DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: 4 Attraction Closing Dates Announced; Test Track Opening Date; Dining Reservation Changes; New Parade Details; New Lounge Opens & More
We’ve got a lot of news updates for Walt Disney World! We’ve got the reopening date for Test Track, closing dates for three attractions at Magic Kingdom and one at Animal Kingdom, a look at the new Cars-themed area in Frontierland, dining planning updates, more details on the upcoming Disney Starlight parade, a look at a new lounge at EPCOT, more summer dates for Disney After Hours, and more! Keep reading to catch up on the news out of Walt Disney World!
1 – Disney World Announces Closing Date for Popular Attraction in Magic Kingdom
Exciting updates are coming in 2026 to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park, including a new show scene, updated ride vehicles, and gameplay enhancements. Work will start in August, and the attraction will temporarily close. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for the closing date for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland.
2 – Disney Announces Closing Dates for Frontierland Attractions and Shares New Details of New Cars Area Coming to an Expanded Frontierland
Piston Peak National Park coming to Frontierland will be part of the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history, inviting guests to step into a breathtaking “wheelderness” inspired by Disney and Pixar’s “Cars” universe. This new area will bring the spirit of America’s national parks to life with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers, impressive geysers, and action-packed attractions for all ages—creating an unforgettable adventure for every explorer. To make way for the new area, Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Riverboat will soon close. Learn more, including the closing dates below.
3 – Closing Date Announced for Another Attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Starting in 2027, guests at Disney’s Animal Theme Park can step into the vibrant heart of the Tropical Americas, a thrilling new land inspired by the lush landscapes, rich cultures, and extraordinary wildlife of Central and South America. This immersive,11-acre area will include two new signature attractions, including a ride-through experience based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and an original adventure inspired by Lucasfilm’s “Indiana Jones.” To make way for the new land, closures have been happening throughout 2025. Disney has announced the closure date for the popular The Boneyard playground. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for the closing date of The Boneyard at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
4 – Disney Announces Reopening Date for Test Track at EPCOT
Buckle up for the next evolution in innovation with the reimagined Test Track presented by General Motors, reopening at EPCOT in July. With this reimagined attraction, Walt Disney Imagineering has collaborated with General Motors to celebrate humanity’s ability to dream and innovate a brighter, smarter, and more enjoyable tomorrow. Test Track presented by General Motors demonstrates how technology will make our cars smarter and our lives more fun, all with the twists, turns, and high-speed thrills fans know and love. Learn the reopening date below!
Click here to learn the reopening date for Test Track at EPCOT.
5 – Disney Announces More Summer Dates for Disney After Hours at Two Parks
Guests who have dreamed of visiting the parks after they close for the night can gather and experience Disney After Hours. This special separately ticketed event allows guests to enjoy three hours of extra fun after Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Magic Kingdom. With snacks such as ice cream, popcorn, and select bottled beverages included in the cost of the event ticket, Disney After Hours is the cherry on top of any Walt Disney World vacation. Disney has released more dates for two parks this summer and confirmed events will return to Magic Kingdom in 2026. Learn more below.
Click here to learn more about summer 2025 Disney After Hour dates.
6 – Disney World Makes Planning Meals Easier with New Updates to Websites and Mobile Apps
Over the last week, new updates have rolled out, and guests can now see new tools and features on the Disneyland and Walt Disney World websites and mobile apps that help guests plan their meals and find dining reservations during their Disney vacation. Visit the link below to learn more.
Click here to learn about the new updates that make planning dining reservations so much easier.
7 – Disney Starlight Parade Showtimes and Route Revealed for Magic Kingdom
Main Street, U.S.A., will shine brighter than ever when “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” debuts on July 20, 2025, at Magic Kingdom Park. This dazzling celebration of dreams and wishes coming true will be brought to life through the magic of the Blue Fairy, who will set a dreamlike tone that resonates throughout this all-new nighttime parade. Guests will see beloved characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios classics like “Peter Pan” and “Pinocchio,” alongside modern favorites from “Encanto,” “Frozen,” and “Moana,” with some appearing in a nighttime parade for the very first time. Disney has revealed the new parade route, showtimes, and more! Learn more at the link below.
Click here for new information about Disney Starlight coming to Magic Kingdom.
8 – Disney GEO-82 Lounge Now Open at EPCOT!
Inspired by the geodesic design of Spaceship Earth and its 1982 opening, the new lounge GEO-82 has opened at EPCOT. Inside this sophisticated sanctuary, located within the park’s iconic attraction, guests aged 21 and older are welcomed into a world of elegant ambiance and retro-futuristic charm. The lounge features innovative cocktails, globally inspired small plates, and breathtaking views of the park’s World Celebration Gardens and beyond. Learn more about the new lounge at the link below.
Click here to learn about GEO-82 Lounge, now open at EPCOT.
9 – Disney Springs Flavors of Florida Foodie Guide 2025
Flavors of Florida is a culinary celebration featuring food and beverages inspired by ingredients found in the Sunshine State and runs from July 26 – August 10 throughout Disney Springs. There are so many amazing dishes and beverages to enjoy this year. Read the full Foodie Guide below!
