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.
This month’s refurbishment update includes an unexpected closure at Epcot due to construction and the shortening of what was originally thought to be a lengthy refurbishment at the Magic Kingdom. In addition, we take a look at several closings that will be happening in the first six months of 2019
1. Move It! Shake It! Dance and Play It! (Magic Kingdom)
Image: Disney
Status: Confirmed
Dates: December 1, 2018 – January 18, 2019
Last year the daily Move It! Shake It! Dance and Play It! parade had its last day of operation on December 1, 2018, and is being reworked into the new(ish) Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party. In this updated entertainment experience, Mickey and Minnie Mouse will invite guests to dance with their pals in front of Cinderella Castle with live singers belting out new arrangements of classic “Mickey Mouse Club” songs. This updated parade will debut in the Magic Kingdom on January 18, 2019.
2. Walt Disney World Railroad (Magic Kingdom)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: December 3, 2018 – TBA
The Walt Disney World Railroad will be closing this holiday season in order to make adjustments for the upcoming Tron roller coaster attraction, which will be ramping up construction in the new year. And though it looked like the train might reopen periodically throughout the year, this attraction’s reopening is back to TBA status, which means that it could be months or even years before guests are able to experience this attraction again.
However, the good news is while the train is pulled in to the station for an undetermined amount of time, guests will be able to get an up-close look at the train and take advantage of one-of-a-kind photo opportunities. They will also get the chance to learn more about the history of the Walt Disney World railroad and can appreciate the details of both the locomotive and the passenger cars that have carried guests around this park for over 45 years.
3. Tomorrowland Speedway (Magic Kingdom)
Image: Disney
Status: Confirmed
Dates: January 2, 2019 – May 17 2019
Another attraction that is being impacted by the construction of the Tron Roller Coaster at the Magic Kingdom is the Tomorrowland Speedway, which closed last week, just after the holiday season. And though this refurbishment will be pretty long, according to current estimates this attraction will be ready to cross the finish line once again before the busy summer travel season.
Disney has also made sure to say specifically that this attraction will be the “same attraction our guests know and love” when it reopens next spring, quashing rumors that seemed to suggest this attraction was getting a Tron-themed makeover to fit in with its upcoming neighbor attraction. Though we don’t know exactly how the track will be altered, it looks like the core experience will remain the same, which is definitely good news for fans of this attraction.
