2025, The Year of Closures: Another Attraction Now Set for Refurb at Disney World
If you’re planning a trip to Disney World in 2025, you might be in for some surprises—not all of them magical.
This year has seen a wave of closures, refurbishments, and retirements of attractions across the parks, and it’s starting to feel like more is closing than staying open. Whether it’s for much-needed upgrades or to make way for new expansions, the list of unavailable attractions keeps growing, and guests are starting to take notice.
At Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is down for a year-long refurbishment, taking away one of the park’s most thrilling rides. Liberty Belle Riverboat, Rivers of America, and Tom Sawyer Island are all expected to close at some point this year, with it being confirmed these areas will be replaced by Cars-themed attractions and a Disney Villains land. Over in Liberty Square, the Hall of Presidents is currently under refurbishment, as Disney updates the attraction to reflect Donald Trump’s re-election.
Hollywood Studios is facing big changes as well. The long-running Muppet*Vision 3D will close permanently on June 7, marking the end of an era for the beloved attraction. It’s all part of Disney’s plan to transform the area into a Monsters, Inc.-themed land, and then allow The Muppets to take over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. That coaster’s Aerosmith theming is expected to disappear, though Disney hasn’t announced exactly when the transformation will begin. Meanwhile, Voyage of the Little Mermaid has been closed since 2020 and isn’t coming back in its original form—Disney has plans for a new Little Mermaid musical experience.
Animal Kingdom is also in the midst of a major transformation. Large portions of DinoLand U.S.A. have already shut down as Disney prepares to introduce a new Tropical Americas land, featuring attractions based on Encanto and Indiana Jones. At some point, the DINOSAUR ride will close permanently as well. Over at the Tree of Life Theater, It’s Tough to Be a Bug! is scheduled to close on March 17, making way for a new Zootopia 4D show that will debut later this year.
Even EPCOT hasn’t been spared from closures. Test Track is currently closed for an extensive refurbishment, with a summer 2025 reopening expected. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, a fan-favorite in the Mexico Pavilion, has been undergoing maintenance since early January but should return by March 15.
With all these closures taking place, one of the lesser-known but still beloved experiences at Disney World is also shutting down—at least temporarily. Winter Summerland Miniature Golf is set to close for phased refurbishments from April 28 to June 16, 2025. The Winter Course and Summer Course, known for their whimsical holiday theming, will each be refurbished one at a time so that guests can still enjoy part of the experience during the work.
Winter Summerland has always been a fun, festive escape, featuring two 18-hole courses designed by Santa himself. The Summer Course embraces a beachy holiday theme, while the Winter Course brings the North Pole to Florida. Disney hasn’t revealed exactly what updates will be made, but guests can likely expect refreshed decor, minor improvements to the course, and perhaps even some interactive elements.
With so many closures happening all at once, it’s understandable why some Disney fans are feeling overwhelmed. While the promise of new lands and improved attractions is exciting, visiting the parks in 2025 may come with more limitations than guests are used to. If you’re planning a trip, be sure to check what’s open and what’s under refurbishment before you go.
