Fall break is alive and well in Disney World, which is a time of year many people forget about, then wonder why in the world there’s a random 3-4 weeks in between the end of summer and Thanksgiving week that are absolutely bonkers. Yep, that’s why.

It’s also hard to track when exactly fall breaks will cause high crowds, since they land in different weeks for various schools. This does mean the crowds are a bit more spread out, rather than arriving all at once, but it still means Disney World becomes more intense than many people expect it to be for early October. But other than being shoulder to shoulder with thousands of your closest strangers, what else can you expect from Disney World this week? The answer? A LOT.

We saw a popular Swan & Dolphin restaurant reopen after a months-long closure due to a fire, which was a real win, and we’re happy to report that a popular EPCOT store has also finally reopened after a few weeks closed for refurbishment and is looking great. Let’s take a look at what you need to expect in terms of closures and ongoing construction in Disney World from October 16th through October 23rd.

Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World Railroad

The Walt Disney World Railroad temporarily closed on September 28th for reasons that Disney hasn’t released. Fortunately, the closure isn’t expected to last long.

Disney has listed that the train should reopen on October 30th, so we’ll only have to go without it for about a month. When it reopens, though, a reminder that it’ll only be running from Main Street to Fantasyland and back, as the Frontierland station is closed due to construction happening in Villains Land and Piston Peak.

Carousel of Progress

Carousel of Progress closed on July 6th to undergo a major refurbishment. The work will include completely revamping the scenes in the attraction to make them more modern and represent more recent parts of history, as well as adding a new Walt Disney animatronic at the opening.

Currently, the attraction is set to reopen in 2027, though no official date has been set yet.

Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island

An iconic part of the Magic Kingdom is now permanently closed. As of July 7th, 2025, the Rivers of America, including the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island, are permanently closed to make way for the new Cars area, Piston Peak. There are lots of construction walls up in the area now, and the structures on Tom Sawyer Island have been demolished. Most recently, we saw some pretty great updates on the progress at the site!

Piston Peak National Park will be replacing this area of the Magic Kingdom. Disney has not yet announced an opening date for the new Cars area, but we do know it will feature two brand-new attractions and be themed to look like a National Park.

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Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Muppets Courtyard

Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo closed on June 8th, 2025, and Muppets Courtyard has been walled off for construction on the new Monsters, Inc. land. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano has been closed since May 11th, 2025. Most recently, we got to see a closer look at some of the details in the land. We’ve spotted some colorful tiles that look almost like dragon (or monster) scales that have been added to the top of one of the buildings, and there’s even a merchandise cart outside the walls now, already selling Monsters, Inc. merchandise!

We’ll get to explore their world during H.U.M.A.N. Day, or “Humans Understand Monsters Are Nice” Day, with Disney continuing to say, “Human guests will have the chance to explore the city, meet its citizens, taste unique cuisine, and step into the everyday world of monsters in a totally new way. For the first time, two worlds once separated are meeting face to scaly, furry, and fang-filled face – brought together not by screams, but by laughter.”

It’s also been fully confirmed that Harryhausen’s will be one of the restaurants in the new land, in addition to Archie’s Square Pig Pizza. Most recently, we got a look at some of the new food coming to the land, and we’ve gotta say, we’re pretty excited!

If you’re missing The Muppets, you can go visit them at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets right now!

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EPCOT

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef, one of the most controversial restaurants in all of Disney World, closed for refurbishment on September 8th.

The Disney World website recently adjusted to allow guests to begin booking reservations again on November 4th and beyond, which we’re now considering the reopening date, unless Disney tells us differently.

Sections of Germany Pavilion

On July 13th, both the guest bathrooms in the Germany Pavilion and the majority of the Volkskunst store in EPCOT’s Germany Pavilion closed for refurbishment. The roof of Das Kaufhaus is also under refurbishment.

While a Cast Member did tell us the store closure was to fix the Cast Member bathrooms out of sight, Disney has not revealed a reopening date for the store or the public bathrooms. Other parts of the pavilion are also seeing construction and refurbishment, but are not causing additional closures.

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom

DinoLand, USA

On February 2nd, DinoLand, USA, officially closed to make way for the new Tropical Americas land, Pueblo Esperanza. Most recently, thanks to an update from @bioreconstruct, we can see a waterproof barrier has been added to the concrete walls at the base of the frame for Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto.

