In case you missed it, Disney World closures have been announced, and I cannot stop thinking about them.

When you hear “refurbishment,” you probably imagine a quick touch-up and some new paint. But right now, we’re looking at closures that are either massive in scope, packed with big changes, or involve fan-favorite attractions that already feel too risky to tinker with. These are not just minor updates, and if you’re like me, you’re probably wondering what Disney will actually do behind those construction walls. Let’s get into the closures that are keeping me up at night.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed until 2026, and yes, I’ve already been spiraling.

This fan-favorite coaster officially shut down on January 6th, 2025, and Disney has said it will reopen with a few exciting changes (which you can read all about here) in 2026. On the surface, that doesn’t sound too wild, but when you look at the bigger picture, this closure is one of the most important refurbishments in years.

First of all, Big Thunder isn’t just a thrill ride. It’s the wildest ride in the wilderness, and it’s one of those attractions that just feels untouchable. Disney has made tweaks to this ride before—new effects, updated sound systems, a little sprucing up here and there—but this is a multi-year closure.

What really keeps me up is the timing. Disney is also working on changes near the Rivers of America, including filling sections in and preparing space for the upcoming Cars-themed land. Imagineers are even planning to connect Big Thunder Mountain and the brand-new Villains Land with Liberty Square and Fantasyland. If all of that ends up overlapping with the Big Thunder project, then this entire section of Magic Kingdom is going to feel very different.

The changes happening sound very exciting. For starters, 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).” But everything is not as it seems. Disney warns us that “they ain’t as friendly as they first appear” and “that menacing rumble from deep within the mountain may be a sign we ain’t welcome.”

We just hope these changes keep to the true essence of Big Thunder Mountain and that the ride remains family-friendly.

So while I’m hopeful, I’m also losing sleep wondering what Big Thunder will look like in 2026.

Read more about the changes coming to Big Thunder Mountain here

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Next up, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. This closure is much shorter, but the list of updates is long—and that’s where my anxiety kicks in.

The ride closed on August 4th, 2025, and Disney expects it to reopen in 2026 with a huge set of changes. At first glance, these sound exciting. There’s a brand-new character called Buddy, a support-bot created by Imagineers and Pixar, who will welcome guests as they prep for their mission. The ride vehicles are getting a new look, inspired by Buzz Lightyear and Star Command, complete with video monitors that will show real-time scoring.

And finally—finally!—the blasters are being upgraded to handheld models with lasers that stay on so we can actually see where we’re aiming.

That all sounds amazing, right? But here’s the thing: whenever Imagineers overhaul a ride this much, there’s always a chance that fixing one problem creates another.

Space Ranger Spin has always had its quirks, but it’s also charming. The ride vehicles spin, the targets are finicky, and half the fun is figuring out how to maximize your score despite all that chaos. With new targets, upgraded blasters, and a completely different scoring system, the entire gameplay experience will feel different.

My fear is that they’ll solve the problem of “I don’t know where I’m aiming” but create a new one, like ride vehicles or effects that don’t work as consistently as they should. Even the new Buddy character, as adorable as he sounds, could disrupt the nostalgic vibe of a ride that’s been part of Magic Kingdom since the late ‘90s. I’m cautiously optimistic, but I won’t relax until I’ve seen this one in action.

Spaceship Earth

Finally, we need to talk about Spaceship Earth.

This EPCOT icon is closing on August 25th, 2025, for what Disney is calling a “routine refurbishment.” Officially, the attraction is expected to reopen later this year, but if you’re like me, that phrase “routine refurbishment” doesn’t always feel very routine.

Spaceship Earth is the crown jewel of EPCOT. It’s not just a ride—it’s the park’s central theme made tangible, tracing the story of human communication from cave paintings to computers. While it doesn’t sound like this refurbishment is set to completely reimagine the ride, I can’t help but worry that some of the sets or narration could be tweaked along the way. And even if that risk is small, it’s enough to give me pause.

We’ve seen Disney update narration and lighting effects before, and sometimes those changes land beautifully. Other times, they spark debates for years to come. When an attraction is this beloved, every small change feels monumental. So yes, I’ll be refreshing Disney’s announcements constantly until I know exactly what’s happening inside that geodesic sphere.

Why These Closures Hit So Hard

Refurbishments are a normal part of keeping Disney World fresh, and in most cases, they’re necessary. But these closures feel different because they involve attractions that are already deeply beloved. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and Spaceship Earth aren’t just filler rides—they’re staples. Changing them, even in small ways, risks altering experiences that fans have built decades of memories around.

At the same time, I know that when Disney gets it right, the results can be spectacular. New effects, smoother ride systems, and updated technology can make an old favorite feel brand new again. That’s the dream. But until these rides reopen and we see the results, I’ll be lying awake at night wondering which way it’s going to go.

Stay tuned to DFB for more updates from Disney World.

 

5 Major Changes Coming to Disney World in September — Click Here!

What about you? Which Disney World closures are keeping you up at night? Tell us in the comments!