
Disney parks are constantly changing their refurbishment schedules, making it difficult for guests to keep up with the operating times and latest news regarding their favorite attractions, resorts, shops, and restaurants. Here are a few big, upcoming changes that are either confirmed by their respective parks or at the least very strongly rumored for the very near future.
For October's refurbishment update, we take a look at a trio of refurbishments happening at the Magic Kingdom (including one that will only result in a single day closure!) plus some refurbishments that may affect Walt Disney World hotel guests later this year. This month also brings confirmation that a lengthy refurbishment at Disney's Animal Kingdom has been extended, and will last almost a month longer than originally anticipated. But first let's get this month's update started at the Magic Kingdom...
1. Swiss Family Treehouse (Magic Kingdom)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: Now - October 13, 2016
Though the Swiss Family Treehouse was originally supposed to reopen to guests from its nearly two month-long refurbishment earlier this week, it looks like whatever improvements are being made at this attraction will take a little longer than originally anticipated, as the official Walt Disney World calendar confirms that this attraction's closure has been extended a few more weeks, now lasting until the middle of October.
Somewhat strangely, we still don't know what kind of changes this refurbishment is bringing to this attraction. Even though the Swiss Family Treehouse will now be closed for almost three months (and has been covered almost entirely in tarps for the duration of the refurbishment), there have been no announcements about what guests should expect when the Swiss Family Treehouse does reopen. And while some rumors circulated several months ago that implied that this attraction was getting a special elevator during this refurbishment to make it more accessible for guests with disabilities, nothing has been confirmed since then, and an almost four month closure seems a little excessive for this type of improvement (even for Disney!) However, we'll definitely know more about what changes have been made to this attraction in a few weeks when the Swiss Family Treehouse finally does reopen on October 14th.
2. Dinosaur (Disney's Animal Kingdom)
Image: Disney
Status: Confirmed
Dates: Now - October 17, 2016
Interestingly, this month also brings news of another long-running refurbishment getting an extension, this time at Disney's Animal Kingdom. It has been confirmed that the extensive refurbishment of Dinosaur is going to take a little longer than originally anticipated, with this popular attraction now be opening nearly a month later than originally scheduled, on October 17th.
However, unlike the extended refurbishment at the Magic Kingdom's Swiss Family Treehouse, we have been hearing that extensive work has been going on inside this attraction during this closure, with the aging animatronics and lighting getting some much-needed attention. Though it's tough to wait for this signature attraction to return to Disney's Animal Kingdom, we should be able to check out all of the upgrades inside Dinosaur in just under three weeks when it finally reopens to guests.
3. Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: December 7, 2016 (just one day!)
An interesting refurbishment was added to Walt Disney World's official calendar last month that will see Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom closed for just one single day on December 7, reopening to guests on December 8, 2016. This seems a little odd (what can possibly be changed in a single day?) but some have speculated that this closure will allow management and Imagineers to take a full-day tour of this attraction in preparation for a rumored longer refurbishment in 2017 that could potentially bring some much-needed upgrades and fixes to this beloved ride.
Comments
Why isn't Rock & Roller Coaster on this list? It is scheduled for refurb from Oct 27th thru Nov 10th.
How's the Refurb coming along on the food court at Port Orleans French Quarter?