Orlando’s theme parks are forever fluid, visually represented by panels and panels on construction walls. Currently, there are attractions that have been renovated, replaced and rested, but they all translated to park people as “can’t do it right now.”
Some plans have been clearly stated by the operator, but other replacement vehicles remain shrouded in mystery and surrounded by rumors.
The updated list of what’s down and what’s gone is split into categories that reflect some official “last call” notifications, in addition to actually knowing what we know.
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•The final day of Star Wars launch bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is September 24th. The space will return to its roots after a decade of Jedi-based tour. Also, on the drawing: a playground “drawn in Wonderland.”
•The final day of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s dinosaur charm is February 1st. The ride will undergo an Indiana Jones-themed renovation and will be part of the park’s tropical American land, including the “Encanto” attraction. (Already closed: the playground of the fossil fuel fuel Boneyard and the majority of dinosaurs, including the cementasaurus.)
•MuppetVision 3D attraction was permanently closed in early June at Hollywood Studios. The area, including Pizzerizzo and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, is reimagined as a land based on “Monsters, Inc.” This includes indoor roller coasters.
•But everything is not lost, Muppet fans. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, an indoor coaster featuring Aerosmith, will be modified to feature electric mayhem and other Muppets. According to an official Disney Parks blog post, the giant guitar outside has a new look, and as you go inside, rider sees “Tinseltown’s iconic scenery and landmarks bring a Muppet twist.” The park hasn’t said when Aerosmith will take the final bow, but it is expected that the ride will be completed next year.
•Tom Sawyer Island was held at Magic Kingdom as of July 7th, along with the attractions of the American Rivers and Liberty Bell. The area will eventually become home to two “cars”-inspired attractions in the park’s Frontier Land, with work underway nearby for the villain-based land.
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•Hollywood RIP Ride Rockit, a roller coaster that closed on August 18th, has already been demolished at Universal Studios. There are other unidentified foundations nearby.
•Poseidon’s Fury is a mythical walk-through attraction on Adventure Island and closed in May 2023. At the time, Universal said a new attraction was planned and some work was done (and the Fury water features are still flowing), but no alternatives have been announced.
•Stanley Falls Furum, a watery attraction that opened in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 1973, closed forever this month. The park has not disclosed plans for the space.
Renovation area
•The Big Thunder Mountain Railway has been closed since January at Magic Kingdom for renovations. Coasters are scheduled to resume in 2026 with enhancements to fluorescence pools and rainbow stal stal stones.
• On the other side of the park, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be closed, giving you upgrades including a new ride vehicle, a target, a removable blaster, and a new animatronic named Buddy. Disney says they are looking forward to new topics in 2026.
•The iconic glove, the spaceship Earth near the entrance to Epcot, has been undergoing “daily renovations” since late August. It is expected to resume by the end of the year.
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•Calli River Rapids, an Animal Kingdom water ride, will begin renovations on October 6th and resume its December targets.
• Must be something underwater: Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls rides on the island of adventure. It will also be renovated from October 6th. This is scheduled to end on October 31st.
•Finally, for those aspiring to plan, Volcano Bay Water Park will be closed on October 26th, 2026. Its planned reopening is set to “before March 24th, 2027.”
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