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, the popular Test Track at EPCOT and Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios remain closed. Peter Pan’s Flight at Magic Kingdom is set to begin its extended closure on July 8th and we are set to see the newly reimagined “Country Bears Musical Jamboree” open on July 17th.
1. Peter Pan’s Flight (Magic Kingdom)
Image: Theme Park Tourist
Status: Confirmed
Dates: July 8, 2024 – August 20, 2024
It has now been confirmed that Peter Pan’s Flight will close on July 8 and is currently set to reopen on August 21 although, the Walt Disney World calendar only goes up to that date at the moment so it could remain closed for longer.
Although little is known about this extended closure, there is some speculation online that this could be to address cultural sensitivity issues within the attraction.
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. Country Bear Jamboree (Magic Kingdom)
Image © Flickr
Status: Confirmed
Dates: January 27, 2024 – July 16, 2024
Last month, Walt Disney World confirmed that the new “Country Bears Musical Jamboree” would open on July 17.
The new show is set to pay homage to “Opry-style shows of Nashville”, the bears will sing reinterpreted Disney tunes in a range of genres of country music including rockabilly, bluegrass, pop-country and Americana.
4. Blizzard Beach
Image: Disney
Status: Confirmed
Dates: March 17 – TBA
It was confirmed on the official Walt Disney World calendar that Blizzard Beach would close on Saturday March 16 for refurbishment. At this point Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon reopened.
This has been the pattern since the closing of the theme parks due to COVID-19. We are still hopeful that this year we could see both Disney water parks open at the same time but this will remain to be seen. If this doesn’t happen then we assume we will see Blizzard Beach reopening in the fall when Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon closes for its annual refurbishment.
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.
We now know that the reimagined Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open at the Magic Kingdom on June 28.
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.
7. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Image: Disney
Status: Confirmed
Dates: September 30, 2023 – Permanent
At the end of May, Disney made the shocking announcement that their most immersive experience; Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser would take its last voyage Sept. 28-30 meaning after only 18 months since its official debut in March 2022, it has now closed permanently.
8. Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Image: Disney
Status: Confirmed
Dates: March 2020 – TBA
There hasn’t been any official announcement from Disney in the last couple of years about the fate of the Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple and the stage has remained empty with nothing taking place on it. There still hasn’t been official word from Disney that the Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple will never return but we heard in July that the sign showing performance times has been removed and the official page on the Walt Disney World website has been taken down and now reads “Someone Ate the Page!” and a photo of Stitch on it.
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple allowed children aged 4-12 to train like Jedi and learn to wield a lightsaber and be one with the Force. Once trained, these young Padawans would test their skills against Star Wars villains.
If indeed Disney is planning to never bring Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we hope something new comes to this currently unused stage. It would be brilliant to finally see this area being used once again. We will keep you posted on further updates on Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple but we must admit at the moment things aren’t looking good for the return of this Star Wars attraction.
9. EPCOT Forever (EPCOT)
Image: Disney
Status: Confirmed
Dates: December 5, 2023 – permanent
Disney announced at the beginning of September that the new nighttime spectacular named “Luminous The Symphony of Us” will debut at EPCOT on December 5. It is set to feature fireworks, fountains, lasers, lighting effects and music.
This means that EPCOT Forever which returned on April 3 to bridge the gap between the final performance of the somewhat controversial Harmonious and the newly announced, “Luminous The Symphony of Us” had its last show on December 4.
EPCOT Forever originally debuted on October 1, 2019 to bridge the gap between the closure of Reflections of Earth and opening of Harmonious on September 29, 2021. Whether we see the return of EPCOT Forever in the future remains uncertain but don’t rule it out completely.
10. Harmonious (EPCOT)
Image: Disney
Status: Confirmed
Dates: April 3, 2023 – Permanent
We heard back in September 2022 at the D23 Expo that Harmonious will be replaced by an all-new night time show after having debuted for the 50th anniversary last September. Harmonious performed for the last time on April 2.
11. Disney’s Enchantment (Magic Kingdom)
Image: Disney
Status: Confirmed
Dates: April 3, 2023 – Permanent
The 50th anniversary celebrations at Walt Disney World brought with it a brand-new night time spectacular at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Enchantment, which was immediately met with mixed responses from guests, leaving many hoping to eventually see Happily Ever After return to Cinderella castle. Following Happily Ever After’s final performance in September 2021, the general consensus among parks fans has been that Enchantment falls somewhat short when it comes to capturing the same magic as its predecessor.
Disney’s Enchantment had its last show on April 2 making way for the return of Happily Ever After on April 3 which will now be performed each night at 9:00PM.
We will update you on further details regarding any refurbishments and closures at Walt Disney World during June and be sure to look out for our next full update which will be coming to Theme Park Tourist at the beginning of August 2024!
