Disney4me Posted Saturday at 09:45 PM Report Share Posted Saturday at 09:45 PM We always want to ensure that you are prepared for your Disney World vacation, and a huge part of that is keeping you up to date on the latest Disney World happenings. EPCOT We are always updating you on the latest Disney World news and closures, and this week, we have some exciting news to share. Two Disney World attractions are reopening, and we are so excited! The first attraction to reopen this week is the Gran Fiesta Tour ride in EPCOT. This ride in the Mexico pavilion closed on January 6th. Gran Fiesta Tour The ride was temporarily closed for refurbishment but is expected to reopen on March 15th! We can’t wait to sing along to the Three Caballeros soon. Gran Fiesta Tour Another popular ride will also reopen this week. Kali River Rapids in Disney’s Animal Kingdom closed on January 6th but is expected to reopen on March 14th. Kali River Rapids Since this is a water ride, and it’s a bit cold outside in Florida during the winter, Disney often closes this ride for refurbishment this time of year. However, it will reopen in time for spring break crowds and warmer weather! Keep reading below to see what other attractions and locations will be closed this week, March 8th through 15th! Magic Kingdom Playground at Dumbo the Flying Elephant The indoor children’s playground inside the Dumbo the Flying Elephant queue will close for refurbishment on February 24th, 2025. While the playground will be closed, the ride will still be open and available for kids of all ages to soar through the sky! Dumbo the Flying Elephant The indoor playground is expected to reopen in Spring 2025. Hall of Presidents The Hall of Presidents closed at Magic Kingdom on January 20th. Hall of Presidents The attraction is closed until later in 2025, though a specific date has not been shared by Disney. We will keep an eye out for updates, though! The closure is likely to change out the current president as January 20th marked Inauguration Day. While it is closed, other maintenance and routine work may also be happening. Astro Orbiter If you want to blast off into space, you’ll have to head over to Space Mountain because Astro Orbiter will be temporarily closed for refurbishment! Astro Orbiter Astro Orbiter will be closed as of January 13th and is planned to reopen in the summer of 2025. No specific date has been announced for the high-in-the-sky ride, but we’ll keep our eyes peeled for an update from Disney. The ride has currently been completely dismantled and is being refurbished elsewhere. It definitely looks a little barren as you are walking into Tomorrowland right now! SNEAK PEEK Behind-the-Scenes at the NEW Pirates Lounge Coming to Magic Kingdom Big Thunder Mountain Railroad We’ve been anticipating this ride closure for a while now, and on January 6th, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed for an extended temporary closure. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad The “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” will be closed for at least a year and will reopen sometime in 2026. The ride will be undergoing maintenance while it is closed. When it reopens, it will have some “new magic,” according to Disney. We can’t wait to see what changes will be coming to this ever-popular roller coaster! Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade On June 23rd, we had to say goodbye to an opening-day attraction that had been around for generations and provided simple fun to all who played. Now, the attraction has closed to make room for a new Disney Vacation Club lounge. Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade will become the lounge! This lounge will be the third in Disney World, joining one in EPCOT and one at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Disney has not yet announced when the new lounge will open. Disney recently filed a new permit for the new DVC lounge, McKim’s Mile House, to install signage. We have been eagerly waiting to see if we can see the signage outside, but so far, we have had no luck. Tomorrowland Terrace Tomorrowland Terrace is a quick-service restaurant that has been closed since the 2020 pandemic-related closures, but even before that, this spot was only occasionally open. Tomorrowland Terrace Once in a while, you’ll see the dining room open as a rest area (and it’s still being used for the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties), but it’s usually all roped off and empty. Disney hasn’t announced when this spot could finally reopen, but we’ll be watching for updates. If you’re looking for a nice spot to hang out in Disney World and take a rest, this could be it! Tortuga Tavern Just like Tomorrowland Terrace, Tortuga Tavern is also a seasonal restaurant in Magic Kingdom. It has been a bit since we have seen it open. Most recently, it was used as a cookie location for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Tortuga Tavern However, there are now shrubs up around the dining area of the restaurant, and work is being done. When we stopped by recently, some of the shrubs had been taken down, and it looked like work had been done on the ground. We don’t know exactly when/if this restaurant will reopen, but we will keep you updated if we learn more! CHANGES Hit an Iconic Magic Kingdom Store EPCOT Test Track Test Track closed on June 17th, and Disney is giving this ride a BIG makeover! Test Track construction Disney has shared that the new version of Test Track will take inspiration from the old ride, World of Motion, that was originally there when the park opened in 1982. Disney shared more details at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience, and an updated opening timeline was just announced! We’ll be able to ride Test Track once again in late summer 2025. Restaurant Marrakesh Restaurant Marrakesh is currently closed as a dining location in the Morocco pavilion of EPCOT’s World Showcase, and there’s no word yet on when the restaurant could fully reopen. Restaurant Marrakesh Occasionally, we’ll see it open as a lounge or Kidcot Fun Stop. So, if you’re in the Morocco Pavilion, check it out to see if it’s open. We’re watching for updates on when the full restaurant could reopen! EVERYTHING You Need To Eat and Drink at the 2025 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Hollywood Studios Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy The Cars-themed show featuring Lighting McQueen permanently closed on October 8th, 2024, to make way for a brand-new Villains show. Sunset Showcase The Cars show was previously housed in the Sunset Showcase building, but the last day for guests to enjoy it was October 7th. The new Villains show is supposed to debut in the summer of 2025. We’re always watching for more details about the new show, and we recently spotted a casting call for Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent! Voyage of the Little Mermaid Voyage of the Little Mermaid is currently closed in Disney World. But a bit ago we spotted that the iconic Voyage of the Little