We know that Disney closes rides for refurbishment for good reasons.

Safety is paramount on theme park rides, so regular refurbishments to double-check everything is working properly are very important, plus, a little love and updating go a long way. But sometimes, we have to wonder just what they are doing that takes them SO long and why the ride is closed for many months. One Disney World ride has been closed for five months now, and we’re starting to wonder if there’s an end in sight.

 

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster closed on January 8th, it won’t reopen until the summer of this year. When we glanced at the calendar, there were still no times available into the first week of July!

Since Disney doesn’t put out the full calendar all at once, the first week of July is as far as we can see for now, and it appears it will be closed at least until then. Last year, when the ride closed around this time (on February 20th, to be exact), it reopened on May 26th.

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While we keep waiting for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster to open, let’s take a look at what else will be closed the week of May 11th through May 18th!

Magic Kingdom

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Splash Mountain is permanently closed — this ride is being renovated to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure! The new ride will be themed to The Princess and the Frog.

The ride in Disney World is set to open this summer. Now, we are starting to see some big signs that we’re getting close. New signs have been added to a couple of the stores near the ride! Critter Co-Op and Tiana’s General Store will be coming to Magic Kingdom.

We have also seen Disney Imagineers test riding the ride! Now, that gets us super excited to see! If they’re riding it, that’s gotta mean it’s almost ready, right?

Other subtle details have emerged such as a water lily on the new gate. The water lily is a nod to the movie the ride is inspired by. The queue is also starting to look really good, and we know there’s going to be a fun Mardi Gras celebration!

And now that some of the walls have come down, you can see new details like this new sidewalk that has been exposed!

We recently learned lots of new information about this ride, including a hint that there will be Splash Mountain Easter Eggs throughout the attraction! Disney recently shared a look at new characters coming to the ride, but there has not been an opening day announced yet. We’ll be watching and listening as summer approaches!

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If you miss Splash Mountain or want to celebrate the new ride, you should check out our DFB t-shirts! We have a Splash Mountain Farwell Tour shirt…

…and a Tiana tee as well!

You can shop both tees (and lots of other Disney merch) at our online store.

Click here to shop our DFB merchandise store.

Country Bear Jamboree

Country Bear Jamboree closed on January 27th, 2024 for refurbishment. When we recently visited Magic Kingdom, we noticed that the sign for the show has now been covered up!

Disney announced that a NEW show is coming to Country Bear Jamboree, with the bears learning an all-new act. The new show is set to open sometime this summer.

With Country Bear Jamboree and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure closed, that leaves just Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Walt Disney World Railroad open in Frontierland.

REMINDER: Magic Kingdom Fireworks Times Change SOON!

Tomorrowland Terrace

Tomorrowland Terrace is a quick-service restaurant that’s remained closed since the 2020 pandemic-related closures, but even before that, this spot was only occasionally open.

Once in a while, you’ll see the dining room open as a rest area (and it’s still being used for the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties), but it’s usually all roped off and empty. Disney hasn’t announced when this spot could finally reopen, but we’ll be watching for updates. If you’re looking for a nice spot to work in Disney World, this could be it!

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Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Well, it’s official — Voyage of the Little Mermaid is permanently closed in Disney World. We had suspected this was the case for some time (as it hasn’t actually been open for a few years now), but now the permanent closure has been confirmed.

Disney is going to introduce a NEW show in this spot, though it will still be themed to the animated movie The Little Mermaid! The new show will be called “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” and is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Fall 2024.

It will be a “fully reimagined theatrical production inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic.”

Vacation Fun

Vacation Fun – An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie, is a show that takes place at the Mickey Shorts Theater at Echo Lake in Hollywood Studios.

As of April 29th, the show the show’s website stops showing times to view the production. Luckily, times begin popping back up on May 25th. It is likely Disney is just going to be tidying things up for a little while. We’ve seen other shows in Hollywood Studios get some attention recently, so perhaps Vacation Fun will be getting a little love.

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EPCOT

Restaurant Marrakesh

Restaurant Marrakesh is still closed in the Morocco pavilion of EPCOT’s World Showcase, and there’s no word yet on when it might reopen as a dining location. However, the restaurant kind of opened on May 1st. It will be functioning as an Annual Passholder lounge from May 1st through June 26th.

Even though we’re still waiting for the full restaurant to reopen, Annual Passholders will be able to enjoy the air conditioning, charging stations, and complimentary food and beverages. There may even be opportunities to meet “special friends” throughout V.I.Passholder Days, according to Disney. We still don’t know if it is permanently closed or if it could reopen as a restaurant, but we’ll take what we can get.

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Blizzard Beach

Blizzard Beach had its last open day on March 16th, 2024 before it closed for refurbishment. Blizzard Beach has nine attractions that we won’t be able to enjoy this week.

While Blizzard Beach closed, Typhoon Lagoon opened on March 17th, 2024. The two water parks often rotate off and on for being open. Disney has not given a timeline for this new closure or how long Typhoon Lagoon will be open. We’ll be watching for any updates, though!

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Disney World Hotels

Coronado Springs Resort Dig Site Pool Waterslide

The waterslide at the Dig Site Pool (aka The Lost City of Cibola Pool) will be closing briefly this week.

It will be closed from May 13th through May 19th and reopen on May 20th. Luckily, it’s JUST the waterslide. So everything else here (the Dig Site pool, hot tub, and smaller pool) will remain open for your use.

Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides:

• 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness
• What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride
• 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU!
• A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World!
• The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride

We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB.

Click here to check out more upcoming closures and current construction projects at Disney World.

Are you visiting Disney World this week? Let us know in the comments!