Disney4me Posted September 12 Report Posted September 12 Disney decided this was THE WEEK to drop all the news! We got news about next year’s EPCOT Festivals, discounts coming for 2027, new After Hours event dates, and so much more. In fact, that doesn’t even cover what actually happened IN the parks this past week. 2026 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival If things feel a bit overwhelming, or like it’s all moving a little too fast, we’re here to help break it all down. If you’re visiting the parks this upcoming week, these are the closures you need to know about before tapping into the parks! If you thought the closures were over, or that we’d get a break, we’re sorry to say that that’s NOT the case. Let’s take a look at all of the current closures in Disney World from September 11th through 18th. Magic Kingdom Carousel of Progress Carousel of Progress closed on July 6th to undergo a major refurbishment. The work will include completely revamping the scenes in the attraction to make them more modern and represent more recent parts of history, as well as adding a new Walt Disney animatronic at the opening. ©Disney Currently, the attraction is set to reopen in 2027, though no official date has been set yet. Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island An iconic part of the Magic Kingdom is now permanently closed. As of July 7th, 2025, the Rivers of America, including the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island, are permanently closed to make way for the new Cars area, Piston Peak. There are lots of construction walls up in the area now, and the structures on Tom Sawyer Island have been demolished. Most recently, we saw a new addition to one of the old boat docks, as a shed-like structure has now been added to the boat dock near Memento Mori. Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along Model ©Disney/Pixar Piston Peak National Park will be replacing this area of the Magic Kingdom. Disney has not yet announced an opening date for the new Cars area, but we do know it will feature two brand-new attractions and be themed to look like a National Park. It’s Time: We’re Setting the Record Straight on Villains Land Disney’s Hollywood Studios Vacation Fun Disney announced that Vacation Fun will be closing for the second time this year on Sunday, August 9th. Recently, hours for this spot began showing up again, beginning on September 27th! Vacation Fun The first time this attraction closed this year was on April 29th for a special May 4th Star Wars merchandise event. Muppets Courtyard Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo closed on June 8th, 2025, and Muppets Courtyard has been walled off for construction on the new Monsters, Inc. land. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano has been closed since May 11th, 2025. Most recently, Disney released new information about Monstropolis, saying that “Monstropolis — the monster city now powered by laughter — is getting ready to give humans a glimpse of what’s been hidden from their world for generations. Which raises an interesting question: if humans were never meant to enter the monster world … why are the doors finally opening to us?” ©bioreconstruct We’ll get to explore their world during H.U.M.A.N. Day, or “Humans Understand Monsters Are Nice” Day, with Disney continuing to say, “Human guests will have the chance to explore the city, meet its citizens, taste unique cuisine, and step into the everyday world of monsters in a totally new way. For the first time, two worlds once separated are meeting face to scaly, furry, and fang-filled face – brought together not by screams, but by laughter.” ©Disney It’s also been fully confirmed that Harryhausen’s will be one of the restaurants in the new land, in addition to Archie’s Square Pig Pizza. Most recently, we got a behind-the-scenes look at what Imagineers are working on behind the walls, and it’s got us even MORE excited for the new land! ©Disney If you’re missing The Muppets, you can go visit them at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets right now! Disney World Just Dropped 7 MAJOR Announcements EPCOT Coral Reef Restaurant Coral Reef, one of the most controversial restaurants in all of Disney World, closed for refurbishment on September 8th. Coral Reef Restaurant The Disney World website recently adjusted to allow guests to begin booking reservations again on November 4th and beyond, which we’re now considering the reopening date, unless Disney tells us differently. La Signature La Signature, one of the stores located in the France Pavilion, closed for refurbishment on June 30th. La Signature closed The store specializes in French cosmetics and fragrances from Guerlain. During the closure, if you’re looking to buy Guerlain products, they’ll be temporarily available at the nearby Plume Et Palette. Sections of Germany Pavilion On July 13th, both the guest bathrooms in the Germany Pavilion and the majority of the Volkskunst store in EPCOT’s Germany Pavilion closed for refurbishment. The roof of Das Kaufhaus is also under refurbishment. Totally closed While a Cast Member did tell us the store closure was to fix the Cast Member bathrooms out of sight, Disney has not revealed a reopening date for the store or the public bathrooms. Other parts of the pavilion are also seeing construction and refurbishment, but are not causing additional closures. To the Person Who STOLE From Tiny Train Town in EPCOT, I Hope Your Socks Are Perpetually Soggy Disney’s Animal Kingdom DinoLand, USA On February 2nd, DinoLand, USA, officially closed to make way for the new Tropical Americas land, Pueblo Esperanza. Most recently, we noticed that large cranes are in the area to adjust the roofs of existing buildings, likely to keep them in theme. @bioreconstruct on X We can also see lots of work happening at the front of the new Indiana Jones ride, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent! Recently, we got a chance to see how the entrance of the new land is shaping up. Things are certainly looking great so far, and we’re thrilled it’s reached this stage! @bioreconstruct on X This new land is shaping up nicely! It will have three new rides: El Carrusel de los Animalitos featuring classic Disney animals, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent where you’ll explore a Mayan temple, and Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto that invites you into the Madrigals’ home. We can’t wait to continue to see how it all shapes up. Okay, We’re Never Not Going to Celebrate New Cake in Disney World Disney World Hotels All-Star Sports Resort Disney quietly announced that Grandstand Spirits Pool Bar is closing VERY soon for a refurbishment. It’ll be closing on September 18th and is expected to last through mid-December 2026. Grandstand Spirits During the closure, we recommend you swing by End Zone Food Court, just a short walk away from the pool, to snag your eats and drinks. