Walt Disney World Resort suspended boat service and closed multiple guest facilities on Monday. The immediate closures affect transportation, parking, dining, and resort amenities across the Central Florida property, forcing Walt Disney World Resort guests to make alternative arrangements as refurbishment projects launch simultaneously at three locations.
Boat Service Suspended at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will no longer offer boat transportation to Magic Kingdom Park, effective January 12, 2026. The boat dock entered refurbishment on Monday morning, cutting off water-based travel to the theme park through January 30.
The construction project extends through early April 2026, though boat service is expected to resume January 31 despite ongoing dock repairs. Guests staying at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge must rely on bus transportation to reach Magic Kingdom Park during the suspension period, adding travel time to their theme park commutes.
Disney Springs Loses Major Parking Structure
The Lime Garage at Disney Springs also shut down on Monday for extensive refurbishment that will last multiple months. The five-story parking structure will remain closed through February 11, 2026, resulting in the elimination of hundreds of parking spaces in the shopping, dining, and entertainment district.
Walt Disney World Resort plans a brief reopening window from February 12 through February 16 to handle Presidents’ Day weekend traffic before implementing a second closure phase. The Lime Garage will shut down again on February 17 and stay closed through March 13, finally reopening permanently on March 14.
The refurbishment mirrors work completed at the Orange Garage last January. Disney cast members also installed new stanchions and themed barriers in October.
During the closure, guests visiting Disney Springs must use the Orange Garage, Grapefruit Garage, Watermelon Parking Lot, or Strawberry Parking Lot. The My Disney Experience app displays real-time parking availability, indicating which areas have reached capacity, so guests can avoid wasting time driving to full structures.
EPCOT Dining Location Closed
On January 12, Refreshment Port at EPCOT closed for refurbishment, eliminating a Quick-Service dining option near World Showcase. The Walt Disney World Resort website indicates that the closure will extend through at least March 13, although Disney hasn’t confirmed a reopening date.
The timing affects the upcoming EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, scheduled to run January 16 through February 23, 2026. Refreshment Port traditionally serves specialty poutine during this limited-time festival, but won’t participate this year due to the closure.
Was just at the festival of the arts at Epcot and tried the Caprese poutine.
Was just at the festival of the arts at Epcot and tried the Caprese poutine. pic.twitter.com/kEPTq6mpuW
— Bret Valencia (@bv_animefan30) January 22, 2025
Two popular menu items previously sold at Refreshment Port—the Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie and Blood Orange Cosmo—have been relocated to Refreshment Outpost. Guests seeking these festival favorites will need to adjust their World Showcase navigation plans.
Secret Expedition Everest Project Launches
This week, Disney cast members installed scrims near the loading and unloading areas of Expedition Everest, launching an unannounced maintenance project at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The barrier installation occurred overnight, surprising guests who arrived on Monday morning to find construction materials surrounding the popular roller coaster.
Walt Disney World Resort typically announces refurbishment projects that require attraction closures in advance, suggesting that Expedition Everest will continue to operate during the work. The approach represents an unconventional “rolling refurbishment” strategy, where Disney cast members repair attraction components while guests continue to ride.
However, the lack of any official announcement leaves questions unanswered. Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t explained the project scope, which attraction elements require repairs, or how long scrims will obstruct guest sightlines in the queue and station areas.
Have refurbishments ever impacted your visit to Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort? Disney Dining would love to hear from you in the comments!
