It’s always good to know what is going to be closed during your trip to Walt Disney World (so bookmark this page!). This page is a list of 2018 and 2019 Walt Disney World Closures and Refurbishments of attractions and dining venues.
There is nothing worse than arriving for your Disney vacation and finding out that your favorite attraction is temporarily closed! Before I plan any trip to the parks, I always check the attraction closures to make sure that my Disney must-dos are open. Alternatively, you could check out our list of what’s new in 2019 at Disney World.
So what is an attraction refurbishment at Disney World? Disney will periodically close down an attraction to perform routine maintenance or to add upgrades and updates. Recently we have seen a lot of queues, like Peter Pan at the Magic Kingdom get a brand new interactive queue.
It’s important to also note that not all attraction closures are planned in advanced. Sometimes things happen and Disney closes an attraction unexpectedly.
Magic Kingdom Walt Disney World Closures and Refurbishments
- Stitch’s Great Escape January 3, 2017 – Unknown Disney recently announced that this attraction is switching to operating only on a seasonal basis. This means that Stitch will only be open during Disney World’s busiest times.
- Tomorrowland Speedway – January 2, 2019 to May 17, 2019 closed for the Tron construction.
- Walt Disney World Railroad December 2018 – Unknown Good new is the train will be parked at the Main Street Station due to the Tron construction.
- Monorail – Unknown Under refurbishment until further notice and may have modified service or routes depending on park hours. You should check on the day of travel the best option to use.
Epcot Walt Disney World Closures and Refurbishments
- The Circle of Life CLOSED PERMANENTLY February 4, 2018
- Illuminations Summer 2019 – The show will be replaced with a brand new nighttime spectacular.
Hollywood Studios Walt Disney World Closures and Refurbishments
- PizzeRizzo – seasonal on October 20, 2018.
Animal Kingdom Walt Disney World Closures and Refurbishments
- Kali River Rapids – January 7, 2019 to March 22, 2019
- Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Conservation Station October 21, 2018 closing for an overhaul
- Doc McStuffins and Rafiki September 29, 2018 meet and greet ending
Disney Water Parks Closures and Refurbishments
Typhoon Lagoon
- January 7, 2018 – March 18, 2018 Annual park refurbishment.
Blizzard Beach
- No scheduled refurbishments
Disney Springs Refurbishments
- La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil had its final performance 12/31/2017. New show returning Spring 2019.
Disney Resort Refurbishments
Animal Kingdom Lodge
In the Jambo House starting 2/12/2018 pilot program where transactions will be handled with a cash-free option. All purchases and service will accept MagicBands, credit cards, debit cards, Disney Gift Cards, Disney Rewards Redemption Cards, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or Google Pay. Children’s Activity Center closed as of 8/1/2018. Room refurbishment will be happening here mid 8/2018 until Fall 2019.
Beaches and Cream
This ice cream shop at Beach Club resort will be closing for refurbishment in early August 2019, with a reopening set for December 2019.
BoardWalk Resort
Disney Skyliner installation – guests may experience construction and refurbishment noise between 9:00 am and dusk.
Old Key West
8/1/2017 – Spring 2019 – During this time guests may see or hear work in progress and certain pathways may be unavailable. During this time, the Resort will be in full operation with all amenities available including dining and merchandise locations, pools, and recreation activities. It is possible that construction may be seen or heard, but noise should not be heard from Guest rooms between dusk and 9:00 AM. Turtle Pond Pool, Turtle Shack Snack Bar, and the Flying Fish Game room will be closed 4/2018 – early 7/2018.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Walt Disney World has embarked on creating a new transportation system, Disney Skyliner, which will give Guests a bird’s-eye view of Disney World Resort while traveling via gondolas. During this time construction noise may be seen or heard throughout the resort, but noise should not be heard from Guest rooms between dusk and 9 am. Hippy Dippy Pool closed January 2020 – Early Spring 2020.
Now that you have read what is going to be closed at Disney, make sure you put together a list of all your new must-dos for your next trip. You can organize it all in our FREE Disney vacation planner! Next, make sure you order your FREE Disney Vacation Planning Video, then come back for news, trip planning, and great insights into building your perfect trip! Also, you should be sure to read our list of permanently closed attractions at Disney World.
If you want some more information on planning your 2018 trip to Disney World, we have a couple of book recommendations. Be sure to give a look at both The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and The Easy Guide to your WDW Trip.
Keep checking back, as we are constantly updating this list as Disney World makes announcements on new opening dates and refurbishments! Or join our private Facebook group and get your Disney vacation planning questions answered today! Also, subscribe to our Youtube channel and follow us on Instagram to get notifications when we upload new Disney World content.
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I have been visiting the parks annually since my parents first brought me at just a year old. Recently I was able to fulfill my life long dream of being a Florida local and moved from the wintery Northeast to the sunshine and fun of central Florida. Now I am hoping to share my Disney knowledge with you so you can have the best vacation possible!
