Guests arriving at Walt Disney World right now are finding plenty of familiar places unavailable.
Construction has become a major part of the resort in 2026 as Disney moves ahead with new attractions, lands, hotel projects, and refurbishments. Some closures will only last a few weeks or months. Others are permanent, with Disney already preparing replacements.
Altogether, 18 locations are currently affected by closures or refurbishment work across the theme parks and resort hotels.
And some of the biggest changes are impossible to miss.
Magic Kingdom Loses Several Familiar Experiences
Magic Kingdom is dealing with both temporary and permanent closures.
Carousel of Progress has been unavailable since July 6. Disney is giving the attraction a major update that will modernize several scenes while adding a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic figure to introduce the experience.
Guests have a lengthy wait ahead. Disney currently plans to reopen Carousel of Progress sometime in 2027.
Elsewhere in Magic Kingdom, the changes are permanent.
The Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and Liberty Square Riverboat all closed in July 2025. Disney is clearing the area for Piston Peak, a Cars-inspired expansion featuring two new attractions.
Disney hasn’t announced an opening date for Piston Peak.
Hollywood Studios Remains Under Construction
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has several projects underway at the same time.
Vacation Fun closed August 9 and doesn’t currently have an announced reopening date. The space is serving as an Annual Passholder magnet distribution location through September 24.
Animation Courtyard has also experienced major changes since portions of the area closed in September 2025.
The transformation has already started producing new experiences. Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! is operating, and more of the reimagined area is scheduled to debut September 14.
Then there’s the former Muppets Courtyard.
Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo permanently closed in June 2025, while Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano closed the previous month.
Construction walls now surround the area as Disney prepares Monstropolis. The Monsters, Inc.-themed land will eventually include new attractions and dining, including Harryhausen’s.
EPCOT and Animal Kingdom Face Closures
Over at EPCOT, La Signature in the France Pavilion has been closed for refurbishment since June 29. Disney hasn’t provided a reopening date.
The Germany Pavilion is dealing with closures as well.
Most of Volkskunst closed in July because of work involving backstage Cast Member bathrooms. Public bathrooms in the pavilion are also unavailable. Disney hasn’t announced when those areas will return.
Animal Kingdom has an even larger project underway.
DinoLand U.S.A. officially closed February 2, allowing Disney to continue transforming the area into Tropical Americas.
That means guests aren’t simply losing an individual attraction during construction. An entire section of Animal Kingdom has disappeared while Disney prepares its replacement.
Disney Hotels Aren’t Escaping the Construction
Several resort hotels are experiencing projects of their own.
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort began a major Convention Center refurbishment August 10. Work is scheduled to continue through September 2027 and also involves the El Centro Corridor and nearby areas.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa continues to undergo construction around its porte cochere, with work expected to last into early 2027.
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort faces an even longer timeline. Construction throughout the property is expected to continue through late 2027.
Dining is being affected, too.
Turf Club Bar & Grill at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort is undergoing refurbishment into September.
Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort has been closed since May, although guests won’t have to wait much longer. The restaurant is scheduled to reopen August 28.
Disney’s BoardWalk has several changes happening simultaneously.
The Village Green is temporarily unavailable through September 4, while Promenade Fine Art Gallery has closed its previous location and is expected to move elsewhere.
Jellyrolls also permanently left Disney’s BoardWalk in April 2025. The dueling piano bar is expected to reopen at a different location away from the resort later in 2026.
Guests Should Check Before Their Trips
Walt Disney World is clearly in a transitional period.
Several of these closures are temporary and will eventually end. Others represent permanent changes that will reshape the resort for years to come.
That’s why guests shouldn’t assume everything they remember from their last Disney World vacation will still be available.
With 18 locations currently affected, checking closures and refurbishments before heading to the parks could prevent an unpleasant surprise once the vacation begins.
