A Guide to What’s Opening and What’s Closing at Disney World and Disneyland This Year

A “great big beautiful tomorrow” awaits at Walt Disney World and Disneyland in 2025. From coast to coast, mouse fans have a lot to look forward to, including new attractions, reimagined rides, and exciting nighttime entertainment.

And there's also a few rides and attractions that will be closing their doors for good.

At Walt Disney World, the new year brings a dazzling brand new night-time parade at Magic Kingdom, a new stage show inspired by the Disney animated classic The Little Mermaid, and much more. Additionally, those visiting can take advantage of a number of discounts, including 40 percent off summer hotel stays, free water park visits, and free Disney dining plans with summer 2025 vacation packages.

And at Disneyland, the stage is being set for its over year-long 70th anniversary celebration which will kick off in May. Visitors can expect the return of fan favorite parade “Paint The Night,” a brand new stage show featuring the first ever audio-animatronic of Walt Disney, and more. Park goers can also take advantage of limited time offers, including kids’ tickets starting at just $50 and special 70th anniversary hotel discounts.

Here’s what to expect at Disney World and Disneyland in 2025.

World Disney World

Magic Kingdom

Attractions closing:

• Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island will be closing permanently this year as the section of the park is transformed into a brand new land inspired by Pixar Animation Studios’ Cars franchise.

Attractions under refurbishment:

• Tomorrowland’s Astro Orbiter will be closing Jan. 13 and remain closed through summer.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed for a lengthy refurbishment and will reopen in 2026.
• The Hall of Presidents will close Jan. 20 for routine refurbishment surrounding Inauguration Day.

Attractions opening:

• “Disney Starlight: Dream The Night Away” nighttime parade starts this summer. the parade will continue the nighttime legacy that began with the “Main Street Electrical Parade” and feature beloved characters from treasured Walt Disney Animation Studios films, including Frozen and Peter Pan.
• A brand-new “Pirates Of The Caribbean”-inspired tavern opening late 2025. The Adventureland haven will welcome aspiring pirates of all ages to the immersive lounge “with a sea-worthy selection of grogs and grub” and “there may be more than a few mysterious and magical surprises in store!”

Epcot

• A reimagined version of Test Track presented by General Motors opens late summer 2025
• The Spaceship Earth Lounge is set to open spring 2025. Serving elevated eats and sips, the lounge will celebrate its namesake attraction and invite diners to relax inside the iconic ride.

Hollywood Studios

• “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” is set to open summer 2025. The new show will feature familiar tunes alongside all new sets and a colorful cast of live performers and puppets.
• “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” is a brand-new stage production premiering summer 2025. The show will feature dozens of the most infamous Disney villains, including Captain Hook and Cruella de Vil, and transport the audience to the mysterious realm of the Magic Mirror.

Animal Kingdom

Attraction closing:

• Dinosaur will permanently close at the end of 2025 along with the rest of DINOLAND, U.S.A. The 11-acre land will be reimagined into Tropical Americas, which will feature highly anticipated Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions, anticipated to open in 2027.
• TriceraTop Spin will close permanently Jan. 13
• “A Bug's Life”-themed 3D film and live show “It’s Tough To Be a Bug” will be closing permanently to make way for “Zootopia: Better Together.”

Attractions under refurbishment:

• Water-based attraction Kali River Rapids, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, will close for its annual routine maintenance from Jan. 6 through March.

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park

Attractions closing:

• Red Car Trolley will be closing permanently Feb. 9 to make way for the Avengers Campus expansion. The vintage-style trolley first debuted in 2012 and is modeled after a late 19th century Pacific Electric Railway trolley. 

Attractions under refurbishment:

• Haunted Mansion will be closed Jan.7 through Jan. 17 to remove its holiday overlay.
• It’s A Small World will also close for refurbishment this month.

Attractions opening:

• Main Street’s historic Opera House will welcome a brand new stage show, “Walt Disney — A Magical Life” and will featuring the first ever audio-animatronic figure of Walt Disney.
• Fan favorite “Paint the Night” will return as part of the over year-long anniversary celebration. The parade features over one million twinkling LED lights, light-up floats, and beloved Disney characters all set to a captivating musical soundtrack.
• Fireworks show “Wondrous Journeys” will return bringing dazzling fireworks set to the stunning backdrop of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Disney California Adventure Park

Attraction closures:

• Red Car Trolley will be closing permanently Feb. 9 to make way for the Avengers Campus expansion. The vintage-style trolley first debuted in 2012 and is modeled after a late 19th century Pacific Electric Railway trolley.

Attractions under refurbishment:

• “The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” is currently closed as the theater will welcome the new show “Walt Disney — A Magical Life” for the resort’s 70th anniversary. After its debut season, the new show will play interchangeably with its predecessor.
• Grizzly River Run will close for refurbishment Jan. 6 through March 13,

Attraction openings:

• “World of Color Happiness!” is a brand new nighttime show at Disney California Adventure Park that draws inspiration from Walt Disney’s now famous opening day park dedication: “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!”
• “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” parade will once again fill the streets of Disney California Adventure Park.