Everything That Will Be CLOSED in Disney World in 2022

Disney World sometimes closes rides, attractions, and restaurants for changes and scheduled maintenance.

Walt Disney World Railroad

We keep track of the refurbishments schedule and let you know every week what’s going to be closed in the parks and hotels. But now that a new year isn’t too far away (first of all, how did that happen so fast??) we’re taking a look at everything that’s going to be closed in Disney World in 2022. Some of these closures are on the calendar already, and others have just been announced as happening sometime in the year. It’s a LONG list, so buckle up!

We’ll start out with rides, attractions, and entertainment in the Disney World parks because each of the four parks has a few refurbishments on the list.

Magic Kingdom Attractions and Entertainment

Walt Disney World Railroad

In the Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney World Railroad has been closed for a while now. This attraction is a train ride around the park with stops on Main Street U.S.A., in Fantasyland, and in Frontierland.

Fantasyland Train Station

The attraction has been unavailable due to refurbishments on the train (which we saw an update on during Destination D23) and construction over in Tomorrowland that interrupted the tracks.

TRON: Lightcycle Run

The construction is on the upcoming TRON: Lightcycle Run roller coaster, which was originally meant to open for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary back in October.

Tron Construction — Late November 2021

Disney hasn’t announced an opening date for the TRON ride, so we can’t say yet when the roller coaster might open.

TRON: Lightcycle Run

Since the construction is part of why the Railroad can’t run, we’re also assuming that the Railroad won’t reopen until TRON is finished. We hope to see both of these rides open sometime in 2022, and we’ll keep you updated with any news about progress on them.

Splash Mountain

Another popular attraction that will close for a while in 2022 is Splash Mountain. This ride is closing for routine maintenance for a month from January 10th, 2022, through February 10th, 2022. It closed around the same time last year for maintenance as well, so this is a normal refurbishment for Disney World.

Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain is going to get a major re-theme sometime in the next few years as well. Based on an announcement from a Disney executive, it might be a while before we see the re-theme in Disney World.

©Disney Princess and the Frog concept art

As always, we’ll keep you updated with any more information from Disney about this project.

Other Entertainment

There are several more entertainment options that still haven’t reopened in Magic Kingdom as well, including the following:

  • Enchanted Tales With Belle
  • Citizens of Main Street
  • Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade — Disney has announced that the Festival of Fantasy will return in 2022!
  • Main Street Trolley Show
  • Meet Ariel at her Grotto
  • Meet Alice and Wonderland at the Mad Tea Party
  • Meet a Disney Friend in Tomorrowland
  • Meet Characters from Aladdin in Adventureland
  • Meeting Disney Pals as Circus Stars at Pete’s Silly Side Show
  • Meet Gaston near his Tavern
  • Meet Merida at Fairytale Garden
  • Meet Peter Pan in Fantasyland
  • Meet Tinker Bell at Town Square Theater
  • Meet Winnie the Pooh and Tigger at the Thotful Spot
  • Once Upon a Time

Disney hasn’t given a reopening date for these attractions, but we’ll let you know as soon as we know when they could return!

Click Here to See Why You’ll Want to Avoid the Magic Kingdom On One Day in February

EPCOT Attractions and Entertainment

EPCOT has been going through a massive transformation over the last few years, and it’ll still be a while before it’s complete. But surprisingly, there are very few attractions that are closed. You may have to navigate through a maze of construction walls, but you’ll still get to experience all of EPCOT’s charms.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Disney World has announced that the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride will be opening in EPCOT 2022.

Construction on Guardians of the Galaxy Ride

We got a peek inside the attraction and at the ride vehicles that’ll be used when it opens.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Ride Vehicle

Although we don’t know the exact date, we do know that Disney plans to open Cosmic Rewind sometime in 2022.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Concept Art ©Disney

We’ll be sure to let you know when there is a more specific opening date.

Go INSIDE Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind with us here! 

Play! Pavilion

Another major project in EPCOT is the Play! Pavilion, which is a center with all kinds of new and innovative activities for guests to participate in.

The upcoming PLAY! Pavilion

Disney World calls it a “digital metropolis,” where you can find interactive experiences and games.

PLAY! Pavilion

We don’t have an opening date for the Play! Pavilion yet, but it’s possible that we’ll see it open sometime in 2022 as well, as part of EPCOT’s huge transformation.

Click Here to Learn All About the EPCOT Transformation

Other Entertainment

Other entertainment that has not yet returned to EPCOT includes several character meet-and-greets as well as a couple of shows:

You can see several of the characters from a distance at least, and most of the princesses in World Showcase are close enough to take pictures and chat with guests even though you can’t hug them or ask for autographs.

Hello, Belle!

And when international travel restrictions start to relax more, we’re hoping to see more of EPCOT’s Cultural Representatives back in World Showcase.

