Planning a Disney World vacation in 2025? With extensive refurbishments and exciting transformations across the parks and resorts, it’s essential to know how these changes might affect your trip. From resort upgrades to park attraction closures, here’s a detailed guide to help you navigate Disney World’s renovation season and still have a magical experience.
Resort Refurbishments
Several Disney resorts will be undergoing refurbishments in 2025. While these upgrades promise enhanced experiences in the future, they might temporarily impact your stay.
All-Star Movies (January–April 2025): The Fantasia Pool will be closed. Guests staying here will need to use alternative pool options within the resort.
Beach and Yacht Club (January–June 2025): The popular Storm Along Bay Pool will be unavailable. This closure might affect guests drawn to these resorts for their water attractions.
Pop Century Resort (March 2025–February 2026): Guestrooms will undergo refurbishments, potentially impacting noise levels and availability during this time.
Port Orleans Riverside (April 2025–January 2026): Rooms in the Magnolia Bend area will be refurbished. Guests might prefer to request accommodations in other sections of the resort.
Wilderness Lodge (May–September 2025): The Copper Creek Villas and Cabins will undergo upgrades, so plan accordingly if these are your preferred accommodations.
Contemporary Resort (Bay Lake Tower) (September 2024–September 2025): Bay Lake Tower’s first major refurbishment will be ongoing. Guests should anticipate construction-related disruptions.
Park Refurbishments
Disney’s theme parks are also seeing significant changes, with closures and construction projects planned throughout 2025. Here’s what you need to know:
EPCOT
Test Track: The beloved Test Track ride remains closed for refurbishment, with no reopening date announced. This may shift crowds to other attractions in the park.
Animal Kingdom
Dinoland U.S.A.: Big changes are coming to this area starting January 13, 2025. Attractions including Triceratops Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures will close on January 12, 2025, to make way for the new Tropical Americas land. Construction walls will go up, creating noticeable changes in the park’s layout. However, Dinosaur and The Boneyard attractions will remain open for now, with closure dates yet to be announced.
Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Starting January 6, 2025, this iconic attraction will close for an extended refurbishment, reopening sometime in 2026.
This refurbishment will significantly affect Frontierland, which will rely solely on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure for thrill rides. Keep in mind that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure operates only with a virtual queue or Lightning Lane. The lack of a standby line may create longer perceived waits elsewhere in the park.
What This Means for Your Vacation
Disney World’s 2025 refurbishments may shift park dynamics and crowd flow, but careful planning can help you navigate these changes:
Stay Flexible: Consider alternative dates or resorts if your preferred options are under refurbishment.
Plan Around Closures: Use the My Disney Experience app to monitor construction updates and find new experiences to explore.
Focus on What’s New: While some areas will be unavailable, new attractions and experiences are on the horizon, like the Tropical Americas expansion in Animal Kingdom, Cars go West in Magic Kingdom, and SO MUCH MORE!
Work with a Disney Travel Specialist (LIKE ME!): Having expert help can save you time and stress in navigating these changes.
With so many updates coming to Disney World in 2025, it’s more important than ever to have an expert on your side. As your personal Disney vacation planner, I’ll keep you up to date on all the refurbishments and changes, ensuring your trip is as seamless and magical as possible. From navigating closures to finding the best alternatives, I’ll help you plan with confidence.
Ready to make your 2025 Disney World trip unforgettable? Reach out today for your free, personalized vacation planning services! Let me handle the details while you focus on creating memories that last a lifetime.