Orlando’s theme parks are forever in flux, visually represented by panels and panels of construction walls. Currently, there are attractions getting refurbished, replaced and rested, but that all translates to parkgoers as “you can’t do that right now.”
Although some plans are clearly stated by their operators, other replacement rides remain shrouded in mystery and surrounded by rumor.
Here is our updated list of what’s down and what’s gone, divvied into categories reflecting what we actually know that we know plus a few official “last call” notifications.
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• The final day for Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Sept. 24. The space is going back to its roots after a 10-year Jedi-based tour, it and will re-emerge sometime next year with a Walt Disney Studios theme and the name “The Magic of Disney Animation.” Also on the drawing board: A “Drawn to Wonderland” playground.
• Then the final day for the Dinosaur attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is Feb. 1. The ride will get an Indiana Jones-themed renovation and become part of the park’s Tropical Americas land, which will include “Encanto” attractions. (Already closed: The bulk of DinoLand, including the fossil-fueled Boneyard playground and the Cementasaurus.)
• The MuppetVision 3D attraction permanently closed at Hollywood Studios in early June. That area, including PizzeRizzo and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, is being re-imaged as a land based on “Monsters, Inc.” that will include an indoor roller coaster.
• But all’s not lost, Muppet fans. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, an indoor coaster featuring Aerosmith, will be retooled to feature Electric Mayhem and other Muppets. The giant guitar outside will get a new look and, once inside, riders will see that “the iconic scenery and landmarks of Tinseltown will feature a Muppet twist,” according to a post on the official Disney Parks Blog. The park hasn’t said when Aerosmith will take a final bow, but the Muppetization of the ride is expected to be complete next year.
• Tom Sawyer Island, along with the Rivers of America and Liberty Belle attractions, were done at Magic Kingdom as of July 7. This area eventually will be the home of two “Cars”-inspired attractions set in the park’s Frontierland, and work also is underway nearby for the villains-based land.
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• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, a roller coaster which closed Aug. 18, already is being dismantled at Universal Studios. There’s other unidentified groundwork being laid nearby.
• Poseidon’s Fury, a mythical walk-through attraction at Islands of Adventure, closed in May 2023. At the time, Universal said a new attraction was planned and some work has been done (and Fury’s water feature still flows), no replacement has been announced.
• Stanley Falls Flume, a watery attraction that opened with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 1973, was shut down permanently this month. The park has not revealed its plans for that space.
The refurb realm
• At Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been closed for refurbishment since January. The coaster is scheduled to reopen in 2026 with enhancements such as phosphorescent pools, iridescent stalactites and what appears to be a man versus mountain storyline.
• On the other side of the park, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is closed and getting upgrades, including new ride vehicles, targets, detachable blasters and a new animatronic named Buddy. Disney says to expect new Buzzing in 2026.
• Spaceship Earth, the iconic globe and ride near the entrance of Epcot, has been having “routine refurbishment,” Disney says, since late August. It is expected to reopen before the end of the year.
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• Kali River Rapids, a water ride at Animal Kingdom, will start refurbishment on Oct. 6, with a reopening target of December.
• Must be something in the water: Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, a water ride at Islands of Adventure, also will be in refurbishment starting Oct. 6. That’s expected to end Oct. 31, Universal says .
• Finally, for the plan-way-aheaders, Volcano Bay water park will enter a seasonal closure Oct. 26, 2026. Its planned reopening is set for “on or before March 24, 2027,” Universal’s website says.
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