Credit: DisneyPlanning a Walt Disney World trip usually comes with a long checklist—Lightning Lane selections, dining reservations, and park days mapped out in advance. But sometimes the biggest updates don’t show up until later. That’s exactly what’s happening right now at EPCOT.
Disney has officially confirmed that two fan-favorite locations inside the park will be off-limits for part of May. It’s not a permanent removal, and it’s not tied to anything dramatic. Still, the timing matters. For guests visiting during that window, these changes could quietly reshape how their EPCOT day plays out.
If you’re heading to the park soon, this is one of those updates you’ll want to know before you arrive—not after you’ve already walked through the gates expecting everything to be open.
Disney World Is in Full Transition Mode
This update doesn’t exist in a vacuum. In fact, it fits right into a much bigger pattern happening across Walt Disney World right now. Nearly every park is in some kind of transition, with construction, updates, and reimagined experiences taking shape at once.
Over at Magic Kingdom, major expansion plans continue to generate buzz. Piston Peak and Villains Land have become some of the most talked-about projects, hinting at a future version of the park that looks very different from what guests have known for decades.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also evolving. The park is preparing for a major addition with a new Muppets-themed coaster and a land themed to Monsters, Inc. It’s the kind of update that signals Disney is leaning into both nostalgia and new storytelling at the same time.
Then there’s Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where one of the biggest transformations is already underway. DinoLand U.S.A. is being replaced with a Tropical Americas-themed land featuring attractions inspired by Indiana Jones and Encanto. It’s a massive shift that will completely redefine that section of the park.
And while EPCOT has already gone through years of visible construction and changes, it’s not done yet. Some of its latest updates are a little more subtle—but they’re still going to impact guests, especially those visiting in May 2026.
France Pavilion Closures
One of the confirmed changes centers around a location many guests don’t think about until they’re already there—the theater inside the France Pavilion.
The Palais du Cinéma, which hosts both Impressions de France and the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, has been closed for routine refurbishment. The closure began back on February 22, 2026, and is expected to last until May 10, 2026.
That timing is important. Guests visiting EPCOT in early May will still find the theater unavailable, meaning both shows will be temporarily inaccessible. For many, the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along has become a go-to break during a busy park day, especially for families looking to cool off and relax indoors.
Impressions de France, on the other hand, offers a more traditional EPCOT experience—one that longtime fans often appreciate for its slower pace and classic feel. Losing both options, even temporarily, removes a quiet but meaningful part of the pavilion.
Once the theater reopens on May 10, everything is expected to return to normal. But for those early May visitors, it’s one less experience to factor into the day.
A Classic is Also Going Down in May
Not long after the France Pavilion reopens, another major EPCOT attraction will go offline—this time, one of the park’s biggest draws.
Soarin’, located inside The Land Pavilion, is scheduled to close starting May 14 and will remain unavailable through May 25, 2026. Unlike the France Pavilion closure, this one is tied to a specific update that goes beyond standard maintenance.
The attraction is being prepared for a retheme to Soarin’ Across America, aligning with the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration. While Soarin’ Around the World has been the current version for years, this upcoming change will bring a new focus and updated scenes that tie directly into the milestone event.
For guests visiting during that May 14–25 window, however, the bigger takeaway is simple—Soarin’ won’t be an option.
That’s significant because Soarin’ isn’t just another ride. It’s one of EPCOT’s most popular attractions and often a top priority for guests using Lightning Lane or rope dropping the park. Without it, crowds will naturally shift toward other nearby experiences, potentially increasing wait times elsewhere.
What’s Still Open at EPCOT
Even with these closures, EPCOT isn’t shutting down major portions of the park. In fact, most of its headline attractions will continue operating as usual throughout May.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind remains one of the biggest draws and is still expected to run daily. Spaceship Earth, the park’s iconic geodesic sphere attraction, will also remain open, continuing to anchor the front of the park.
Test Track is still available, giving guests a high-speed option that balances out the more relaxed experiences across World Showcase. Frozen Ever After continues to draw crowds inside the Norway Pavilion, offering a family-friendly ride that remains one of the most in-demand attractions at EPCOT.
Beyond those, guests will still find plenty to do—Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the France Pavilion, Mission: SPACE, Journey Into Imagination with Figment, and more will all remain accessible.
The key difference is how guests plan around what’s missing. With fewer options in certain areas and one major headliner temporarily unavailable, crowd patterns will likely shift throughout the park.
What This Means for Your May Visit
Taken on their own, these closures might not seem like a big deal. After all, they’re temporary, and they don’t overlap completely. But when you look at the full timeline, it becomes clear that EPCOT will feel slightly different for most of May.
Early in the month, guests will miss out on the France Pavilion theater offerings. Later in the month, Soarin’ steps out of the lineup entirely. Depending on your travel dates, you could end up experiencing one—or both—of these changes.
That’s why Disney is essentially giving guests a heads-up now. It’s not framed as a major disruption, but it’s still a shift worth planning around.
Final Thoughts on EPCOT’s May Changes
EPCOT has spent years evolving, and that process isn’t slowing down anytime soon. These temporary closures are just another reminder that even smaller updates can have a noticeable impact on a park day.
For guests visiting in May 2026, the experience will still be full of options, from major attractions to world-class dining and entertainment. But it won’t be the same as it was before.
Knowing what’s closed—and when—can make all the difference between a smooth day and one filled with unexpected surprises.
