Disney parks are constantly changing their refurbishment schedules, making it difficult for guests to keep up with the operating times and latest news regarding their favorite attractions, resorts, shops, and restaurants. Here are a few big, upcoming changes that are either confirmed by their respective parks or at the least very strongly rumored for the very near future.
Last month we saw Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon closing for its annual refurbishment and Blizzard Beach reopening. We still hope to see both Disney water parks open together at the same time at some point this year. We saw the reopening of The Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
In this month’s update, the popular Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios remains closed along with The Country Bear Jamboree at Magic Kingdom which continues its reimagining into the “Country Bears Musical Jamboree”.
1.Test Track (EPCOT)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: June 17, 2024 – TBC
Earlier in April, it was confirmed on the official Walt Disney World website that Test Track at EPCOT will be temporarily closing for refurbishment beginning in June, “On June 17, 2024, Test Track Presented by Chevrolet will temporarily close. Please check back for additional information.”
It was back at the D23 Expo in September 2023 where it was first announced that the iconic Test Track at EPCOT which officially opened in March 1999 would be reimagined and so far we have few details of exactly what will be done. What we do know is that Disney is working with Chevrolet and the opening day attraction, The World of Motion will be the inspiration.
2. Blizzard Beach
Status: Confirmed
Dates: March 17 – TBA
It was confirmed on the official Walt Disney World calendar that Blizzard Beach would close on Saturday March 16 for refurbishment. At this point Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon reopened.
This has been the pattern since the closing of the theme parks due to COVID-19. We are still hopeful that this year we could see both Disney water parks open at the same time but this will remain to be seen.
3. Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster Starring Aerosmith (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: January 8, 2024 – Summer 2024
Back in December, Disney confirmed that the popular Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios would close on January 8 for an extended period for routine refurbishment to address mechanical issues. At the moment it is expected that Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster will reopen in the summer.
According to a poster on the WDWMagic forums, this refurbishment time will be used to primarily fix the ride’s braking system, which was replaced back in 2023, but is still having issues. The poster says that the metal used in the final brake is prone to over-heating and causes frequent shutdowns of the attraction during the day, which would explain why this ride was still having operating issues following its 2023 refurbishment.
Other posters on the forum have mentioned issues with inconsistent lighting and effects on the ride, which could also be fixed during this refurbishment. Some are also hoping for new restraints on the ride vehicles as well.
What we do know for certain is that this extended refurbishment is not going to be in order for a re-theme of the ride to Muppet band Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem which was rumored in 2023.
4. Country Bear Jamboree (Magic Kingdom)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: January 27, 2024 – Late summer 2024
Walt Disney World updated its official Country Bears Jamboree page with details that Grizzly Hall would close on Saturday January 27 and is set to reopen later this summer after its extensive reimagining into the new “Country Bears Musical Jamboree”.
The new show is set to pay homage to “Opry-style shows of Nashville”, the bears will sing reinterpreted Disney tunes in a range of genres of country music including rockabilly, bluegrass, pop-country and Americana.
5. Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom
Status: Confirmed
Dates: January 22, 2023 – Permanent
Splash Mountain at Disney’s Magic Kingdom officially closed at the end of Sunday January 22, 2023 in order to begin its extensive transformation to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. News of this closure will come as sad news to Splash Mountain fans especially as many assumed Disney would keep it open until the end of the 50th Anniversary celebrations which ended on March 31.
6. Voyage Of The Little Mermaid (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: March 2020 – TBA
Voyage of the Little Mermaid at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the one show that Disney had remained quiet about since the theme parks reopened in July 2020 after the closures due to COVID-19 which began in March 2020.
Voyage of the Little Mermaid was a spectacular indoor show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios retelling the story of The Little Mermaid live, with Ariel, Flounder, and all their underwater (and land) friends. The story was retold with memorable songs and colorful puppets.
After 3 and a half years of silence and with many Disney fans assuming this show was closed for good, on December 19, Disney announced that they would be reimagining the Voyage of The Little Mermaid and would debut “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” at the Animation Courtyard theater in fall 2024.
We will keep you updated on this as we head through 2024.
7. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Status: Confirmed
Dates: September 30, 2023 – Permanent
At the end of May, Disney made the shocking announcement that their most immersive experience; Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser would take its last voyage Sept. 28-30 meaning after only 18 months since its official debut in March 2022, it has now closed permanently.
8. Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: March 2020 – TBA
There hasn’t been any official announcement from Disney in the last couple of years about the fate of the Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple and the stage has remained empty with nothing taking place on it. There still hasn’t been official word from Disney that the Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple will never return but we heard in July that the sign showing performance times has been removed and the official page on the Walt Disney World website has been taken down and now reads “Someone Ate the Page!” and a photo of Stitch on it.
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple allowed children aged 4-12 to train like Jedi and learn to wield a lightsaber and be one with the Force. Once trained, these young Padawans would test their skills against Star Wars villains.
If indeed Disney is planning to never bring Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we hope something new comes to this currently unused stage. It would be brilliant to finally see this area being used once again. We will keep you posted on further updates on Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple but we must admit at the moment things aren’t looking good for the return of this Star Wars attraction.
9. EPCOT Forever (EPCOT)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: December 5, 2023 – permanent
Disney announced at the beginning of September that the new nighttime spectacular named “Luminous The Symphony of Us” will debut at EPCOT on December 5. It is set to feature fireworks, fountains, lasers, lighting effects and music.
This means that EPCOT Forever which returned on April 3 to bridge the gap between the final performance of the somewhat controversial Harmonious and the newly announced, “Luminous The Symphony of Us” had its last show on December 4.
EPCOT Forever originally debuted on October 1, 2019 to bridge the gap between the closure of Reflections of Earth and opening of Harmonious on September 29, 2021. Whether we see the return of EPCOT Forever in the future remains uncertain but don’t rule it out completely.
10. Harmonious (EPCOT)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: April 3, 2023 – Permanent
We heard back in September 2022 at the D23 Expo that Harmonious will be replaced by an all-new night time show after having debuted for the 50th anniversary last September. Harmonious performed for the last time on April 2.
11. Disney’s Enchantment (Magic Kingdom)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: April 3, 2023 – Permanent
The 50th anniversary celebrations at Walt Disney World brought with it a brand-new night time spectacular at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Enchantment, which was immediately met with mixed responses from guests, leaving many hoping to eventually see Happily Ever After return to Cinderella castle. Following Happily Ever After’s final performance in September 2021, the general consensus among parks fans has been that Enchantment falls somewhat short when it comes to capturing the same magic as its predecessor.
Disney’s Enchantment had its last show on April 2 making way for the return of Happily Ever After on April 3 which will now be performed each night at 9:00PM.
We will update you on further details regarding any refurbishments and closures at Walt Disney World during March and be sure to look out for our next full update which will be coming to Theme Park Tourist at the beginning of May 2024!
