Disney parks are constantly changing their refurbishment schedules, making it difficult for guests to keep up with the operating times and latest news regarding their favorite attractions, resorts, shops, and restaurants. Here are a few big, upcoming changes that are either confirmed by their respective parks or at the least very strongly rumored for the very near future.
In this month’s update, Test Track at EPCOT remains closed as it undergoes its reimagination and we hear from Disney that Big Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom will close at the beginning of 2025 and won’t reopen until 2026.
1. Big Thunder Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Image: Disney
Status: Confirmed
Dates: January 6, 2025 – 2026
Disney has now announced that Big Thunder Mountain will close on January 6 and will remain closed for the whole of 2025 for refurbishment.
2. Test Track (EPCOT)
Image: Disney
Status: Confirmed
Dates: June 17, 2024 – TBC
We still don’t have any further updates as to when Test Track will reopen and current speculation online is leaning towards 2025. Earlier in April, it was confirmed on the official Walt Disney World website that Test Track at EPCOT would be temporarily closing for refurbishment beginning in June, “On June 17, 2024, Test Track Presented by Chevrolet will temporarily close. Please check back for additional information.”
It was back at the D23 Expo in September 2023 where it was first announced that the iconic Test Track at EPCOT which officially opened in March 1999 would be reimagined and so far we have few details of exactly what will be done. What we do know is that Disney is working with Chevrolet and the opening day attraction, The World of Motion will be the inspiration.
3. Blizzard Beach
Image: Disney
Status: Confirmed
Dates: May 23, 2025 – TBC
Blizzard Beach has now reopened at Walt Disney World and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon has closed for its annual refurbishment.
This has been the pattern since the closing of the theme parks due to COVID-19. We are still hopeful that at some point in the future we could see both Disney water parks open at the same time but this will remain to be seen.
Disney has already announced that Blizzard Beach will close at the end of the day on May 23, 2025 when we assume Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon will then reopen.
4. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
Image: Disney
Status: Confirmed
Dates: November 4, 2024 – TBA
As has been the case in recent years since Disney reopened its water parks after the theme park closures due to COVID-19, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon closed when Blizzard Beach reopened on November 4.
5. Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Image: Disney
Status: Confirmed
Dates: January 22, 2023 – Permanent
Splash Mountain at Disney’s Magic Kingdom officially closed at the end of Sunday January 22, 2023 in order to begin its extensive transformation to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. News of this closure will come as sad news to Splash Mountain fans especially as many assumed Disney would keep it open until the end of the 50th Anniversary celebrations which ended on March 31.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially opened at the Magic Kingdom on June 28, 2024.
6. Voyage Of The Little Mermaid (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Image: Disney
Status: Confirmed
Dates: March 2020 – TBA
Voyage of the Little Mermaid at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the one show that Disney had remained quiet about since the theme parks reopened in July 2020 after the closures due to COVID-19 which began in March 2020.
Voyage of the Little Mermaid was a spectacular indoor show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios retelling the story of The Little Mermaid live, with Ariel, Flounder, and all their underwater (and land) friends. The story was retold with memorable songs and colorful puppets.
After 3 and a half years of silence and with many Disney fans assuming this show was closed for good, on December 19, Disney announced that they would be reimagining the Voyage of The Little Mermaid and would debut “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” at the Animation Courtyard theater in fall 2024.
We will keep you updated on this as we head through 2024.
