UPDATED November 14, 2025

Listen, your trip to Disney World this year is coming up sooner than you think!

2025 is in full swing which means you’ve really got no time to waste making all the preparations for which hotel you’re going to stay at, the food you’re going to eat, and what’s going to go in your suitcase! But there’s one thing that might have missed your radar and that is closures at Disney World in 2025. We’ve got your back — which is why we’ve brought you a handy dandy list of them so you don’t have to do all the work yourself (we’ve got you)! Let’s go!

Let’s waste no time and dive right into the full list of important Disney World Closures in 2025 that you need to know about! Let’s go!

Magic Kingdom

Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Square Riverboat

Have you heard the news?! TWO brand new CARS attractions are coming to Magic Kingdom at what will become Piston Peak! This is HUGE news, and comes alongside of a new Villains Land being announced for the park, as well. But, alas, with a BIG HELLO comes a goodbye…

The areas that were Rivers of America (home to the Liberty Square Riverboat) and Tom Sawyer Island are being transformed into this brand-new land coming to the park. That means that Cars land will be located in Frontierland and as Disney wrote will, “put our guests in the driver’s seat as we—quite literally—explore a new frontier in Frontierland.”

The Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat closed permanently on July 7th. You can see our coverage of the final day with these beloved classic attractions here.

Explore Piston Peak — the CARS Expansion coming to Magic Kingdom — HERE!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Another thing you’ll need to make note of is that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has CLOSED for the whole year as of January 6th, 2025. Yes, Disney has closed the popular ride for a yearlong refurbishment.

And Disney has shared some of the exciting changes coming to the beloved coaster itself! Disney Imagineers have been busy working on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad since it closed, including replacing the old track with a new, smoother track. New lighting and effects are also being added, plus the exterior of the ride will be changed to help it fit into the new Piston Peak Cars expansion that’s also coming to Frontierland.

Additionally, when the train makes its way underground, riders will see “spectacular natural caverns  full of phosphorescent pools, shimmering and illuminating iridescent stalagmites (the ones on the floor) and stalactites (the ones on the ceiling).”

Welcome to the Rainbow Caverns, which is a throwback to the long-gone Rainbow Caverns Mine Train that opened in Disneyland in 1956 and closed in 1977 to make way for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad there. Disney is bringing it back full circle, y’all! Click HERE to learn MORE!

HERE is what’s happening during the YEARLONG CLOSURE of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disney World

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is now closed for some MAJOR updates as of August 4th, 2025. 

A new show scene (and an an all-new character — a friendly robot named “Buddy”), updated ride vehicles, and gameplay enhancements will be coming to this ride sometime in 2026.

Oh, and did we mention the HANDHELD BLASTERS? Yep, no more trying to wrench that static blaster into the perfect position — you’ll be able to aim and shoot easily. The new blasters will now include an always-on laser and come in two different colors so you can tell who is aiming at what!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Kali River Rapids

Kali River Rapids in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom is closed as of October 6th.

Though a specific reopening date is not yet known, it is expected to reopen sometime in December.

DinoLand, U.S.A.

A NEW LAND themed to the Tropical Americas is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park in 2027. Get ready to step into Pueblo Esperanza! Pueblo Esperanza will become home to two signature attractions — an Encanto ride featuring the Madrigal family and a new Indiana Jones adventure ride! A Carousel will also provide another ride option.

With the official confirmation of this upcoming land, Disney confirmed that what is now DinoLand, U.S.A. will be transformed into Pueblo Esperanza.

The closure of DinoLand is taking place in phases, and the last day for TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures at Animal Kingdom was January 12th, 2025.

Additionally, The Boneyard at Disney’s Animal Kingdom closed permanently on September 2nd, 2025.

Dino-Bite Snacks and Trilo-Bites are permanently closed as of October 20th, 2025.

The remainder of DinoLand, however, will not close until February 2, 2026 (with the last day to experience the land being February 1, 2026). This includes the DINOSAUR attraction, the Dino Institute Shop, Restaurantosaurus, and Restaurantosaurus Lounge. 

It’s Tough to be a Bug!

