NEW Coaster Opens While a Popular Ride Remains CLOSED in Disney World

There’s a LOT going on in Disney World this week! A restaurant has reopened, another one saw some major menu changes, TWO fireworks shows are ending and being replaced, and that’s just before Tuesday.

Magic Kingdom

We keep track of all the changes happening so that you’re prepared before you head out the door for your Disney World trip. Something else you’ll need to know about is what’s going to be CLOSED at the parks while you’re visiting! Here’s a full list of what’s going to be closed in Disney World next week.

Magic Kingdom

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Splash Mountain closed on January 23rd for a long refurbishment. The ride is being re-themed to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, with a Princess and the Frog theme.

So. Much. Scaffolding!

The new ride will reopen sometime in late 2024. We’ll be watching for more updates on the reopening timeline. If you miss Splash Mountain or want to celebrate the new ride, you should check out our DFB t-shirts! We have a Splash Mountain Farwell Tour shirt…

DFB Exclusive!

…and a Tiana tee as well!

Check out our new Tiana-inspired merch!

You can shop both tees (and lots of other Disney merch) at our online store.

Click here to shop our DFB merchandise store.

Don’t forget that Disney Enchantment will play its last show on Sunday, April 2nd, and Happily Ever After will return on the 3rd!

Disney Enchantment

If you’re a fan of these fireworks shows, you’ll want to plan to be in Magic Kingdom on those dates in order to see the final showing of Enchantment and the first return show of Happily Ever After.

Happily Ever After

Check out our new tees and sweatshirts to celebrate the show’s return as well!

We got to see the “new” version of Happily Ever After during a media preview event. As long as you don’t mind spoilers, click the link below to see the full show!

Click here to watch Happily Ever After’s return in Disney World.

Tomorrowland Light & Power Co.

For a while, we have been watching the refurbishment of the Tomorrowland Light & Power Co building. This building has previously been used as the Space Mountain gift shop. Recently, we saw a change to the front of the store when a new mural was added.

The details

Disney announced that the Tomorrowland Light & Power Co will be renamed Tomorrowland Launch Depot. The store will open on April 4th (that’s this week!) along with TRON Lightcycle / Run!

TRON Lightcycle / Run

The Tomorrowland Launch Depot will be home to the new interactive experience called TRON Identity Program. Guests will be able to customize a “Program” action figure that looks and sounds like you and an identity chip that will interact with other merchandise as well! This is similar to the Avatar Maker found in Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

©Disney

We’ve also spotted some TRON merchandise inside this store, although another shop will be opening in Tomorrowland with even more merchandise for the new ride. The new store will be located across from Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.

Learn all about TRON Lightcycle / Run here.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

The popular Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster ride closed on February 21st for a long refurbishment.

Rock ‘n Roller Coaster

So far Disney hasn’t announced specifically when it will reopen, but we know it’ll be sometime in the summer of 2023. We’ll be watching for a specific reopening date.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

This Little Mermaid-themed stage show has been closed in Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a long time now.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Disney hasn’t announced when or if the Voyage of the Little Mermaid will reopen.

Check out the BEST desserts at Hollywood Studios here.

EPCOT

Cool Wash

Cool Wash temporarily had a new sign that re-named the spot “Refreshment Station,” but that sign was later removed. However, it looks like the sign is back now! The snack kiosk is still closed and blocked off by several plants. Disney hasn’t announced when Cool Wash (sorry, Refreshment Station) will reopen, but we’ll watch for any changes.