Disney World sometimes closes rides, attractions, and restaurants for changes and scheduled maintenance.
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.
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.
Disney hasn’t announced an opening date for the TRON ride, so we can’t say yet when the roller coaster might open.
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 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.
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.
We got a peek inside the attraction and at the ride vehicles that’ll be used when it opens.
Although we don’t know the exact date, we do know that Disney plans to open Cosmic Rewind sometime in 2022.
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.
Disney World calls it a “digital metropolis,” where you can find interactive experiences and games.
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:
- British Revolution (United Kingdom)
- Jeweled Dragon Acrobats (China)
- Meet Anna & Elsa at Royal Sommerhus (Norway) (though you can generally find them greeting guests from a distance)
- Meet-and-greet at the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
- Meet-and-greet in the United Kingdom (though you may be able to find characters greeting from a distance here)
- Meet Belle in France (though we have spotted her and Princess Aurora greeting guests from a distance)
- Meet Donald Duck in Mexico
- Meet Joy Near Imagination in Future World West (though you can sometimes find Joy in another spot in EPCOT)
- Meet Minnie Mouse near World Showcase Plaza
- Meet Mulan in China (though we have spotted her greeting guests from a distance)
- Meet Pluto near Main Entrance (though you can often spot him and Goofy or Mickey and Minnie greeting guests from a distance)
- Meet Princess Jasmine in Morocco (though we have spotted her greeting guests from a distance)
- Meet Ralph & Vanellope inside ImagineWorks at Epcot
- Meet Snow White in Germany (though we have spotted her greeting guests from a distance)
- Serveur Amusant (France)
- Viva Mexico (Mexico)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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 is going to be closed from January 4th, 2022, through mid-April 2022.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Right now, Disney is just adding new pull-out beds to these rooms.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
- Entertainment at Scat Cats Club at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter
- Disney’s Spirit of Aloha
- Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review
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.
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.
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
- Jiko (Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge)
- Victoria & Alberts (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
- 1900 Park Fare (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
- Garden View Tea Room (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
- ESPN Club (Disney’s Boardwalk Inn)
- Flying Fish (Disney’s Boardwalk Inn)
- Funnel Cake Cart (Disney’s Boardwalk Inn)
- Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds)
- Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show (Disney’s Polynesian Villain Resort)
- Spyglass Grill (Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort)
- Top of the World Lounge (Disney’s Contemporary Resort)
- Turf Club Bar & Grill (Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort)
EPCOT Restaurants
- Tangierine Cafe (EPCOT) — Currently being used as the Tangierine Cafe: Flavors of the Medina booth for EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays
- Takumi-Tei (EPCOT) — Though it was open briefly for a special Whisky Blending Event.
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)
Animal Kingdom Gift Shops
- Tiffins Cart
- The Outpost Shop
- Colors of Mo’ara
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
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.
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)
Disney Springs Gift Shops
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Resort Gift Shops
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
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
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The post Everything That Will Be CLOSED in Disney World in 2022 first appeared on the disney food blog.