Disney World Closes Part of Well-Liked Ride in Preparation for Re-Theming

Although Disney has not announced an official closing date for the ride, preliminary work on the transformation has already started. The preshow area of the coaster has been closed and walled off, allowing visitors to move directly to the loading zone. This phased approach suggests Disney aims to keep the ride operational as long as possible during the transition.

Details of the upcoming Muppets preshow have been shared. In the new setup, the Electric Mayhem band performs in a recording studio, accompanied by penguin audio engineers, while band manager Scooter encourages them to start the show. Scooter will be an Audio-Animatronics figure, and additional characters such as the penguins or other band members may also appear.

The preshow renovation requires extensive work, including the installation of new animatronics, which explains why this portion of the project is beginning first. Updates to the ride itself are expected to be less intensive, possibly completed after park hours. Exterior enhancements, such as repainting the giant guitar in the courtyard, may also occur while the ride remains open.

Disney has announced a broad opening window of summer 2026 for the revamped ride, but no exact closing date has been provided. Minimal downtime is anticipated as Disney prioritizes keeping the attraction operational while changes are implemented behind the scenes.

Author: Benjamin Carter