We can also see lots of work happening at the front of the new Indiana Jones ride, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent!

This new land will have three new rides: El Carrusel de los Animalitos featuring classic Disney animals, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent where you’ll explore a Mayan temple, and Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto that invites you into the Madrigals’ home. We can’t wait to continue to see how it all shapes up.

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Disney World Hotels

Disney’s Port Orleans — French Quarter

Scat Cat’s Club and Lounge at Disney’s Port Orleans — French Quarter officially closed for refurbishment on October 6th. Don’t worry, you can still grab the iconic beignets next door at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory

Additionally, to make up for the lack of drinks at the lounge, a temporary bar will be available near the cafe from 5 PM to 11 PM each night. When it comes to reopening, the cafe is set to be closed till December and the Lounge until January, though Disney hasn’t released official dates.

All-Star Sports Resort

Disney quietly announced that Grandstand Spirits Pool Bar is closing for a refurbishment. It closed on September 18th and is expected to last through mid-December 2026.

During the closure, we recommend you swing by End Zone Food Court, just a short walk away from the pool, to snag your eats and drinks.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

There are numerous closures taking place around Animal Kingdom Lodge over the next few months that may affect your vacation. The main lobby and primary entrance were set to be closed from August 17th through October 9th, and check-in moved to the Palace Library. Additionally, from September 28th through October 9th, the north side lobby corridor was set to be closed, which closed the north side lobby elevators on the second floor and the outdoor terrace observation deck. However, during a recent visit, it’s clear that this refurbishment is far from over. 

Currently, the section of the lobby closest to the back savanna has reopened, which includes the refurbished stairs, giving guests access between the lobby level, Sanaa, and the savanna, and also opens up the walking path between the two sides of the resort. However, the rest of the lobby and Johari Treasures refurbishment is far from complete. Cast Members don’t have an estimate for when it will be finished, but it definitely won’t be soon, based on the level of construction we still saw.

The other refurbishment that’s about to begin is:

• October 26th through November 6th: The south side lobby corridor will be closed. During this time, Community Hall, Safari So Good Arcade, the laundry room, the Palace Library, lobby restrooms, and the outdoor terrace observation deck will be unavailable.

Sassagoula River Cruise — Disney’s Old Key West Resort

The Sassagoula River Cruise at Disney’s Old Key West, which takes guests to Disney Springs, is temporarily closed. It’s expected to reopen on November 1st, and until that time, bus transportation will be available.

This spot was also closed from late July to early August this year as well, so it’s possible, but not confirmed, that the boats and/or docks may require additional maintenance that wasn’t initially expected.

Convention Center and El Centro Corridor — Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Beginning on August 10th, the Convention Center at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort began a planned refurbishment that is expected to last through September 2027.

Additionally, the hotel’s El Centro Corridor and surrounding areas will also undergo refurbishment tied to the convention center refurbishment. While there’s no end date for this construction project, we do know that work will be completed in phases, with certain spaces being temporarily inaccessible at times.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

This hotel has been undergoing refurbishments for quite some time now, but some sections of the hotel — specifically the porte cochere — will continue to undergo refurbishment through at least early 2027.

We certainly hope it’ll actually reopen on this timeline — we’re a little tired of seeing construction all over this beautiful hotel!

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Currently, work is taking place all over Bay Lake Tower through Late 2027.

While currently no major closures are taking place due to this construction, it’s important to note that you may see or hear construction during your stay.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

The tennis courts at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort are currently closed for refurbishment.

While Disney hasn’t shared an exact reopening date, the current timeline is that they’ll be closed from late August through November 2026.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Resort

The Promenade Fine Art Gallery closed its Disney’s Boardwalk location on October 20th, 2025. However, the Promenade Fine Art Gallery isn’t closing for good, and it will just be moving to a new location.

Disney filed permits for the Boardwalk titled “Project Amazon” and “Project Bubbles” earlier this year, and now that we have a bit more information on them, we’re thinking that this currently vacant spot could soon become the home of the new Basin on the Boardwalk store on its way! The shop will be rooted in the resort’s classic boardwalk heritage and will offer a sensory shopping experience that is described as “both timeless and distinctly new.”

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We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disney World news, so stay tuned to DFB!

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When is your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments!