UPDATED January 12, 2026

You may already be aware of several factors that go into planning a Walt Disney World vacation. You’ve likely considered things like the time of year you’d like to visit, which Resort hotel you might stay at, and — most of all — which attractions you’d like to ride in the four Disney World theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

But there’s something you may not have considered: REFURBISHMENTS and CONSTRUCTION.

From classic rides that have been running since Disney World’s DAY ONE to behind-the-scenes work on upcoming NEW experiences, several locations around the Resort are often receiving a little TLC or even undergoing major construction “for your future enjoyment!”

While the results are usually pretty terrific, some refurbishments may affect your vacation in unexpected ways. What if one of your must-do attractions is under wraps for a little while? Or maybe a major project is in the works at your chosen Resort?

That’s why we’re offering this resource so you can be informed of current, ongoing, and upcoming refurbishments and construction around Walt Disney World.

Magic Kingdom

Current Closures

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — Closed for a lengthy refurbishment that started January 6th, 2025, and will not reopen until Spring 2026
• The Frontierland Station for the Walt Disney World Railroad also closed on July 7th to accommodate construction in the land. The Fantasyland and Main Street, U.S.A. Stations remain operational in “shuttle mode.”
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin closed on August 4th, 2025 for updates to the attraction, and will not reopen until Spring 2026.

Upcoming Projects

• Disney has announced that Cinderella Castle is being repainted back to its previous color scheme of blues, creams, and grays. Painting will begin in January 2026. The project will begin with draining the moat around the castle, and then painting will begin. Worried about getting photos in front of the castle without cranes? Don’t worry — cranes should be lowered by 12 PM (noon) each day at the latest. It’s expected to be complete later in 2026.

Permanent Closures

• Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Square Riverboat — Permanently closed on July 7th, 2025 to accommodate construction for Piston Peak, a new Cars-themed area coming to Frontierland.

EPCOT

Upcoming Closures

• EPCOT’s Frozen Ever After will temporarily close for refurbishment on January 26th, 2026, and reopen on a date to-be-announced in February 2026 with updates to the Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff Audio-Animatronics figures.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Upcoming Closures

• In order to make way for the transformation into Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, the current Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will close permanently on March 2nd. (That means the last day to ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith is March 1st, 2026.)

Permanent Closures

• September 25th, 2025: Animation Courtyard (including Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney Jr. Play and Dance!) closed permanently in Disney’s Hollywood Studios to make way for The Walt Disney Studios including The Magic of Disney Animation and Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! which will open in Summer 2026.
• June 8th: Muppet*Vision 3D permanently closed in Disney’s Hollywood Studios to accommodate construction of a new Monsters, Inc. Land in the park.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Upcoming Closures

• February 1st, 2026 is the last day to experience DinoLand, U.S.A. (including the DINOSAUR attraction) in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. DinoLand, U.S.A. permanently closes in Disney’s Animal Kingdom on February 2nd, 2026 to accommodate construction for the new Tropical Americas land, Pueblo Esperanza.

Permanent Closures

• DinoLand, U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom is undergoing a phased closure which started on January 13th, 2025. The land is closing to make way for a new land themed to the Tropical Americas, Pueblo Esperanza. To begin, the last day for TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures at Animal Kingdom was January 12th, 2025, and they are all permanently closed as of January 13th. 
•  The Boneyard at Disney’s Animal Kingdom permanently closed to accommodate construction for The Tropical Americas land, Pueblo Esperanza, on September 2nd, 2025.
• On October 20th, 2025, Dino-Bite Snacks and Trilo-Bites permanently closed to accommodate construction for The Tropical Americas: Pueblo Esperanza.

