What’s Closed at Disney Right Now?
My Disney Vacation Countdown Clock is currently in the 20-day range. For this reason, I’ve started to pay more attention than normal to what’s available.
For those of you also visiting for Disney’s Halloween events, you may find this useful. So, here’s what’s closed at Walt Disney World right now.
Photo: Disney
The American Adventure
EPCOT’s World Showcase features many pavilions celebrating international cultures. There’s also one focused on the good ol’ U.S.A.
At The American Adventure pavilion, people can learn about our country’s history thanks to this half-hour show:
Every few years, most recently in 2018, Disney updates the show and refurbishes the stage/theater.
On September 19th, Disney started one of these renovation projects. Park officials haven’t announced a return date yet, though.
The last time Disney did this, the show remained closed for a month. However, recent reports indicate that this set of renovations may take longer.
So, you shouldn’t expect a reopening until November. If it does come back in October, consider yourself lucky, as it’s a charming bit of EPCOT infotainment.
Image Credit: Disney
Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360
The Circle-Vision projects at EPCOT have proven a bit confusing lately. Disney announced an update coming to Canada a few years ago.
When the version of Canada Far and Wide debuted, Disney acted oddly ambivalent. This show has closed multiple times for extensive periods.
Meanwhile, a long-promised new Circle-Vision show in China hasn’t happened yet, and Disney has provided no updates regarding its timeline.
With Canada Far and Wide, park officials often close the show to use the space for EPCOT festivals. That’s what’s happening right now, too.
Disney has reclaimed the space for the 2022 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.
I presume that the Circle-Vision 360 movie will return in November once the festival ends. However, the fact that this keeps happening is alarming.
I’m not convinced that Disney’s current management likes the engagement numbers for Circle-Vision 360 shows.
Disney’s Blizzard Beach
In a weird bit of timing, Disney closed one of its water parks for annual renovations. Then, the pandemic happened in March 2020.
Credit: Disney
Since then, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon has reopened. However, the same day that it did, Disney’s Blizzard Beach closed.
Management has apparently chosen to use this downtime to perform actual park construction. Here are some Bioreconstruct photos from two months ago:
Aerial overview of Blizzard Beach. Closed for refurbishment. Note crane staged at left. pic.twitter.com/CYr45EpaQm
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) August 7, 2022
While some rumors suggest that Blizzard Beach could reopen in 2022, they frankly don’t make sense. The weather’s about to turn colder.
Meanwhile, demand for water parks hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels yet. So, Disney appears comfortable with operating only one water park right now.
Photo: Disney
Enchanted Tales with Belle
I…have no idea what’s happening here.
Early in the pandemic, we knew that Enchanted Tales with Belle would be among the final attractions to reopen.
Photo: Disney
The insular nature of the rooms prevented social distancing, thereby causing safety concerns.
Once the pandemic waned in scope, reports suggested that Disney was suffering a sort of Disney Princess Crisis.
Photo: Rutgers
That theory, one I believe, is that Disney is extremely particular about casting Disney Princesses.
The costumed cast members must look and act the part perfectly to maintain the magic.
If this rumor is true, it would explain why Akershus and 1900 Park Fare remain closed as well.
Photo: Disney
However, we’re only talking about 20-30 Disney Princesses to staff all three. So, while I believe that’s a consideration, it doesn’t strike me as a dealbreaker.
As such, I have no idea why this attraction remains closed. It doesn’t appear to be changing any time soon, though.
Photo: Disney
Fantasmic!
The next two entries will come with the same caveat. Disney has announced the return of both attractions. However, neither includes a confirmed date yet.
We’ve awaited the triumphant return of Fantasmic! for roughly, oh, a pandemic now. It’s been a frustrating waiting game, too.
Credit: Disney
On multiple occasions, Disney appeared poised to bring back the popular nighttime presentation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Then, management inexplicably drained the water that hosts the boat portion of the show.
Some insiders have suggested that a Halloween return is a possibility.
However, I’m past the point of believing rumors. I’ve been teased too many times about this situation.
Fantasmic! should return before 2022 ends, but I’m saying ‘should’ because nothing appears final here.
Image Credit: Disney
Pete’s Silly Sideshow
Everything I just said about Fantasmic! applies here as well.
Pete’s Silly Sideshow functions as a circus-based character greeting area. MickeyBlog misses it so much we published this recently.
Disney said a while ago that Pete’s Silly Sideshow would return soon. We’re looking at our Apple Watches, Disney. Words have meaning, and you said “soon.”
Tron Lightcycle Power Run
Okay, we have finality on this one, and it really shouldn’t count anyway. Everything else on this list is something currently closed.
Photo: thecoasterkings.com
Tron Lightcycle Power Run never even opened. Still, people keep asking about this, and we finally received some clarification.
Disney will open the next Tomorrowland roller coaster next Spring. We had hoped for a late 2022 debut, but that’s sadly not in the cards.
Photo: Disney
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
She’s dead, Jim.
Seriously, this Hollywood Studios show is on life support right now. Then again, so was The Bride, and she managed to Kill Bill.
Photo: Trip Advisor
The best hope for the return of Voyage of the Little Mermaid lies with the upcoming live-action remake.
Yes, I mean the one that has triggered quite the stir on social media. I don’t understand why, though. Doesn’t this look (and sound) amazing?
Walt Disney World Railroad
The timeline for this one appeared tethered to Tron Lightcycle Power Run.
Everyone expected the Magic Kingdom’s railroad system to reopen with the roller coaster.
Photo: Disney
Now that Disney has delayed Tron by six months or so, nobody’s quite sure what the change means for the Walt Disney World Railroad.
We do know that the railroad has operated some in recent weeks, presumably to train new engineers.
Photo: Disney
Beyond that, it’s anybody’s guess whether Disney chooses to bring back the railroad transportation in 2022. I’m leaning toward no, though.
However, unlike everything else listed here, the railroad provides a useful service for guests. They can save some steps by hopping on the train.
So, there IS some motivation to get this service back up and running again.
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Feature Photo: Disney
