Last Chance! Ride These Disney World Rides in 2025 Before They Close

Anyone who has been paying attention to recent Disney news knows about the significant changes being made throughout several Disney parks in the near future. In particular, three out of the four parks at Disney World will undergo some pretty big changes as part of the continuous efforts to evolve and bring fresh experiences to guests. Part of these updates include the closure of several beloved attractions to either make way for new adventures, or to be reimagined into new attractions for guests to enjoy. These closures are part of a broader strategy to refresh the park with modern, more immersive rides and themed lands that reflect Disney's growing portfolio of films and franchises.

Although some of the attraction closures were somewhat expected, others took many by surprise. The most significant changes are coming to the Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Magic Kingdom. Although it will likely take many months, or even years, to see these changes, it unfortunately means next year, and even next month for one ride, will be the last time guests will be able to experience these beloved attractions.

So many exciting announcements were made at the D23 event this year, with the most being related to the closure of several attractions to make way for new experiences at Disney World. We are constantly keeping up with all of the exciting news at each of the Disney parks, and therefore we have detailed all of the upcoming closures of these attractions. If you see any of your favorites on this list, be sure to plan a trip in order to experience them one last time!

Animal Kingdom Closures and New Attractions

There are exciting changes coming to Animal Kingdom, however, fans of the DinoLand U.S.A. area were understandably disappointed to hear that a Tropical Americas land will be replacing DinoLand. Although the closure of DinoLand wasn't too surprising to many Disney fans, this area will definitely be missed! Although there is no definitive timeline on when this new land will open, it is anticipated that Tropical Americas will fully open sometime in 2027.

The Tropical Americas area will include a brand new Encanto-inspired attraction where guests will travel inside the Madrigal family's enchanted house (Casita) and follow Antonio's storyline of receiving his special gift of the ability to communicate with animals! This will be Disney's first ever attraction based on this beloved film, and I am personally so excited for this ride to come to Disney World! The Tropical Americas land will also include the addition of Disney World's own Indiana Jones-inspired ride, similar to the popular attraction at Disneyland. There will also be a brand new quick service restaurant in the Tropical Americas area, which will be one of the largest in all of Disney World.

Another exciting change coming to Animal Kingdom is the addition of a new Zootopia-themed show! This show, named “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” will feature Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and other Zootopia characters and is slated to open next winter 2025!

Read more below to see which attractions will be impacted by the changes coming to Animal Kingdom, and when they are closing.

TriceraTop Spin at Animal Kingdom – Closing January 13, 2025

Unfortunately, guests only have mere weeks to get one last ride on TriceraTop Spin, located in DinoLand. This family friendly ride is similar to the Dumbo ride at Magic Kingdom, where guests soar in triceratops-shaped vehicles. Riders can control the height of their vehicle as they spin in circles and gain aerial views of the surrounding DinoLand area.

Although you probably won't miss this ride as much as the others since there are very similar attractions throughout Disney World, TriceraTop Spin will be closing on January 13, 2025. 

DINOSAUR at Animal Kingdom – Closing in 2026

Although DinoLand is set to close and be replaced by the Tropical Americas, fans of the DINOSAUR attraction were pleased to hear that it will remain open for the remainder of 2025. Although the exact closing date is unknown, guests with trips planned in 2025 will be able to get one last ride on this time-traveling adventure to help Dr. Seeker find a rare species of dinosaur.

Instead of being completed removed from Animal Kingdom, DINOSAUR will be re-themed to the new Indiana Jones attraction. If you've ridden this attraction at Disneyland, you probably noticed that the style of vehicle and track system is almost identical to DINOSAUR. Since the Indiana Jones films are also set in the tropics, it only makes sense to bring this iconic attraction to Animal Kingdom! I can't wait to see what technology updates they will make to Disney World's version of Indiana Jones.

If you plan to visit Disney World in the next year, be sure to plan a trip to Animal Kingdom to ride DINOSAUR before it closes in 2026!

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It's Tough to Be a Bug! at Animal Kingdom – Likely Closing Spring 2025

The final attraction to be impacted by the new changes coming to Animal Kingdom is the “It's Tough to Be A Bug!” show which takes place inside the Tree of Life. Based on Pixar's A Bug's Life, the attraction combines animatronics, 3D effects, and interactive elements to immerse guests in the world of insects. Hosted by Flik, the main character from the film, the show humorously educates the audience about the often-overlooked lives of bugs. With various surprise sensory effects, such as “crawling” sensations under the seats, the experience provides funny moments along with a few harmless scares!

It's Tough to Be a Bug! will ultimately be replaced by the Zootopia show slated to open next winter, which is pretty soon! According to the attraction's website, there are shows scheduled as far out as February 19, 2025. However, no official date has been announced. If Disney plans to open the Zootopia show by next winter, it is very likely It's Tough to Be a Bug! will be closed by the spring of 2025. Therefore, we highly recommend experiencing It's Tough to Be a Bug! within the next few months before it is permanently shut down to make room for “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!”.

