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Typhoon Lagoon, Disney

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.

Last month we saw the popular Rock 'n' Rollercoaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios remaining closed for routine maintenance as well as The Kali River Rapids at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Country Bear Jamboree at Magic Kingdom also continued its reimagining into the "Country Bears Musical Jamboree"

In this month's update, we will see the closure of Blizzard Beach for its annual refurbishment and the reopening of Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. We still hope to see both Disney water parks open together at the same time at some point this year.

1. Blizzard Beach 

Summit plummit, Disney
Image: Disney

Status: Confirmed

Dates: March 17 - TBA

Disney has now confirmed on the official Walt Disney World calendar that Blizzard Beach will close on Saturday March 16 for refurbishment. At this point Disney's Typhoon Lagoon will reopen.

This has been the pattern since the closing of the theme parks due to COVID-19. We are still hopeful that this year we could see both Disney water parks open at the same time but this will remain to be seen. 

2. Disney's Typhoon Lagoon

Typhoon Lagoon, Disney
Image: Disney

Status: Confirmed

Dates: November 6, 2023 - March 16

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon closed at the end of the day on November 5, for its annual winter refurbishment. At this point, Blizzard Beach reopened on November 6, as was the case in 2022 when Blizzard Beach reopened on November 13.

It has now been announced on the official Walt Disney World calendar that Disney's Typhoon Lagoon will reopen on Sunday March 17 at which point Blizzard Beach will close for its annual refurbishment . We are still certainly hoping that at some point in 2024 we will see both Walt Disney World water parks up and running again together but are still currently skeptical whether this will be the case

3. Rock 'n' Rollercoaster Starring Aerosmith (Disney's Hollywood Studios)

Rock 'n' Rollercoaster, Disney
Image: Disney

Status: Confirmed

Dates: January 8, 2024 - Summer 2024

Back in December, Disney confirmed that the popular Rock 'n' Rollercoaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios would close on January 8 for an extended period for routine refurbishment to address mechanical issues. At the moment it is expected that  Rock 'n' Rollercoaster will reopen in the summer.

According to a poster on the WDWMagic forums, this refurbishment time will be used to primarily fix the ride's braking system, which was replaced back in 2023, but is still having issues. The poster says that the metal used in the final brake is prone to over-heating and causes frequent shutdowns of the attraction  during the day, which would explain why this ride was still having operating issues following its 2023 refurbishment. 

Other posters on the forum have mentioned issues with inconsistent lighting and effects on the ride, which could also be fixed during this refurbishment. Some are also hoping for new restraints on the ride vehicles as well. 

What we do know for certain is that this extended refurbishment is not going to be in order for a re-theme of the ride to Muppet band Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem which was rumored in 2023. 

4. Country Bear Jamboree (Magic Kingdom)

Image: Disney

Status: Confirmed

Dates: January 27, 2024 - Late summer 2024

Walt Disney World updated its official Country Bears Jamboree page with details that Grizzly Hall would close on Saturday January 27 and is set to reopen later this summer after its extensive reimagining into the new "Country Bears Musical Jamboree".

The new show is set to pay homage to "Opry-style shows of Nashville", the bears will sing reinterpreted Disney tunes in a range of genres of country music including rockabilly, bluegrass, pop-country and Americana.

5. Kali River Rapids (Disney's Animal Kingdom)

Kali River rapids, Disney
Image: Disney

 

Status: Confirmed

Dates: January 8, 2024 - March 14, 2024

Kali River Rapids at Disney's Animal Kingdom closed on January 8, for its annual refurbishment. This was as usual expected to be an extended refurbishment and according to the Walt Disney World refurbishment calendar is set to reopen on Friday March 15, 2024.

 
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