Credit: DisneyDisney has several projects underway across the resort, ranging from attraction updates to work connected with much larger plans. Some projects will eventually bring entirely different experiences, while others focus on refreshing places guests have known for years.
Of course, all that work comes with a tradeoff. Several experiences aren’t available to guests right now, and some won’t return for months. One closure could even stretch well into next year.
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World during August 2026, here’s what you won’t be able to experience.
1. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (Magic Kingdom)
One of Magic Kingdom’s most historic attractions is currently unavailable as Disney prepares it for a major update.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress closed on July 6, 2026, beginning a lengthy refurbishment that will keep the attraction unavailable for the remainder of the year. Disney expects it to reopen sometime in 2027.
This isn’t simply a routine maintenance closure, either.
Disney is reimagining portions of the attraction with new scenes designed to update the experience while maintaining its connection to Walt Disney. One of the biggest additions will come before guests begin their familiar journey through the decades.
A new introductory scene will feature an Audio-Animatronic figure of Walt Disney, giving guests a new way to connect with the man behind the attraction.
Disney hasn’t announced an exact reopening date yet, so Carousel of Progress will remain off the itinerary for anyone visiting this August.
2. Mickey Shorts Theater (Hollywood Studios)
Another closure just took effect at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Mickey Shorts Theater officially closed on August 9, 2026, temporarily removing the theater experience from the park’s lineup.
The closure is tied to a different experience that Disney plans to operate in the space. Mickey Shorts Theater will temporarily serve as a distribution center for an exclusive Annual Passholder magnet.
Fortunately, this closure isn’t expected to last nearly as long as the Carousel of Progress refurbishment.
Mickey Shorts Theater is currently expected to reopen later in 2026. Disney hasn’t provided a specific return date, however, so guests traveling over the next several weeks should plan for it to remain unavailable.
That isn’t the only location currently unavailable, as another Magic Kingdom closure has lasted much longer.
3. Big Top Souvenirs (Magic Kingdom)
Guests walking through Storybook Circus will also find Big Top Souvenirs unavailable.
The large merchandise location closed on February 20, 2026, and it has remained closed throughout the spring and summer.
Disney expects Big Top Souvenirs to reopen sometime later in 2026, although an exact date hasn’t been announced.
Its continued closure means guests won’t have access to the shop during August. That’s especially notable for visitors to Storybook Circus, where Big Top Souvenirs has traditionally been one of the area’s primary merchandise locations.
While this closure affects a physical location, another ongoing change at Magic Kingdom alters how guests experience an attraction.
4. Walt Disney World Railroad – Frontierland (Magic Kingdom)
The Walt Disney World Railroad remains open, but guests aren’t currently getting the same complete experience they enjoyed before construction transformed portions of Magic Kingdom.
The railroad has operated with a modified route involving Frontierland since 2025 as Disney moves forward with major construction in that section of the park.
That work has changed the landscape around the railroad and affected how trains travel through the area.
For now, there isn’t a confirmed date for when the railroad experience will return to its previous route. With significant construction continuing around Magic Kingdom, the modified operation could remain in place for some time.
Guests can still enjoy the railroad, but anyone familiar with its former route should expect a different experience during an August visit.
And the closures aren’t limited to the four theme parks.
5. Golf Course (Disney’s Lake Buena Vista)
Golfers visiting Walt Disney World have one less course available this month.
Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course closed on May 4, 2026, beginning a refurbishment that has continued throughout the summer.
The course remains unavailable in August, but its current timeline isn’t nearly as lengthy as some of the resort’s other projects.
Disney expects Lake Buena Vista Golf Course to reopen sometime in fall 2026. A specific reopening date hasn’t been announced, so guests hoping to play the course should continue checking its status before making plans.
The closure adds another unavailable experience to a growing list across Walt Disney World, even if most guests won’t encounter all of them during the same vacation.
What These Disney World Closures Mean for Your August Visit
Five unavailable or modified experiences may sound like a significant number, but the impact will depend heavily on how you plan your trip.
Guests spending most of their time riding major attractions may barely notice some of these closures. Others could feel them much more, particularly longtime visitors who regularly make Carousel of Progress or the Walt Disney World Railroad part of their Magic Kingdom day.
The biggest thing to remember is that Disney World remains deep into a period of construction, refurbishment, and expansion. That means the list of available experiences can look different from one trip to the next.
For August visitors, checking attraction availability before arriving can prevent an unwelcome surprise once you’re inside the parks.
Most of these closures are temporary, and several experiences should return before the end of 2026. Carousel of Progress will require a longer wait.
For now, Disney World continues working across the resort, and these five experiences are among those affected this August.