Hollywood Studios Closures and New Attractions

Other big D23 announcements involved major upgrades and changes to Hollywood Studios. The biggest surprise included the announcement of a Monsters Inc Land replacing the beloved Muppet*Vision 3D attraction. The new land will feature the highly anticipated suspended “door coaster,” where guests will race through the Monsters, Inc. factory where monsters enter these doors to visit the human world. Although we've been dreaming about a rollercoaster like this since Monsters, Inc. came out in 2001, it came with the bittersweet announcement of the closure of Muppet*Vision 3D.

Despite this disappointment of losing Muppet*Vision 3D, we also learned that the Muppets wouldn't be completely removed from Hollywood Studios. In fact, we learned that a new Muppets themed rollercoaster would be coming to the park!

Additionally, Disney announced the addition of a new villains-themed stage show opening in the summer 2025 at Hollywood Studios! This show will feature appearances by dozens of villains, including Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent, who will take the stage in live numbers. This show will replace the former Lightning McQueen Racing Academy show, which closed permanently last October.

Read more below to find out which Hollywood Studios attractions will be closing soon to make room for these changes.

Rock ‘n' Rollercoaster Starring Aerosmith – Closing Sometime in 2025

For the past few years, many have speculated that a retheme would be coming to the beloved Rock ‘n' Rollercoaster attraction featuring songs by Aerosmith. However, I think it was a pretty big shock to learn that it would be reimagined as a Muppets themed rollercoaster! This will be the first-ever Disney ride to feature The Muppets along with “laughter, screams and new tunes.” This was definitely a bittersweet announcement after we learned that Muppet*Vision 3D would be closing to make room for the Monsters, Inc. Land.

Although there is no official closure date for Rock ‘n' Rollercoaster before work begins on it's transformation, we suspect it will be closed sometime in 2025. This is a well-loved rollercoaster, and although the retheme did not come as a huge surprise, I know that Disney will give proper time before closing it for good.

Muppet*Vision 3D – Closing Sometime in 2025

As previously mentioned, we recently learned that the new Monsters, Inc. Land is taking over the Muppets courtyard at Hollywood Studios, including Muppet*Vision 3D. Although there has not been an official closure date announced by Disney, we anticipate it will be sometime in 2025. We know it will likely be sometime next year because Disney announced work would begin on the new Monsters, Inc. land and rollercoaster would begin sometime “next year.”

I know the lack of timeline is frustrating, but according to the Disney Parks Blog, there is “still enough time” to experience both Rock ‘n' Rollercoaster and Muppet*Vision before making its final curtain call.

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Magic Kingdom Closures and New Attractions

My personal favorite announcement from D23 was related to the Magic Kingdom expansion of a villains land! According to Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro, “It’s going to be a fearless new vision for what a Disney experience can be.” Although we don't know for sure what attractions we will see in the villains land, the concept art features what appears to be a new rollercoaster, castle, and other endless possibilities!

The other big announcement for Magic Kingdom was that a Cars Land would be coming to Frontierland! Two brand new Cars-inspired attractions will be built as part of a retheme of the existing Frontierland. Unfortunately, it was also announced that Rivers of America will be removed in order to make way for this Cars Land expansion.

Although it's not closing forever, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed for refurbishment starting January 6, 2025.It will be reopened in 2026 with “a little big of new magic,” meaning it will be receiving some much needed TLC during 2025. Although this refurbishment is well needed, I wouldn't be surprised if they are also closing Big Thunder while Disney World breaks ground for the new villains land!

Read more below on which attractions will be closed as part of the changes coming to Magic Kingdom.

Tom Sawyer Island – May Be Closing 2025

The closure of Tom Sawyer Island was probably the biggest surprise announcement for the changes coming to Magic Kingdom. Guests could travel by log raft to this secret rustic hideaway inspired by the stories of Mark Twain. Although this attraction definitely isn't the most popular attraction at Magic Kingdom, it brought a sense of nostalgia and true Frontierland essence. Although guests will likely feel better once Cars Land is open, many were surprised and disappointed to hear of Tom Sawyer Island's closure.

This is another attraction without an official closure date yet, however, it may be sometime in 2025.

Liberty Square Riverboat – May Be Closing 2025

In addition to Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Square Riverboat will also may make it's final journey sometime in 2025 in order to make room for the new Cars Land expansion in Frontierland. This is another attraction that may not be the most popular, but was enjoyed by many guests as a relaxing and aesthetically-pleasing attraction to see floating around the Rivers of America. The beautiful paddlewheel steamboat will be greatly missed by all, however this announcement was definitely bittersweet as we anticipate the opening of Cars Land.

Your next Disney World trip in 2025 may be the last time you ever get to experience Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat, so be sure to make time to experience these two iconic attractions before they permanently close!

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