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 a pair of Disney’s Animal Kingdom attractions that will be closing for regular maintenance, plus an early 2022 refurbishment for Disney’s newest transportation option!
1. Expedition Everest (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: January 4 2022 – mid-April 2022
Disney’s Animal Kingdom favorite Expedition Everest will close early next year from January 4 2022 until mid-April 2022 for a equipment refurbishment. No major changes to the actual ride experience are expected, so if you’ve got your hopes up for a repair for the Yeti, unfortunately it looks like that won’t be happening this time around.
2. Kali River Rapids (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: November 1 2021 – mid-December 2021
Also at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Kali River Rapids’ annual refurbishment has been penciled in for this fall, right in time for temperatures to cool off. Disney’s Animal Kingdom fans may note that this is a little earlier than this attraction’s usual January closure, but with the aforementioned closure of Expedition Everest happening early next year, Disney is likely looking to minimize the number of attractions at this park that are closed at one time.
3. Disney Skyliner
Status: Confirmed
Dates: January 23 – 28 2022
And speaking of closures early next year, the Disney Skyliner gondola transportation system will be closed for a very short maintenance-related refurbishment from January 23 through January 28 2022. Increased bus service will be available at the resorts served by Disney Skyliner.
4. Walt Disney World Railroad (Magic Kingdom)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: Now – TBA 2022
Walt Disney World Railroad has been closed since the beginning of 2019 and though there haven’t been any official updates on the refurbishment of this attraction, with the delay of the TRON Lightcycle / Run, it looks like this refurbishment will last at least another year due to construction slowdowns, as Disney is now reportedly targeting a 2022 opening date for TRON Lightcycle / Run. Disney has yet to update their official calendar for this attraction, but we’ll let you know if there are any updates in the near future.
