https://insidethemagic.net/2025/09/disney-world-blizzard-beach-closed-2025-emd1/You’ve booked the resort, snagged the dining reservations, and packed your Minnie ears—but before you hop on that flight to Walt Disney World this October, there’s one more thing you need to check: what’s actually open.
While most people are focused on character breakfasts and Genie+ strategies, a growing number of Disney travelers are being caught off guard by resort pool closures, long-term attraction refurbishments, and—yes—entire lands quietly going behind construction walls.
That’s where we come in.
Here’s a full breakdown of every closure currently happening at Disney World, from the pools at your hotel to major overhauls inside the parks. And for those who’ve been watching the patterns (like we do), we’ll also unpack what some of these changes could signal for the future.
Let’s dive in—no pun intended.
Resort Pool Closures: What to Know Before You Pack the Swimsuits
Disney resort pools aren’t just backdrops for your Instagram Stories—they’re essential for families planning mid-day breaks or full-on resort days. But a few popular spots are off the table this fall.
Disney’s Old Key West Resort — Miller’s Road Pool
If you’re staying at Old Key West between September 29 and late November, take note: the Miller’s Road leisure pool is shut down for maintenance. It’s one of four pools at the resort, so you’ll still have access to the Sandcastle Pool (with its signature slide), plus the leisure pools at South Point and Old Turtle Pond. But if you had your heart set on a quiet swim steps from your villa on Miller’s Road, adjust your expectations accordingly.
All-Star Movies — Fantasia Kiddie Pool
This closure has been low-key, but it affects a lot of families. The Fantasia kiddie pool has been closed since September 8, with a reopening window pointing to “late October.” No official date has been confirmed. If you’re traveling with toddlers, your options are to use the main Fantasia Feature Pool, head over to the Duck Pond Pool, or cross over to the kiddie pools at All-Star Music or All-Star Sports (yes, you can pool-hop between the All-Stars).
Animal Kingdom Lodge — Samawati Springs Pool Slide
At Kidani Village, the slide at the otherwise beautiful Samawati Springs Pool is currently unavailable due to maintenance. This started on September 8, and while the main pool remains open, guests looking for a more exciting plunge will need to head to the Uzima Springs Pool over at Jambo House. Expect a little noise and visual disruption in the Samawati area.
Theme Park Closures: October 4–11, 2025
Closures inside the parks are often met with confusion—especially since they’re not always listed on the My Disney Experience app until the last minute. Here’s what’s confirmed to be unavailable during the first full week of October, plus the projects behind the closures.
EPCOT
Spaceship Earth
Yes, the iconic “giant golf ball” is closed—and has been since August 25. This isn’t a total reimagining, just a scheduled refurbishment. The ride, as well as its post-show area “Project Tomorrow,” is unavailable until further notice. The expectation is that it will return before the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival ends, but Disney hasn’t made that timeline official.
Magic Kingdom
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
This one’s big. Buzz shut down on August 4, and he’s not coming back until sometime in 2026. What’s happening behind the scenes? A full overhaul. Sources have confirmed that the new version will include updated ride vehicles, handheld blasters (no more mounted cannons), new interactive targets, and even an entirely new scene with a brand-new villain. Test footage has already been spotted in backstage areas. Translation: it’s getting the “Midway Mania” treatment, and fans are here for it.
Liberty Square Riverboat & Tom Sawyer Island
Both attractions are now permanently closed, as of July 7. The reason? Construction has begun on an entirely new land: Piston Peak National Park, based on Disney’s Planes: Fire & Rescue. This was quietly announced earlier this year, and it looks like we’ll get at least two brand-new rides, themed dining, and a rustic National Park-style environment. If that sounds like a pivot toward outdoorsy IP, that’s because it is—and it may fill the void left by the closure of Frontierland-style offerings.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Also closed—and staying that way until 2026. The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness is getting a major glow-up, including a full reimagining of the Rainbow Caverns, a fan-favorite reference to Disneyland’s original Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland. Look for new lighting effects, rockwork, and possibly even synced soundtracks. Ride testing has already begun, according to Cast Member reports.
Tortuga Tavern
This one’s easy to miss: the seasonal counter-service spot in Adventureland is currently closed. Shrubs and construction walls came down recently, but no reopening date has been announced. It could reopen as-is or be quietly rebranded—watch this space.
Animal Kingdom
Kali River Rapids
The annual water ride closure is back. Kali closed earlier than usual this year, on September 8, and it’s staying down until December 2025. This is standard practice when Florida’s weather cools off—Disney uses this time to drain the flume and make any needed updates.
DinoLand U.S.A. Overhaul: Enter Pueblo Esperanza
It’s happening. DinoLand is being transformed into a new land called Pueblo Esperanza, themed to the Tropical Americas. The shift has been happening in phases, and as of now, several areas are already closed:
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TriceraTop Spin
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Fossil Fun Games
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Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures
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The Boneyard (permanently closed as of September 2)
What’s still open—for now—includes DINOSAUR, Restaurantosaurus, and some snack carts. But the land in its entirety is expected to shutter by February 2, 2026. Based on permits filed earlier this summer, expect lush landscaping, walk-through exhibits, and at least one dark ride.
It’s Tough to Be a Bug
This long-running attraction inside the Tree of Life is now permanently closed. In its place? A new show titled Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, set to open on November 7, 2025. It’s not a clone of the Shanghai Zootopia ride—it’s a live stage show with special effects and original characters like Heidi Howler, tying into the fictional holiday “Zoogether Day.”
Hollywood Studios
Animation Courtyard
The area officially closed on September 25 and is now under transformation into Walt Disney Studios, a new land that will highlight Disney’s animated legacy. The first wave of updates includes:
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The Magic of Disney Animation (taking over Star Wars Launch Bay)
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Drawn to Wonderland, an interactive indoor space for families
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A redesigned Disney Jr. Play and Dance! experience
Expect a soft launch sometime in 2026.
Muppets Courtyard
If you blinked, you might’ve missed it—but the entire Muppets area is now offline. MuppetVision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano have all closed, with walls now up around the perimeter. What’s coming next is a Monsters, Inc. land, with rumors suggesting an indoor dark ride and new dining concepts. And yes, the Muppets will return—just not in this location. Word is, they’ll be reappearing as part of a reimagining of the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in 2026.
Water Parks & Mini Golf
Blizzard Beach Water Park
Closed again as of September 8, in line with its usual seasonal schedule. No surprises here. Typhoon Lagoon is still open and operating as the sole water park option at this time.
Fantasia Gardens & Fairways Mini Golf
If you’re planning a tee time, heads up: the Fantasia Fairways course is closed for refurbishment through November 7. The Gardens side remains open, but they’re not taking reservations—walk-up only. As always, Winter Summerland over at Blizzard Beach offers two additional mini golf courses if you’re looking for alternatives.
Disney Resort Entertainment
Jellyrolls at Disney’s BoardWalk
It’s officially gone. Jellyrolls closed permanently on April 19, 2025, and while the team teased that the dueling piano bar could resurface elsewhere on property, there’s been no movement since. For now, guests looking for late-night adult entertainment will need to head to the lounges at Disney Springs
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