It’s Tough to be a Bug!, which was presented inside the Tree of Life, closed in March 2025 to be replaced by a brand new show, Zootopia: Better Zoogether! 

Zootopia: Better Zoogether! opened on November 7th, 2025!

Guests will see Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and more characters from Disney Animation’s Zootopia in a production that Disney shares “will take guests on an adventure through different biomes seen in the film.” The all-new 4D show begins when you arrive at the main stage just in time for Zoogether Day festivities, where you’ll spot some new and familiar faces!

Learn more about the new Zootopia show — Zootopia: Better Zoogether!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Muppets Courtyard

Hollywood Studios is making way for a new Monsters, Inc. land! Monsters, Inc. Land will be taking over the Grand Avenue south side of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which  included the area known as Muppets Courtyard. 

To that end, a phased closure of the Grand Avenue area began in May. Mama Melrose’s is officially closed as of May 11th. Then, Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo closed permanently on June 8th.

BUT this isn’t the end of The Muppets in Hollywood Studios. In fact, The Muppets will be moving to Sunset Boulevard and taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in 2026! The Muppets will be the star of the show on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and will be teaming up with some of “music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival.”)

Animation Courtyard including Disney Jr. Dance Party! and Star Wars Launch Bay

Animation Courtyard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios closed permanently on September 25th to make way for a new addition to the park, which will open in 2026. This includes a permanent closure for Star Wars Launch Bay as well as a closure of Disney Jr. Play and Dance to make way for “a fresh Disney Jr. show,” according to Disney.

In fact, Disney has announced that the entire courtyard is being reimagined into The Walt Disney Studios. Star Wars: Launch Bay will be turning into “The Magic of Disney Animation,” which is inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios and will even feature Mickey’s famous Sorcerer Hat on top of the building.

The new building will let you into the studio, “as the animators have temporarily stepped away,” and characters come to life and take over! This is heavily inspired by the Disney short “Once Upon A Studio” and will even have moments where portraits come to life. Disney even teased that ” you’ll even pencil in some time to learn how to draw your very own character sketch.” And there’s even more in store… 

Check out EVERYTHING there is to know about The Magic of Disney Animation!

Vacation Fun – An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie

Vacation Fun – An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie closed on October 20th.

Disney plans to reopen the attraction before the end of the year.

Disney World Resort Hotels

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is undergoing refurbishment work in “select areas” from September 2024 to July 2026.

The main thing to note is that you will be seeing and hearing construction work in Bay Lake Tower and you might have to take detours, so just stay vigilant.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

Jellyrolls announced in February 2025 that it would be leaving Disney’s BoardWalk after 30 years of operation. And it’s final day in Disney World has come to pass: its final day of operation was Saturday, April 19th. 

This isn’t the end of Jellyrolls, it’s just the final night to experience this location at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. The bar has shared that they are “making a move,” and we will keep you posted when any further information is revealed.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

The Grand Floridian lobby has undergone a makeover! As one major change, guests stepping inside Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are now greeted by a brand new bar in the hotel’s newly refurbished lobby: The Perch opened on November 10th, 2025!

Resembling the lobby’s classic birdcage, The Perch serves a light menu featuring champagne along with selections of wine and beer. Guests may also sit back and sip from their choice of two signature cocktails: the Sunshine State Rum Sazerac and the Floridian 75.

The Blueberry and Basil Iced Tea, a blend of lemon, blueberry, and basil tea, provides a refreshing non-alcoholic option.

Click HERE for our first FULL REVIEW of The Perch!

Disney has shared that the lobby refurbishment has interfered with a longstanding Grand Floridian tradition. Because of the renovations, the traditional Gingerbread House display will not be available for the 2025 Holiday Season. 

However, Disney has confirmed to us that the other gingerbread displays at Disney World hotels are returning.

Those are some of the closures in 2025 at Disney World that you should plan around. Until next time, keep it right here at DFB for the latest Disney news!

Disney World’s Hotel Cancelation Policy Has Changed in 2025. Here’s How To Plan Ahead

Are you taking a trip to Disney World in 2025? Let us know in the comments.