Author: waltdisneynews

Imagine spending thousands of dollars on a Walt Disney World (WDW) vacation only to find out that most major rides are either broken down or closed off due to some kind of mechanical issue or guests messing up the attraction. Credit: Brian McGowan, Unsplash Disney World Attractions Malfunctioning All Summer Long: Why? The moment you step through the gates of Disney World, the magic should sweep you away. But this summer, many guests have found themselves staring at “temporarily closed” signs more often than the dazzling attractions they came to experience. With ride breakdowns, lengthy refurbishments, and construction zones cropping up everywhere, it’s hard not to feel the frustration building alongside the Florida heat. Statistically, Disney World has seen an unusual spike in ride downtime this season, with several headliners and fan-favorite rides offline for extended periods. Even the much-anticipated park expansions have fallen behind schedule, leaving entire areas cordoned off. For many families and fans, what was meant to be a dream vacation feels more like a test of patience. But don’t give up on your Disney trip just yet. Beneath the closures and delays, there are still ways to unlock the magic — if you know where to look. Credit: 0soulis0, Flickr What’s Happening at Disney World This Summer? The Latest Ride Closures and Updates This summer, Disney World’s busy parks have been grappling with a wave of ride closures

Walt Disney World Resort has shed some light on upcoming construction work at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, one of its most popular Deluxe Resort hotels and Disney Vacation Club (DVC) destinations. On August 11, 2025, Walt Disney Imagineering filed a “Notice of Commencement” for construction work at 2901 Osceola Parkway, Bay Lake, Florida–the address of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The document lists JCQ Services, Inc., as the contractor for a “general construction” project at the Deluxe Disney Resort hotel. The business previously worked on an overhaul at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds. Credit: Disney Walt Disney World Resort recently announced a lengthy room refurbishment project for the Kidani Village and Jambo House sections of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Crews also began refurbishing the Zebra Trail Terrace area at Jambo House on July 7, 2025. Work is expected to wrap up in September. The Kidani Village room refresh will begin in October 2025 and last until May 2026. It will include repainting and installing new furniture, lighting, flooring, and other fixtures. The Jambo House rooms will undergo the same upgrades from May 2026 through January 2027. Credit: Disney Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t confirmed whether the Notice of Commencement filed on Monday is related to the previously announced Zebra Trail Terrace, Kidani Village, and Jambo House refurbishment projects. However, given the permit’s timing and expiration date: August 11, 2026, it’s likely. Construction crews try their best to minimize disruption to Disney Resort hotel guests,

If you’ve visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios lately, you’ve probably noticed the park is in the middle of one of its biggest overhauls in years. Entire sections are transforming, new lands are on the way, and beloved attractions are preparing for their final curtain call. The changes are so significant that longtime fans are finding themselves caught between nostalgia and curiosity for what’s next. Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the Magic For months, rumors about closures have swirled in fan forums, sparked by construction walls, mysterious scrim, and sudden attraction downtime. The opening of Monsters, Inc. Land—slated to replace the old Muppet Courtyard—was already shaking up the park’s lineup. And when Disney announced that Muppet*Vision 3-D would permanently close, but that a brand-new Muppets roller coaster retheme of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster would be coming, it was clear the park’s identity was shifting yet again. But even then, there were still unanswered questions. Guests have been trying to piece together the timeline. Some assumed these changes would be gradual, giving fans time for farewell visits. Others thought the closures might be pushed back due to construction delays. Now, Disney has made it official—putting an end to the speculation. The countdown is on, at least for some attractions. Credit: Disney Beginning September 25, 2025, two longtime Hollywood Studios attractions will close forever. The Animation Courtyard—home to Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney Jr. Play and

In a significant move for Disney Cruise Line, the company has confirmed it will be ending its operations in the Australia and New Zealand market after the 2025-26 season. This announcement comes as part of Disney’s strategic expansion into the Asia-Pacific region, with new itineraries and destinations being introduced for its fleet. Credit: Disney A Shocking Statement Disney confirmed the shift in a statement, revealing plans to introduce the Disney Adventure with its maiden sailings from Singapore in December 2025. The company is positioning this as the beginning of a “magical expansion” into the Asia-Pacific region, an area it aims to serve more extensively in the years to come. “As part of this growth, we will be repositioning the Disney Wonder to another part of the world following its 2025-26 season in Australia and New Zealand,” Disney said in its statement, noting that further details on the ship’s new deployment will be revealed in due time. For the summer of 2026, however, the Disney Wonder is slated to sail in Alaska, a popular region for Disney’s cruise offerings. Today, Disney Cruise Line posted to the line’s Australia and New Zealand Facebook and Instagram pages a “fond farewell for now”statement with the following caption: It’s a fond farewell for now: Make unforgettable memories during this last season in Australian and New Zealand… pic.twitter.com/EdBnQsGbfx — Scott Sanders (@TheDCLBlog) August 11, 2025 Although the Disney Wonder will not return to Australia and New Zealand for the 2026-27 season,

Hurricane season is officially upon us – and Florida’s first of the season is just around the corner. Orlando may sit in Central Florida, but it still falls within the Atlantic hurricane season from June 1 to November 30. The most active stretch is mid-August to mid-October, when storms can strengthen and reach inland, as Hurricane Charley did in August 2004. Credit: Jamie S., Inside The Magic That means that while Walt Disney World Resort often skips the worst damage, it’s not totally immune to hurricane closures. In the past, hurricanes such as Charley in 2004, Matthew in 2016, Irma in 2017, and Ian in 2022 forced the resort to temporarily shut down operations for guest and cast member safety. When hurricanes do hit the Most Magical Place on Earth, Disney World closes its parks and halts transportation to keep guests safe. On-site resort hotels remain open (although guests will often be evacuated from The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort for obvious reasons), often with modified services and indoor activities, such as character interactions and movie screenings. Guests are advised to shelter in place, and reopening occurs only after safety inspections are complete. In 2024, we saw Disney World shutter Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom due to the Category 5 Hurricane Milton. It also axed one night of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party out of an abundance of caution over Hurricane Helene, as well as closing Typhoon Lagoon. Overall,

Magic Kingdom is about to get a little darker—and a whole lot more devious. The much-anticipated Disney Villains land is on its way, promising a place where poison apples are plentiful, spells are cast without warning, and happy endings feel more like distant dreams. Fans have been buzzing about the project since it was unveiled at D23, but until now, Disney has kept most of the details cloaked in mystery. Credit: Disney When Disney first announced the land, the vision was clear: a new space with two major attractions, themed dining, and immersive shopping experiences. The design, heavily inspired by Maleficent’s castle, aims to bring together some of the most infamous names from Disney’s animated history. Imagine wandering through the sinister corridors of a villain’s lair or catching sight of your favorite baddie plotting their next move—it’s all part of the plan. The idea taps into a long-standing fan fascination. Villains have always had a special place in Disney lore. From Captain Hook’s scheming to Ursula’s wheeling and dealing, they’re the characters people love to hate. Giving them an entire land feels like a natural evolution, and Disney has hinted that the scale of this expansion could redefine what a Magic Kingdom experience can be. Disney Gauging Fan Reactions And now, it looks like Disney is finally getting serious about who’s going to make the cut. A new guest survey has been circulating, asking park