A whole land disappeared in February, a water park closes in five days, and no, an entire Disney World park is not shutting down. Here is the accurate list.
The most searched question about Walt Disney World closures this year is whether a park is closing permanently.
None are. All four theme parks and both water parks are operating.
What did close permanently is a land, and the confusion is understandable once you see what went with it.
What closed permanently at Disney World in 2026
DinoLand U.S.A. and DINOSAUR shut down for good on Feb. 2, 2026.
The land is being replaced by Tropical Americas, opening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2027 with three attractions: Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, and El Carrusel de los Animalitos.
That closure followed Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, Fossil Fun Games and TriceraTop Spin, which all closed permanently on Jan. 12, 2025.
At Magic Kingdom, the Liberty Square Riverboat closed permanently on July 7, 2025, clearing space for the Piston Peak Cars land now under construction.
Sprinkles closed all locations on Jan. 1, 2026.
What is closing at Disney World this month
Two dates matter if you are visiting soon.
Typhoon Lagoon closed for seasonal refurbishment starting on Sept. 9. Blizzard Beach remains open for 2026 and is expected to close in early 2027.
The Walt Disney World Railroad closes Sept. 28 through Oct. 29.
Which Disney World rides are closed right now
Several projects are underway with no fixed end date.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress closed July 6 and reopens in late spring 2027, gaining Disney World’s first Walt Disney animatronic and new voices from Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston.
The Haunted Mansion has exterior and interactive queue work running since Jan. 20, though the ride itself has stayed open throughout.
The Diamond Horseshoe closed May 16 and returns in fall 2026.
Big Top Souvenirs in Storybook Circus closed Feb. 20 and is expected back later this year. Pete’s Silly Sideshow closed Jan. 4.
Grand Floridian Cafe closed in mid-July with an October return expected.
Disneyland ride closures in September 2026
The California side has its own list, and several items land this week.
Indiana Jones Adventure closed Sept. 8 with no reopening date announced.
Plaza Inn Character Dining is unavailable through late September, though the restaurant itself stays open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is under refurbishment through 2026, with noise limited to daylight hours.
What is coming back and when
Bluey’s Wild World opened at Animal Kingdom, and everything in Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Conservation Station has returned except the Animation Experience. Affection Section reopened under the name Jumping Junction.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has reopened. Cinderella Castle finished an extensive refurbishment that drained the moat and restored a color scheme inspired by its 1971 appearance.
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure replaced the permanently closed Voyage of the Little Mermaid in 2025.
Looking further out, the Monsters, Inc. door coaster in Monstropolis carries an estimated arrival of 2028, after the land opens in phases starting 2027.
Resort work that could affect your stay
Closures are not limited to rides, and a few of these are long runs.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort has visible exterior maintenance through late 2027, which may affect views and require alternate walking routes.
Caribbean Beach Resort Barbados buildings 31, 32 and 33 began exterior painting and column repair on Aug. 31, running through early February 2027.
The Fantasia kiddie pool at All-Star Movies is closed from Sept. 8 through late October. The kiddie pools at All-Star Music and All-Star Sports remain available.
The Disney Skyliner closes Jan. 24 through 30, 2027.
How to check Disney closures before your trip
Disney adjusts refurbishment dates in both directions and closes attractions without notice for weather, maintenance, technical issues or operational needs.
The My Disney Experience app is the authoritative source on the morning you visit. Third-party refurbishment calendars update weekly at best.
One item to watch: a construction permit filed for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets expires Nov. 4, 2026. Nothing has been announced, and there may not be a closure involved at all.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
WDW News Today refurbishments and closures calendar, the Walt Disney World Railroad dates, the permanent closure list and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster permit expiration
Disney Tourist Blog 2026-2027 refurbishment calendar, the Typhoon Lagoon and Skyliner dates and the Rafiki’s Planet Watch reopenings
Undercover Tourist, the permanent closure dates and the Disneyland September schedule
WDWInfo, the Caribbean Beach, Blizzard Beach and Big Top Souvenirs details
Blog Mickey, the All-Star Movies pool closure dates
Ziggy Knows Disney, the Diamond Horseshoe, Haunted Mansion queue work and Monsters Inc. coaster timing