Planning a Disney World trip is tricky enough without having to worry about ride closures.

October is shaping up to be a busy month in the parks, with Halloween season in full swing, special events happening across property, and (unfortunately) a few beloved attractions going down for refurbishment. Some are short-term closures while others are part of bigger, multi-year projects that won’t be back until 2026. Here are the four rides you need to know about before you go and what to ride instead.

Kali River Rapids

If you were hoping to cool off at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Kali River Rapids, you’ll want to plan ahead. This water ride will be closing for its annual refurbishment a little earlier than usual, beginning October 6th, 2025. Disney has confirmed it will reopen sometime in December 2025, just in time for the holiday crowds.

This downtime is pretty standard for Kali, as the attraction tends to close every year for maintenance and refreshes. With heavy use and tons of water involved, Disney needs to keep the ride systems in top shape. If staying dry (or not) on Kali is a must for your family, keep in mind it won’t be an option if you’re visiting in October or November.

Alternative: If your group is craving a water-based attraction, Na’vi River Journey in Pandora offers a much calmer, indoor option. It won’t soak you, but the glowing bioluminescent scenery is breathtaking. For a little thrill without the splash, Expedition Everest is your best bet.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Over at Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been closed since January 6th, 2025, and it will remain shuttered all the way through 2026. This isn’t just a quick touch-up. Imagineers are working on a multi-year refurbishment that’s rumored to bring new effects and storytelling elements, plus prep work to integrate the attraction into future park expansions.

Disney has already announced that this project will overlap with construction around the Rivers of America and the beginnings of the new Cars-themed area. The end result will also help connect Big Thunder to the upcoming Villains Land and Fantasyland. In the meantime, Frontierland is without its “wildest ride in the wilderness,” which is a big change for many Magic Kingdom regulars.

Alternative: For thrill seekers, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train offers another family coaster with smooth drops and fun theming. If you want something with a bit more intensity, head over to Space Mountain or TRON Lightcycle / Run in Tomorrowland.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Magic Kingdom is also down one more classic ride: Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. The attraction closed on August 4th, 2025, for a massive round of enhancements and will not reopen until 2026. Disney has teased plenty of exciting changes to the ride that make it more interactive and tech-savvy than ever before.

For starters, there’s a brand-new character named Buddy, a support robot designed by Pixar and Imagineering, who will welcome guests and get them ready for their mission against Zurg. The ride vehicles are being reimagined with new Star Command-inspired colors, handheld blasters, built-in scoring monitors, and a more immersive design. On top of that, the targets inside the ride are being upgraded so they actually react when hit. These changes promise to make the ride more engaging and competitive once it returns, but in the meantime, Tomorrowland is definitely feeling the absence of this family-friendly favorite.

Alternative: If your crew is missing the interactive, game-like experience, check out Toy Story Mania over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s another ride that lets you compete with your family for the high score. At Magic Kingdom, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor is a fun substitute for families looking for something lighthearted and kid-friendly in the same area.

Spaceship Earth

EPCOT’s iconic geodesic sphere, Spaceship Earth, is also unavailable right now. The ride closed for a routine refurbishment on August 25th, 2025, and while Disney hasn’t given an exact reopening date, the plan is for it to return before the end of the year. That means October visitors won’t be able to board this slow-moving trip through the history of human communication.

This isn’t the first time Spaceship Earth has gone down for upkeep, and Disney tends to handle these closures fairly quickly. Still, it’s always tough to see EPCOT’s flagship attraction behind construction walls, even for a short time. Keep your eyes on Disney’s updates if you’re planning a late fall trip, since this one could reopen before the holidays.

Alternative: If you want another EPCOT attraction with classic storytelling vibes, try Living with the Land. It’s a slow-moving boat ride that’s both relaxing and educational, and it has that same “hidden gem” feel that Spaceship Earth fans often appreciate.

What This Means for Your Trip

Four rides being down at once may sound like a lot, but Disney World has so many attractions that your trip will still be packed with things to do. The main thing to keep in mind is that closures like these can shift crowd patterns. With both Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin down in Magic Kingdom, you might notice longer lines at other rides like Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Similarly, in Animal Kingdom, the absence of Kali River Rapids might make Flight of Passage or Kilimanjaro Safaris even busier.

The best way to handle these closures is to stay flexible. Look ahead at what will be open during your trip, plan around those attractions, and be ready to pivot if wait times shift. Disney World is never short on magic—you just might need to find it in a different ride than you originally planned.

Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney updates.

Disney Files NEW Permit for Changes to Grand Floridian Hotel

Which of these closures do you think will impact your trip the most? Let us know in the comments below.