Disney Theme Park News For the Week of June 16, 2025
Happy first day of summer! A busy season is just ahead at Walt Disney World, where the bulk of our Disney theme park news is concentrated for this week.
The Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration is also in full swing, and a very special July is on deck. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled in the coming weeks for the latest news from the Happiest Place on Earth. For now, let’s head to Central Florida and see what the upcoming season has in store.
Opening Date Announced For Test Track 3.0 at EPCOT
The lead story this week comes from EPCOT, where we finally know the reopening date of Test Track! The fan-favorite thrill ride closed last year to make way for its third iteration, set to officially open on July 22.
Ahead of its July 22 reopening, several preview opportunities will be available for Disney World Cast Members, Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, Club 33 Members, and Golden Oak residents. According to theme park journalist Scott Gustin, the Cast Member previews will start on June 27.
READ MORE: WHAT’S COMING THIS SUMMER TO WALT DISNEY WORLD
Magic Kingdom Summer Hours Extended in Anticipation of New Nighttime Parade
Test Track’s reopening isn’t the only big event happening in July — Magic Kingdom will welcome its first new parade since 2016, Disney Starlight, on July 20!
This week, it was revealed that Disney Starlight will start its run with two performances each night: 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM. Those will bookmark the nightly performance of Happily Ever After, which will take place at 10:00 PM nightly.
To accommodate the later parade times, Magic Kingdom will close later this summer. From July 20 through August 2, Magic Kingdom will close at 11:00 PM nightly. This may continue through the summer — August 2 was the furthest hours were posted as of this writing.
As a heads up for your planning, both the 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM performances of Disney Starlight will step off from Main Street, U.S.A. and will head towards Frontierland. I don’t know about you, but I’m loving these late park hours for Magic Kingdom this summer!
READ MORE: MAGIC KINGDOM IS CHANGING IN BIG WAYS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS
Closing Date Revealed For Part of DinoLand U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom
While there are plenty of new projects in the works at Walt Disney World, it does mean that we have to bid adieu to long-running lands and attractions. Namely, this year is seeing the phased closure of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which will be replaced by a new land inspired by the Tropical Americas in 2027.
We learned this week that September 1, 2025, will be the last day guests can experience The Boneyard at Animal Kingdom. The kids play area will close permanently on September 2. It was also confirmed that the new Tropical Americas land will include a new kids play area.
DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus will remain open throughout 2025.
READ MORE: THE TIMELINE OF CHANGES COMING TO DISNEY WORLD AND BEYOND
Construction Update: Pool Refurbishments Announced and Concluded at Disney World
Our last story this week comes from the Walt Disney World resort hotels, where some important announcements were made regarding pool updates. The Meadow Swimmin’ Pool area at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will undergo refurbishment soon. The area will be upgraded to include a new zero-entry pool and deck area alongside the existing pool. Two pickelball courts will also be added.
And some good news out of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts: Stormalong Bay has reopened following its multi-month refurbishment!
Shipwreck Pool and its waterslide remain closed at this time and will reopen later this summer.