Do you think that closures are getting ridiculous?

[tigger2002]

We will be at Disney World in February and the number of rides closed seems to be very high. Some of the best rides are going be down. I know some are permanently closed and others are down for a long time but it just seems like there are a lot down. Slow time of year?

Close while we are there:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Closing January 6, 2025 until 2026
• Astro Orbiter: Closing January 13, 2025 through summer 2025
• Hall of Presidents: Closing from January 20, 2025 through TBA
• Kali River Rapids: Closing January 6 through TBA, 2025
• TriceraTop Spin: Closing January 13, 2025
• Dino-Rama Area: Closing January 13, 2025
• Gran Fiesta Tour: Closing on January 6, 2025, and reopening on March 15, 2025

 

[Brian Noble]

These all overlap with my upcoming early March trip. Am I bummed? Sure. Do I think it is ridiculous? No.

I'm glad to see Thunder get some much needed love---that's long overdue. I also don't mind losing Dinoland in favor of the plans in place for a revitalization of that corner of AK.

Kali is pretty much always down that time of year. And Presidents closes every time there is a change of administration--presumably this one won't take as long as they usually do, as the animatronic is already there.

 

[scrappinginontario]

While there are a number, some are normal, annual refurbishments and some are due to upcoming changes based on updates that were announced at D23 earlier this year:

- Big Thunder - a refurbishment was previously announced and then delayed
- Astro Orbiter - new announcement
- Hall of Presidents - this happens every 4 years
- Kali River Rapids - annual refurbishment during colder months
- TriceraTop Spin - D23 announcement
- Dino-Rama Area - D23 announcement
- Gran Fiesta Tour - new announcement

It's unfortunate but early in the year is normally a time of a higher number of refurbishments.

 

[gottalovepluto]

That doesn’t seem ridiculous to me, I only see 2 “real” down rides- Astro Orbitor and Gran Fiesta, both wisely scheduled after the chaos of Xmas. (BTMRR is WAY overdue for a complete re-haul. Hall of Presidents always closes when a new one comes in. Kali always early in the year for refurb. Dinoland is literally being demolished.)

 

[pens4821]

We go every other year and there is always at least one of our favorite rides down. It’s annoying, but has to happen eventually.

I’m hoping when we go back in January of 2026 both Big Thunder and Rockin Rollercoaster aren’t down. I’m hoping they wait to refurb RnRC until they reopen BTM. Having two of the more fun coasters down at the same time would disappoint us. But once again it is what it is.

 

[japanese maple]

I hate to say it, but they NEED to close Haunted Mansion and fix it. We got stuck so many times this past trip, it took 30 minutes to get through the ride. Stopping and starting over and over.

I'd be willing to visit while it's closed if it meant it would be fixed.

 

[HopperFan]

That doesn’t seem ridiculous to me, I only see 2 “real” down rides- Astro Orbitor and Gran Fiesta, both wisely scheduled after the chaos of Xmas. (BTMRR is WAY overdue for a complete re-haul. Hall of Presidents always closes when a new one comes in. Kali always early in the year for refurb. Dinoland is literally being demolished.)

Rode BTMRR in DL last month and WOW what a different ride that is. So smooth, so fun ... I hope they are giving us that track!!! and the extras.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

No that really doesn't seem like that many...

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I hate to say it, but they NEED to close Haunted Mansion and fix it. We got stuck so many times this past trip, it took 30 minutes to get through the ride. Stopping and starting over and over.

I'd be willing to visit while it's closed if it meant it would be fixed.

For the most part the reason for stops and starts is to allow for those that have a hard time on the moving platform.

 

[Smugpugmug]

It does stink to have that many rides closed during your trip but these closures are necessary in order to keep these rides up and running in optimal condition. I would rather Disney close them periodically and refurb them vs. keeping them open and let them deteriorate. For example, the condition Splash was in before it closed was genuinely embarrassing. No ride should look like that considering how much a ticket to the Magic Kingdom costs.

 

[Mle8308]

I hate to say it, but they NEED to close Haunted Mansion and fix it. We got stuck so many times this past trip, it took 30 minutes to get through the ride. Stopping and starting over and over.

