construction has begun on the brand-new land themed to the Tropical Americas, Pueblo Esperanza. The Boneyard has permanently closed as of September 2nd. Dino Bite Snacks and Trilo-Bites will also be permanently closing on October 20th, 2025. 

It is definitely a sad sight, but we are also excited to see Pueblo Esperanza! DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus are still open, but Disney recently announced the rest of DinoLand, U.S.A. will be closing for good on February 2nd, 2026. 

It’s Tough to Be a Bug

It’s Tough to Be a Bug is closed for good. This attraction in Disney’s Animal Kingdom once invited you to join the bug kingdom on an adventure. While the show didn’t usually make it to the top of favorite attractions in Disney World, it has now closed to make way for a new show. 

It’s Tough to Be a Bug closed on March 17th to make way for a brand-new show, “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!”, expected to debut on November 7th, 2025. The show begins when you arrive at the main stage just in time for Zoogether Day festivities, where you’ll spot some new and familiar faces, including Heidi Howler, a wolf who hosts the Zoogether Day LIVE! broadcast.

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Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Animation Courtyard

Animation Courtyard closed on September 25th, 2025, to make way for Walt Disney Studios. This new area is expected to open in 2026 and will be a special nod to the Walt Disney Studios lot. Star Wars Launch Bay will be turned into The Magic of Disney Animation. This attraction will have you interacting and exploring with this fun take on Disney Animation headquarters.

This area will also feature a new Drawn to Wonderland indoor play area and the current Disney Jr. Play and Dance! show will be getting a makeover. During the transformation, you will still be able to visit “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” and Walt Disney Presents.

Muppets Courtyard, including Muppet*Vision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano

Muppet*Vision 3D AND PizzeRizzo closed on June 8th, and Muppets Courtyard has been walled off so construction can begin on the new Monsters, Inc. land. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano has been closed since May 11th.

Don’t worry, the Muppets won’t be missing from Disney’s Hollywood Studios forever. The Muppets will eventually be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in 2026. 

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Blizzard Beach

Blizzard Beach has been closed since September 8th, 2025! While it has been wonderful having BOTH Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon open at the same time this summer (which was the first time this has happened in YEARS), that has now come to an end. Blizzard Beach is now closed for refurbishment. 

Have no fear, though, if you are looking for somewhere to cool off and enjoy some fun in the water, Typhoon Lagoon will still be open! 

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Fantasia Gardens & Fairways Miniature Golf

If you are planning on playing some miniature golf during your Disney World trip, you have some options. You can head over to Fantasia Gardens & Fairways Miniature Gold or Winter Summerland Miniature. However, if you are headed over to Fantasia Gardens & Fairways Miniature Golf, one of the courses will be closed for refurbishment.

From September 9th to November 7th, 2025, the Fantasia Fairways Miniature Golf course will be undergoing refurbishment. While it is closed, the Fantasia Gardens course will remain open, but guests won’t be able to reserve tee times (guests will tee off on a first-come, first-served basis). That still leaves you three courses to explore between the one at Fantasia Gardens & Fairways and the two courses at Winter Summerland!

Disney World Hotels

Promenade Fine Art Gallery — Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Resort

The Promenade Fine Art Gallery will be closing its Disney’s BoardWalk location on October 20th, 2025. However, the Promenade Fine Art Gallery isn’t closing for good, and it will just be moving to a new location.

The gallery hasn’t announced yet where that new location will be, but we will keep you updated as we learn more!

The Paddock Pool, Aquatic Play Area, and The Paddock Grill — Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

The Paddock Pool, the aquatic play area, and The Paddock Grill will be closed from October 13th, 2025, until early December for routine maintenance.

As we enter the cooler months, we are seeing more hotel pools undergoing routine maintenance. It is all an important part in making sure the Walt Disney World Resort is looking its best.

Leisure Pool at Miller’s Road — Disney’s Old Key West Resort

If you are staying at Old Key West soon, you will want to take note of this closure! From September 29th through late November, the leisure pool at Miller’s Road will be closed for routine maintenance.

Good news, though. The Sandcastle Pool and both leisure pools at Old Turtle Pond and South Point will still be open. So, there will be plenty of options for having some poolside fun!

Fantasia Kiddie Pool — Disney’s All-Star Movies 

The Fantasia kiddie pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort has been closed for maintenance since September 8th. The pool is expected to be closed through late October, but Disney hasn’t announced a specific reopening date yet.

While the Fantasia kiddie pool is closed, the Fantasia Feature Pool and Duck Pond Pool will remain open, and guests staying at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort are welcome to use the kiddie pools at Disney’s All-Star Music and Disney’s All-Star Sports.

The Samawati Springs Pool Slide — Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Starting on September 8th, the Samawati Springs Pool Slide will be closing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge — Kidani Village for routine maintenance. Disney hasn’t announced a date for when the slide will reopen.

If you’re staying at the resort, there will still be another water slide option for you to enjoy at the Uzima Springs Pool! ONLY the slide at The Samawati Springs Pool will be closed; you can still use the pool, just not the slide. You just may see or hear construction at work.

Jellyrolls — Disney’s BoardWalk

Jellyrolls at Disney’s BoardWalk officially closed on April 19th, 2025. This entertainment venue has provided our team with countless memories, and we know many others are also sad to see it close. Jellyrolls had its final farewell performance on April 19th and closed its doors forever on Disney’s BoardWalk.

However, this isn’t the end for Jellyrolls, as the bar has said they are “making a move.” We don’t know many details about that move yet, but we will keep you updated.

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Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and determine which works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. They also share expert tips and first-hand advice about your magical vacation.

Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides:

• 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness
• What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride
• 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU!
• A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World!
• The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride

We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB.

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When is your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments!