Disney World is going through some MAJOR changes over the next couple years. We’re going to see the coming of Monstropolis to Hollywood Studios, Pueblo Esperanza to Animal Kingdom, and Villains and Cars Land to Magic Kingdom.
Magic Kingdom!
In order to prepare for the massive expansion across the park, things are starting to close! If you’re planning a trip to Disney World for the early summer, these are six closures you should be aware of for the month of May!
Over in Magic Kingdom in Frontierland, Big Thunder Mountain is closed for an extra lengthy refurbishment. You can see the big crane at the park right now! Disney has yet to reveal a reopening date after stating that the construction would last for at least a year. We probably won’t be able to ride the wildest ride in the wilderness until at least 2026!
Construction at Big Thunder at Magic Kingdom
Hall of Presidents is currently undergoing refurbishment, as it usually does when updating the show to center around the United State’s latest president. We’re thinking the refurb is to update the Donald Trump animatronic to match today’s presidency. There is no exact date for its reopening, but we’re expecting it to start shows again at some point later in 2025.
The Hall of Presidents
Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland is also getting a refurbishment! Parts of the ride have been removed to be taken to another facility for an update — fancy stuff! We don’t have an exact reopening date, but we’re hoping this could be up and running by the summer of 2025.
Astro Orbiter is missing!
Over in EPCOT, Test Track is currently under construction for it’s new re-theme, and we’re getting close to it’s debut. It will be closed for all of May, but Disney Imagineering has just started testing the actual ride. With no exact date for us to look forward to, Disney did state that the ride will reopen in late summer 2025!
Test Track construction
At Animal Kingdom, “It’s Tough To Be A Bug” officially closed its doors permanently on March 17th, 2025. It was sad for Disney fans, as that was the last attraction themed to A Bugs Life at any Disney Parks! The Tree of Life will be getting a new show themed to the popular Disney Animated movie Zootopia — called “Zootopia: Better Together”. That show won’t debut until the winter of this year, so the Tree of Life will be empty for May.
It’s Tough to Be a Bug is permanently closed
DinoLand U.S.A. is going through a phased closure as it gets ready to introduce a new land, Pueblo Esperanza. This new “Tropical Americas” land is going to feature attractions based off the beloved Encanto and the adventurous Indiana Jones — but they won’t be coming for a long time. As everything in DinoLand begins to close, Disney listened to fans, and will be leaving Dinosaur open through all of 2025. We don’t expect it to close until early next year, as the last phase of DinoLand’s departure.
DINOSAUR
To be completely transparent with you, we have no idea when Magic Kingdom’s Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Boat will close. We’re kind of waiting for Disney to just hit us with the information at any point. Our guess is that we will get all the details at Destination D23 this year. Villains Land and Cars Land will be taking over all this space, so it’s possible the two classic attractions could close sometime this year. However, Disney has not revealed any details about there plans.
Liberty Boat!
Anyone going to Disney World in May, we have good news for you. You will catch the last month of showings for Muppet Vision 3D, as the attraction will permanently close its doors on June 7th, 2025. This is to start the construction process of Hollywood Studio’s NEW Monsters, Inc. Land — which we are pumped about! For you Muppets fans, don’t worry, they will be getting relocated to another attraction in Hollywood Studios. The Muppets will be moving over to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, as that ride will be getting a re-theme. Disney hasn’t announced a closure date for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, but that probably won’t happen until later this year. Nothing to worry about for May for these two attractions!
Muppet*Vision 3D
Make sure to plan around these closures, and be aware that wait times for rides could increase at the beginning of summer with certain attractions not being available! We’re going to be on the lookout for when Disney posts exact opening and closing dates for these attractions. So stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for all the latest updates surrounding Disney World!
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Never has the Hall of Presidents been closed this long for a presidential change. Why is Disney doing this? They owe people an explanation.
I often find it strange that people feel “owed” about things they have no participation in, however, Disney might be experiencing a wave of good taste.
@kebtuckyfried: According to Disney Wiki, it was closed from Jan 17-Dec 19 to make the changes for the first Trump presidency. For Biden it was Jan-Aug, and for Obama it was Oct-July. So yes, it has taken this long to update the Hall of Presidents before. Instead of getting outraged, try a simple Google search next time.
The riverboat is classic Magic Kingdom and should not be closed! Such a bad decision.
If I would have do many closures I would have not booked for the week very disappointing that is waisted time and money
I feel that during all these closures that the two parks in Florida and California should lower entrance prices.
The loss of attractions is a loss to your customers desires as it’s not just the fees and ridiculous food prices. But family travel and lodging expenses.
Disney please consider some significant price adjustments. It would ease the pain in our wallet.
I also find it distasteful to place our current President who is a Felon. And a sexual assault perpetrator to Be placed in a family oriented park.