Mermaid marquee has been removed! So far it is still missing, but we are curious what, if anything, will takes its place. Disney is going to introduce a new, updated show in this spot, though it will still be themed to the animated movie The Little Mermaid! The new show will be called “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure,” and it is now coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Summer 2025. The marquee is now gone! Disney still hasn’t announced an official opening date for the new show, but it has been postponed from its Fall 2024 opening timeline. It will be a “fully reimagined theatrical production inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic.” Are We Just Gonna Ignore This HUGE Sign in the Hollywood Studios Concept Art?! Animal Kingdom Bat Exhibit at Maharajah Jungle Trek The bat exhibit on the Maharajah Jungle Trek closed for refurbishment on February 17th, 2025. While this portion of the trail is closed, the rest of the Maharajah Jungle Trek is open! You could even spot baby tiger Bakso, who recently made his debut in the tiger exhibit. However, be prepared to wait to see this adorable addition, and plan on arriving early. Maharajah Jungle Trek The bat exhibit is expected to reopen in early March 2025, so it should be anytime now! But don’t let its closure keep you from making the trek — there is still so much to see! TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and Fossil Fun Games The first round of closures began in DinoLand U.S.A. on January 13th, 2025. TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and Fossil Fun Game were closed down, and construction has begun on the brand-new land themed to the Tropical Americas, Pueblo Esperanza. The walls have been up since the closure, and things have been disappearing from behind the walls. Almost everything has been taken down behind the walls, including the large green dinosaur. DinoLand, U.S.A. It is definitely a sad sight, but we are also excited to see Pueblo Esperanza! DINOSAUR, Restaurantosaurus, the snack stands, and The Boneyard remain open. Disney hasn’t announced an official closing date for the rest of DinoLand. However, they have announced that “2025 is your year to visit before it goes extinct!” My Very Blunt Reason for Not Riding This Animal Kingdom Ride Disney Springs Starbucks on the West Side The Starbucks on the West Side of Disney Springs is temporarily closed for refurbishment. It closed on March 3rd but is expected to reopen in mid-summer. Starbucks is temporarily closed on the West Side Have no fear, though — you can still get your Starbucks fix in Disney Springs! Head over to the Disney Springs Marketplace location, which will be open during the refurbishment. Caffeine headaches are not allowed in Disney Springs! We FINALLY Know What Is Going in This Abandoned Space at Disney Springs Typhoon Lagoon Blizzard Beach officially welcomed guests back on November 4th! That same day, Typhoon Lagoon closed its gates for the season. Typhoon Lagoon Typhoon Lagoon will be reopening on May 1st, 2025. When it reopens, Blizzard Beach will be temporarily closing. Disney has been having one water park open at a time seasonally since 2020. In the meantime, you can enjoy the slopes at Blizzard Beach this winter! Click here to learn all about Blizzard Beach! Disney World Hotels Boat Transportation — Disney’s Old Key West Resort From February 10th until early April 2025, boat transportation from Disney’s Old Key West Resort to Disney Springs will be unavailable. The resort will offer buses to take you to Disney Springs during this time. Old Key West While it can be frustrating if you are looking forward to using the boat to get to Disney Springs, Disney always ensures you have a way to get where you need to go. The bus may not be quite as fun of a way to get there, but you will still reach your destination! Stormalong Bay and Hurricane Hanna’s– Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts Stormalong Bay is the shared pool between Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. It features a beach, a lazy river, a large pool, and an exciting pirate ship slide! When we stopped by recently, we noticed that they were hard at work at Stormalong Bay. Stormalong Bay Construction From January until June, this pool area will be closed for refurbishment. While it’s closed, hotel guests can use the Tidal (Beach Club), Admiral (Yacht Club), and Dunes Cove (Beach Club) leisure pools. During the refurbishment, Hurricane Hanna’s, the pool bar at Stormalong Bay will also be closed. Well, This Isn’t Something You See at Disney World Hotels Every Day Fantasia Pool — Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort From January 1st through April 30th, the Fantasia Pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort will be closed. Fantasia Pool While this pool is closed, you can swim at the Duck Pond Pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort if you’re staying here. Everything POP Shopping & Dining — Disney’s Pop Century Resort The Everything Pop Food Court still remains on Disney World’s refurbishment. However, the area looks open except for one food window! Since July 29th, Everything Pop has been getting some work done. The refurbishment was supposed to end on September 29th. However, it was extended to being under refurbishment until April 2025. Currently, it is still under refurbishment, but the full food court and dining area are available; guests just might see or hear construction work being done. Pop Century’s new food court When we stopped by a few weeks back, it looked like all the walls were down. A Cast Member said the food court and gift shop are pretty much done, but some behind-the-scenes work is still being done. The only thing we noticed was one food window still closed off. Merchandise Locations — Disney’s BoardWalk The merchandise locations along Disney’s BoardWalk will be closing for refurbishment in phases. The closures will last until May 2025, but two merchandise locations will always be available during the refurbishment. Screen Door General Store The Character Carnival is currently closed. While they are working on the Character Carnival, you can shop at Screen Door General Store and Thimbles & Threads. First-Timers Should Stay at Disney World’s Most Hated Hotels. I Said What I Said. Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides: 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU! A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World! The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB. Full List of Important Disney World Closures You Should Plan Around in 2025 Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Lightning Lanes Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe When is your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments!The post FINALLY! Disney World Confirms REOPENING Date for Two Popular Attractions first appeared on the disney food blog.View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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