Spring break is one of the busiest stretches of the year at Walt Disney World Resort, and this April, guests will be navigating the crowds without access to four rides currently under refurbishment. From a long-awaited roller coaster retheme to a Bluey-inspired overhaul, here’s what won’t be running when families descend on the Florida vacation destination next month.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
The interactive shooter attraction in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park has been closed since August 2025, getting its first major upgrade that includes new interactive targets, redesigned handheld blasters, and a fresh scene featuring a friendly audio-animatronic robot named Buddy. Some guests have already stumbled onto unofficial test runs of the revamped Toy Story (1995)-themed ride in recent days.
The official return is set for April 8, 2026, which means the first week of April is a no-go for anyone hoping to blast Emperor Zurg’s robots at the Magic Kingdom.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Frontierland’s iconic roller coaster has been under construction since January 2025, with crews replacing the entire steel track and outfitting the ride with freshly painted steam train-style vehicles. Walt Disney Imagineers are currently running tests as finishing touches continue throughout the queue and surrounding areas.
The reimagined experience will introduce a Rainbow Caverns scene featuring shimmering stalagmites, phosphorescent pools, and audio-animatronic bats, along with a new story element in which the mountain itself revolts against the gold mining disturbing its core. Disney has pegged the reopening as “spring 2026” without committing to a specific date, leaving April visitors with little reason for optimism.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Disney’s Hollywood Studios lost one of its marquee thrill rides on March 2, 2026, when Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith closed permanently. The Sunset Showcase coaster is being fully rethemed into Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, inspired by the Muppets Mayhem musical series.
Walt Disney World Resort has announced a “summer 2026” opening, so spring break guests won’t even get a soft opening preview.
Wildlife Express Train
The Wildlife Express Train at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has been out of service since February, and it won’t be back before May. The entire Rafiki’s Planet Watch area — including the Affection Section petting zoo and Conservation Station — is being converted into an Australian outback setting inspired by the animated series Bluey.
The reimagined destination, set to open May 26, will offer a ride out to meet Bluey and Bingo, along with a new Australian animal petting zoo called Jumping Junction. For visitors in April, the train station in Africa is nothing but a temporary character meet-and-greet location.
Which of these Walt Disney World Resort rides would you be most disappointed to miss? Share your opinion with Disney Dining in the comments!
