MickeyBlog News for June 9th, 2025
This week in MickeyBlog News, we say goodbye…and prepare to say goodbye again next month.
Plenty is changing at Disney’s theme parks, making the summer of 2025 an inflection point for the Walt Disney World we know versus the future version.
Photo:visitorlando.com
We’ll discuss some bittersweet stories this week. So, you may need to grab a hankie.
So Hard to Say Goodbye
Welp. It’s over.
Muppets Courtyard has officially closed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In the process, we’ve lost several memorable places.
Final Night – Mama Melrose’s
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano had previously closed as the first sign of what was about to happen.
Now, PizzeRizzo has permanently shut down as well, not to be confused with its previous seasonal closures we’d witnessed over the past several years.
Caesar Salad
Basically, from the day this restaurant opened, people were writing it off as already on its deathbed.
MickeyBlog still happily enjoyed our final slice the other day, but let’s be real. These two restaurants aren’t why we’re sad.
As Justin Hermes discussed the other day, we’re all hurting about the loss of Muppet*Vision 3D.
This attraction mattered and not just to Disney fans. The late Jim Henson’s family believes he invested so much of himself in the show that it killed him.
Photo: Pinterst
Now, we’ve all said goodbye to one of the oldest attractions at Hollywood Studios. It had anchored this part of the park since 1991.
We know that Monstropolis is coming soon, and it’ll be great. Still, this is a week when we’re all feeling melancholy about what we’ve lost. In fact…
More Goodbyes Are in the Offing
Jim Henson and the cast of Muppet*Vision 3D. Photo: Disney
As if the loss of Muppet*Vision 3D weren’t enough, Disney took this opportunity to flood the zone.
Park officials revealed that three attractions are closing soon. And I mean VERY soon.
You have from now through July 7th to take your final riverboat ride at Magic Kingdom. After that, it’ll be too late.
That’s the date when Disney will begin the process of landlocking the park. In the process, Rivers of America will go away forever.
Photo: Disney
Obviously, the loss of Rivers of America also triggers the end of the Liberty Square Riverboat, as Disney won’t be slapping wheels on the boats or anything.
So, this is it for those magical moments when you’re standing in line for Haunted Mansion as the boat sails by and everybody waves.
Of course, the closing of Rivers of America means that you’ll have no way to reach Tom Sawyer Island. So, that’s closing, too.
A dear friend’s daughter just started her Disney College Program (DCP) job on Friday, and I found myself thinking what an odd time it is for her to join.
She will be one of the final Cast Members to join Disney while Liberty Square Riverboat, Muppet*Vision 3D, and Tom Sawyer Island are still operational.
A month from now, she can say that she was working at Disney when those attractions closed.
Some of the people like her in the DCP could feasibly be working at Disney in 40 years, talking about how they remember Rivers of America.
Realistically, anyone born after 2015 will barely remember that Magic Kingdom once had water. And that makes me sad.
Thankfully, Disney threw us a bone by telling us more about Piston Peak National Park, which is the new Cars area at Frontierland.
Mr. Brightside
Photo: Disney
Because I’m Mr. Brightside, I’ll also tell you that the Disney news this week ain’t all bad. In fact, some of it is glorious.
We just learned about some of the early changes coming soon, thanks to DisneylandForward.
Photo: Disney
Sure, some of them are more about logistics and infrastructure. But we also learned where the new Coco ride will go at Disney California Adventure.
Somehow, even the good news came with a bit of a bummer, though. It really was that kind of week at Disney.
Photo: Disney
I’m saying this because a very cute family ride, Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to Rescue!, must close as Disney reclaims that space for new experiences.
This part of the Hollywood Backlot area will host the upcoming Avatar themed land.
Photo: Disney
Meanwhile, Coco will go to an area that’s currently considered backstage right now.
Conveniently, Disney can make this spot connect near the current Pixar Pier area, which is what everyone wants for a Coco ride.
Photo: Disney
So, all the upcoming changes at Disney will vastly improve the parks. It’s just getting there that’s rough.
Disney Miscellany
We’ve got some other big stories to discuss, starting with Test Track at EPCOT. We now know the name of the gift shop here.
The attraction’s marquee is now visible as well. Still, there’s a bit of a mystery here, and we don’t quite know what to think.
GEO-82 Fireworks Experience
Also, while I discussed GEO-82 a lot last week, I should mention that the Spaceship Lounge has officially opened. And we’ve got a review!
I should mention that something else closed at EPCOT, too. We’ve apparently seen the last of Forces of Nature.
Forces of Nature
On the bright side (again), the covers are up at Woody’s Lunch Box.
So, Disney has finally corrected Bob Chapek’s mistake from 2018. I don’t miss that guy.
Lightning McQueen
At Disneyland Resort, Radiator Springs Racers will undergo a brief refurbishment.
Also, you need to update your very busy “Is Earl of Sandwich Open?” scorecard to reflect that it’s not.
Photo: DisneyDreamer.com
I don’t think. Honestly, it’s gotten impossible to keep up. If your car died this much, you’d buy a new one. But Earl of Sandwich WILL return. Again.
Also, Rex is stomping around Disney California Adventure right now. That’s a very good character interaction right there.
DCL
Finally, I’ll draw your attention to two good discounts available right now. Some people qualify for a Disney Cruise Line deal.
There’s also a really good Aulani deal that I highly recommend. As always, if you want to know more about these offers, speak with a MickeyTravels agent.
DCL
These Disney experts will help you find the best vacation deal for your family.
Oh, and we have a late entry right at the deadline this week! We just found out that the Muppets will debut on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in 2026!
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Feature Photo: Disney
