Major planned and ongoing ride closures and refurbishments across Disney World and Disneyland in 2026

The 2026–2027 refurbishment wave at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort continues to represent one of the most significant periods of transformation in Disney history. This expansive overhaul spans all parks and resorts across both coasts, encompassing ride closures, showtime adjustments, transportation suspensions, and extensive construction projects. As Disney undertakes these ambitious upgrades—balancing cutting-edge technology integration, safety enhancements, and storytelling innovation—guests face complex operational dynamics that require strategic planning and flexibility.

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Walt Disney World: A Multifaceted Transformation with New Attractions and Extended Closures

Walt Disney World’s refurbishment efforts have deepened in scale and complexity during 2026, impacting all four parks, multiple resorts, and introducing new construction that promises to reshape the guest experience in the years ahead.

Magic Kingdom: Delays, New Construction, and Operational Shifts

Magic Kingdom remains at the epicenter of major ride refurbishments and exciting new development projects:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopening has been further delayed to mid- to late-2027. The extended timeline reflects the integration of sophisticated animatronics, immersive storytelling elements, and critical structural work. This delay, while disappointing to thrill ride fans, signifies Disney’s commitment to delivering a next-level experience.

• The temporary closure of Space Mountain in mid-2026 allowed installation of next-generation ride vehicles featuring advanced visual and motion technologies. A late 2026 reopening is anticipated, expected to elevate the classic coaster’s immersive appeal.

• The Haunted Mansion refurbishment continues behind a detailed photo-realistic scrim, with enhanced effects and updated scenes slated for completion by late 2026.

• Jungle Cruise remains closed indefinitely, contributing to a notable shortage of classic Magic Kingdom attractions.

• Following the permanent shuttering of the TRON Identity Program, construction walls now enclose the Tomorrowland Launch Depot, signaling forthcoming repurposing within Tomorrowland’s evolving landscape.

• In a notable operational change, starting April 2026, Fantasmic! showtimes at Magic Kingdom shifted, altering evening entertainment schedules and requiring guests to adjust their plans accordingly.

• Beyond refurbishments, significant new land and ride construction is underway at Magic Kingdom, including progress on the highly anticipated Princess Tiana’s Bayou Adventure expansion. This project promises fresh storytelling rooted in beloved characters and immersive environments, aligning with Disney’s long-term vision for park evolution. Recent reports highlight ongoing infrastructure work, ride system installations, and thematic development, signaling steady advancement toward a 2027–2028 opening window.

Animal Kingdom: Conservation-Themed Additions and Prolonged Ride Unavailability

Animal Kingdom continues to focus on both conservation messaging and family-friendly entertainment, even as key attractions remain closed:

• Rafiki’s Planet Watch remains shuttered indefinitely as construction progresses on a new Bluey-themed interactive experience designed to engage younger visitors with conservation education, blending beloved IP with the park’s environmental mission.

• The indefinite closures of Kali River Rapids and Expedition Everest persist, significantly limiting the park’s thrill and water ride offerings.

• To offset crowding and ride scarcity, extended evening hours for deluxe resort guests remain an important operational tool, providing access during less congested periods.

EPCOT: Cultural Pavilion Upgrades and Sustainability Focus

EPCOT’s refurbishment strategy continues to emphasize immersive cultural storytelling and environmental themes:

• The iconic Living with the Land attraction is reopening in phases, with a strong sustainability education focus. Full completion is expected by early 2027, promising an enriched experience aligned with EPCOT’s evolving ethos.

• The World Discovery Playground has reopened, offering family-friendly play spaces that enhance EPCOT’s appeal to younger guests.

• Traditional cultural films such as Impressions de France and the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along remain under indefinite refurbishment, temporarily removing key staples of the World Showcase.

• The Mexico Pavilion began an extended refurbishment in mid-2026, with closures expected through 2027, impacting the diversity of World Showcase experiences during this period.

• These transformations align with EPCOT’s ongoing evolution toward a blend of immersive storytelling, interactive technology, and education.

Hollywood Studios: New Experiences and Upcoming Ride Closures

Hollywood Studios has introduced fresh entertainment while preparing for key ride downtime:

• The Olaf Draws! interactive experience debuted early 2026 at the Magic of Disney Animation pavilion, providing innovative character-driven fun.

• The beloved Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is slated for closure in early 2027 for backstage refurbishments, prompting operational adjustments and crowd management efforts.

• Subtle updates to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run include a renaming and the addition of new Star Wars characters such as The Mandalorian and Grogu, enhancing narrative immersion without altering ride mechanics.

Resort-Wide Hotel Construction and Guest Impact

Across Walt Disney World, refurbishment and expansion projects continue in 13 resort hotels, resulting in altered transportation routes, increased noise, and shifting resort atmospheres throughout 2026. These projects reflect Disney’s long-term vision for enhanced accommodations but require guests to plan around temporary disruptions.

