Disney News

Here is all the latest Disney news, including attraction closures and refurbishments updated weekly in the parks and resorts.  

Know before you go…..

Magic Kingdom

• There’s a new indoor queue for Peter Pan’s Flight that guests can experience.
• Clousures:
  • Haunted Mansion  Dec 1-19, 2014
  • Pirates of the Caribbean  December 17, 2014
  • Splash Mountain    Jan. 5 – 31, 2015
  • Cinderella’s Royal Table  Jan. 5 – Mar. 31, 2015
  • Liberty Square Riverboat  Jan. 23 – 27, 2015
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad  Mar. 4- 8, 2015
  • Under the Sea   Feb. 2 – Mar. 6, 2015
  • Harmony Barber Shop Feb 2 – Mar. 30, 2015
  • It’s a Small World – Mar. 10 -13, 2015

Epcot

• The Paul McKenna Band has now debuted at the UK Pavilion. They are an acoustic folk band outside the Crown and Crest shop.
• This year’s Epcot Flower and Garden Festival will feature Anna and Elsa topiaries, who will be found in the World Showcase Plaza section.  Chip and Dale will join the main front topiary display.  Ten new mini-gardens will be added to the festival, as well as a southwest desert garden.  Finally new artists will be performing in the Flower Power Concert Series that include Gin Blossoms and Pablo Cruise.
• Guests can now make Advanced Dining Reservations for Spice Road Table beginning on December 2.
• Closures:
  • NONE

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Turner Classic Movies has signed a deal to partner and sponsor The Great Movie Ride. They will be re-working the pre-show and will be re-doing the finale movie.
• The Comedy Warehouse will return for the Holidays from December 21 – January 4.
• Closures:
  • NONE

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• There has been some character meet and greet shake ups.  Daisy is no longer meeting guests, Tarzan is meeting guests now, and Pocahontas has moved to Discovery Island Landing.
•  Closures:
  • Kali River Rapids  Jan. 20 – Feb. 2, 2015

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

• Closed for annual refurbishment  Oct. 26, 2014- Jan. 3, 2015

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park

• Closed for annual refurbishment Jan. 4 – Mar. 14, 2015

The Disney Resorts

• The Gingerbread House is officially open at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.
• At Disney’s Polynesian Resort, the children’s club, which was known as Club Disney, will now be known as Lilo’s Playhouse.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

• Finding Nemo Schoolyard Wet Play Area   May 26 – June 29, 2015

Disney’s Beach & Yacht Club Resort

• Guest Room Renovations (Beach Club) –  Oct. 13, 2014 – Aug. 22, 2015
  Guest rooms will be refurbished with new hard and soft goods. Guests will not be accommodated in the affected areas but it is possible that some noise could travel while work is in progress (between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily).
• Stormalong Bay Pool – Waterslide – Jan. 5 – Feb. 2, 2015
  During this time, the waterslide and the waterway from the slide to the first bridge of Stormalong Bay will be unavailable. The remaining portions of the pool will remain available to Guests.
• Stormalong Bay Pool – Lazy River – Feb. 2 – Mar. 3, 2015
  During this time, bridges three and four will be under refurbishment and the lazy river/snorkel area will be closed. The remaining portions of the pool will remain available to Guests

Disney’s Coronado Spring Resort

• La Vida Health Club and Beauty Salon  May 18 – June 19, 2015

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• Beach Pool Water Activity Area  Mar 6 – Apr 9, 2015

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

• General Construction – Dec. 2013 – Mar. 2015
  The east portion of the beach (near the Transportation and Ticket Center) and Sunset Point are being refurbished and are unavailable. Guests may see or hear work in progress.
• Great Ceremonial House – Lobby  Mar. – Dec. 2014
  The atrium is being reimagined to highlight the cultural elements of Polynesia and provide more expansive views. At certain times of day, there may be some noise and alternative paths of travel may be needed throughout the Great Ceremonial House. To enhance the check-in experience, Guests are encouraged to participate in Online Check-In.
• Nanea Volcano Pool and Slide – Jul. 28, 2014 – Spring 2015
  The main pool and slide will be closed for enhancements. Guests who stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort while the main pool is closed will receive one complimentary ticket for each member of their party to visit Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park during their stay.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

• Whispering Canyon Cafe May 15 – Jun. 26, 2015

Walt Disney World Swan Hotel

• Guest Room Renovations  – Aug. 20, 2014 – TBD
  Renovation work is scheduled to take place between 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily. No guests will be accommodated in the renovation area as to minimize impact on the guest experience.

Downtown Disney

• The Food Truck Park on Downtown Disney’s West Side has officially opened. The Food Trucks typically open around 4:00 p.m.
• The new parking garage has officially opened for guest use.
• Roadwork on Buena Vista Drive – Ongoing thru Mar. 2016
  Due to heavy roadwork, expect delays on Buena Vista Drive. It is recommended that Guests use complimentary Walt Disney World Resort transportation from Parks and Resorts to Downtown Disney and plan to arrive early for reserved dining and entertainment experiences.