Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Jerome Labouyrie
Disney has had an extensive list of closed restaurants and attractions throughout all four parks. There is no indication when many of these restaurants, parks, or even attractions would reopen after being closed for a lengthy period of time. Though one restaurant has been closed for years now for its intended use, it reopens sometimes as an entirely other establishment. It will now reopen on May 1st, but this time it won’t be as a restaurant. Keep reading below.
EPCOT
Marrakesh Restaurant
There’s no news yet on when Marrakesh, the Morocco pavilion at EPCOT’s World Showcase, will return as an eating establishment. It’s now shuttered. On May 1st, though, the eatery will officially open. From May 1 to June 26, it will operate as an Annual Passholder lounge.
Annual Passholders will be able to make use of the free food and drink, charging stations, and air conditioning while we wait for the entire restaurant to reopen. Disney claims that there might even be chances to meet “special friends” during V.I.Passholder Days. We’ll take what we can get, but we still don’t know if it’s closed for good or if it might reopen as a restaurant.
Every Annual Passholder Will Be at EPCOT on May 1st
Several additional locations across Disney World are closed, even if Marrakesh is sort of opening this week! If you’re planning to visit the parks the week of April 28 through May 4, scroll down to see what will be closed.
Magic Kingdom
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Splash Mountain is currently undergoing renovations to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, hence it is permanently closed. The Princess and the Frog will serve as the theme for the new attraction.
This summer marks the opening of the attraction at Disney World. We are already beginning to see some significant indicators that we are approaching it’s opening day. A few of the shops close to the ride now have new signs! Tiana’s General Store and Critter Co-Op are also coming to Magic Kingdom.
Disney Imagineers have also been spotted test-riding the attraction! It must be almost ready if they are riding it, am I right?
A water lily on the new gate is one of the tiny elements that have been shown. A tribute to the film that served as inspiration for the ride is the water lily. Additionally, the queue is beginning to look extremely nice!
We have discovered a tidbit of fresh information on this ride, which includes the possibility that Splash Mountain Easter Eggs will be hidden all over the place! Disney recently unveiled a preview of the upcoming characters for the ride, but the opening day has not yet been disclosed. As summer draws near, we’ll be keeping an eye on things and listening!
Country Bear Jamboree
In order to make several renovations, Country Bear Jamboree closed on January 27, 2024. We discovered that the show’s sign had been covered up on our most recent visit to Magic Kingdom!
Disney said that the bears at Country Bear Jamboree will be learning a brand-new act in a brand-new show. This summer is when the new program is scheduled to debut.
Only the Walt Disney World Railroad, Tom Sawyer Island, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad remain operating in Frontierland after the closure of Country Bear Jamboree and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Tomorrowland Terrace
The quick-service restaurant, Tomorrowland Terrace, was only sporadically operational before to the 2020 pandemic-related shutdown, which have kept it shuttered ever since.
The dining room is generally roped off and unoccupied, though occasionally you’ll see it open as a rest area (and it’s still utilized for the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties). Disney has not yet disclosed a potential reopening date for this location, but we will be keeping an eye out for news.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Rock ‘n’ Roll Roller Coaster
The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will not reopen until this summer; it closed on January 8.
The ride won’t reopen for business for at least a few months, even if we don’t yet know the precise date. Exactly one year ago, on February 20th, the ride closed at this moment and reopened on May 26th.
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
It’s official now: Disney World’s Voyage of the Little Mermaid is closed permanently. Since it hasn’t actually been open for a few years, we have long thought this to be the case, but it has now been confirmed that it is permanently closed.
In this location, Disney will debut a NEW show that will still be based on the animated film The Little Mermaid! “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” is the next production that Disney’s Hollywood Studios will host in the fall of 2024.
A “fully reimagined theatrical production inspired by the classic Walt Disney Animation Studios film” is what it will be called.
Blizzard Beach
On March 16, 2024, Blizzard Beach enjoyed its final day of operation before closing for renovations. There are nine attractions in Blizzard Beach that we will not be able to visit this week.
On March 17, 2024, Typhoon Lagoon opened while Blizzard Beach closed. The two water parks alternate between being open and closed frequently. Disney has not provided a timeframe for Typhoon Lagoon’s reopening or for this latest closure. Still, we’ll be keeping an eye out for any updates!
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.