January 2020 brings temporary ride closures to Disney World

When the holiday decorations come down, the “pardon our dust” signs go up all around Walt Disney World.

The resort’s busiest period for ride refurbishments has historically come after the first weekend of January, once the holiday crowds have dissipated. January 2020 will be no exception, with major attractions closing at all four Disney World parks.

Here’s the full list of rides scheduled to go down beginning this month. All the closing and re-opening dates are subject to change.

Magic Kingdom

Splash Mountain: Jan. 6 through Feb. 27

Epcot

Test Track: Jan. 13 through Feb. 26

Animal Kingdom

Primeval Whirl: Now operating on seasonal basis
Kali River Rapids: Jan. 6 through March 20

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

MuppetVision 3D: Jan. 26 through Feb. 8

Water Parks

Typhoon Lagoon: re-opens on Jan. 19
Blizzard Beach: Jan. 19 through March 28

Some of these refurbishments are commonplace, especially for the water rides. Kali River Rapids traditionally closes every year for some period between January and March, while Splash Mountain’s rehab schedule has been less consistent, as it did not close in 2019.

In the case of MuppetVision 3D, the updates are expected to be minor. According to WDW Magic and WDW News Today, the attraction will receive new curtains and seats before reopening to guests on Feb. 9.

For Test Track, this is the first refurbishment the ride has received since the “Tron”-like version 2.0 of the attraction debuted in December 2012.

While the closure of Test Track takes one of the Epcot’s headlining attractions offline at a time when the Future World section is a maze of construction walls, new offerings may soften the blow for guests. On January 17, three new films will debut: “Awesome Planet” in the Land pavilion, “Canada Far and Wide” at the Canada pavilion in World Showcase, and the “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along” at the France pavilion.

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