Disney Springs

Current Construction

• LEVEL99 is an interactive, social entertainment experience. More specifically, it is a destination for “real-world, challenge-based, social entertainment” for adults featuring physical and mental challenges set in artistic environments, and it will open on the West Side of Disney Springs sometime in 2026 in the previous location of the NBA Experience.
• The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) has started a “Lime Garage Maintenance Project” for all levels of the Lime parking garage. The garage is closed as of January 12th, 2026, and the project is expected to be completed on March 13th, 2026. The plan currently includes a temporary reopening for President’s Day Weekend, from February 12th through February 16th. Here is a full look at the schedule:

• • Closed: January 12th through February 11th
  • Open for a short window: February 12th through 16th
  • Closed again: February 17th through March 13th
  • Reopening: planned for March 14th, 2026

Disney Water Parks

• For much of the year, the two Disney World Water Parks — Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach — operate on a rotating basis. Currently, Typhoon Lagoon is open and will remain open until February 14th, 2026. After that, Blizzard Beach will reopen the following day on February 15, 2026. 

Disney’s All-Star Resorts

• From January 2026 until late April 2026, the Surfboard Bay Pool and the kiddie pool at All-Star Sports Resort is closed for regular maintenance. During that time, the Grand Slam Leisure Pool will continue to be available. Also, guests of All-Star Sports are welcome to visit the pools at the other two All-Star Resorts.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

• The guest rooms at Kidani Village in Animal Kingdom Lodge are undergoing refurbishment from October 2025 through May 2026, while Jambo House rooms will be refurbished from May 2026 through January 2027.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn will have multiple parts of its resort under construction in 2027. The following will be closed for routine maintenance at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn from January 11th, 2027 through April 2027: the Luna Park Pool, the Luna Park Crazy Play Area, and Leaping Horse Libations.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Current Refurbishment

• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is undergoing a lengthy refurbishment from September 2024 through late 2027. While the resort is still available to book during these times, rooms may be limited. Disney also warns that guests will see and hear construction work in select areas of Bay Lake Tower. You’ll also want to allow extra time for travel as the typical routes may not be open.

Upcoming Refurbishment

• From January 26th, 2026 through May 2026, the pool offerings will be unavailable at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. During that time, the Bay Cove Pool, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa will all be closed for maintenance. However, the water offerings will remain open next door at Disney’s Contemporary Resort for Bay Lake Tower guests to use. This means that the Bay Lake Pool, the feature pool, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa will all be operating at the Contemporary.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

• On Disney’s website, they shared that “some areas of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows are being refurbished through 2026″. Guests may see and hear some daytime construction, starting at 9:00 AM. Construction at hotels can cause some headaches with loud noises, eye sores, and even things not accessible.  Additionally, “some views of the theme parks and other surrounding areas may be impacted“.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

• At Disney’s Pop Century Resort, guest rooms are undergoing refurbishment from late March 2025 through mid-February 2026 (and potentially longer). All of the resort amenities are available during this time, but guests may see and hear the construction during daytime hours.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside

• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside is refurbishing the guest rooms in the Magnolia Bend area of the resort from early May 2025 through August 2027. While the refurbishment is happening, guests might hear and see construction work during daytime hours. 

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

• The Meadow Swimmin’ Pool at Fort Wilderness Resort is currently under refurbishment, and the work will ultimately result in doubling the size of the pool area. Construction on this project began in May 2025, and it’s set to be completed in mid-2026. While Disney works on expanding the area, the pool itself remains OPEN for guests throughout this project.
• From January 12th, 2026 through April 2026, the boat dock at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is undergoing routine maintenance. The good news is that the boat to Magic Kingdom won’t be closed for TOO long: from January 12th through January 30th. But if you’re staying at the hotel during that time, you’ll have to take a bus to Magic Kingdom instead.

Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

• For the Beach Club, there is routine exterior maintenance taking place through 2027. However, all services, including valet, luggage assistance, and transportation, will remain available, and you’ll still have access to most of the hotel’s amenities.
• Disney’s Yacht Club is also undergoing exterior maintenance through late 2026. However, all services, including valet, luggage assistance, and transportation remain available, and you’ll still have access to most of the hotel’s amenities.

Disney World Transportation

• From January 25th through the 31st, 2026, the Disney Skyliner will be closed for refurbishment.
• From January 24th through 30th, 2027 the Disney Skyliner will be closed for refurbishment.

We’ll continue to keep you posted on all these projects — and their end results, of course! — around Walt Disney World, so stay tuned! And you can check out these and MORE changes taking place around Disney World in our DFB YouTube Video!