Disney World Confirms Six Major Closures Across Parks for 2026
The program clusters refurbishments with rethemes to redirect crowds, narrowing planning windows.
Overview
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad remains closed after a January 2025 shutdown, with Disney calling it a major refurbishment and targeting a spring 2026 return.
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin stays down into spring 2026 for a deep rebuild that adds a new character named Buddy, handheld blasters, redesigned vehicles with onboard monitors, interactive targets, and a new opening scene.
- DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus permanently closed on February 2 to clear an 11‑acre site for Pueblo Esperanza, an Indiana Jones and Encanto land slated for 2027.
- Rafiki’s Planet Watch, including the Wildlife Express Train, closed on February 23 to install a Bluey experience that Disney plans to open in summer 2026.
- Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster’s last Aerosmith day is March 1 before a March 2 closure for a Muppets retheme reopening in summer 2026, while Pete’s Silly Sideshow remains shut with no date on the calendar through at least April 19.