4 NEW Disney World Closures You Need To Know About

Disney World changes all the time, but some of these changes are bigger than others.

Lately, Disney has been dropping some major updates about what’s going away, what’s already gone, and what’s coming next. From full land closures to an iconic coaster getting a total Muppet makeover, there’s a lot to unpack. If you’re planning a trip soon or just trying to keep up, here are the latest closures you need to know about.

Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat, and Rivers of America Are Closing for Good

Disney officially announced that Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Square Riverboat, and Rivers of America will be closing permanently on July 7th, 2025. If these were your go-to chill spots at Magic Kingdom, this is your heads-up to visit them one last time before they’re gone.

These three have been long-time staples of the park, especially for folks who wanted a break from the crowds and a slower-paced Disney experience. The riverboat especially gave you a cool view of Frontierland that you didn’t get anywhere else. Piston Peak, a new ‘Cars’ themed area, will be replacing these historical sections of the park.

Muppet Courtyard Is Now Officially Closed

And just like that, it’s the end of an era. As of June 8th, 2025, Muppet*Vision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano are all permanently closed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Yep — the entire Muppet Courtyard is now shut down.

We knew changes were coming, but seeing the area officially closed is still a bit surreal. This was one of the more unique corners of Hollywood Studios, with its own offbeat charm. Mama Melrose was a hidden gem for lots of people, and PizzeRizzo was, well… there when you needed a slice. MuppetVision 3D, on the other hand, was a classic — and the last thing Jim Henson worked on before he passed away.

For now, this means no Muppet-themed experiences are available in the parks. At least not until next year…

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Will Stay Open… for Now

If you were worried about losing Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith this year, you can breathe easy — the ride is staying open through all of 2025. But don’t get too comfortable. The closure is still coming, and Disney has confirmed it will happen in 2026.

After that, the coaster will be getting a full re-theme featuring the Muppets. That’s right, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets is officially happening. And no, this isn’t a joke (even though it absolutely sounds like one).

The Muppets Are Getting Their Own Coaster in 2026

This is where things get interesting. Once the Aerosmith version closes, Disney will start the transformation into the Muppets version — and the plan is to open the updated ride sometime in 2026. While Disney hasn’t confirmed an exact date, based on how long these kinds of changes usually take, we’d bet on a late 2026 opening.

Hi Ho everyone! @TheMuppets are packing up and moving to Sunset Blvd for their first ever coaster! Grab your guitar (or banjo), because Rock ’N’ Roller Coaster Starring @TheMuppets speeds into Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2026! pic.twitter.com/ldltI3dGmi

— Walt Disney World (@WaltDisneyWorld) June 7, 2025

So what can you expect? According to Disney, the Muppets will be “teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival.” That sounds chaotic in the best possible way. Disney also teased that there’ll be “laughter, screams, and new tunes” — so it looks like they’re really leaning into the wacky Muppet vibe.

Once it opens, this will be the first-ever Disney ride to feature the Muppets — not a show or a restaurant, but a full-on, thrill ride experience. We don’t know much else yet, but you can definitely expect some fun new Muppets-themed merchandise to hit Sunset Boulevard.

The Boneyard in DinoLand U.S.A. Is Closing This Fall

Another piece of DinoLand U.S.A. is getting the axe. Disney just confirmed that The Boneyard — the dino dig playground at Animal Kingdom — will officially close on September 2nd, 2025.

This isn’t totally unexpected, especially after TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and the Fossil Fun Games all closed earlier this year to make room for the new Pueblo Esperanza area (aka the Tropical Americas-themed land coming in 2027). Still, it’s a little sooner than we thought.

If your kids love digging for bones and running through rope bridges, now’s the time to let them burn off some steam one last time. The good news? Disney has confirmed that the upcoming Tropical Americas area will include a brand-new play zone, so a fun space for little ones isn’t going away — it’s just getting a makeover.

And in case you’re wondering what’s still open in DinoLand, Restaurantosaurus and Dino-Bite Snacks are hanging on for now. DINOSAUR is still running too, but not for long — it’s expected to close in 2026 and get re-themed into a new Indiana Jones adventure. So yeah, you’ve still got a little time to enjoy DinoLand, but that window is closing fast.

So, What Does This All Mean for Your Trip?

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World soon, here’s the rundown of what you need to keep in mind:

• July 6, 2025, is your last chance to visit Tom Sawyer Island, ride the Liberty Square Riverboat, or take in the views on Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom.
• Over at Hollywood Studios, the Muppet Courtyard (including MuppetVision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose’s) is already closed as of June 8th, 2025.
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is sticking around through all of 2025, but it’ll officially close in 2026 to make way for the new Muppets coaster — which Disney is aiming to open later that same year.
• The Boneyard in DinoLand U.S.A. is closing on September 2nd, 2025, so if your kids want one last dino dig, don’t wait too long.
• The rest of DinoLand is also winding down. TriceraTop Spin and others are already gone, and DINOSAUR is set to close in 2026. Big changes are coming with the Tropical Americas expansion — including a new Encanto attraction and an Indiana Jones ride.

So yeah — 2025 is going to be a big transition year, and 2026 even more so. If there are any old favorites you’ve been meaning to visit “one last time,” now is that time. And if you’re excited for what’s coming next (hello, Muppets coaster and Casita from Encanto), just know that the wait will be worth it.

We’ll keep watching for updates, construction progress, and any soft opening hints. If anything changes, you know we’ll let you know first.

If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!

Be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest Disney World news and updates!

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What do you think of these closures? Tell us in the comments below!

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