As we recently heard at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in August, lots of changes are coming to Disney Parks around the world. Walt Disney World has plenty on the way, and made the following announcements regarding several major theme park attractions. Here’s the latest information.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Starting in Magic Kingdom, we have learned that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – one of my top ten favorite attractions in Walt Disney World – will be closing on January 6, 2025 for a year-long refurbishment. According to Disney, the attraction will reopen with “a little bit of new magic” in 2026. With such a lengthy refurbishment, it is possible that Big Thunder will be getting an upgraded ride system and enhanced theming similar to an improvement to Disneyland’s version over a decade ago. This closure was not annouced at D23 in August, but with the Villains Land planned to be added “Beyond Big Thunder,” there is also a chance that some work to be done during the refurbishment will be in support of that massive project.
DinoLand U.S.A.
Over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the inevitable permanent closure of DinoLand U.S.A. attractions will begin in January 2025. Work on the upcoming Tropical Americas will continue when construction progress walls are installed on January 13. According to Disney, the last day of operations for TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures will be January 12.
DINOSAUR, the Boneyard, Restaurantosaurus, Dino-Bite Snacks, and Trilo-Bites will all remain open for the time being – squeezing the last drops of life out of these attractions and restaurants before they all go extinct.
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the upcoming stage show “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” is on track for a Summer 2025 premier. The show will replace “Voyage of The Little Mermaid,” which performed at the location for almost three decades. The new show was originally scheduled to premiere in Fall 2024 prior to the revision to Summer 2025. Disney did not specifically state the reason for the delay, though they did acknowledge ongoing permitting activities.
With so much change happening to the landscape of Walt Disney World, it is always best to work with an experienced travel planner (shameless plug) who can help you prepare for the changes coming to the parks and resorts. If you are interested in planning a trip but have questions regarding when is the best time to visit, please reach out to Facts and Figment Vacation Planning. My travel planning services are absolutely FREE to you, and I can help you navigate the complex world of Disney vacationing while helping you score the best, hardest-to-get deals to make your vacation more affordable.
As always, feel free to reach out to Facts and Figment on social: Instagram Facebook X