Click here for the Disney Springs Flavors of Florida Foodie Guide 2025.
10 – Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Walt Disney World
This Fourth of July, Walt Disney World sparkles with star-spangled experiences for fireworks fans, foodies seeking festive treats, American history aficionados, and families looking for kid-friendly holiday activities for their Independence Day celebrations. At the link below, learn ways guests can celebrate July 4 across the Most Magical Place on Earth.
Click here to learn about how to celebrate Independence Day at Walt Disney World.
11 – Walt Disney World Ends $99 Down Payment Offer for Annual Passes
In March 2025, Walt Disney World launched a $99 down payment promotion for annual passes. That program has ended, and the prices have been adjusted to the previous down payment amount on the official website. Down payments are now $205, and the monthly payment amounts have been adjusted based on the higher down payment. Prices can be found at https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passes/. The total cost of each pass is the same.
12 – Promenade At Sunset Walk Announces its Epic Fourth of July Celebration
This year, Promenade at Sunset Walk proudly presents the 4th of July Star-Spangled Celebration on Friday, from 4 to 11:30 p.m. This event promises a vibrant day filled with thrilling entertainment and patriotic festivities that pay homage to America’s independence.
Kicking off at 11 a.m., the Kids’ Fourth of July Celebration offers delightful fun with DJ Scotty B’s beats, Mr. Harley’s live performances, mini flags, bubbles, and Pearl Express Train rides. As the day unfolds, the excitement peaks with DFALC – The Legends Tour 2025, headlining a free concert that segues into an awe-inspiring Fireworks Spectacular. Special appearances by DJ Scotty B., the DFALC Guitar Army, and lively Promenade dancers will amplify the evening’s energy. Guests can enjoy the beats of Rhythm Me Up and DJ K1X, alongside stunning laser shows and LED performers. Complimentary LED accessories add to the guest experience, all while exploring over 20 dining and retail venues. Admission and parking are both free!
13 – Walt Disney World Lifeguards Teach Life-Saving Swim Skills to 1,000 Florida Students
1,000 students from seven Florida nonprofits took part in The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson at Typhoon Lagoon today, where they learned all about swim safety from expert Disney lifeguards and made special memories with Mickey Mouse and Stitch.
The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is put on by the World Waterpark Association. Each year, there are thousands of lesson sites around the world. Disney once again was the largest site participant with students from Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Girl Scouts of Citrus, Alianza Center, Foundation for Foster Children, ELEVATE Orlando, PACE Center for Girls, and Boys & Girls Clubs.
“Hosting an event like this gives our cast members the chance to not only connect with the kids in our community but to share something they’re knowledgeable and passionate about,” said Tajiana Ancora-Brown, Director of External Affairs at Disney World. “Helping kids pair that skills-based learning with the fun of our water parks creates memories and moments that will stick with them forever.”
More than 50 Disney lifeguards taught the swim lesson, with 40 additional Disney VoluntEARS cheering on the students, many of whom were learning to swim for the very first time. After the lesson, all 1,000 students enjoyed the fun of the water park for the rest of the day.
“We’re in Florida, so there’s water everywhere, and it’s really important for the kids to know how to swim,” said Youth Program Supervisor for Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida Natasha Yeung. “For most of our kids, this is their favorite field trip of the year. They love being able to experience this with all of their really close friends, and then also getting to meet characters like Mickey and Stitch.”
The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is just one way Disney World is making a difference for its community this summer. In just a few weeks, the resort will begin collecting school supplies for its annual Back-To-School Supply Drive. To learn more about other ways Walt Disney World is supporting Florida, visit DisneyExperiences.com.
Kids, families, and other visiting guests can also practice water safety and have twice the water park fun with Typhoon Lagoon andBlizzard Beach water parks open this summer. This year, guests staying at select Disney hotels get free admission to the water parks on the day of their arrival.
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Click here to learn more about the Villains’ land coming to Magic Kingdom.
Click here to learn more about the Monsters, Inc. land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Click here to learn more about the Cars expansion in Frontierland in Magic Kingdom!
Click here to learn more about Tropical Americas Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Click here to learn more about the lounges coming to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT!
Click here to learn more about Test Track reopening in 2025.
New & Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line
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Click here for an overview of the Disney Treasure.
Click here for Dining on the Disney Treasure – What You Need to Know.
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Visit the links below to view our Instagram Story during our Preview Cruise to get a look at the Disney Treasure:
Itineraries in 2025-2026
Click here to learn about Disney Cruise Lines’ summer 2025 itineraries.
Click here for details on Fall 2025 and Spring 2025 itineraries; now booking!
Click here to learn more about the 2026 summer itineraries with Disney Cruise Line.
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Click here for the grand reveal of the Disney Adventure, sailing in 2025!
Click here for details about the Disney Adventure, sailing from Singapore in 2025.
D23 Horizons Announcements
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