As Thanksgiving and Christmas bring festive cheer to Walt Disney World Resort, preparations for a groundbreaking 2025 are quietly unfolding. The coming year promises transformative updates across Disney’s theme parks, setting the stage for monumental changes.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the spotlight is on DinoLand U.S.A., which will see three of its attractions permanently close on January 13, 2025. While some areas bid farewell, the iconic DINOSAUR attraction will remain open throughout 2025, offering fans a sense of continuity amid the transformation.
Over at EPCOT, excitement is building for the much-anticipated return of Test Track. Partnering with General Motors, Disney will unveil a revamped version of the popular ride in late summer 2025. Meanwhile, Animal Kingdom’s Kali River Rapids will close for refurbishment in January, continuing its tradition of seasonal updates.
Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland faces a bittersweet moment as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad prepares for an extensive refurbishment starting January 6, 2025. This beloved attraction will close indefinitely as of January 5, with Disney promising a refreshed experience upon its reopening in 2026. Speculation abounds that the updates may mirror enhancements made to the Disneyland counterpart, which added new effects and modernized the ride years ago.
Recent permits hint at the scale of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s refurbishment. Elite AV Systems Inc., a trusted Disney collaborator, is handling audio-visual upgrades, with their permit valid through December 2025. Additional structural updates are in progress, with Coastal Steel Inc. and DPR Construction continuing their work into early 2026.
Preparations are already visible on the Magic Kingdom skyline, where a large crane has been installed at the Big Thunder site. These updated images of the area were shared by WDWMagic and showcase the beginning of this ambitious transformation.
These updates come amidst larger plans for Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland expansion, announced during the D23 Expo. This project will feature Tiana’s Bayou Adventure alongside a Cars-themed reimagining of the former Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America areas, sparking both excitement and debate among fans.
Animal Kingdom, too, is set for a major evolution with the introduction of Pueblo Esperanza, a Tropical Americas-themed area. Featuring attractions based on Encanto and Indiana Jones, this addition underscores Disney’s commitment to appealing to a new generation of parkgoers.
During the INBOUND festival, Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro addressed fan concerns, acknowledging that not every change lands perfectly with audiences. Nevertheless, Disney’s focus remains on crafting innovative experiences to captivate future guests.
As Big Thunder Mountain Railroad prepares to close its doors temporarily, fans reflect on its legacy while anticipating its future. What do you think of these sweeping changes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Our family has already booked a holiday at Disneyworld for August 2025 and we’re wondering whether with so many changes this will be a sensible time to choose. Is the Magic Kingdom closing completely at this time or are most of the rides still accessible? We’re all horrified at the thought of Rivers of America disappearing for good. It was a wonderful part of the Magic Kingdom and Tom Sawyer’s Island was a unique and beautiful place to take refuge. We’ve been coming since the 60’s and we’re quite cut up about the changes.