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge There are numerous closures taking place around Animal Kingdom Lodge over the next few months that may affect your vacation. The Savanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge August 17th through October 9th: The main lobby and primary entrance will be closed. Check-in will move to the Palace Library during this time. September 28th through October 9th: The north side lobby corridor will be closed. During this time, the north side lobby elevators on the second floor and the outdoor terrace observation deck will be unavailable. October 26th through November 6th: The south side lobby corridor will be closed. During this time, Community Hall, Safari So Good Arcade, the laundry room, the Palace Library, lobby restrooms, and the outdoor terrace observation deck will be unavailable. Convention Center and El Centro Corridor — Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Beginning on August 10th, the Convention Center at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort began a planned refurbishment that is expected to last through September 2027. Coronado Springs Additionally, the hotel’s El Centro Corridor and surrounding areas will also undergo refurbishment tied to the convention center refurbishment. While there’s no end date for this construction project, we do know that work will be completed in phases, with certain spaces being temporarily inaccessible at times. Boat Dock — Disney’s Old Key West Resort Starting on July 20th, Disney closed the boat transportation at Old Key West Resort, called the Sassagoula River Cruise. These boats usually go to Disney Springs, so now you’ll need to take a bus instead. Old Key West Dock The closure was expected to last through early August, but we still haven’t heard any updates. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa This hotel has been undergoing refurbishments for quite some time now, but some sections of the hotel — specifically the porte cochere — will continue to undergo refurbishment through at least early 2027. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort We certainly hope it’ll actually reopen on this timeline — we’re a little tired of seeing construction all over this beautiful hotel! Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Currently, work is taking place all over Bay Lake Tower through Late 2027. Bay Lake Tower While currently no major closures are taking place due to this construction, it’s important to note that you may see or hear construction during your stay. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Currently, The Turf Club Bar & Grill is under refurbishment until mid-September, according to the original timeline Disney spoke about. The restaurant closed on August 31st, a day after the Turf Club Lounge reopened after being closed since April. The Turf Club Bar & Grill! Additionally, the tennis courts at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort are currently closed for refurbishment. While Disney hasn’t shared an exact reopening date, the current timeline is that they’ll be closed from late August through November 2026. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Resort It was recently announced that the Village Green area of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn will be closed from August 10th through September 4th. This is an outdoor space where you can usually watch Movie Under The Stars, do yoga, attend arts and crafts classes, and more. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn The Promenade Fine Art Gallery closed its Disney’s BoardWalk location on October 20th, 2025. However, the Promenade Fine Art Gallery isn’t closing for good, and it will just be moving to a new location. Promenade Fine Art Gallery Disney filed permits for the BoardWalk titled “Project Amazon” and “Project Bubbles” earlier this year, and now that we have a bit more information on them, we’re thinking that this currently vacant spot could soon become the home of the new Basin on the BoardWalk store on its way! The shop will be rooted in the resort’s classic boardwalk heritage and will offer a sensory shopping experience that is described as “both timeless and distinctly new.” Jellyrolls — Disney’s BoardWalk Jellyrolls at Disney’s BoardWalk officially closed on April 19th, 2025. This entertainment venue has provided our team with countless memories, and we know many others are also sad to see it close. Jellyrolls had its final farewell performance on April 19th. 2025 and closed its doors forever on Disney’s BoardWalk. It was just recently revealed, though, that a new lounge will be coming to the BoardWalk! ©Disney The new lounge will be called Hurly-Burly and will be a “fun-filled afternoons and glamorous evenings inside a historic seaside theatre with a vibrant BoardWalk story that spans over a century.” Based on the concept art revealed, it’s looking like the former JellyRolls building would be the best fit for this spot, but we’re also waiting to see where the new quick-service restaurant announced for the BoardWalk will be going! I Saved $300 By Staying at This Disney World Hotel on My Last Trip We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disney World news, so stay tuned to DFB! You Can WIN Tickets to the Super Bowl AND Disneyland Resort with This Sweepstakes Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW When is your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments! View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.