Click Here to See Answers to the WEIRDEST Disney Character Questions You’re Too Afraid to Ask

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Fantasmic!

One of the biggest shows in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Fantasmic! This show didn’t reopen with the parks last year, but we learned at Destination D23 that it will be returning sometime in 2022.

We miss you, Fantasmic!

In addition, we learned about some new additions and changes coming to the show, and we can’t wait to see them in action when the nighttime spectacular reopens.

It’s coming back!

A couple of other shows have not yet returned to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and unfortunately, they don’t have reopening dates yet.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

 Voyage of the Little Mermaid has been closed for a while in this park.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Disney hasn’t given any information on when it might return.

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular

Another nighttime show, Star Wars: a Galactic Spectacular, is not available now.

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular ©Disney

We don’t know yet when this show will open again in the park. In the meantime, you can always check out the other nighttime shows in Hollywood Studios, like Wonderful World of Animation or Disney Movie Magic (both of which take place on the Chinese Theater).

Mickey!

Other Entertainment

The other entertainment that has not yet returned includes:

  • BB-8 Astromech on Duty
  • Celebrity Spotlight — Meet Olaf
  • Citizens of Hollywood
  • Green Army Drum Corps
  • Green Army Patrol
  • Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
  • Meet the Incredibles at Pixar Place
  • Meet Sulley at Walt Disney Presents
  • Meet the Toys in Toy Story Land
  • Star Wars Launch Bay: Encounter Darth Vader
  • Star Wars Launch Bay: Meet Chewbacca
  • Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Click Here to See Our Ultimate Guide to Eating in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Expedition Everest

There is one BIG attraction getting some updates and is scheduled maintenance in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest is going to be closed from January 4th, 2022, through mid-April 2022.

Expedition Everest will close for scheduled maintenance

If Everest is a must-ride for you, make sure to plan your trip around this closure!

Primeval Whirl

Over in DinoLand U.S.A., the Primeval Whirl ride closed permanently.

Primeval Whirl is gone

The attraction was removed in November 2021, and Disney hasn’t said yet what might replace it.

Finding Nemo: The Musical

Finding Nemo: The Musical, a fan-favorite show in this park, is closed right now and will return in 2022 as a NEW show.

Finding Nemo: The Musical

It’s still a Finding Nemo musical, but it will be set in the Finding Dory timeline with some new characters and a new story. Don’t worry — Disney confirmed that some popular songs and characters from the old show will be returning with this new sequel.

©Disney

This show — Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond — is debuting in Animal Kingdom sometime in 2022.

Other Entertainment

Other entertainment offerings that you won’t find right now in Animal Kingdom include the following:

  • Donald’s Dino-Bash!
  • Harambe Village Acrobats
  • Meet Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost
  • Meet Pocahontas on Discovery Island Trails
  • Meet Russell and Dug at Discovery Island
  • Meet Timon and Rafiki at Discovery Island
  • Pandora Drummers – Swotu Waya
  • Pandora Rangers
  • Viva Gaia Street Band

These shows and meet-and-greets don’t have return dates yet, but we’ll let you know as soon as Disney announces their reopening.

Click Here to See the Five BEST Rides in Disney’s Animal Kingdom (and the Five Worst)

Transportation

The Disney Skyliner — which connects Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (the Skyliner hub), EPCOT’s International Gateway, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts, and Disney’s Riviera Resort — will be unavailable for a brief refurbishment from January 23 – 28, 2022.

This is just a short closure, but if it falls during your trip, you’ll need to be sure to adjust your plans for how you travel around Disney property. Disney has shared that bus services will be available to transport guests during the refurbishment.

Learn ALL the Ins-and-Outs of the Disney Skyliner HERE!

Disney World Hotels

Most of the Disney World hotels have reopened again, with the latest addition being Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter Resort in late October 2021.

Disney’s Port Orleans — French Quarter

Now there’s just one hotel missing.

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort was going to reopen sometime in December 2021, but its opening has been delayed.

All-Star Sports Entrance

Disney cited some continuing refurbishments and construction as the reason for this delay. The new reopening date for All-Star Sports is March 31st, 2022, and you can make reservations for your stay now!

DVC Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Some rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are also unavailable right now, as Disney works on some updates to the DVC villas in this hotel.

Grand Floridian Resort

Right now, Disney is just adding new pull-out beds to these rooms.

©Disney

But in the spring of 2022, they’ll start on some BIG renovations to all the guest rooms in the Grand Floridian’s Big Pine Key building. These rooms will be converted into DVC villas, which will open in the summer of 2022.

1-Bedroom Kitchen ©Disney

We got a peek at some of the new rooms, and they look luxurious, to say the least.

Select Pools at Disney World Hotels

There are a couple of pool renovations happening at Disney World hotels in 2022. The Flippin’ Fins Pool at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will be closed from early January 2022 through late February 2022. During this time, the Big Blue Pool and Cozy Cone Pool will remain open, so guests can use one of those instead.

