This week is about to be a BIG one in Disney World, because one of the BIGGEST closures will finally go away!

That’s right, this week is FINALLY the time when one of Magic Kingdom‘s most popular attractions reopens for visitors. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen its doors to the public on May 3rd, and we couldn’t be more excited. The best part? That’s not the ONLY ride that took some big steps forward this week!

This past week, Disney also revealed some more information about the changes made to the background and storyline of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and we highly suggest reading through it before you ride to get the full picture. We can’t wait to see the new lighting, effects, and really look closely for all those details.

However, many other closures are continuing in Disney World this week, so if you’re traveling, let’s take a look at the other closures taking place from May 1st through May 8th.

Magic Kingdom

Storybook Circus

Pete’s Silly Sideshow is temporarily unavailable as of January 4th, 2026. This is the Storybook Circus meet and greet area, where you can meet Donald Duck, Goofy, Daisy Duck, and Minnie Mouse as they join the circus. Good news, though! While Pete’s Silly Sideshow will be closed, you can still meet all of the characters! You will find Goofy and Minnie at the entrance to Storybook Circus, and you can find Donald and Daisy in the back of Storybook Circus by the restrooms.

However, now there’s ANOTHER closure in the land as well. Big Top Souvenirs closed on February 20th, and Disney has said it’ll “reopen for guests to enjoy later this year,” but there’s no date in sight. When we stopped by recently, we noticed that the entire top of the store is GONE right now! Talk about a jumpscare!

We’re really curious to see how this all turns out, so we’ll keep you updated!

Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island

An iconic part of the Magic Kingdom is now permanently closed. As of July 7th, 2025, the Rivers of America, including the Liberty Square River Boat and Tom Sawyer Island, are permanently closed to make way for the new Cars area, Piston Peak. There are lots of construction walls up in the area now, and the structures on Tom Sawyer Island have been demolished. Most recently, we saw some updates to the concrete on the land, as well as leveling taking place for the new attractions — how exciting!

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

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Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Vacation Fun

Disney just recently announced that Vacation Fun, the short film that plays throughout the day in the Mickey Shorts Theater, will close for refurbishment beginning on April 29th.

Fortunately, the closure won’t last long, as Disney revealed the reason is that the theater will host a special May 4th Star Wars merchandise event. We can assume this means that experience will open on May 4th, but it’s unclear when the regular theater showings will resume.

Animation Courtyard

Animation Courtyard closed on September 25th, 2025, to make way for Walt Disney Studios. This new area will open on May 26th, 2026, and will be a special nod to the Walt Disney Studios lot. Star Wars Launch Bay will be turned into The Magic of Disney Animation. This attraction will have you interacting and exploring with this fun take on Disney Animation headquarters, complete with the return of the Sorcerer Mickey hat!

However, most recently, we’ve seen a lot of progress on this upcoming land — new pavement is almost all set, and it’s really starting to come together. This area will also feature a new Drawn to Wonderland indoor play area and the current Disney Jr. Play and Dance! show will be getting a makeover. It’ll turn into Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live, and we just recently got confirmed showtimes for the new experience, which will open on May 26th. Some of the walls have also recently been taken down, revealing more of the courtyard area!

Muppets Courtyard

Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo closed on June 8th, 2025, and Muppets Courtyard has been walled off for construction on the new Monsters, Inc. land. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano has been closed since May 11th, 2025. Most recently, we saw FOUR permits filed for different buildings inside this area, which is quite exciting. We also recently got some more aerial photos of the upcoming suspended roller coaster, which looks fantastic so far.

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

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will open on May 26th, 2026! This new ride will feature iconic Muppets like Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Gonzo, plus a brand-new soundtrack featuring Def Leppard, Kelly Clarkson, and Jennifer Hudson! Most recently, we’ve seen a lot of work being done on the guitar, which is now rainbow…

…and the front entrance is now painted gray/silver and has a new G-Force Records sign!

Disney has already made tons of progress on the new version of this iconic attraction! The previous name of the ride has already been removed from multiple locations, including on the guitar, which is now behind the scrim and scaffolding. Disney is also already putting new paint on the car at the entrance to this area to transform it into the Electric Mayhem’s iconic van! Most recently, we also got a look at the queue area for the new ride, which has us very excited.

Disney also recently announced Cast Member previews for this ride, which will begin on May 6th!

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EPCOT

Refreshment Port

Refreshment Port located near the Canada Pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase closed for refurbishment on January 12th. We’ve heard nothing on it for months, but now, we know that when it reopens, it’ll become La Poutinerie!

The spot will be sponsored by Air Canada, and promises to deliver “a Canadian classic with a twist.” Disney hasn’t announced an opening date or a menu, but we’re hoping our favorite poutine will come back any day now!

Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along and Impressions De France

For weeks now, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along and Impressions De France have been closed in the France Pavilion, but now we’ve got a reopening date!

Both shows will return to the park beginning on May 10th.

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Rafiki’s Planet Watch

On February 23rd, Disney temporarily closed Rafiki’s Planet Watch and the Wildlife Express, which takes guests over to this part of the park, to make way for the new Bluey attraction coming to the park for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER on May 26th. For the time being, you can still visit the Wilderness Explorer badge offerings, as well as a few character meet and greets, at the train station.

Bluey’s Wild World will become a permanent addition to the park, where you can meet Bluey and Bingo, play games with them, and even pet animals from Australia in the petting zoo, Jumping Junction!

DinoLand, USA

On February 2nd, DinoLand, USA officially closed to make way for the new Tropical Americas land, Pueblo Esperanza. Most recently, a new permit was filed for the new Encanto ride to install set elements, and nine new permits were filed today for electrical work. 

This new land is shaping up nicely! It will have three new rides – a carousel featuring classic Disney animals, an Indiana Jones ride where you’ll explore a Mayan temple, and an Encanto ride that invites you into the Madrigal’s home! Most recently, we saw two new permits filed for the upcoming Indiana Jones ride!

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Typhoon Lagoon

On February 15th, 2026, Blizzard Beach reopened in Disney World, and Typhoon Lagoon closed for refurbishment. Typhoon Lagoon will reopen again on May 12th, 2026!

For the majority of the summer, we’ll have both water parks open again. Typhoon Lagoon is Disney’s oldest water park with fun for both kids and kids-at-heart, plus one of the largest wave pools in the world. It’s themed to be a tropical paradise that just survived a typhoon.

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Disney World Hotels

Kiddie Pool Deck — Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Disney recently announced that the Kiddie Pool Deck at Disney’s Pop Century Resort will close for refurbishment beginning April 13th.

The previous timeline for reopening was the end of April, but now the Disney World website lists that the closure will begin on May 4th and continue through mid-May.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

This hotel has been undergoing refurbishments for quite some time now, but some sections of the hotel — specifically the porte cochere — will continue to undergo refurbishment through at least early 2027.

We certainly hope it’ll actually reopen on this timeline — we’re a little tired of seeing construction all over this beautiful hotel!

Bay Cove Pool Area — Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

The Bay Cove Pool, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort are temporarily closed for maintenance.

From January 26th through early May 2026, the pool area will be unavailable. During the closure, guests can still use the Bay Lake Pool, the feature pool, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

For those looking to dine at this hotel, you need to know that the Turf Club Bar & Grill and Turf Club Lounge will both be under refurbishment from mid-March through mid-September 2026.

In early April, the Turf Club Lounge will close for refurbishment and will reopen in early August. In the meantime, the Turf Club Bar & Grill will remain open with a pop-up bar serving a modified Lounge food and beverage menu. Then, from early to mid-August, the Turf Club patio will close for refurbishment, and finally, from mid-August through mid-September, the Turf Club Bar & Grill will be closed for refurbishment, but the Turf Club Lounge will be open.

Leisure Pools — Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club Resort are currently undergoing visible exterior maintenance. The maintenance could affect views and may require alternate routes at times. In addition, two of the resort’s leisure pools will close for routine maintenance.

At Disney’s Yacht Club, the Admiral leisure be will be closed for maintenance through early May 2026. At Disney’s Beach Club, the Tidal leisure pool will be closed for maintenance through early May 2026. Guests may see or hear construction work, but it will only be done during the daytime hours.

Crew’s Cup Lounge — Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

On February 23rd, Crew’s Cup Lounge closed for refurbishment and will reopen on June 1st, 2026.

Additionally, Yachtsman Steakhouse will close for refurbishment on May 11th, meaning these closures will overlap for a few weeks. It’s expected to reopen sometime in early August.

Promenade Fine Art Gallery — Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Resort

The Promenade Fine Art Gallery closed its Disney’s BoardWalk location on October 20th, 2025. However, the Promenade Fine Art Gallery isn’t closing for good, and it will just be moving to a new location.

The gallery hasn’t announced yet where that new location will be, but we will keep you updated as we learn more!

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. 2025 and closed its doors forever on Disney’s BoardWalk.

Now, we know that Jellyrolls will be moving to a new location about 10 minutes away, and a grand opening is planned for late summer or fall 2026. We also know that the new location will have free parking, be closer to the space that the original Disney location was in, and allow people to be dropped off and picked up by rideshare services right at the front door.

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We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disney World news, so stay tuned to DFB!

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