We had some fantastic news come out of Disney World this week regarding a massive construction project…and then in the same week, practically half of an EPCOT pavilion is closed off to the public.
You’ll get to go inside!
Disney has announced that the rest of The Walt Disney Studios will open on September 14th, which includes the new The Magic of Disney Animation experience. While we still have a while to wait, we’re thrilled to actually begin counting down the days. In the meantime, you’ll want to watch out for this EPCOT pavilion when you’re traveling through World Showcase, because some of the prior amenities available currently are not.
Germany in EPCOT’s World Showcase has completely closed off its bathrooms for refurbishment, and nearly the entire Volkskunst store is suffering the same fate. We don’t have a reopening date for either of them yet, but it’s our hope that once they reopen, the pavilion will be less likely to smell like sewage.
Totally closed
Let’s take a look at all the current closures taking place in Disney World from July 18th through July 24th.
Magic Kingdom
Carousel of Progress
Carousel of Progress closed on July 6th to undergo a major refurbishment. The work will include completely revamping the scenes in the attraction to make them more modern and represent more recent parts of history, as well as adding a new Walt Disney animatronic at the opening.
©Disney
Currently, the attraction is set to reopen in 2027, though no official date has been set yet.
Big Top Souvenirs
Big Top Souvenirs closed on February 20th, and Disney has said it’ll “reopen for guests to enjoy later this year,” but there’s no date in sight. When we stopped by recently, we saw that the big top has FINALLY been added back to the shop, which is a relief!
The tent is back!
We’re really curious to see how this all turns out, so we’ll keep you updated!
Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island
An iconic part of the Magic Kingdom is now permanently closed. As of July 7th, 2025, the Rivers of America, including the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island, are permanently closed to make way for the new Cars area, Piston Peak. There are lots of construction walls up in the area now, and the structures on Tom Sawyer Island have been demolished. Most recently, we saw a new addition to one of the old boat docks, as a shed-like structure has now been added to the boat dock near Memento Mori.
A new building?
Piston Peak National Park will be replacing this area of the Magic Kingdom. Disney has not yet announced an opening date for the new Cars area, but we do know it will feature two brand-new attractions and be themed to look like a National Park.
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Disney’s Hollywood Studios
(Parts of) Animation Courtyard
Animation Courtyard closed on September 25th, 2025, to make way for Walt Disney Studios. The courtyard area, new Disney Jr. show, and meet and greet station for Sofia the First and SupeKitties officially opened on May 26th. 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, complete with the return of the Sorcerer Mickey hat!
The Magic of Disney Animation in Walt Disney Studios
This area will also feature a new Drawn to Wonderland indoor play area that we can’t wait to see! Now, we know the rest of The Walt Disney Studios will open on September 14th.
Muppets Courtyard
Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo closed on June 8th, 2025, and Muppets Courtyard has been walled off for construction on the new Monsters, Inc. land. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano has been closed since May 11th, 2025. Most recently, Disney released new information about Monstropolis, saying that “Monstropolis — the monster city now powered by laughter — is getting ready to give humans a glimpse of what’s been hidden from their world for generations. Which raises an interesting question: if humans were never meant to enter the monster world … why are the doors finally opening to us?”
©Disney
We’ll get to explore their world during H.U.M.A.N. Day, or “Humans Understand Monsters Are Nice” Day, with Disney continuing to say, “Human guests will have the chance to explore the city, meet its citizens, taste unique cuisine, and step into the everyday world of monsters in a totally new way. For the first time, two worlds once separated are meeting face to scaly, furry, and fang-filled face – brought together not by screams, but by laughter.”
©Disney
It’s also been fully confirmed that Harryhausen’s will be one of the restaurants in the new land, which we’re beyond excited to experience. Most recently, we saw TONS of scaffolding and outdoor work being done on nearly all the buildings visible from inside the park — it looks like Disney is hard at work!
Tons of scaffolding!
If you’re missing The Muppets, you can go visit them at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets right now!
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EPCOT
La Signature
La Signature, one of the stores located in the France Pavilion, closed for refurbishment on June 30th.
La Signature closed
The store specializes in French cosmetics and fragrances from Guerlain. During the closure, if you’re looking to buy Guerlain products, they’ll be temporarily available at the nearby Plume Et Palette.
Sections of Germany Pavilion
On July 13th, both the guest bathrooms in the Germany Pavilion and the majority of the Volkskunst store in EPCOT’s Germany Pavilion closed for refurbishment.
Totally closed
While a Cast Member did tell us the store closure was to fix the Cast Member bathrooms out of sight, Disney has not revealed a reopening date for the store or the public bathrooms.
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Disney’s Animal Kingdom
DinoLand, USA
On February 2nd, DinoLand, USA, officially closed to make way for the new Tropical Americas land, Pueblo Esperanza. Most recently, we noticed that walls are beginning to be built up inside the new land, and there are several large pieces of construction equipment on the land.
Lots of progress!
We can also see lots of work happening at the front of the new Indiana Jones ride! Recently, Disney revised the permit they filed last August for this ride, and the new Notice of Commencement permit renews the installation through April 2027.
via @bioreconstruct
This new land is shaping up nicely! It will have three new rides – a carousel featuring classic Disney animals, an Indiana Jones ride where you’ll explore a Mayan temple, and an Encanto ride that invites you into the Madrigals’ home. We can’t wait to continue to see how it all shapes up.
