You Won’t Believe What’s Closed Now at Disney World

If it feels like every week there’s another closure or refurbishment at Disney World, you’re definitely not imagining it. The Most Magical Place on Earth seems to be going through what many fans are calling its “closure era.” From long-standing attractions to beloved restaurants, updates and changes are sweeping across every corner of the resort.

This week, Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is the latest to temporarily shut its doors. Starting March 24, 2025, the restaurant will be closed for a brief refurbishment, with a reopening expected before the end of the month. While this one isn’t permanent, it still adds to the growing list of locations that guests simply can’t count on being open during their vacation right now.

Attractions Across Parks Are Closing or Being Reimagined

Over at Magic Kingdom, major staples like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Astro Orbiter are down for lengthy refurbishments. Big Thunder, which closed in early January, isn’t expected back until 2026. Astro Orbiter, missing from Tomorrowland since mid-January, is undergoing an offsite refurb and won’t return until summer. Even the Hall of Presidents is shuttered until later this year.

The changes aren’t just limited to thrill rides. The indoor playground portion of the Dumbo the Flying Elephant queue is closed until spring. And let’s not forget Tomorrowland Terrace and Tortuga Tavern—two dining locations that have essentially been ghosts for a while now, occasionally opening for special events or just… not at all.

Hollywood Studios Says Goodbye to Fan Favorites

Over at Hollywood Studios, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy has officially closed for good. In its place, a new show titled Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After is set to debut this summer, leaning into fan-favorite baddies like Maleficent and Hades.

And Voyage of the Little Mermaid? That’s been retired too. Disney’s replacing it with an updated production called The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, but fans will have to wait until summer to see how it turns out.

Animal Kingdom Is Losing Its Identity

Animal Kingdom might be feeling the biggest changes of all. It’s Tough to Be a Bug closed for good on March 17 to make way for the upcoming Zootopia: Better Zoogether! show. While the change makes sense from a franchise perspective, it’s still tough (no pun intended) to see one of the park’s originals disappear.

DinoLand U.S.A. is also vanishing, piece by piece. TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and the Fossil Fun Games have all closed permanently. Construction walls are already up, and almost all of the land’s iconic theming has been removed as Disney prepares for the new “Tropical Americas” land called Pueblo Esperanza.

EPCOT and the Resort Hotels Aren’t Immune Either

Over at EPCOT, Test Track is currently in the middle of a major reimagining. Inspired by the original World of Motion, this refreshed version won’t open until late summer. Restaurant Marrakesh is also still in limbo, functioning as a lounge rather than a full-service restaurant.

At the resorts, closures continue. Stormalong Bay—one of Disney’s most iconic resort pool areas at the Yacht and Beach Club—is closed until June. The Fantasia Pool at All-Star Movies is out of commission until the end of April, and Everything Pop at Pop Century has been under construction since last summer, now expected to be finished sometime next month.

Sebastian’s Bistro isn’t the only hotel food option getting a refresh. Even boat transportation from Old Key West is temporarily suspended, and the Starbucks on the West Side of Disney Springs is undergoing refurbishment until spring.

Disney’s Growing Pains

With all these closures happening at once, it’s easy to see why guests feel like Disney World is going through a bit of an identity crisis. The parks are in flux—torn between preserving nostalgic experiences and pushing forward with fresh, IP-driven offerings.

In some cases, like with Zootopia or The Little Mermaid, the replacements are exciting. But when so many rides, shows, restaurants, and even pools are offline at the same time, it raises questions about timing, planning, and whether it’s becoming harder to plan a visit that feels “complete.”

For now, the best approach is to double-check what’s open before you go and be flexible with your plans. Disney’s “closure era” might be frustrating in the short term, but the company is clearly banking on big changes leading to even bigger returns down the road.

Whether you’re a fan of the updates or just missing the classics, there’s no denying that Disney World is in a major period of transition. Let’s just hope all this magic gets stitched back together soon.