I'd be willing to visit while it's closed if it meant it would be fixed.

That could have been to allow disabled guests to load and unload, not necessarily a ride breakdown. EDIT: I did see someone else posted the same thing!

 

[Mle8308]

We will be at Disney World in February and the number of rides closed seems to be very high. Some of the best rides are going be down. I know some are permanently closed and others are down for a long time but it just seems like there are a lot down. Slow time of year?

Close while we are there:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Closing January 6, 2025 until 2026
• Astro Orbiter: Closing January 13, 2025 through summer 2025
• Hall of Presidents: Closing from January 20, 2025 through TBA
• Kali River Rapids: Closing January 6 through TBA, 2025
• TriceraTop Spin: Closing January 13, 2025
• Dino-Rama Area: Closing January 13, 2025
• Gran Fiesta Tour: Closing on January 6, 2025, and reopening on March 15, 2025

You left off Test Track, it's currently closed through this summer.

 

[BrianL]

Yeah, it is kind of a lot, but there is always so many other things to do too. Personally, I'm glad to see them doing some much-needed maintenance.

 

[reddog21]

We complain when rides break and complain when rides are getting fixed.....seems about right.

 

[JackosinDIS]

Don’t forget test track!

 

[japanese maple]

For the most part the reason for stops and starts is to allow for those that have a hard time on the moving platform.

That could have been to allow disabled guests to load and unload, not necessarily a ride breakdown. EDIT: I did see someone else posted the same thing!

No. The first stoppage was for about 15 minutes, then we would move ten feet, stop. Move ten feet, stop. People were counting out loud until we stopped again. It was bad.

On the flipside, we rode Spaceship Earth all the way through without stopping which was a pleasant surprise!

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

No. The first stoppage was for about 15 minutes, then we would move ten feet, stop. Move ten feet, stop. People were counting out loud until we stopped again. It was bad.

On the flipside, we rode Spaceship Earth all the way through without stopping which was a pleasant surprise!

So you had one unfortunate ride....
That doesn't mean it has to close for refurb.
How many of the new attractions have to be shut down and reset? I'll answer... its kind of more than it should be at times...
Personally I enjoy a good stoppage on Spaceship Earth because its a nice relaxing ride in the dark lol.

 

[japanese maple]

So you had one unfortunate ride....
That doesn't mean it has to close for refurb.
How many of the new attractions have to be shut down and reset? I'll answer... its kind of more than it should be at times...
Personally I enjoy a good stoppage on Spaceship Earth because its a nice relaxing ride in the dark lol.

It's my opinion HM breaks down a lot.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I’m going in January and I’m most upset about Gran Fiesta. It is ridiculous. January/february is no longer the slow season it once was, these closures can and should be spread out more throughout the year. To have (at least) 8 rides down at once is crazy. Yes they have to be refurbished and new things have to be built but they could spread things out. All the other lines are going to be longer also due to these closings. I feel bad for people who are doing a “once in a lifetime” or “once in a longtime” trip when all these things are closed.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I’m going in January and I’m most upset about Gran Fiesta. It is ridiculous. January/february is no longer the slow season it once was, these closures can and should be spread out more throughout the year. To have (at least) 8 rides down at once is crazy. Yes they have to be refurbished and new things have to be built but they could spread things out. All the other lines are going to be longer also due to these closings. I feel bad for people who are doing a “once in a lifetime” or “once in a longtime” trip when all these things are closed.

Sorry, can’t agree. They’ve spread things out as well as they can.

Kali makes most sense to close in colder months. Other AK rides are closing for good so technically they’ll be closed for everyone who visits moving forward as it will take years to refurbish Dinoland.

Epcot has 2 closed but one has been closed for an entire year due to it being a major refurbishment.

Yes, MK has 3 but neither Hall of Presidents or Astro Orbiter are major draws or ‘people eaters’. Big Thunder will be missed but it’s in dire need of its refurbishment.

Going to Disney = closures for refurbishment. It’s just reality to keep attractions running properly.

For every post abut ‘too much closed’ there is an opposite post of people frustrated by rides breaking down.

I think based on what was announced at D23 we’re only seeing the beginnings of many, many closures to come. But for good reason!!