Not only do we need to say goodbye to Muppets 3D and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and DinoLand U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom, but It’s Tough to be a Bug at Animal Kingdom has now been added to the farewell tour.
We know it’s hard to be excited about the new attractions and experiences coming to Walt Disney World when we’re losing so many favorites, but let’s all try to look on the bright side…
Bye Bye Bugs
Disney has announced that It’s Tough to be a Bug will permanently vacate the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom on March 17, 2025, to make way for Zootopia: Better Zoogether, which will open in winter 2025.
To soften the blow, Disney shared a cute video of Ginnifer Goodwin AKA Judy Hopps recording dialog (and singing!) for the new show.
View this post on Instagram
We’ve heard rumors that Zootopia: Better Zoogether will also feature an Officer Clawhauser audio-animatronics figure like the one that debuted for the Zootopia: Hot Pursuit attraction in the Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disneyland.
Muppets Meet A Monstrous End
Big changes are also coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and fans have mixed feelings about a shift at Walt Disney World’s littlest park. DHS is set to welcome a new Monsters, Inc.-themed land, but the cost? Saying goodbye to some longtime favorites, including parts of the Grand Avenue area, Muppet*Vision 3D, and the Aerosmith version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Enter the World of Monsters
The park’s south side will soon become the home of Monsters, Inc., featuring a much-anticipated suspended coaster (first conceptualized for Disney California Adventure but never built) that recreates the iconic door vault scene from the movie. The new land will include themed dining, shopping, and even a theater show along with the ride. While details are still light, Disney promises this will be a fully immersive experience. Construction will begin this May, with phased closures impacting key parts of the park.
Grand Avenue’s Final Act
With the arrival of the monsters, the Grand Avenue area is set to disappear. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano will serve its last guests on May 10, and Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo will close on June 7. While fans may mourn the loss of the beloved Muppet attraction, there’s some consolation: the Muppets aren’t leaving entirely.
Muppets Rock (and Roll?)
Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the gang are headed to Sunset Boulevard, where they’ll take over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Disney promises a new storyline featuring the Muppets teaming up with music legends for a rock festival-themed overlay. This will mark the Muppets’ first-ever dedicated ride, a long-overdue addition for fans of their chaotic charm. Whether the new ride will be a temporary overlay or a permanent change is yet to be confirmed, but it’s clear Disney is banking on the Muppets to bring laughs, screams, and plenty of merchandise sales.
Nostalgia on Borrowed Time
For those who want to relive the classics, there’s still time to ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and catch the Muppets’ “glorious three-hour finale” at Muppet*Vision 3D. But the clock is ticking.
DinoLand Extinct at Animal Kingdom
We’ve known for quite some time that the end was coming, but the first wave of closures for Disney’s Dinosaur-themed land arrived on Jan. 13, 2025 when TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures all closed to pave the way for Tropical Americas, which will bring Indiana Jones and Encanto to Walt Disney World.
We took a walk past the bright green construction walls that have taken over most of the land.
Chester and Hester themselves joined Walt Disney World Cast Members to commemorate the closing of their beloved gift shop.
YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE WHO PULLED UP AT THE CAST FUCTION (Chester and Hester!!!!) pic.twitter.com/ThhuPsS49S
— montana (@femsteverogers) January 13, 2025
Donald’s Dino-Bash!, The Boneyard, Dino-Sue, The Dino Institute Shop, and Trilo-Bites, and Dino-Bite Snacks, and Restaurantosaurus are not closing yet (no official closing dates have even been announced), but we do know that DinoLand U.S.A.’s E-ticket attraction, Dinosaur, will close in 2026 for an all-new Indiana Jones ride.
Universal didn’t let this closure come without comment… They’d like to remind you that they have plenty of dinos…
View this post on Instagram
On the bright side, Tropical Americas will feature the first-ever Encanto-themed attraction housed inside the family’s magical Casita, where the furniture comes to life to transport riders to Antonio’s room, which has been transformed into a rainforest.
The all-new Tropical Americas area will also include Pueblo Esperanza, which will feature one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort and a new carousel with carved wooden animals from Disney stories.
Read our article for more details about DinoLand U.S.A.’s transformation into Tropical Americas:
DinoLand’s Extinction Near: Big Changes For Walt Disney World
What’s Next On Imagineering’s Chopping Block?
In September, we reported that the state of Florida requested additional information from Disney regarding the environmental impact of removing Rivers of America to make way for the proposed Cars-themed area in Magic Kingdom.
Disney has responded to the Water Management District, so it seems the Cars project is still a go – at least for now.
Updated plans submitted to the state confirmed our worst fears that Disney plans to drain the Rivers of America and fill the area with dirt for the Cars-themed expansion in Frontierland (and later a Villains-themed land “Beyond Thunder Mountain”).
At this point, construction plans do not appear to impact the Walt Disney World Railroad tracks, so thankfully, it looks like one iconic Magic Kingdom attraction will survive.
You can read more about all the new attractions and experiences coming to Walt Disney World:
UPDATED! New Attractions for Walt Disney World & Shocking Surprises!
