RIDES CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE AND REHAB AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Walt Disney World rides and attractions can be closed for maintenance, rehab, or replacement at any time.
The way I keep up with this is to check the “Refurbishments and Attraction Closures” part of the weekly Walt Disney World Resort Update section of MousePlanet.com.
That said, the most common time for attraction closures is January and early February. For this reason, this site suggests that first time visitors who are unsure whether or not they will ever return should avoid this period.
Why go during a period when some of the best of Walt Disney World may not be available?
For the currently known 2016 winter closures at Disney World, see this.
However, I’ve seen some claims that “only Splash Mountain is closed” during this period, so I went back and analyzed ride closures over the last five years to double check the facts.
The results of this analysis are presented below.
WINTER RIDE CLOSURES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Over the past five years, an average of three rides are closed in January at Walt Disney World. (This figure excludes rides closed for massive rehabs—e.g. a nine month do-over.)
The average number of closures drops sharply as mid-February and the President’s Day Weekend approaches, and continues to drop into March.
See the chart for daily averages (click it to enlarge it.)
Splash Mountain is indeed the most common ride to be closed in this period–it has been closed each of the last five years, for at least five days, and for an average of almost 30 days.
Other attractions closed more than once during the period include Test Track, Buzz Lightyear, the Backlot Tour, and the Liberty Belle riverboat. Other significant attractions closed at least once in winter include Rock N’ Roller Coaster, Kali River Rapids, and Indiana Jones.
There’s not much on this list I’d want to miss…so the advice to first time visitors who may not be able to return remains the same–avoid January and early February!
This advice is reflected in this site’s 2014 weeks to visit, ranked in order.
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99 Comments on "Winter Ride Closures at Walt Disney World"
My wife and I are planning a trip to wdw in Feb 2013. Currently its planned for the week starting Feb 16. I wasnt’t aware that was such a busy time though and I might be able to reschedule for the week after (starting the 23rd). Would it be worth it to reschedule? I have been several times but not for more then 15years and she has never been.
My wife and I are planning a trip to wdw in Feb 2013. Currently its planned for the week starting Feb 16. I wasnt’t aware that was such a busy time though and I might be able to reschedule for the week after (starting the 23rd). Would it be worth it to reschedule? I have been several times but not for more then 15years and she has never been.
Hi Mary! At that age, you can–and likely should–focus on only the Magic Kingdom. You can do it easily in 2 days. Epcot likely you should skip, and the other two parks may be worth a half day each.
Except for ride closures…and weather…the end of January is a great time to go. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/07/22/january-2013-walt-disney-world/
Hi, we are thinking of a first time trip with grandson who just turned 4. What park(s) are best for a little one and is mid-end of January a good time for suggested parks? Any pool activity possible at this time? Thanks!
Hi Erik, I don’t think you can do all that for $3000–see this for what you can do for various target budgets: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/what-to-budget/estimating-budgets/designing-your-walt-disney-world-vacation-to-a-lower-target-budget/