January 2025 is going to be a big month for changes at Walt Disney World in Florida. There will be a lot of ride closures, a special perk, and some events starting back up. If you’re going to Disney World in January, then you’ll definitely want to know about all of the changes coming to Disney World in January 2025.
Water Park Free Admission
If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel in 2025, you can get free admission to the Disney World water parks on the day of your check-in. There are two water parks, they are Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Usually only one is open at a time, while the other is closed for maintenance.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Is Closing
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom will be closing on January 6th for refurbishment that is expected to last for a year. The ride is supposed to have some extra magic when it reopens, but it’s unclear what Disney is really doing with the ride.
Magic Kingdom After Hours Events
Magic Kingdom After Hours events are coming back on January 6th and will happen on other select nights. You get to stay in the parks later when they’re much less crowded.
Dinoland USA Is Permanently Closing
Dinoland USA is in Animal Kingdom park. It will be permanently closing, with phase one of this closure starting on January 13th. TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and Fossil Fun Games are all part of the January closure. This is to make room for a new Tropical Americas land.
Disney World Marathon
The Disney World Marathon is happening January 8th through January 12th, 2025. You can expect the parks to be more crowded these days since the running events draw in extra crowds.
Astro Orbiter Is Closing
Astro Orbiter in Magic Kingdom will be closing January 13th for refurbishment. There is no reopening date, but the closure is expected to last through the summer.
Festival Of The Arts Starts
Festival of the Arts in EPCOT starts on January 17th and goes through February 24th. It will have a lot of art, entertainment, and special menu items.
Gran Fiesta Tour Is Closing
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros in EPCOT is closing January 6th for refurbishment. It should be reopening on March 15, 2025.
Magic Kingdom Is Closing Early
Magic Kingdom park will be closing at 4:30pm on January 30th. There is no info on why, so it must be a private event or Cast Member event happening in the park that evening.
Hollywood Studios After Hours Comes Back
Hollywood Studios After Hours events will be back starting on January 22nd and will happen on select nights till September 3rd.
Hall Of Presidents Updates
The Hall Of Presidents in Magic Kingdom will be closing on January 20th. The ride will need to be updated with President Trump being moved up front again since he will be the current president.
Kali River Rapids Is Closing
Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom will close on January 6th for its annual maintenance. It should be reopening sometime in March.