Disney World is changing so much these days, we honestly wonder if some of it was a dream. Did we really ever have Muppets Courtyard? Did Triceratop Spin ever exist? We know it did, but those memories feel so far away now!

Cinderella Castle
There are so many changes these days that we do a weekly news round-up where we gather the biggest Disney news and updates, so you won’t miss a single thing! This week, there were closures, announcements, and more. Let’s dive in together!
This week was a lot for Disney World. There was a winter storm across the country that made temperatures in the parks nose-dive, and Elsa decided to close up shop! We guess the cold does bother her anyway.
Frozen Ever After is closed!
Elsa couldn’t handle the cold, it seems. (We’re joking, by the way). This week, Frozen Ever After in EPCOT closed for a refurbishment. The very popular boat ride is getting some major upgrades during the closure. Once it reopens, those famous sisters will have a very new look!

Frozen Ever After is closed
The ride’s audio animatronics are being updated to remove the facial projection technology that debuted with the ride in 2016. The new audio animatronics will mirror those from Hong Kong Disneyland, which are more lifelike and went majorly viral when the ride opened in 2023.

Hong Kong Disneyland Animatronics
Luckily, this closure won’t last too long! Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven will be back when the ride reopens sometime in February.
Everything We Know About The Frozen Ever After Closure
Harambe Market is reopening with a new menu!
Over in Animal Kingdom, a quick service is reopening soon! Harmabe Market has been closed since October 2025, but you won’t have to wait to dine in Africa for much longer. The quick service is reopening earlier than Disney previously shared on February 5th!

Harambe Market!
Originally, it wasn’t slated to reopen until March, so this was a pleasant surprise. The restaurant is reopening with a new menu that will fill the loss of Restaurantosaurus, which closes permanently on February 2nd, 2026. The new restaurant menu includes new items like Bacon Cheeseburgers…

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… Chicken Strips…

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…the Savanna Salad…

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… and the Kubwa Cookie.

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We can’t wait to chow down on this new menu as soon as it opens!
See The FULL New Harambe Market Menu Here
Cinderella Castle begins her makeover!
Finally, Cinderella Castle is getting a makeover! The long-anticipated paint job has finally begun in Magic Kingdom. The castle, which is currently a pink and royal blue theme, is returning to its roots, and we couldn’t be happier!

It’s happening!
Disney previously announced that the castle would return to its grey and blue theme at Destination D23 in August 2025. Since then, we have been patiently waiting for the return of our beloved castle. After sitting on the edge of our seats for months, Disney finally began the pain job this week!

The pink is disappearing
A small section of the castle has taken on a new grey color, and the castle’s live entertainment shows have been altered for the ocassion. Some changes have been made to Magic Kingdom entertainment offerings like Let the Magic Begin and Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire.

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Disney has shared that the repainting of the castle will take place in the mornings, and the equipment will be down by noon each day, so you can still take those perfect castle photos. Currently, we don’t know when the castle’s paint job will be completed, but Disney has shared that it will be done in 2026.
Read What Disney Fans Think About The Castle Makeover Here
This week has tons of fun news for Walt Disney World, which we can really appreciate! Be sure to keep following DisneyFoodBlog for more Disney news, updates, tips, and tricks from the people in the parks every day.
5 Rules Disney HAD TO CHANGE in 2026
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