Annual Passholder Access Tightened

In March 2026, Disney imposed additional Good-to-Go Days restrictions on Annual Passholders to manage park capacity amid the refurbishment surge, reducing access flexibility and underscoring the importance of advance planning.

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Disneyland Resort: Safety, Seasonal Closures, and Infrastructure Overhaul

Disneyland Resort faces a challenging refurbishment cycle compounded by safety investigations, seasonal attraction closures, and major transportation changes.

Ride Closures and Safety Reviews

• Autopia remains closed indefinitely after a second vehicle derailment within a year, with no announced reopening timeline, as safety assessments continue.

• Toy Story Midway Mania is scheduled for a major refurbishment closure beginning late 2026, affecting crowd flow in Pixar Pier.

• Radiator Springs Racers maintenance continues through spring 2027, reducing Cars Land capacity.

• Ahead of the annual Food & Wine Festival, eight additional Disneyland attractions are temporarily closed as part of one of the largest seasonal refurbishments in recent memory.

• Jumpin’ Jellyfish recently completed a brief refurbishment.

• Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar remains under extensive upgrades, with reopening targeted no earlier than spring 2027.

Transportation Disruptions and Guest Mobility

• The Disneyland Monorail has been suspended indefinitely since August 2026 for critical safety and infrastructure upgrades, removing a popular transit option between Downtown Disney and Tomorrowland.

• The Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) shuttle system is being phased out entirely in 2026, reducing off-site hotel connectivity and increasing the importance of lodging proximity.

• In response, Disneyland Resort has removed park hopping time restrictions, allowing unrestricted park-to-park access throughout the day, providing guests greater scheduling flexibility amid ride and transportation disruptions.

Guest Reassurances

Disney confirmed that Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! will remain operational through at least 2027, calming rumors about potential closure.

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New Developments: Magic Kingdom’s Expanding Footprint and Avengers Campus Growth

Recent updates reveal that Magic Kingdom’s ambitious expansion plans are progressing steadily:

• The upcoming Princess Tiana’s Bayou Adventure land is taking shape with visible construction milestones, including ride system infrastructure, themed landscaping, and immersive environments, promising a vibrant new chapter in Magic Kingdom’s storytelling portfolio.

At Disney California Adventure, the Avengers Campus is undergoing a significant expansion:

• Construction and engineering efforts are underway to add two new attractions anchored by a massive new ride, expanding the campus’s footprint and enhancing Marvel-themed experiences.

• The project includes extensive backstage infrastructure improvements and integration of cutting-edge ride technology.

These developments illustrate Disney’s commitment to long-term growth and attraction diversification amid ongoing refurbishment cycles.

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Operational Strategies to Enhance Guest Experience Amid Disruptions

To mitigate guest inconvenience during this period of unprecedented change, Disney has implemented several key strategies:

• Extended evening hours at Animal Kingdom remain active, helping to spread attendance and reward deluxe resort guests.

• New entertainment offerings like Olaf Draws! provide alternative experiences amid ride downtime.

• The removal of park hopping restrictions at Disneyland Resort enhances guest flexibility in navigating two parks within the same day despite limited ride availability.

• Guests are strongly encouraged to utilize official Disney mobile apps for real-time attraction updates, wait times, and Lightning Lane/Genie+ planning, essential for navigating fluctuating availability.

• With the Disneyland Monorail suspended and ART shuttle phased out, proximity lodging has become increasingly important for ease of access.

• The Fantasmic! showtime changes at Magic Kingdom require guests to adjust evening plans and monitor schedules closely.

• Annual Passholders are advised to track Good-to-Go Days restrictions and access policies carefully.

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Summary Table of Key Attraction Statuses and Timelines

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Conclusion

The 2026–2027 refurbishment wave at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort is a landmark period of renewal and reinvention. While the widespread ride closures, construction projects, and operational changes present undeniable challenges for guests, these efforts underpin Disney’s long-term strategy to enhance safety, integrate innovative technologies, and expand immersive storytelling.

New land developments like Princess Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the Avengers Campus expansion reflect Disney’s forward-looking vision, promising fresh, compelling experiences that will define the next era of Disney parks. Meanwhile, operational adaptations such as extended hours, removal of park hopping restrictions, and enhanced digital tools showcase Disney’s commitment to guest satisfaction amid temporary disruptions.

Guests and Annual Passholders are strongly encouraged to stay informed through official Disney channels, leverage mobile app resources, and plan visits with flexibility to navigate this transformative period successfully. Though the journey involves trade-offs, the end result aims to deliver a revitalized, immersive, and safer Disney experience for years to come.