A lot is coming to Disney World in the upcoming years! Some things, such as the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge, the reopening of Test Track, and the new DVC lounge, will be coming in 2025!

We will need to wait a bit for others, such as the new Tropical Americas-themed land, Pueblo Esperanza, and the reopening of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. However, we spotted some exciting news this week about two attractions that are currently closed in Disney World!

The first exciting permit filed this past week was for the construction at Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade in Magic Kingdom. On June 23rd, we had to say goodbye to an opening-day attraction that had been around for generations and provided simple fun to all who played. Now, the attraction has closed to make room for a new Disney Vacation Club lounge.

This lounge will be the third in Disney World, joining one in EPCOT and one at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Disney has not yet announced when the new lounge will open. Disney recently filed a new permit for the new DVC lounge, McKim’s Mile House, to install signage. We have been eagerly awaiting to see if we can see the signage outside, but so far no luck.

This week, Disney also received approval for its permit for construction related to Pueblo Esperanza. 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 walls have been up since the closure, and we have seen TriceraTop Spin being dismantled. 

It is definitely a sad sight, but we are also excited to see Pueblo Esperanza! DINOSAUR, Restaurantosaurus, the snack stands, and The Boneyard remain open. Disney hasn’t announced an official closing date for the rest of DinoLand. However, they have announced that “2025 is your year to visit before it goes extinct!” 

Keep reading below to see what other attractions and locations will be closed this week, February 15th through February 22nd!

Magic Kingdom

Hall of Presidents

The Hall of Presidents closed at Magic Kingdom on January 20th.

The attraction is closed until later in 2025, though a specific date has not been shared by Disney. We will keep an eye out for updates, though! The closure is likely to change out the current president as January 20th marked Inauguration Day. While it is closed, other maintenance and routine work may also be happening.

Astro Orbiter

If you want to blast off into space, you’ll have to head over to Space Mountain because Astro Orbiter will be temporarily closed for refurbishment!

Astro Orbiter will be closed as of January 13th and is planned to reopen in the summer of 2025. No specific date has been announced for the high-in-the-sky ride, but we’ll keep our eyes peeled for an update from Disney. The ride has currently been completely dismantled and is being refurbished elsewhere. It definitely looks a little barren as you are walking into Tomorrowland right now!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

We’ve been anticipating this ride closure for a while now, and 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. We can’t wait to see what changes will be coming to this ever-popular roller coaster!

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Tomorrowland Terrace

Tomorrowland Terrace is a quick-service restaurant that has been closed since the 2020 pandemic-related closures, but even before that, this spot was only occasionally open.

Once in a while, you’ll see the dining room open as a rest area (and it’s still being used for the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties), but it’s usually all roped off and empty.

Disney hasn’t announced when this spot could finally reopen, but we’ll be watching for updates. If you’re looking for a nice spot to hang out in Disney World and take a rest, this could be it!

Tortuga Tavern

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

However, there are now shrubs up around the dining area of the restaurant, and work is being done. When we stopped by recently, some of the shrubs had been taken down, and it looked like work had been done on the ground. 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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EPCOT

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros

Over at EPCOT, the Gran Fiesta Tour ride at the Mexico pavilion also closed on January 6th.

The ride will temporarily close for refurbishment and is expected to reopen on March 15th!

Test Track

Test Track closed on June 17th, and Disney is giving this ride a BIG makeover! 

Disney has shared that the new version of Test Track will take inspiration from the old ride, World of Motion, that was originally there when the park opened in 1982. Disney shared more details at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience, and an updated opening timeline was just announced! We’ll be able to ride Test Track once again in late summer 2025.

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Restaurant Marrakesh

Restaurant Marrakesh is currently closed as a dining location in the Morocco pavilion of EPCOT’s World Showcase, and there’s no word yet on when the restaurant could fully reopen.

Occasionally, we’ll see it open as a lounge or Kidcot Fun Stop. So, if you’re in the Morocco Pavilion, check it out to see if it’s open. We’re watching for updates on when the full restaurant could reopen!

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Hollywood Studios

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

The Cars-themed show featuring Lighting McQueen permanently closed on October 8th, 2024, to make way for a brand-new Villains show.

The Cars show was previously housed in the Sunset Showcase building, but the last day for guests to enjoy it was October 7th. The new Villains show is supposed to debut in the summer of 2025. We’re always watching for more details about the new show, and we recently spotted a casting call for Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent!

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Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Voyage of the Little Mermaid is currently closed in Disney World. But a bit ago we spotted that the iconic Voyage of the Little Mermaid marquee has been removed! So far it is still missing, but we are curious what, if anything, will takes its place.

Disney is going to introduce a new, updated show in this spot, though it will still be themed to the animated movie The Little Mermaid! The new show will be called “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure,” and it is now coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Summer 2025.

Disney still hasn’t announced an official opening date for the new show, but it has been postponed from its Fall 2024 opening timeline. It will be a “fully reimagined theatrical production inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic.”

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Animal Kingdom

Kali River Rapids

Kali River Rapids is a popular water ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Since this is a water ride, and it’s a bit cold outside in Florida during the winter, Disney often closes this ride for refurbishment this time of year. It closed on January 6th and is expected to reopen in March.

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Typhoon Lagoon

Blizzard Beach officially welcomed guests back on November 4th! That same day, Typhoon Lagoon closed its gates for the season.

Typhoon Lagoon will likely be closed throughout the winter until sometime in the spring. Disney has been having one water park open at a time seasonally since 2020. In the meantime, you can enjoy the slopes at Blizzard Beach this winter!

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Disney World Hotels

Stormalong Bay and Hurricane Hanna’s– Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts

Stormalong Bay is the shared pool between Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. It features a beach, a lazy river, a large pool, and an exciting pirate ship slide!

From January until June, this pool area will be closed for refurbishment. While it’s closed, hotel guests can use the Tidal (Beach Club), Admiral (Yacht Club), and Dunes Cove (Beach Club) leisure pools. During the refurbishment, Hurricane Hanna’s, the pool bar at Stormalong Bay will also be closed.

Fantasia Pool — Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

From January 1st through April 30th, the Fantasia Pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort will be closed.

While this pool is closed, you can swim at the Duck Pond Pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort if you’re staying here.

Courtyard Pool and Courtyard Pool Bar — Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

The Courtyard Pool, spa, and Courtyard Pool Bar at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort are closed for refurbishment.

The refurbishments started on January 27th and will last through late February. This is the main pool at the hotel, but the Beach Pool will remain open throughout the refurbishment.

Everything POP Shopping & Dining — Disney’s Pop Century Resort

The Everything Pop Food Court still remains on Disney World’s refurbishment. However, the area looks open except for one food window!

Since July 29th, Everything Pop has been getting some work done. The refurbishment was supposed to end on September 29th. However, it was extended to being under refurbishment until April 2025. Currently it is still under refurbishment, but the full food court and dining area is available, guests just might see or hear construction work being done.

When we stopped by the food court recently, it looked like all the walls were down. A Cast Member said the food court and gift shop are pretty much done, but some behind-the-scenes work is still being done. The only thing we noticed was one food window still closed off.

Merchandise Locations — Disney’s BoardWalk

The merchandise locations along Disney’s BoardWalk will be closing for refurbishment in phases. The closures will last until May 2025, but two merchandise locations will always be available during the refurbishment.

The Screen Door General Store is currently closed for refurbishment, and a Cast Member estimated it will likely be closed for 6-7 weeks until they move to Character Carnival next.

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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!