You may already be aware of several factors that go into planning a Walt Disney World vacation. You’ve likely considered things like the time of year you’d like to visit, which Resort hotel you might stay at, and — most of all — which attractions you’d like to ride in the four Disney World theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
But there’s something you may not have considered: REFURBISHMENTS and CONSTRUCTION.
From classic rides that have been running since Disney World’s DAY ONE to behind-the-scenes work on upcoming NEW experiences, several locations around the Resort are often receiving a little TLC or even undergoing major construction “for your future enjoyment!”
While the results are usually pretty terrific, some refurbishments may affect your vacation in unexpected ways. What if one of your must-do attractions is under wraps for a little while? Or maybe a major project is in the works at your chosen Resort?
That’s why we’re offering this resource so you can be informed of current, ongoing, and upcoming refurbishments and construction around Walt Disney World.
Magic Kingdom
Current Closures and Construction
- Splash Mountain is — as of January 23, 2023 — CLOSED PERMANENTLY. The ride is being transformed into a Princess and the Frog-themed attraction! Get ready for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to open in SUMMER 2024!
Click HERE for everything you need to know about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!
- A NEW SHOW is coming to Country Bear Jamboree in Magic Kingdom! The beloved bears are learning an all-new act — they’ll sing their classic songs in NEW styles like country, rockabilly, and bluegrass. And these changes are coming SOON… Country Bear Jamboree officially CLOSED on January 27th, 2024 for the refurbishment. Disney announced that the new show will make its debut THIS SUMMER.
See the surprising ending to the classic Country Bears show HERE!
EPCOT
Current Construction
- A dedicated Festival area is opening in Disney World’s EPCOT on June 10th, 2024 to serve as the new “home base” for EPCOT’s seasonal Festivals and live events! CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza will be housed in EPCOT’s World Celebration, bringing EPCOT International Festivals “to the center of Walt Disney World,” according to Disney. CommuniCore Plaza will provide an outdoor space where guests can come to relax and experience all that the Festivals have to offer. CommuniCore Hall will be housed within the plaza, and will be the first fully-purpose built structure in Festival programing! Designed with flexibility in mind, this hall will be able to host a wide variety of experiences with food, art, live music, and more.
- As part of CommuniCore Hall, there will also be a new location in EPCOT called “Mickey and Friends” where you can meet some of your favorite Disney characters!
Read up on the multi-year transformation of EPCOT here!
Upcoming Closures
- Test Track — On June 17th, Test Track, which is located in EPCOT’s World Discovery, will temporarily close so the ride can be — in Disney speak — reimagined! Disney hasn’t released too many details about what the updated ride experience will be like just yet, but they did mention that it will take inspiration from World of Motion, the ride that was originally there when the park opened in 1982! At this time, a reopening timeline has not been announced, but we’ll keep you posted!
- Frozen Ever After –– Closing on November 2nd, 2024; Anticipated reopening date: November 7th, 2024
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Current Closures
- “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Fall 2024! This new show will premiere at the Animation Courtyard theater, which was the location for the now permanently closed Voyage of The Little Mermaid show.
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster — Closed January 8, 2024; Anticipated reopening: Summer 2024
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Upcoming Closures
- It’s Tough To Be a Bug — This attraction, housed in Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life, will receive a Zootopia-themed makeover at a time to-be-announced.
Disney World Water Parks
- In recent years, Disney has only been operating one water park at a time. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is currently open, and therefore Blizzard Beach is closed for the season.
Disney’s All-Star Resorts
Current Closures
- The Fantasia Pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort will be closed from January 2025 to April 2025. While it’s closed, guests can swim in the Duck Pond Pool (as well as the feature pools at the neighboring All-Star Resort hotels).
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Current Construction
- BIG changes are coming to Disney’s BoardWalk! A new table service restaurant with “storybook sweet treats and dreamy desserts” is headed to the BoardWalk. The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers, which is expected to open in early 2024, will offer both savory and sweet options.
Take a First Look at the new guest rooms for the BoardWalk Inn here!
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Refurbishments
- Disney Vacation Club has announced its plan to redesign the cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Ultimately, more than 350 refreshed cabins to replace the existing cabins at the resort. Although the new cabins will be part of the Disney Vacation Club resort lineup, the proposed cabins will be open for reservations to all guests, including those who are not Disney Vacation Club Members. So far, the concept art shows modern cabins “inspired by the resort’s idyllic setting, while also paying homage to the resort’s unique culture and heritage through the magic of Disney storytelling,” per Disney. These refreshed cabins will make their debuts starting on July 1st! The opening will take place in phases — the first loop will open on July 1st, and the second will follow later in the month. More will continue to open throughout the year.
Click HERE to learn more about the new cabins coming to Fort Wilderness!
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has undergone a LOT of changes in recent years with the opening of new Disney Vacation Club villas, an updated Narcoossee’s restaurant, and changes at Citricos and Victoria & Albert’s, too. And the renovations continue! The Disney World website does warn that the hotel “is currently undergoing refurbishment. Guests will be able to see and hear construction around the resort – including the lobby – during daytime hours.” But, they note that “Most Resort hotel amenities will remain available.”
Ultimately, the lobby itself will also receive its own refurbishment. Disney has shared that the new look “will maintain the classic theming [guests] know and love with some fresh new enhancements.”
Check out the new Grand Floridian Resort rooms here.
Disney’s Polynesian Village and Resort
Current Construction
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort — While the Resort remains open to guests, areas are currently being renovated to include new Disney Vacation Club Villas, restaurants, and even new recreation offerings! The Disney Vacation Club Villas are expected to open in late 2024.
- One immediate affect of this construction is that the walkway between the Polynesian and Grand Floridian is currently closed. Guests will need to take the Monorail in the meantime.
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
Upcoming Refurbishment
- From January 2025 to May 2025, Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool will be CLOSED at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club. This closure is due to routine maintenance and guests staying at those resorts may hear construction noises during the daytime. During the closure, guests are welcome to swim at the Tidal, Admiral, and Dunes Cove leisure pools.
Beyond Walt Disney World
Brightline Rail Service Train Station Near Disney World
Brightline (which is being renamed Virgin Trains USA) is currently constructing rails to ultimately provide near-high-speed rail service from Orlando International Airport (MCO) all the way down to Miami, Florida. Previously, a station was planned to carry guests to Disney World at a stop on the Resort’s property, connecting Disney Springs directly to Orlando International Airport.
However, in June 2022 it was revealed that the plan for the Disney Springs station has been canceled. That said, Brightline has confirmed that they will still build a train stop near Disney Springs, although it will not actually be located on Disney World property. So, guests will be able to get close to Disney World by using the Brightline train once construction is complete.
The 37,350-square foot station at the Orlando Airport has reached completion, though the completion of the station and the start of passenger service “are on separate timelines.” Plans are moving forward with the Sunshine Corridor expansion as well, which will connect even more stations around greater Orlando, including a possible stop near Disney World and even an expansion to Tampa.
Click HERE to read the latest news about the Brightline train.
We’ll continue to keep you posted on all these projects — and their end results, of course! — around Walt Disney World, so stay tuned! And you can check out these and MORE changes taking place around Disney World in our DFB YouTube Video!
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