Flippin’ Fins Pool

Once the Flippin’ Fins Pool re-opens (in late February 2022), the Cozy Cone Pool will close for its own refurbishment, which will last through mid-April 2022. During that time, the Big Blue Pool and Flippin’ Fins Pool will still be open for guests.

Cozy Cone Pool ©Disney

Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Samawati Springs Pool (at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village) will be closed from January 2022 through April 2022.

Samawati Springs Pool

Guests at the Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village can head over to the Jambo House area to use the Uzima Springs Pool.

Entertainment at Disney World Hotels

Select entertainment offerings at various Disney World hotels are still closed right now, and they do not have return dates yet:

Click Here to See the Most Ridiculous Things to Ever Happen at Disney World Hotels

Other Disney World Closures

Typhoon Lagoon

Typhoon Lagoon — one of Disney World’s water parks — is also still closed.

Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool

The other water park, Blizzard Beach, is open for guests to visit, although we’ve seen it close due to weather a few times over the last month.

Blizzard Beach Entrance

Disney hasn’t given an opening date for Typhoon Lagoon yet, and it might not reopen until it gets a little warmer.

Click Here to See Which Water Park Is Worth Your Time in Disney World

Disney World Restaurants

There are several restaurants in Disney World (in the parks and hotels) that have not returned since the parks reopened last year. The restaurants on this list do not have reopening dates yet, so we don’t know when they’ll be back (but we’re hoping it’s sometime in 2022!):

Disney World Hotel Restaurants

1900 Park Fare

Flying Fish

Spyglass Grill

EPCOT Restaurants

Restaurant Marrakesh Dining Room

We’re always looking out for the latest news in Disney World, so we’ll be sure to let you know as soon as we hear when these restaurants return.

Click Here to See 8 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Booking a Disney World Restaurant

Disney World Gift Shops

Some merchandise locations are still closed around Disney World, including at the parks and hotels. These shops may reopen at any time, but Disney has not yet announced their return:

Magic Kingdom Gift Shops

  • Agrabah Bazaar
  • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
  • Casey Jr. RailRoad Mercantile
  • Briar Patch
  • Harmony Barber Shop
  • Main Street Chamber of Commerce (Package Pickup)

Barber Shop on Main Street, U.S.A.

Animal Kingdom Gift Shops

  • Tiffins Cart
  • The Outpost Shop
  • Colors of Mo’ara

The Outpost Shop

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Gift Shops

  • Launch Bay Cargo
  • Disney Studio Store
  • Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost
  • It’s A Wonderful Shop
  • Stage 1 Company Store

It’s a Wonderful Shop

EPCOT Gift Shops

Souk-al-Magreb

The only attraction in EPCOT that’s on the schedule to be closed next year is the Souk-al-Magreb gift shop, which you can find in the Morocco pavilion at World Showcase.

Still closed!

This gift shop closed earlier in 2021, and it was supposed to reopen a few months later. Instead, the shop has remained closed, and its closure is scheduled to last until February 6th, 2022.

  • The Brass Bazaar (Morocco)
  • Casablanca Carpets (Morocco)
  • Das Kaufhaus (Germany)
  • Der Teddybar (Germany)
  • El Ranchito del Norte (Mexico)
  • La Tienda Encantada (Mexico)
  • Marketplace in the Medina (Morocco)
  • Mitsukoshi Kiosk (Japan)
  • Tangier Traders (Morocco)
  • The Toy Solider (United Kingdom)
  • Trading Post (Canada)
  • Volkskunst (Germany)
  • Wandering Reindeer (Norway)

The Toy Soldier

Disney Springs Gift Shops

  • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Disney Springs Location

Resort Gift Shops

  • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique closed

A few gift shops have also closed or at least been low on merchandise due to the global supply shortages. We’ll let you know whenever we see those closures happening in the parks. In addition to these closures, Disney has also paused the perk of resort package delivery. In the past, Disney World hotel guests had the option to send souvenirs purchased in the Disney parks and to their Disney World resort hotel while at Disney World. This convenient perk has not returned yet, but we’ll keep you posted when it returns!

Click Here to See How a Stock Issue Could Impact Your Disney World Shopping

That’s it for our list of everything that’ll be closed in Disney World in 2022. Keep following DFB for more of the latest news and some great planning tips as you plan your upcoming Disney World trip!

Click Here to See 8 Dates in 2022 that You NEED To Know If You’re a Disney World Fan


Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!

Preorder Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!

With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.

Click here to preorder your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today!

Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!

ready-to-shop-button
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 🙂

Are you visiting Disney World next year? Let us know in the comments.

The post Everything That Will Be CLOSED in Disney World in 2022 first appeared on the disney food blog.