food IS a theme park
Disney is refurbishing one of their most iconic hotels.
Construction in the Grand Floridian began in April 2025
The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been Disney World’s premier resort for over three decades. The hotel, which opened in 1988, is described by Disney as a “timeless Victorian-style marvel (that) evokes Palm Beach’s golden era,” and that theme has long extended to the hotel’s lobby. However, now that grand lobby is being refurbished.
We always want to make sure you are as prepared as possible for your Disney World trip, so we want to warn you that a popular Disney World restaurant is closing this week! The good news is that it is only closing temporarily, but we don’t want you to plan a meal at it, only to find out it is closed.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
We have all the details about this restaurant closure, and we are also rounding up everything else that will be closed this week. Let’s take a look!
We always want to make sure you are as prepared as possible for your Disney World trip, and one thing you need to be on the lookout for is possible closures and refurbishments. We don’t want you to be disappointed when you roll up to your favorite ride only to find out it is closed for refurbishment.
Magic Kingdom
There are TWO big changes to the closures in Disney World this week, and we want to make sure you are aware of them. Plus, we are also rounding up everything else that will be closed this week.
Disney World’s Skyliner is temporarily closing early next year, and it’s affecting our hotel choices!
Disney Skyliner at Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts
The Disney Skyliner system, first opened in 2019, has become one of the most popular transportation methods at Walt Disney World. The efficient gondola system links the EPCOT and Hollywood Studios theme parks with the Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, and Riviera resorts. In fact, its presence serves as one of the major perks of those respective resorts… when it’s running.
We are getting close to being ONE month out from the opening of two brand-new Disney shows in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! On April 27th, we will be just one month away from the debut of Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure.”
©Disney
We have been waiting (not so) patiently for the grand opening show, and we are getting closer and closer! However, we still have a bit before they open. Let’s take a closer look at what these shows are replacing and what else is closed in Disney World this week.
One of Disney World’s busiest rides is ALMOST ready to restart its engine.
Test Track construction
EPCOT’s Test Track has been closed for refurbishment since June 2024, as Disney Imagineering transforms the attraction into a third incarnation. We’ve known since the D23 Ultimate Fan event last August that the attraction would be reopening sometime in the summer of 2025, and now things seem to be revving up.
Disney World is currently preparing for numerous new experiences in the coming years and refurbishing current attractions. Brand-new lands, including Pueblo Esperanza, Monsters, Inc. Land, and Villains Land will be coming. Plus, new lounges like the GEO-82 lounge in EPCOT will be opening, and new shows such as “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” in Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be debuting.
Construction Walls featuring Artwork for Tropical Americas
As well, Test Track, Big Thunder Mountain, and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will also be refreshed. While we are excited about new openings and refreshed attractions, these updates also mean there will be closures that could impact your trip.
A LOT is happening at Magic Kingdom in Disney World. A LOT.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
First, let’s just say we’re excited about the new nighttime parade, Disney Starlight, coming to the park. We are BEYOND hyped for the new Villains land coming to the park. We’re not so happy about all the construction that’s going to start soon to make way for a new Cars-themed area in Frontierland (well, we are excited about the new rides, but not the construction walls). In the process, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed and in the middle of a huge refurbishment, and a new permit might hint at when Disney World expects the ride to reopen.
One of Disney World’s coolest and most sought-after pools is still under construction.
Stormalong Bay prior to its closure
Stormalong Bay, located between Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, closed for refurbishment in January of 2025 and is set to reopen again just in time for the Summer season this June. We are seriously impressed by the amount of work going into this refurbishment, and we have a little update about how it’s moving along!
Even as a busy summer season approaches Walt Disney World, one of the Magic Kingdom’s most popular attractions is going to miss the whole period… and more.
Cinderella Castle
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – – the “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” – – has been one of the Magic Kingdom’s most popular attractions since the East Coast version of Tony Baxter’s E-Ticket magnum opus opened over 40 years ago. However, the coaster has been down for the majority of the 2025.
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