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Disney World Hotels
Boat Dock — Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Starting on May 11th, the Boat Dock at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort became unavailable for guests to use due to refurbishment.
The dock is closed!
Boat transportation was unavailable through June 5th, but has now reopened. Construction on the dock as a whole was set to continue through late June, but has now continued into July.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
This hotel has been undergoing refurbishments for quite some time now, but some sections of the hotel — specifically the porte cochere — will continue to undergo refurbishment through at least early 2027.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
We certainly hope it’ll actually reopen on this timeline — we’re a little tired of seeing construction all over this beautiful hotel!
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Currently, work is taking place all over Bay Lake Tower through Late 2027.
Bay Lake Tower
While currently no major closures are taking place due to this construction, it’s important to note that you may see or hear construction during your stay.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
For those looking to dine at this hotel, you need to know that the Turf Club Bar & Grill and Turf Club Lounge will both be under refurbishment from mid-March through mid-September 2026.
Turf Club Bar & Grill
In early April, the Turf Club Lounge will close for refurbishment and will reopen in early August. In the meantime, the Turf Club Bar & Grill will remain open with a pop-up bar serving a modified Lounge food and beverage menu. Then, from early to mid-August, the Turf Club patio will close for refurbishment, and finally, from mid-August through mid-September, the Turf Club Bar & Grill will be closed for refurbishment, but the Turf Club Lounge will be open.
Leisure Pools — Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club Resort are currently undergoing visible exterior maintenance. The maintenance could affect views and may require alternate routes at times. In addition, two of the resort’s leisure pools will close for routine maintenance.
Tidal Pool
At Disney’s Yacht Club, the Admiral leisure pool will be closed for maintenance through early May 2026. At Disney’s Beach Club, the Tidal leisure pool will be closed for maintenance through early May 2026. Guests may see or hear construction work, but it will only be done during the daytime hours.
Yachtsman Steakhouse — Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
On May 11th, Yachtsman Steakhouse officially closed for refurbishment.
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Recently, it was revealed that reservations for this restaurant are now available beginning on August 28th!
Promenade Fine Art Gallery — Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Resort
The Promenade Fine Art Gallery closed 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.
Promenade Fine Art Gallery
Disney just filed permits for the BoardWalk titled “Project Amazon” and “Project Bubbles” earlier this year, and now that we have a bit more information on them, we’re thinking that this currently vacant spot could soon become the home of the new Basin on the BoardWalk store on its way! The shop will be rooted in the resort’s classic boardwalk heritage and will offer a sensory shopping experience that is described as “both timeless and distinctly new.”
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. 2025 and closed its doors forever on Disney’s BoardWalk. It was just recently revealed, though, that a new lounge will be coming to the BoardWalk!
©Disney
The new lounge will be called Hurly-Burly and will be a “fun-filled afternoons and glamorous evenings inside a historic seaside theatre with a vibrant BoardWalk story that spans over a century.” Based on the concept art revealed, it’s looking like the former JellyRolls building would be the best fit for this spot, but we’re also waiting to see where the new quick-service restaurant announced for the BoardWalk will be going!
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We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disney World news, so stay tuned to DFB!
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So here comes what I’m upset about. Most of the parks are going to be closed for refurbishment. But yet they keep raising the prices on the park tickets. For what? Anybody that’s going to go visit is not going to be able to see the entire park. Mind you for refurbishment is required because a generation of today is not the same generation of 20 years ago. Some of the generation now don’t know how the characters that we see in there and don’t understand the meaning or the purpose of why they exist. So updating the park is very much so required. But what about family? What about creating an atmosphere that is safe happy joyous and affordable for family? Did we forget what Disney actually wanted the park to signify for the general public? Raising the prices is not going to help anybody in any way Disney makes a substantial amount of money on a yearly basis not just in the park but I’m merchandise, movies, shows and so forth. Disney my question to you is when is family going to be important? When are you going to allow family to afford time frames to spend with family without going above and beyond because you see dollar signs? When is that going to happen? I think the CEO needs to sit down and really think about everything in general the Disney wanted Disney to signify. Because this is about him not about your pocket. And I’m not saying to lower the price as low as possible no. But at least make it affordable for everybody. And remember your annual pass holders sometimes are the pillars that help you keep the rest of float don’t attack them. Make them important enough so that they keep coming so that you keep earning because trust and believe me we all go and we will all spend money. Even more so when our families come to visit. So Disney if most of the parks are going to have a section closed you shouldn’t even consider raising prices. You should consider finding discounts so that people still come into the park because nobody wants to go to have a closed Park and spend thousands and thousands of dollars
Thank goodness they are refurbishing the restrooms in Germany!! Smelliest restrooms in Epcot!
I agree Carla. As far as Passholders, they need to allow ANYONE to buy one that they can afford. Florida residents have the cheapest passes but those living out of state have the most exspensive. We live in Texas and would love to get passes but can’t afford them unless only one of us get it and even then we’d still have to pay for the rest of us. We love going and passes would let us go more but we can’t. We did become DVC members but we still have to get tickets at the regular price. But Disney does need to lower prices because they are pricing the every day working person out of the opportunity to go without having to scrimp and save.