Credit: Inside the MagicMagic Kingdom guests face yet another closure at the classic theme park.
Magic Kingdom guests arriving at Fantasyland on February 11, 2026, will be met with a temporary change to their under-the-sea plans. Under the Sea–Journey of The Little Mermaid has closed for a brief refurbishment, pausing voyages through Ariel’s world, at least for now. While the website says it is “currently closed” with no opening date listed, the attraction does have times down for February 12.
The popular dark ride, which first welcomed guests in 2012 as part of the New Fantasyland expansion, has long been a staple for families visiting Walt Disney World Resort. Housed inside Prince Eric’s castle, the attraction uses classic dark ride technology and impressive Audio-Animatronics to retell the story of Disney’s 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid. Guests board colorful clamshell vehicles and travel through scenes featuring “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” alongside Ariel, Prince Eric, Sebastian, Flounder, and Ursula.
While Disney has not released specific details about the refurbishment, short maintenance closures like this are typically focused on routine upkeep—everything from lighting and projection effects to animatronic calibration and ride system checks. These refreshes help ensure that beloved attractions continue operating at the high standard guests expect, especially as Walt Disney World continues into another busy year.
Under the Sea may be temporarily quiet, but the rest of Magic Kingdom is anything but.
The park is currently in the midst of one of the most significant transformation periods in its history. Frontierland, in particular, is undergoing a dramatic evolution. The Rivers of America, Liberty Square Riverboat, and Tom Sawyer Island have permanently closed to make way for a major new Cars-themed expansion known as Piston Peak National Park.
Inspired by Pixar’s Cars franchise, the new land is expected to blend the spirit of America’s national parks with the charm of Radiator Springs. Concept art and early construction activity suggest sweeping rockwork, waterfalls, and immersive environments that will significantly reshape the western edge of the park.
The scale of the project is notable. Large sections of land have been cleared, and construction equipment now defines parts of the skyline that once featured tranquil waterfront views. For longtime fans, the changes mark the end of a classic Magic Kingdom era—but they also signal Disney’s continued investment in major intellectual properties and next-generation experiences.
Just beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, another ambitious project is taking shape: Villains Land. Announced as a bold new addition celebrating Disney’s most iconic antagonists, this area is expected to bring a darker, more dramatic tone to Magic Kingdom. While official details remain limited, permits and visible construction indicate substantial development underway. The addition of a villain-themed environment represents a tonal shift for the park, expanding its storytelling beyond traditional fairy-tale endings into the realm of mischievous magic.
Even Cinderella Castle, the park’s central icon, is being updated, reflecting Disney’s broader strategy of refreshing classic elements while building for the future. Across Magic Kingdom, construction walls and cranes serve as a reminder that the park is actively evolving.
In that context, the temporary closure of Under the Sea–Journey of The Little Mermaid feels like a small but meaningful piece of a much larger picture. While entire lands are being reimagined and new franchises move in, Disney is still taking time to maintain and preserve the attractions that anchor Fantasyland’s charm.
For guests planning upcoming visits, it’s always wise to check the official refurbishment calendar, as short-term closures can shift. If all goes according to plan, Ariel and her undersea friends should be welcoming guests back very soon.
It’s clear that Magic Kingdom in 2026 is a park balancing nostalgia and reinvention.
How do you feel about Magic Kingdom losing another attraction? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!