Credit: DisneyDisney is currently working on the Big Top Souvenirs tent in Magic Kingdom, which closed in late February 2026. Work is visible as Disney has removed the tent’s roof, marking the first noticeable effort on this building since the refurbishment project began in Storybook Circus in Fantasyland. This tent, along with another, is undergoing a long refurbishment that may have started as early as October 2025. The permit for this work has a deadline of December 31, 2026, indicating that the construction will likely take nearly a full year, impacting this lively area of Fantasyland.
Earlier, workers removed parts of the roof at Pete’s Silly Sideshow as part of its refurbishment, but the roof removal at Big Top Souvenirs shows that hands-on work has begun here, too. The construction affects the buildings, nearby walkways, character meet-and-greet spots, and even a popular scavenger hunt called “Smellephants on Parade,” introduced in 2024.
Disney has not yet announced when Pete’s Silly Sideshow will reopen. However, they expect Big Top Souvenirs to welcome guests later this year. Both structures are likely to reopen by the end of 2026, though specific dates remain unclear. If construction progresses quickly, Disney might finish the work ahead of schedule.
The Visible Fantasyland Construction
Heading out to Storybook Circus, guests can see that the tent covering at Big Top Souvenirs has been partially removed, revealing the underlying framework as part of refurbishment work. This exposure highlights the construction activity and contrasts with Fantasyland’s usual immersive theming. Previously, the tent-shaped building showed signs of wear, leading Disney to undertake extensive repairs rather than simple patches. As a result, parts of the roof have been taken off, providing atypical construction sightlines in a land known for its whimsical aesthetic.
The Character Meet and Greet Impact
In the meantime, characters that used to meet inside Pete’s Silly Sideshow are now meeting around Storybook Circus in outdoor locations rather than the climate-controlled indoor circus-themed spaces where The Astounding Donaldo, The Great Goofini, Minnie Magnifique, and Daisy Fortuna previously greeted guests. When the relocated character meet and greet was first covered, it was before construction walls were installed for Big Top Souvenirs, but now construction walls actually act as a backdrop for the Minnie Mouse and Goofy meet and greet, creating an unusual situation where Disney acknowledges construction in guest-facing experiences.
We do not usually see construction walls acknowledged except for EPCOT Progress Walls, where Disney has historically embraced construction as part of the park’s identity and transformation narrative, but in Storybook Circus, guests can now expect to see construction walls serving as a literal backdrop for character photos during Spring and likely into Summer as the refurbishment work continues. The change has kept the characters available while construction continues behind the scenes, with guests able to check the My Disney Experience app to see the most up-to-date locations and times for character appearances.
The Smellephants Scavenger Hunt Adjustment
Magic Kingdom’s “Smellephants on Parade” scavenger hunt has received a minor update. Guests recently noticed a new map for the free activity in Storybook Circus, reflecting ongoing construction in the area. Introduced in 2024, the scavenger hunt allows guests to collect stickers as they find colorful elephant statues, each representing different scents.
Due to construction, two elephants representing caramel apple and cotton candy are temporarily unavailable, so the map now features six statues instead of eight. This change simplifies the activity, making it easier for younger guests to complete before moving on to other attractions. However, it does reduce some of the original content that made the hunt appealing to families.
The Fantasyland Construction Timeline
Several buildings in Storybook Circus have been undergoing maintenance work over the past few months, with one of the biggest closures involving Pete’s Silly Sideshow, the circus-themed meet and greet location that previously hosted appearances from Donald Duck, Goofy, Minnie Mouse, and Daisy Duck. The building closed earlier this year for refurbishment, with construction walls and scrim surrounding the structure shortly afterward as crews began work to address wear and tear accumulated over years of Florida weather exposure and continuous operation.
With construction taking place around the building and nearby walkways, several areas of Storybook Circus have been temporarily blocked off, including the section where the missing Smellephant statues normally stand, creating circulation challenges for guests navigating the land and reducing the accessible area compared to normal operations when all walkways and viewing areas remain open without construction barriers.
The Broader Context of Fanatsyland
The refurbishment work at Big Top Souvenirs and Pete’s Silly Sideshow is essential for maintaining the Magic Kingdom’s buildings in Florida’s harsh climate, which can accelerate deterioration. The updates ensure that the playful Fantasyland area meets the quality standards guests expect. By replacing tent coverings instead of patching them, Disney maintains a cohesive appearance and extends the lifespan of the structures, avoiding a disjointed aesthetic. The December 31, 2026, deadline indicates that the work involves more than cosmetic repairs, potentially including structural improvements and enhanced weatherproofing, requiring ample time for completion.
Fantasyland Guest Experience Adaptations
Despite construction affecting multiple elements of Storybook Circus, including building closures, character relocations, scavenger-hunt modifications, and visible construction walls, Disney has maintained guest access to the land and continued offering experiences, even in modified forms. The decision to relocate characters to outdoor meet-and-greet locations rather than eliminating character appearances entirely during the refurbishment period demonstrates a commitment to maintaining entertainment offerings even when ideal venues are unavailable.
Similarly, the adjustment of the Smellephants scavenger hunt to remove inaccessible elephant locations while keeping the activity operational demonstrates Disney’s preference for modifying experiences to work around construction rather than shutting down the activity completely. For most families, the scavenger hunt still feels the same, as they just finish it a little quicker with six elephants instead of eight, and once construction work wraps up and blocked areas reopen, the missing elephants may return to restore the full experience.