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Disney World Refurbishments & Closings

by Leap on June 5, 2023 317 Orlando

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Want to know what's going to be closed while you're visiting the theme parks? We've put together this list of Walt Disney World (plus Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando) closings and refurbishments. Refurbishments are temporary closures and can be subject to change without notice. Permanent closures are rides that are no longer active in the parks, and seasonal ones are those that take place annually.

Disney World Refurbishments - Leap

Walt Disney World® Resort Refurbishments

Here is a list of all temporary Disney World closings. It is not uncommon for Disney to change refurbishment times — to move up or postpone temporary closures — so check back as your trip gets closer! We update this post on a weekly basis to reflect any changes.

Magic Kingdom® Park

Refurbishments:

  • Splash Mountain is being rethemed into Tiana's Bayou Adventure, opening late 2024.

EPCOT

Refurbishments:

  • None

As part of the ongoing transformation of EPCOT through 2023:

  • Pin Central and The Camera Center are now in the same temporary location.
  • Heritage Manor is also closed but will return in the future.
  • Art of Disney will operate temporarily from The American Adventure while refurbishment is underway. Heritage Manor will later become the new home for Art of Disney offerings.
  • There are some walkway closures near Spaceship Earth.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

Refurbishments:

  • None

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

Refurbishments:

  • The Boneyard
    CLOSED May 1 - June 12, 2023

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

  • None

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park

  • CLOSED as of March 19, 2023

Disney Springs

  • None

Miniature Golf Courses

  • None

WDW Golf Courses

  • None

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

  • None

Walt Disney World® Resort Hotel Refurbishments

These are the temporary Walt Disney World Resort Hotel closings, such as pools, shops, restaurants or any other type of rehab the hotels are undergoing. Always be sure to check this list as your trip gets closer!

Disney Skyliner

  • None

Disney’s All–Star Movies Resort

  • The Fantasia Pool will be unavailable from January 2024 through April 2024. The Duck Pond Pool will remain open during this time.

Disney’s All–Star Music Resort

  • None

Disney’s All–Star Sports Resort

  • None

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

  • None

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House

  • None

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village

  • Kidani Village will be undergoing refurbishment from Feb. 1, 2023, through Sept. 2023 (you may see and hear construction during daytime hours).

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

  • None

Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort

  • None

Disney's Beach Club Resort

  • None

Disney's Beach Club Villas

  • Disney's Beach Club Villas will be undergoing refurbishment from Jan. 7, 2023, through late fall 2023. During this time, amenities will still be available.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

  • None

Disney’s BoardWalk Villas

  • None

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

  • The Fuentes del Morro Pool will be unavailable from January 2024 through April 2024.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

  • None

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

  • None

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

  • The Meadow Pool aquatic play area is currently closed for refurbishment, though the Meadow Swimmin' Pool, Wilderness Swimmin' Pool and the whirlpool spa are open.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

  • None

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

  • None

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

  • None

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

  • None

Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

  • None

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

  • None

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

  • The Doubloon Lagoon Pool will be unavailable from January 2024 through April 2024. Guests are welcome to use the Ol' Man Island Pool at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside during this time.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

  • None

Disney's Riviera Resort

  • None

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

  • None

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

  • None

The Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

  • None

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

  • None

Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel

  • None

Walt Disney World Swan Hotel

  • None

Walt Disney World Permanent Closures

Here are the Walt Disney World permanent closures. These rides and attractions are those that have been recently closed for good. Often, Disney will close the doors of rides, restaurants and shops to make way for more new, exciting attractions!

Magic Kingdom® Park

  • Dream Along with Mickey: Closed permanently April 2, 2016
  • Main Street Electrical Parade: Closed permanently Oct. 9, 2016
  • Stitch's Great Escape: Closed permanently Jan. 6, 2018
  • Wishes: Closed permanently in May 2017
  • Splash Mountain: Closed permanently Jan. 23, 2023

EPCOT

  • Habit Heroes inside Innoventions East: Closed permanently Jan. 18, 2016
  • The Sum of All Thrills inside Innoventions East: Closed permanently Sept. 13, 2016
  • Stormstruck inside Innoventions East: Closed permanently Sept. 13, 2016
  • Ellen's Energy Adventure: Closed permanently Aug. 13, 2017
  • The Circle of Life: Closed permanently Feb. 4, 2018
  • IllumiNations Reflections of the Earth: Retired Sept. 30, 2019

Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

  • Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show: Closed permanently April 3, 2016
  • Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure: Closed permanently April 3, 2016
  • Studio Catering Co. (Disney's Hollywood Studios): Closed permanently April 3, 2016
  • Mike & Sulley Meet-and-Greet: Closed permanently April 3, 2016
  • High Octane Refreshments: Closed permanently April 3, 2016
  • Prop Shop: Closed permanently April 3, 2016
  • The Writer's Shop: Closed permanently April 3, 2016
  • Watto's Grotto: Closed permanently April 3, 2016
  • New York News: Closed permanently April 3, 2016
  • Youse Guys Moychindise: Closed permanently April 3, 2016
  • The Great Movie Ride: Closed permanently Aug. 13, 2017
  • Voyage of the Little Mermaid: Closed permanently March 16, 2020
  • Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple: Closed permanently March 16, 2020

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

  • Flights of Wonder: Closed permanently Dec. 31, 2017
  • Primeval Whirl: Closed permanently March 16, 2020
  • Rivers of Light - We Are One: Closed permanently March 16, 2020

Disney Springs

  • DisneyQuest: Closed permanently July 3, 2017
  • Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe: Closed permanently Aug. 3, 2017
  • La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil: Closed permanently Jan. 1, 2018
  • The VOID: Closed permanently Aug. 20, 2020
  • The NBA Experience: Closed permanently Aug. 16, 2021

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

  • Shark Reef: Closed permanently Oct. 3, 2016

Walt Disney World Seasonal Closures

Seasonal closures are those that take place annually and are usually a reoccurrence. These dates are estimates based on past closures.

