- Mar 13, 2024
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Planning a Disney World trip without checking ride closures first can seriously mess with your plans.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Magical Guides-Buzz-Lightyear-Space-Ranger-Spin-Attraction-Tomorrowland-Magic-Kingdom-Photo-Mar-21-2026-8-53-31-AM-4032-x-3024-1-700x525.jpg
Let’s go!
Refurbishments are a totally normal part of how Disney keeps its attractions running smoothly, but they can still catch you off guard if you’re not paying attention. As we head into April 2026, a few attractions around Disney World will either remain closed or be in the middle of major changes. If any of these rides are must-dos for your group, you will definitely want to know before your trip. Here are three Disney World rides that will be closed for refurbishment in April 2026.
Over in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin shut down on August 4th, 2025 for a large enhancement project. The attraction is officially scheduled to reopen on April 8th, 2026, but previews and soft openings have started taking place, so you may get lucky! The updates coming to this ride are actually pretty exciting.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Magical Guides-Buzz-Lightyear-Space-Ranger-Spin-Attraction-Tomorrowland-Magic-Kingdom-Photo-Mar-21-2026-9-27-08-AM-3672-x-2066-1-700x394.jpg
Buzz
One of the biggest additions is a brand new character named Buddy, a friendly robot created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios. Buddy will appear in a new opening scene where Space Rangers can get ready for their mission with system checks, encouragement, and even a little target practice before blasting off.
We love Buddy!
The ride vehicles themselves are also getting a big upgrade. Star cruisers are being redesigned with new colors inspired by Buzz Lightyear and Star Command, and they will now include onboard video monitors that show real-time scoring updates.
©Disney
Blasters are also getting a major change. Instead of the mounted blasters the ride has used for years, each vehicle will now have handheld blasters designed to make aiming easier. The new blasters include always-on lasers along with vibration and sound effects, so riders will know immediately when they hit a target. Speaking of targets, the old static Z targets are being replaced with interactive versions that light up and react when they are hit. All of these changes should make the ride feel much more modern once it officially returns on April 8th, 2026.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is currently in the middle of a major refurbishment project that started all the way back on January 6th, 2025. Disney has confirmed that the attraction will remain closed until sometime in Spring 2026 while Imagineers work on track replacement and other enhancements.
Work continues on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Frontierland is already seeing some huge changes as Disney continues its work on the upcoming Cars-themed area called Piston Peak. That project includes plans to fill in the Rivers of America and begin the early stages of a much larger transformation for the land. Disney has also shared that the updates to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will help improve how the ride connects with nearby areas like Liberty Square and the future Villains Land expansion.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
If Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is one of the rides your group always prioritizes, this is something you will want to keep in mind when planning your day at Magic Kingdom. The good news is that when Disney takes this much time to work on an attraction, it usually means the finished result is going to feel noticeably refreshed.
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith officially closed on March 2nd, 2026, which means guests visiting in April will not be able to ride the attraction in its original form anymore. However, the coaster itself isn’t going away.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Instead, Disney is transforming the ride into a brand new version featuring the Muppets. The updated attraction is expected to open sometime in Summer 2026!
©Disney
The story will center around the Electric Mayhem band preparing for their biggest concert ever. Guests will enter the recording studio where the band is in the middle of a jam session while the penguins handle audio engineering duties. Scooter will be trying to get the band to the concert venue on time, and that’s where riders come in.
©Disney
During the high-speed ride through Los Angeles, guests will be rocking out to Electric Mayhem as they race to make the show. Disney has also teased that the attraction will include a brand new Muppet animatronic!
©Disney
We’ll be watching for official reopening dates and additional details as Disney releases them. Stay tuned to Magical Guides for all the latest updates!
Which of these closures impacts your trip the most? Let us know in the comments below.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Magical Guides-Buzz-Lightyear-Space-Ranger-Spin-Attraction-Tomorrowland-Magic-Kingdom-Photo-Mar-21-2026-8-53-31-AM-4032-x-3024-1-700x525.jpg
Let’s go!
Refurbishments are a totally normal part of how Disney keeps its attractions running smoothly, but they can still catch you off guard if you’re not paying attention. As we head into April 2026, a few attractions around Disney World will either remain closed or be in the middle of major changes. If any of these rides are must-dos for your group, you will definitely want to know before your trip. Here are three Disney World rides that will be closed for refurbishment in April 2026.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Over in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin shut down on August 4th, 2025 for a large enhancement project. The attraction is officially scheduled to reopen on April 8th, 2026, but previews and soft openings have started taking place, so you may get lucky! The updates coming to this ride are actually pretty exciting.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Magical Guides-Buzz-Lightyear-Space-Ranger-Spin-Attraction-Tomorrowland-Magic-Kingdom-Photo-Mar-21-2026-9-27-08-AM-3672-x-2066-1-700x394.jpg
Buzz
One of the biggest additions is a brand new character named Buddy, a friendly robot created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios. Buddy will appear in a new opening scene where Space Rangers can get ready for their mission with system checks, encouragement, and even a little target practice before blasting off.
We love Buddy!
The ride vehicles themselves are also getting a big upgrade. Star cruisers are being redesigned with new colors inspired by Buzz Lightyear and Star Command, and they will now include onboard video monitors that show real-time scoring updates.
©Disney
Blasters are also getting a major change. Instead of the mounted blasters the ride has used for years, each vehicle will now have handheld blasters designed to make aiming easier. The new blasters include always-on lasers along with vibration and sound effects, so riders will know immediately when they hit a target. Speaking of targets, the old static Z targets are being replaced with interactive versions that light up and react when they are hit. All of these changes should make the ride feel much more modern once it officially returns on April 8th, 2026.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is currently in the middle of a major refurbishment project that started all the way back on January 6th, 2025. Disney has confirmed that the attraction will remain closed until sometime in Spring 2026 while Imagineers work on track replacement and other enhancements.
Work continues on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Frontierland is already seeing some huge changes as Disney continues its work on the upcoming Cars-themed area called Piston Peak. That project includes plans to fill in the Rivers of America and begin the early stages of a much larger transformation for the land. Disney has also shared that the updates to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will help improve how the ride connects with nearby areas like Liberty Square and the future Villains Land expansion.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
If Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is one of the rides your group always prioritizes, this is something you will want to keep in mind when planning your day at Magic Kingdom. The good news is that when Disney takes this much time to work on an attraction, it usually means the finished result is going to feel noticeably refreshed.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith officially closed on March 2nd, 2026, which means guests visiting in April will not be able to ride the attraction in its original form anymore. However, the coaster itself isn’t going away.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Instead, Disney is transforming the ride into a brand new version featuring the Muppets. The updated attraction is expected to open sometime in Summer 2026!
©Disney
The story will center around the Electric Mayhem band preparing for their biggest concert ever. Guests will enter the recording studio where the band is in the middle of a jam session while the penguins handle audio engineering duties. Scooter will be trying to get the band to the concert venue on time, and that’s where riders come in.
©Disney
During the high-speed ride through Los Angeles, guests will be rocking out to Electric Mayhem as they race to make the show. Disney has also teased that the attraction will include a brand new Muppet animatronic!
©Disney
We’ll be watching for official reopening dates and additional details as Disney releases them. Stay tuned to Magical Guides for all the latest updates!
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Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
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Which of these closures impacts your trip the most? Let us know in the comments below.
