Refurbishments, closings coming to Disney World in January 2023

The start of the year is good time for some refurbishments at Disney World, in addition, one attraction and one store will be closing this January 2023 forever.

On Jan. 2, 2023, at Disney Springs, the Sosa Family Cigar Co. store will be will closing permanently. And Jan. 22 will be the last day Splash Mountain will be in operation before closing or a lengthy makeover to a Princess and the Frog attraction called Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in 2024.

Here’s a look at other refurbishments taking place which will involve the temporary closing of attractions and pools at various resorts around Walt Disney World.

Jan. 2: Sosa Family Cigar Co. has ben located at Disney Springs and when it was previously Pleasure Island. The cigar shop’s last day of operation is Jan. 2.

Jan. 3 – Early February: The Lava Pool Water Slide at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will be closed for refurbishment from Jan. 3 through early Feburary. While Guests may see or hear refurbishment work in the area, the Lava Pool will remain available to Guests throughout the refurbishment; only the water slide will be closed. The Oasis Pool will also be available for use.

Jan. 9-Jan. 13: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom will be closed for refurbishment starting on Jan. 9 and reopening on Jan. 14.

Jan. 9-27: The Frozen Sing-Along at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be closing for refurbishment. It will reopen starting on Jan. 28.

Jan. 9 – ????: Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close and go through a multi-month refurbishment. No reopening date has been announced. The closure this time of year is normal as winter is when water rides normally go through refurbishment.

Jan. 9 – April 2023: The feature pool and whirlpool spas at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will be closed for refurbishment. The water play area and Bay Lake Pool will remain open

Jan. 13- Mid-March: DiveQuest and Dolphins in Depth tours at EPCOT Seas of Adventures will be unavailable for multi-month refurbishments.

Jan. 17-23: Summer Course at Winter Summerland Miniature Golf will close for refurbishment. The Winter Course will be avalable.

Jan. 22-29: Disney Skyliner transportation system will be closed for refurbishment. During this time bus service will be available for guests to go between Hollywood Studios and EPCOT and the four resorts connected to the Disney Skyliner.

Jan. 22: Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom closes. The final day of operation for Splash Mountain will be Jan. 22. The attraction will close permanently on Jan. 23 and be rethemed as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure from the “Princess and The Frog.” The ride will take guests on a musical adventure inspired by the characters from the fan-favorite film. In addition to a new storyline, Disney has previously announced there will be a significant upgrade in the technology used for the attraction. “The way that we are approaching our Audio-Animatronic figures would be an example of how are looking to advance the storytelling and change the game, as well as the way we are approaching our scenic illusions and our visual effects so that we can create an immersive environment that is seamless for our guests,” Charita Carter, Senior Creative Producer Walter Disney Imagineering, has previously said.

Jan. 24-30: Winter Course at Winter Summerland Miniature Golf will close for refurbishment. The Summer Course will be avalable.

Feb. 20 – Summer 2023: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will go through a multi-month refurbishment. There is a lot of speculation that the roller coaster might be rethemed, but Disney has not made any announcements.