Universal Orlando® Refurbishments

Universal Studios® Florida

Refurbishments:

  • None

Universal's Islands of Adventure®

Temporary Closures:

  • Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
    CLOSED June 8, 2023
  • The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle (return date TBD)

Refurbishments:

  • None

Universal's Volcano BayTM

Refurbishments:

  • None

Universal Orlando Permanent Closures

  • Dragon Challenge (IOA): Closed permanently Sept. 5, 2017
  • Terminator 2®: 3D: Closed permanently Oct. 9, 2017
  • A Day in the Park with Barney: Closed permanently March 16, 2020
  • Fear Factor Live: Closed permanently Nov. 1, 2021
  • Shrek 4-D: Closed permanently Jan. 10, 2022
  • Universal's Superstar Parade: Closed permanently June 4, 2022
  • Curious George Goes to Town: Closed permanently Jan. 16, 2023
  • DreamWorks Destination: Closed permanently Jan. 16, 2023
  • Fievel's Playland: Closed permanently Jan. 16, 2023
  • Meet Shrek and Donkey: Closed permanently Jan. 16, 2023
  • Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster: Closed permanently Jan. 16, 2023
  • Poseidon's Fury: Closed permanently May 10, 2023

 SeaWorld® Orlando Refurbishments

Temporary Closures:

Refurbishments:

  • None

SeaWorld Orlando Permanent Closures

  • Happy Harbor closed for the opening of Sesame Street Land in 2019.

*Please Note: All refurbishments & closings are subject to change without notice.

Disney World refurbishments are only a small part of vacation planning. Leap over to our Orlando Planning Timeline and check out the When to Visit Orlando page for more resources!

Keep hopping!

Keep hopping, Leap!
View Comments
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151–151 of 151 comments
Jun 1, 2012 at 8:05 p.m. When to Visit - The Frog Blog: travel tips from the family frog at Undercover Tourist Says...

[...] Refurbishments & Closings [...]

Reply
Feb 17, 2016 at 12:26 a.m. Caroline Billiot Says...

I think the Earful Tower needs to stay.

Reply
Dec 17, 2015 at 7:32 p.m. Jodi kelly Says...

We received a letter stating that beach club will be going through enhancements when we are there in May. I see you have it listed saying "soft goods" I was wondering what that meant ?

Reply
Dec 17, 2015 at 2:24 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jodi,

Are you staying at Disney's Beach Club or the Villas? The latter has a soft goods refurb, which is usually things such as linens, curtains etc. For the Beach Club, we do not show any refurbishments. We contacted Disney directly, and they also were not able to confirm any either. My guess is that if you received a letter, they are anticipated during your stay and just haven't been fully announced.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jan 14, 2016 at 9:42 p.m. Margaret Says...

I received a letter for our July 30th trip for our DVC Beach Club Villas stay, stating that "we wanted to make you aware of a resort refurbishment that will be taking place during your visit. While are are working our magic, it is possible that you may experience construction noise. However, to minimize any possible disruptions to your stay, work with the highest potential for noise will be limited to the hours of 9am-5pm, "

But that ..."resort amenities, including shopping, dining and recreation experiences will remain open during your stay."

Reply
Dec 3, 2015 at 4:14 p.m. Denisse Says...

I was booking my FP+ yesterday for my upcoming trip (Feb1-Feb5) and the Kali Rapids in AK says closed for refurbishment. You dont have it in the list so I would like to let you know. I dont know the exact dates but it was closed at least from Feb 1 to Feb 5

Reply
Dec 6, 2015 at 5:51 a.m. Kathy Bruce Says...

Does Disney ever complete refurbishment and open rides ahead of schedule? We love Kali River Rapids and will be there on Feb. 4. It says that they are closed until the 11th. Do you think they may open in time for our trip?

Reply
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:06 p.m. Stuart Says...

Hi, we booked fast passes for Kali river rapids on 16th Feb and we just received an email from Disney to day they have had to be cancelled to to ride closure. So sorry to say I don't think it will be open on the 4th. :(

Reply
Feb 18, 2016 at 6:15 p.m. Angelica Says...

It's actually closed through March 17th.

Reply
Dec 23, 2015 at 4:51 p.m. claire Says...

hi Kathy i booked my fast pass tickets today and also looked at the Kali river rapids and it is closed when we will be there from 21st Feb til 2nd march!!!

Reply
Oct 15, 2017 at 3:53 p.m. Me Says...

I think dragon challenge will be closed during that time

Reply
Dec 7, 2015 at 9:31 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Kathy,

Sometimes the schedule just gets moved up or back entirely. It's less likely that a refurb would end early.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
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Undercover Tourist is the leading supplier of online discount tickets to Orlando, Florida-area attractions, including Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Orlando Resort™, SeaWorld® Orlando, LEGOLAND® Florida Resort and more.

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