Disney World Confirms Mickey’s PhilharMagic Closure Amid Ongoing Construction

At Walt Disney World, some closures are announced months in advance. Others arrive suddenly, leaving fans with only a short window to say goodbye. This October, Disney confirmed that one of Magic Kingdom’s longest-running attractions will soon close its doors — at least temporarily.

For over two decades, the 3D musical spectacular Mickey’s PhilharMagic has drawn in families seeking nostalgia, humor, and a respite from Florida’s heat. Nestled in Fantasyland, it quickly became a reliable escape from the park’s crowds.

Those looking for a respite in November, however, may need to look elsewhere.

History of Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Mickey’s PhilharMagic opened in 2003, taking over the Fantasyland Theater from The Legend of the Lion King. The attraction places Donald Duck in the spotlight, donning Mickey’s sorcerer’s hat and embarking on a whirlwind journey through classic Disney films such as Beauty and the Beast (1991), The Little Mermaid (1989), and Peter Pan (1953).

Audiences wear 3D “opera glasses,” plunging into sweeping musical sequences and comedic mishaps. For many, the playful effects — like the unforgettable waft of apple pie during “Be Our Guest” — became as iconic as the visuals onscreen.

The show evolved over the years. In 2021, Walt Disney Imagineers introduced a new scene from Coco (2017), featuring the lively “Un Poco Loco,” part of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The update marked the first time characters from Pixar were integrated into the attraction, blending eras of Disney storytelling into a seamless concert.

Mickey’s PhilharMagic also expanded beyond Florida. Versions of the attraction are found in Fantasyland at Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland, Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris, and Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure. The Anaheim edition is currently closed for refurbishment.

Closure and Refurbishment Details

Disney has announced that Magic Kingdom’s Mickey’s PhilharMagic will also close for refurbishment on November 1, 2025.

The refurbishment is brief by theme park standards, with a reopening slated for November 23 — just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday rush, when Magic Kingdom traditionally sees some of its heaviest crowds.

A notice on the Disney World website reads: “Mickey’s PhilharMagic will be temporarily closed beginning November 1 for routine refurbishment and is expected to reopen later in the month.”

This sudden closure joins a wave of refurbishments sweeping Walt Disney World. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad remains offline until 2026, undergoing a track replacement and effects overhaul by Walt Disney Imagineering. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is also down, with new vehicles, laser blasters, and a character named Buddy expected when it reopens next year.

Earlier this year, Disney confirmed the permanent closure of Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island to make way for a new Cars-themed expansion. Concept art for the Piston Peaks National Park area has divided fans, balancing Pixar excitement with nostalgia for the lost Frontierland waterways, which some claim was the heart of the Magic Kingdom.

What’s your favorite Magic Kingdom attraction?