Construction In The Kingdom
While Test Track remains closed at EPCOT until this summer, another E-ticket attraction is undergoing a lengthy refurbishment at Magic Kingdom: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
We were told the ride’s extended closure will include removing and refurbishing the entire track as well as adding a new “barn” behind the attraction to store and service the trains.
No news yet on the timing of the Cars-themed area replacing the Rivers of America or the new Villains Land expansion “Beyond Thunder Mountain” that we told you about at above.
Walt Disney World Refurbishments
Let’s start with the current refurbishments and work our way to future projects..
- Test Track (Epcot): Opening in Summer 2025
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom): Jan 6, 2025 – 2026
- Kali River Rapids (Animal Kingdom): Jan. 6 – March 2025
- Gran Fiesta Tour (Epcot): Jan 6 – March 15, 2025
- Astro Orbitor (Magic Kingdom): Jan 13 – Summer 2025
- Hall of Presidents (Magic Kingdom): Jan 20 – TBA
The Walt Disney World Railroad Main Street U.S.A. station is also behind construction walls, though the app does not list the closure.
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts has become a highlight of the year for us. The vibrant celebration of art and entertainment is currently running through Feb. 24, with several new experiences that debuted for 2025:
Once Upon A Stage: 30 Years of Disney on Broadway (CommuniCore Hall) – A walkthrough exhibit celebrating three decades of Disney on Broadway, including costumes and props from favorite stage musicals, then venture behind the scenes to see how the classic animated films “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” were reimagined for the Broadway stage.
Opening Bites Food Studio (just outside at CommuniCore Plaza) – The menu honors the foods and drinks immortalized onstage.
New Artful Photo Ops – Along with returning favorites like Luncheon of the Boating Party by Pierre-August Renoir and Edvard Munch’s The Scream, a new Artful Photo Op will invite you to voyage alongside Moana.
Festival Merchandise – Festival of the Arts 2025 will feature a brand new, art-themed collection of merchandise dedicated to our favorite imaginary dragon, Figment.
Disney on Broadway Concert Series
An all-star lineup of Broadway talent perform live at the America Gardens Theatre stage during the festival.
Remaining Disney on Broadway Concerts:
- Adam Jacobs (“Aladdin”) and Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”) – February 6, 8, 10, 11
- Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”) and Alton Fitzgerald White (“The Lion King”) – February 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 13
- Michael James Scott (“Aladdin”) and Kissy Simmons (“The Lion King”) – February 14, 16, 17, 20, 23
- Rodney Ingram (“Aladdin”) – and Kara Lindsay (“Newsies”) – February 15, 18, 19, 21, 22
- Special Final Performance: Rodney Ingram, Kara Lindsay, Michael James Scott & Kissy Simmons – February 24
Disney on Broadway Dining Packages
If dinner and a show is your idea of a perfect night, Disney on Broadway Dining Packages include a meal from one of 15 EPCOT restaurants and guaranteed priority seating at one of the Disney on Broadway Concert Series shows. Booking began Dec. 18th.
More about the Festival of the Arts:
Baby Bakso Takes the Stage
In September 2024, we told you about the birth of Disney’s Animal Kingdom newest Sumatran Tiger, Bakso, and on Jan. 29, 2025, he made his official onstage debut at Maharajah Jungle Trek alongside his mom, Sohni.
Currently, Bakso is only out about 2 hours each day, but there will be more chances to see him as he gets older and spends more time in the habitat.
With less than 600 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, Bakso is just one example of Disney’s amazing work to strengthen the critically endangered Sumatran tiger population.
MiceShots
As we prepare for the arrival of Tropical Americas, let’s take a look at last visit to DinoLand U.S.A. before the closures.
Will you miss DinoLand?
Related Reading
We spent a whirlwind week in December covering the new Island Tower and new Disney Treasure cruise ship, here’s everything you need to know about both:
Follow MiceChat on social: MiceChat Facebook Page, MiceChat Facebook Group, MiceChat Instagram, MiceChat Threads, MiceChat X, MiceChat YouTube
Discount Disney Tickets and Travel
Did you know that you could help support MiceChat AND get yourself amazing deals on family theme park travel? All you need to do is follow the links to our partners at Get Away Today…
There are lots of deals for the new year.
Check out the latest offers for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Disney Cruise Line, including new low hotel rates, extra days and nights for free, special perks, and limited-time opportunities…
(MiceChat works with Get Away Today to provide you with the best theme park travel deals. When you purchase from our travel partner, you not only get great rates and service, you also help support MiceChat. We sincerely thank you for your support!)
Let’s Hear From You!
How do you feel about the impending extinction of Tough to be a Bug, the Muppets, and DinoLand U.S.A.? Are Indiana Jones and the Madrigals a reasonable replacement for Disney’s dinos or would you have preferred Imagineers update the existing land? And how do we feel about Cars displacing the Rivers of America and Monsters muscling out the Muppets? Let us know in the comments below.
– SDF, DS, MK