There have been a lot of closure announcements for Disney World! However, we FINALLY learned when a closed experience will be reopening.

It’s Tough to Be a Bug closed back on March 17th, and Disney has been hard at work transforming the area into a BRAND-NEW show. We have been eagerly awaiting an opening date that is more precise than “winter 2025,” and we officially have that date!

It’s Tough to Be a Bug is closed for good. This attraction in Disney’s Animal Kingdom once invited you to join the bug kingdom on an adventure. While the show didn’t usually make it to the top of favorite attractions in Disney World, it has now closed to make way for a new show. 

It’s Tough to Be a Bug closed on March 17th to make way for a brand-new show, “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!”, expected to debut on November 7th, 2025. The 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, including Heidi Howler, a wolf who hosts the Zoogether Day LIVE! broadcast.

Let’s take a look at the other attractions and locations that will be closed this week, from August 23rd through August 30th, at Disney World.

EPCOT

Spaceship Earth

You only have a few days left to ride this iconic EPCOT attraction! Spaceship Earth will be closing for routine refurbishment beginning August 25th, 2025. While it will only be a temporary closure as the attraction is expected to reopen later this year, it will still be a few months or so without Spaceship Earth.

We aren’t expecting any major changes to the attraction, just general maintenance and routine work. It is definitely going to be sad experiencing the start of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival without being able to ride Spaceship Earth, though.

REVIEW and FIRST LOOK at a Brand-New EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Treat

Magic Kingdom

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

A popular Tomorrowland attraction is now closed! Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has closed for refurbishment as of August 4th, 2025, and isn’t expected to reopen until 2026. While the ride is closed, it will be getting some upgrades!

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be getting a new ride scene, new ride vehicles, a new character, and enhanced gameplay elements. Some of those gameplay elements include handheld blasters (soon you can shoot whenever you want!) and reactive targets. We recently got the chance to take a look at the new ride vehicle and test out the new blasters, and we have to say we were impressed!

Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island

An iconic part of the Magic Kingdom is now permanently closed. As of July 7th, the Rivers of America, including the Liberty Square River Boat and Tom Sawyer Island, are closed for good to make way for the new Cars area, Piston Peak National Park. There are some construction walls up in the area now, and we have seen workers on Tom Sawyer Island. The river has also started to be drained!

Piston Peak National Park will be replacing this area of Magic Kingdom, and construction is expected to begin in the area this year. Disney has not yet released an opening date for the new Cars area, but we do know that it will feature two brand-new attractions and will be themed to look like a National Park.

NEW LOOK at the Ride Vehicles for Disney’s Buzz Lightyear Attraction in Magic Kingdom

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

On January 6th, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed for an extended temporary closure. The “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” will be closed for at least a year and will reopen sometime in 2026.

The ride will be undergoing maintenance while it is closed. When it reopens, it will have some “new magic,” according to Disney. Recently, Disney announced some of the new magic! 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)” — the Rainbow Caverns!

We can’t wait to see what other changes might be coming to this ever-popular roller coaster! We have spotted some ride testing happening, which was very exciting, and a train car has arrived! It was still covered in a tarp, but it was exciting to see.

Tortuga Tavern

Tortuga Tavern is a seasonal restaurant in Magic Kingdom. It has been a bit since we saw it open. Most recently, it was used as a cookie location for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

We had previously spotted shrubs around the restaurant as they worked on the flooring. However, all the shrubs have been taken down now. We don’t know exactly when/if this restaurant will reopen, but we will keep you updated if we learn more!

Disney Reveals FIRST LOOK at Signs for Beak and Barrel at Magic Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and Fossil Fun Games

The first round of closures began in DinoLand U.S.A. on January 13th, 2025. TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and Fossil Fun Game were closed down, and construction has begun on the brand-new land themed to the Tropical Americas, Pueblo Esperanza. The walls have been up since the closure, and things have been disappearing from behind the walls. Almost everything has been taken down behind the walls, including the large green dinosaur.

It is definitely a sad sight, but we are also excited to see Pueblo Esperanza! DINOSAUR, Restaurantosaurus, the snack stands, and The Boneyard remain open. The Boneyard will be closing for good on September 2nd, 2025. Disney hasn’t announced an official closing date for the rest of DinoLand. However, they have announced that “2025 is your year to visit before it goes extinct!” 

Don’t Forget! An Animal Kingdom Attraction Is Permanently Closing in TWO WEEKS

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Muppets Courtyard, including Muppet*Vision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano

Muppet*Vision 3D AND PizzeRizzo closed on June 8th, and Muppets Courtyard has been walled off so construction can begin on the new Monsters, Inc. land. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano has been closed since May 11th.

Don’t worry, the Muppets won’t be missing from Disney’s Hollywood Studios forever. The Muppets will eventually be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in 2026. 

Disney Reveals NEW Concept Art for Muppets Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios

Disney Springs

Starbucks on the West Side

The Starbucks on the West Side of Disney Springs is temporarily closed for refurbishment. It closed on March 3rd, and it is expected to reopen in mid-summer. 

Have no fear, though — you can still get your Starbucks fix in Disney Springs! Head over to the Disney Springs Marketplace location, which will be open during the refurbishment. Caffeine headaches are not allowed in Disney Springs!

We Created a New Secret Dining Experience in Disney Springs

Disney World Hotels

Cabanas Leisure Pool – Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 

One of the pools at Disney’s Coronado Springs will be temporarily closed for maintenance. From August 17th through August 24th, 2025, the Cabanas leisure pool at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will be closed for routine maintenance. The pool will be unavailable during this time, and guests may hear construction noise.

The good news is that there are still plenty of pools to use! The Lost City of Cibola pool, as well as the Casitas and Ranchos leisure pools, will still be available during the refurbishment of the Cabanas leisure pool.

Jellyrolls — Disney’s BoardWalk

Jellyrolls at Disney’s BoardWalk officially closed on April 19th, 2025. This entertainment venue has provided our team with countless memories, and we know many others are also sad to see it close. Jellyrolls had its final farewell performance on April 19th and closed its doors forever on Disney’s BoardWalk.

However, this isn’t the end for Jellyrolls, as the bar has said they are “making a move.” We don’t know many details about that move yet, but we will keep you updated.

The Worst Disney World Hotels for 2026

Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and determine which works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. They also share expert tips and first-hand advice about your magical vacation.

Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides:

• 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness
• What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride
• 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU!
• A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World!
• The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride

We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB.

Your Grandma Called. She Wants You To STOP Doing This in Disney World.

When is your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments!