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Walt Disney World Quarterly Refurbishment Schedule Starting October 1, 2018

Photo Credit: Disney

The rides, attractions, and restaurants at Walt Disney World are maintained on a regular basis. This keeps guests safe. Sometimes, though, extra work is needed. A ride, attraction, store, or restaurant might close for refurbishment. It could be that the closure is just for a few days so that the elements of the area can be deep-cleaned, and maybe a fresh coat of paint added. Other times the refurbishment will last longer. It might even be that the place in question receives a complete makeover. Parts of resorts will close for refurbishment as well. It is never a bad idea to check to see if there are any refurbishments scheduled during your vacation. You don’t want to be disappointed once you arrive and learn that a favorite is closed.

Below is a list of current and future refurbishments and closings at Walt Disney World. Please be advised that the dates and other information could change at any time. This list is up to date starting in October, 2018, to the best of our knowledge.

 Theme Parks:

Magic Kingdom:

  • Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise: currently closed, rescheduled to run again on October 21, 2018.
  • Liberty Square Riverboat: currently closed, reopening TBA.
  • Stitch’s Great Escape!: closed, permanent closure has not been announced.

Epcot:

  • No known current or upcoming closures for this time period.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away: not running October 1-TBA. It’s expected to start again sometime in November.
  • Disney Junior – Live on Stage!: has finished its run. It will be replaced by Disney Junior Dance Party! late 2018.
  • Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is scheduled to open early 2019.
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is scheduled to open in 2019.
  • Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is scheduled to open late fall, 2019.

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

  • Rafiki’s Planet Watch: closing on October 20 for lengthy refurbishment. This includes Wildlife Express Train, Affection Section, Conservation Station, and Habitat Habitat!. The meet and greets are already gone. Rafiki’s Planet Watch is expected to reopen spring, 2019, and it could change to seasonal.

Water Parks:

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park: will be closed October 28, 2018-January 5, 2019 for annual refurbishment.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: will be closed January 6, 2019-March 16, 2019 for annual refurbishment.

Disney Springs:

La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil: closed permanently December 31, 2017. Will be replaced by a new Cirque du Soleil show featuring Disney themes, no opening date has been announced.

Resorts (in alphabetical order):

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge:

Starting fall, 2018, Uzima Springs Pool and Uzima Springs Pool Bar will both close. During the refurbishment shuttle service will be available to Kidani Village to use Samawati Springs Pool and Maji Pool Bar.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort:

Resort is currently under refurbishment. Old Port Royale Food Court, Shutters at Old Port Royale, Banana Cabana Pool Bar, and Calypso Trading Post are closed during this time. Other dining options, including food carts, are available instead. Goombay Games Arcade is also closed.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort:

Resort is currently under refurbishment. Construction takes place 9:00am-5:00pm to minimize guest disruptions. The Dig Site is scheduled to close fall, 2018.

About PaulaK

I grew up in Western Massachusetts. When I was nine my family went to Disneyland and I was hooked. I grew up, attended New England College in Henniker, NH and eventually moved to Virginia. I worked as a disc jockey, married and became a full time mom when our daughter was born. Fast forward several years. In 2010 we moved to Central Florida and my Disney obsession grew. I now work as a freelance writer and spend my spare time in the parks. Under the name Paula Brown I penned the novels Dream Wanderers and The Coffee Cruiser. I also am a co-author of Dining at Walt Disney World: The Definitive Guide. I'm obsessed with Star Wars, so this is a good time to live in Central Florida. I've been a vegetarian for well over a decade, a choice that my daughter eventually made as well. While my husband still hasn't joined us fully he has given up most meats except for seafood. I was relieved to find that vegetarian dining is not difficult at Walt Disney World.