Disney World Ride Closures and Refurbishments (2026/2027): What's Closed During Your Holiday?
When visiting form the UK a ride closure can feel awful, especially if you have spent months, even years looking forward to enjoying a ride experience. For most UK visitors, a ride closure or land closure is not worth rebooking a holiday you’ve saved for and travelled 9 hours across the Atlantic to enjoy. Disney has lots to offer, and with constant improvements and changes, you might even find a new favourite.
This page covers ride closures, attraction refurbishments and major park-area closures that could affect how you plan your park days.
What rides are closed today at Disney World?
Today, the following attraction and land closures are current:
Carousel of Progress is being reimagined and refurbished in Magic Kingdom
Dinoland USA is permanently closed in Animal Kingdom and is currently being reimagined into Tropical Americas
Walt Disney World Railroad - Frontierland Station: the train does not complete the full loop in Magic Kingdom but crucially, you can still ride it.
Tom Sawyer Island, the Rivers of America, and Liberty Belle in Magic Kingdom are permanently closed as Disney reimagines the central part of the Frontierland area into Piston Peak National Park, a Cars themed area.
Muppets Courtyard is permanently closed and is currently being reimagined into Monstropolis
Vacation Fun at the Mickey Shorts Theater in Hollywood Studios is temporarily closed for a refurbishment
Disney World ride closures and refurbishments: 2026 -2027
Park | Attraction | Closure status | Current date window |
|---|---|---|---|
Magic Kingdom | Carousel of Progress | Closed for refurbishment | 5th July 2026 - Spring 2027 |
Magic Kingdom | Walt Disney World Railroad - Frontierland Station | Closed due to development of Piston Peak and Villains Land | 7th July 2025 - TBD |
Magic Kingdom | Big Top Souvenirs | Closed for refurbishment | 20th Feb 2026 - unknown |
Magic Kingdom | Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Belle along the Rivers of America | Permanently closed as area is reimagined into Piston Peak National Park | 6th July 2025 - TBD |
Hollywood Studios | Mickey Shorts Theatre | Retheme of all attractions in the area into The Walt Disney Studios | 9th August 2026 - TBD |
Hollywood Studios | Muppets Courtyard | Retheme of area to Monstropolis | June 2025 to 2027 (not including the coaster) |
Animal Kingdom | Dinoland USA | Permanent area closure - reimagining into Tropical Americas | Feb 2026 - 2027 |
Confirmed Future Ride Closures Without Dates At Disney World
Disney has confirmed that the following rides will be reimagined in the near future, but there are no closing dates yet. These attractions are:
Spaceship Earth in EPCOT
Journey Into The imagination with Figment in EPCOT
Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom
This page will update when announcements are made, so be sure to follow along on our socials or sign-up to the newsletter if you want the latest news direct to your inbox:
Which Disney World Closures Matter Most For 2026 Holidays?
Not every refurbishment has the same impact on your trip. In 2026 Disney World is going through a transformative phase so no matter when you visit during the year you are going to see construction walls. But for most UK visitors it is not construction walls, but the lands closed behind them that will matter most.
In Summer / Autumn 2026, the closures likely to impact your trip from the UK the most are the permanent area closures that have happened over the last 12 months at Disney World parks. In these areas reimagining is underway, meaning new attractions will be opening when the area reopens with a new name and theming. Most of these closed areas are undergoing heavy construction and they will not be opening until some time in 2027, and even then there is no current confirmation that all attractions will be open.
Park | Area | Reimaging into | Closed for the rest of 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
Animal Kingdom | Dinoland USA | Tropical Americas / Pueblo Esperanza | Yes |
Hollywood Studios | Muppets Courtyard | Monstropolis | Yes |
Magic Kingdom | Frontierland | Piston Peak | Yes |
Ride Closures And Your Holiday Planning By Park 2026/2027
Ride closures happen and holidays in 2026 are going to be affected by land and ride closures in all in 3 out of Disney’s 4 parks. EPCOT's got no current ride closures to affect your planning this summer.
Magic Kingdom Closures: Park Planning Impacts
Magic Kingdom is where closures feel biggest for many British families, namely because of the construction walls in one of the central areas as Piston Peak is being built. This can make the Frontierland part of parade routes feel enclosed and congested, so this area is best avoided during busy park times for parades.
The other closure impacting guests is the partial closure of The Walt Disney World Railroad due to reimaging works for Piston Peak and Villain’s Land. The train currently stops at the Fantasyland Station and then goes backwards to the front Main Street USA main station. It’s not operating as a loop for now, more like a shuttle.
Hollywood Studios Closures: Park Planning Impact
Hollywood Studios is feeling more whole in Summer 2026 and while the closure of Muppet Courtyard is a loss, what is coming to the area is exciting and the closure is well enclosed enough that if you are visiting for the first time, it doesn’t feel like a big park area loss. The construction is really well contained, in my opinion.
Animal Kingdom Closure: Park Planning Impact
Animal Kingdom’s current closure of Dinoland USA still feels like a loss in this park, and the new openings of Bluey and Zootopia attractions have done little to change that in 2026. When Tropical Americas opens in 2027, this park is likely to feel very different, but until then there is a feeling that something is lacking and you can get round this park faster than the other Disney parks if you’re attraction focused.
Should you change your Disney World holiday because of ride closures?
No, there is no point changing a holiday booking because of ride closures, which are a part of the philosophy of Disney. Walt Disney himself saw the the Disney parks as ever changing and never finished, although speaking about Disneyland at the time, he said:
“Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world”
Most Disney World refurbishments are temporary, and the best move is to plan around them rather than delay an entire trip. Plus, it’s always an excuse to try and go back.
Is there a best time to avoid ride closures and refurbishments?
Avoiding January to March where possible is best as this is often considered refurbishment season, although current ride refurbishments have been lengthier as they have involved larger reimagining work rather than a refurbishment.
UK visitors do have to accept that closures happen for essential refurbishments, but if you are looking to avoid as many closures as possible visit during busier periods, as Disney keep as many rides open then as possible and in recent years ride openings have coincided with busier times.
Can Rides Close At No Notice During The Day?
Yes, rides in Disney World can close at no notice and often do but this is normally temporary and due to weather, or break-downs. All Disney rides experience some down time and you will most likely experience downtime or a weather closure during your holiday from the UK. Thunderstorms close rides like Expedition Everest, and the water parks frequently close when temperatures drop below around 20C, (71F). These closures are brief and rides are usually back up and running in a few hours, often less.
What Happens If A Ride Closes And You Have A Lightning Lane At That Time?
If a ride closes during the day you are visiting and you have a Lightning Lane scheduled, you will be given another chance to return that day, and you can book another attraction if you are using Multi Pass.
Ride closures and refurbishments won’t affect your holiday as much as you’d think when you get to Disney World, even if your favourite ride or land is closed. When you get there, you’ll find so much to do, that what’s closed won’t matter as much as when you’re planning and thinking “I really want to do that”.
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EPCOT Ultimate UK Visitor's GuideFind out about touring EPCOT as a UK visitor, how to spend your day, rides, lightning lanes, early entry, a map and KIDCOT for families.
Disney's Animal Kingdom: UK GuideFind out what's worth your time when planning Animal Kingdom days from rides to character meet and greets, coffee, snacks and dining options