Author: waltdisneynews

A lengthy refurbishment has finally finished at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The most popular merchandise location inside the Deluxe Disney Resort hotel’s lobby was partially closed for a month as crews worked on a mysterious refurbishment project. Credit: Inside the Magic BouTiki, a store on the first floor of the Great Ceremonial House at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, sells tropical-themed attire, resort-branded souvenirs, exclusive Aulani merchandise, and standard Walt Disney World Resort gift shop fare, including pins, clothing, and plush. On June 2, 2025, half of the merchandise location was temporarily closed to shoppers, with a limited souvenir selection available in the open half. Happy tropical boutiki Thursday! This is my favorite Disney World shopping.  Happy tropical boutiki Thursday! This is my favorite Disney World shopping. pic.twitter.com/52g4Y2cuUN — Dr. Scott Xavier III (@scottxavier) May 15, 2025 According to photos from WDWMagic, BouTiki returned to normal operations on July 1. The closed portion of the store is now open, and the merchandise selection has returned to normal. Walt Disney World Resort didn’t share anything about the scope of the project, but reports indicate that the BouTiki refurbishment focused on a floor replacement. Refreshed patterned tiles and wooden flooring now run through the entire merchandise location, making it unlikely that Disney will need to shut down the other half of the shop. Credit: D23 In addition to BouTiki, guests staying at or visiting Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort can shop at Moana Mercantile on the second

Walt Disney World Resort just tore down hundreds, if not thousands, of trees outside the Magic Kingdom, forever changing the landscape for Disney Park guests. This update comes days before Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat close forever, making way for two new Cars (2006) attractions in Frontierland. Walt Disney Imagineering first announced the reimagining at D23 Expo 2024. It comes amid a years-long overhaul in Frontierland, which saw Splash Mountain transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the closure of the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade for a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) lounge, and the premiere of the refreshed Country Bear Musical Jamboree. In January, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster also closed for a year-long refurbishment to add “new magic” to the decades-old attraction. Credit: Disney Earlier this year, Walt Disney World Resort revealed that the Cars area in Frontierland would be called Piston Peak National Park, referencing a real location in Pixar’s Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014). Inspired by the natural beauty of America’s national parks, the area will feature nods to the original Frontierland area, including barrel bridges, water features, and parts of the Rivers of America. Walt Disney Imagineers have promised to keep sightlines in mind while building the expansive area, featuring a thrilling rally race ride and another family-friendly attraction. Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Square Riverboat, and the Rivers of America will close permanently this weekend ahead of the construction. Days before the closures, crews have cut down hundreds of trees behind Frontierland at Magic