Walt Disney World Closures and Refurbishments
Magic Kingdom
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed for refurbishment January 9 through May 27.
- Liberty Square Riverboat is closed for refurbishment April 16 through May 20.
- Updated – Fairytale Garden is closed until May 18th for preparation of a new play and greet experience themed after Pixar’s new “Brave” movie. The Merida play and greet will replace the Rapunzel meet and greet. Rapunzel has currently moved to City Hall on Main Street USA where she is meeting with guests daily.
- Snow White’s Scary Adventures will close for good on May 31. The location will become the new home of the Disney Princesses meet and greet called Fairytale Hall.
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will close for a brief refurbishment from June 27 through June 29.
Epcot
- Updated – Test Track closed April 16 for re-imagining through November 30th.
- New – Bistro de Paris in Epcot’s France pavilion will be closed for renovations from July 1 through September 30.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- New – The Narnia walk through attraction has permanently closed and reopening in its place sometime in the Fall of 2012 will be the all new Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow.
Animal Kingdom
- The ‘Affection Section’ at Rafiki’s Planet Watch will be closed for refurbishment through June 9. During the closure there will be animal encounters inside the Conservation Station.
- Kilimanjaro Safaris is undergoing changes that will allow guests to see more of the elusive zebras during the ride by creating a new zebra habitat. The new zebra area will be located in the “Little Red” and related “poacher” staging area of the ride, which has now been removed. Work is scheduled to be complete in fall 2012. Kilimanjaro Safaris will remain open during the construction.
Disneyland Closures and Rehabs
- The Blue Ribbon Bakery will close for conversion to an indoor seating area for the Carnation Cafe which will also be closed until Summer 2012 (Approximately July 14).
- Frontierland Shooting Exposition is closed for refurbishment through May 25.
- Matterhorn Bobsleds will be closed January 9 through June 14 for refurbishment.
- Carnation Plaza Gardens closed April 30 for construction of Fantasy Faire. Fantasy Faire is anticipated to open in Winter 2013.
Disney’s California Adventure Closures and Refurbishments
- Cove Bar at Ariel’s Grotto will be closed for refurbishment through May 30.
- Goofy’s Sky School will be closed for refurbishment through June 1.
- Ghirardelli at Pacific Wharf will be closed for rehab through June 1.
- Cars Land will be under construction until its opening date of June 15.
- Baker’s Field Bakery is closed for conversion to Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream and Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream for conversion to Fiddler, Fife, and Practical Cafe, both until June 15.
Water Parks
- New – Typhoon Lagoon will close for annual refurbishment on October 28.
