As holiday plans begin to take shape, Walt Disney World Resort is greeting the Christmas season with both festive cheer and major changes. Travelers arriving for their magical December vacations will face a resort in transformation. The last stretch of the year—from December 21 through the end of 2025—is still forecast to be the busiest period at the Resort, and with several major attractions unavailable, families may need to rethink their strategies before visiting.
One of the most classic rides impacted by these changes is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland. This guest favorite officially closed on January 6, 2025, ushering in preparations for major expansions. Guests will need to wait until 2026 for its full reopening, which will come with enhancements designed to fit into an evolving Frontierland experience. Since opening in 1980, the wild ride through the town of Tumbleweed has been a fan favorite. Its closure is tied to development that will bring Cars Land and Villains Land to the footprint of Frontierland in the coming years.
Perhaps the greatest shift in Frontierland came on July 7, 2025, when Tom Sawyer Island—a longtime walkable retreat for explorers—closed permanently. Families have made memories here for decades, navigating trails, caves, and pirate hideaways. The closure makes room for Piston Peak National Park, the above-mentioned new Cars-themed land inspired by the world of Lightning McQueen.
The river that once encircled the island is also part of Frontierland’s farewell tour. The Rivers of America permanently closed on the same day, and the Liberty Belle Riverboat concluded its final voyage around Frontierland and Liberty Square. The river began draining in mid-July 2025, marking the end of a serene waterway that gave guests unique views of the park for decades. Without it, Magic Kingdom loses not only a relaxing attraction but also one of its visual centerpieces.
Over in Tomorrowland, space cadets are on pause as Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin remains closed. The interactive dark ride went offline on August 4, 2025, and will return in 2026 with a wide range of upgrades. Expect new ride vehicles, handheld blasters replacing mounted ones, updated targets, and the introduction of a new robot companion named Buddy. The attraction has been a family favorite since 1998, challenging guests to beat the high score while battling Emperor Zurg.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Kali River Rapids is briefly unavailable. The water ride closed on October 6, 2025, for its annual refurbishment, and is expected to reopen sometime in December 2025. Since 1999, this journey through an Asian rainforest has combined thrills with an environmental message, and this year’s earlier refurbishment helps prepare the park for another shift: DinoLand U.S.A. is scheduled to completely close in February 2026, prompting Disney to ensure capacity elsewhere in the park.
Across the Resort, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has said goodbye to a long-standing destination: Animation Courtyard. Disney Jr. Play & Dance!, an energetic show for young guests featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and more, permanently ended on September 25, 2025.
Its space will soon become The Magic of Disney Animation, set to debut in 2026. Also gone is Star Wars Launch Bay, which closed in September 2025, concluding character meet-and-greets with Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and others from the galaxy far, far away.
Holiday visitors may notice that these closures reduce the number of attractions available during the busiest days of the year, making planning more essential than ever. Families with annual Christmas traditions—like riding Big Thunder Mountain or exploring Tom Sawyer Island—will have to adapt their schedules until these new developments take shape.
Still, the magic remains. Early December continues to offer calmer park days before the peak holiday crowds arrive, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy decorations, special entertainment, and seasonal offerings with more breathing room.
How do you feel about the timing of these closures during the holiday season? Share your thoughts with us below!
