Disney World refurbishments: the railroad returns Oct. 30

The Walt Disney World Railroad is due back this week, but only part of the loop. Plus, new closures at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Tropical Americas progress and a quiet week for new walls.

Disney World finally had a week without new construction walls, and one big closure is about to end.

The Walt Disney World Railroad at Magic Kingdom is listed to reopen Friday, Oct. 30, after closing Sept. 28, Disney Food Blog reported in its weekly refurbishment roundup Saturday, Oct. 24. Disney didn’t add any major new closures to the parks this past week, DFB said.

Here’s what’s coming back, what’s closing next and what’s still behind walls.

When does the Walt Disney World Railroad reopen?

Disney lists Oct. 30, according to DFB. Disney never said why the train closed, but the break lasted only about a month.

There’s a catch. The train will only run from Main Street, U.S.A., to Fantasyland and back, DFB noted. The Frontierland station stays closed for construction on Villains Land and Piston Peak National Park.

PNP reported the railroad’s Sept. 28 closing in September.

What’s closing at Animal Kingdom Lodge next?

Another chunk of the lobby. From Oct. 26 to Nov. 6, the south side lobby corridor closes, DFB reported.

That takes out Community Hall, the Safari So Good Arcade, the laundry room and the Palace Library. The lobby restrooms and the outdoor terrace observation deck close for those 12 days, too.

The main lobby refurbishment is running well past its original Oct. 9 end date, DFB said, as PNP reported Oct. 13. Part of the lobby near the savanna has reopened with refurbished stairs.

Which other Disney World spots reopen soon?

A few in early November, according to DFB:

• Sassagoula River Cruise at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, the boat to Disney Springs, is expected back Nov. 1. Buses run until then.

• Coral Reef Restaurant at EPCOT takes reservations again starting Nov. 4, which DFB is treating as its reopening date.

• Grandstand Spirits pool bar at All-Star Sports is expected back in mid-December.

At Port Orleans French Quarter, Scat Cat’s Club and Lounge closed Oct. 6, and a temporary bar runs nightly from 5 to 11 p.m. near the cafe, DFB reported.

What’s new at Disney Springs?

A Vuori store opened, DFB reported. PNP spotted the athletic wear brand’s sign going up Oct. 10, before it had an opening date.

How is Tropical Americas coming along at Animal Kingdom?

Fast. The land’s entrance archway was uncovered this week, now covered in cracked, rocky details, WDW News Today reported Oct. 24. A section near the top looks like it will be removed, probably for the land’s sign.

WDWNT also spotted the first theming at the carousel, a carved wooden column with floral motifs in the queue for El Carrusel de los Animalitos. Crews are still working on the Casita facade for Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto.

Here’s Attractions Magazine’s latest look at the land:

Which Disney World closures are still going on?

The long ones. Carousel of Progress has been closed since July 6 for a major makeover and is set to return in 2027, DFB said.

The Rivers of America area is gone for good, making way for Piston Peak.

Hotel work drags on, too.

The Grand Floridian’s porte cochere is under refurbishment through at least early 2027, and Coronado Springs’ convention center work runs through September 2027, DFB reported. Bay Lake Tower has work going through late 2027. At Hollywood Studios, Muppets Courtyard is walled off for Monstropolis, which opens in 2027, with its Monsters, Inc. coaster opening separately, according to DFB.

Did anything else change at Disney World this week?

Toy Story Land’s characters got their old looks back. Buzz, Woody and Jessie dropped the Toy Story 5 accessories they had worn since July, WDWNT reported. Woody is wearing the sheriff’s badge again instead of Jessie.

At Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Pelican Plunge was closed for maintenance during a recent Disney Treasure visit. WDWNT also found murky water and an odor near the family beach’s Sandcastle Cabanas, where dredging-type work was underway.

Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.

Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hat Tips:

• Disney Food Blog (Oct. 24, 2026), the weekly refurbishment report

• WDW News Today (Oct. 23 and 24, 2026), Tropical Americas, Toy Story Land characters and Castaway Cay

• Pirates & Princesses (Sept. 14, Oct. 10 and Oct. 13, 2026), the railroad closing, Vuori’s sign and Animal Kingdom Lodge

• Attractions Magazine on YouTube (Oct. 22, 2026), the Tropical Americas video

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