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 several ongoing refurbishments at the Magic Kingdom, including a strongly rumored closure that has not been officially been announced yet!
1. Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover (Magic Kingdom)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: Now – November 28, 2020
One of the attractions that did not open with Walt Disney World when it reopened in July was the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. However, unlike other attractions like Primeval Whirl and River of Light, which are now closed forever, this attraction is expected to reopen at some point, and Disney officially updated its website back in August to say that this attraction will be under refurbishment at least through to the end of October 2020.
However, it looks like whatever tune-ups or improvements are happening behind the scenes will take a little longer than expected as Walt Disney World has updated its official calendar and this closure is now expected to last until November 28, 2020, when it is now re-scheduled to begin welcoming guests once again.
2. Walt Disney World Railroad (Magic Kingdom)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: Now – TBA 2021
Walt Disney World Railroad has been closed for over a year now. Though there haven’t been any updates on the refurbishment of this attraction, recent rumors seem to indicate that it will be another full year at least until this attraction might reopen, as construction on the TRON Roller Coaster in Tomorrowland continues to press on in hopes of a 2021 opening date.
3. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom)
Status: Rumored
Dates: TBA
Before last spring’s COVID-19 shutdown one of the big refurbishment projects rumored for 2020 was a refresh of Big Thunder Mountain at the Magic Kingdom. Back in February it was confirmed that this attraction would be closing for a short refurbishment from May 4 to May 21, 2020 in anticipation of a longer refurbishment later in the year.
Of course, that small refurbishment never happened, and rumors of the larger refresh for this attraction faded away as Disney began tightening their belt when it came to future projects. However, last week, Disney filed two permits for updates to be made to the popular ride that mentioned labor, material and/or electrical for construction to be done at some future date.
Right now there are no official refurbishment closure dates on the official Walt Disney World calendar, but the filing of this permit is certainly an interesting development and we’ll keep an eye out in case anything materializes in the next few weeks.
4. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Status: Confirmed
Dates: Now – Summer 2021
Though the majority of Walt Disney World resort hotels are currently operating, there are still a handful that have remained shuttered following the resort’s reopening in July, including Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort which will not be opening at all in 2020, with Disney confirming that this hotel will remain shuttered until summer 2021. During this time, Disney has announced that they will be extensively refurbishing the hotel, making enhancements to the Great Ceremonial House and Guest rooms, which will be moved to a Pacific Ocean-inspired color palette with details, patterns and textures added from Disney’s Moana.
5. Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: TBA
Back in June Disney announced that Splash Mountain would go down for an extensive refurbishment and be transformed into unnamed Princess and the Frog attraction that would use the same ride system as Splash Mountain. However, in the months since this announcement, there have been no updates about when this ride might close, and with Disney’s current budget issues, it may be years before this refurbishment/re-theme actually happens.
When it does open this new attraction will tell a story that happens after the ending of the movie. In this new attraction guests will float along as Princess Tiana and Louis go on a musical adventure – featuring some of the iconic tunes from the film – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance. Original dialogue and music will be also be recorded, and the original voice of Princess Tiana, Tony Award-winning actress, Anika Noni Rose, has been confirmed to be reprising her role.
