Disney Unexpectedly Closes Four Attractions on Fourth of July Morning

Independence Day is here, but for guests visiting the Walt Disney World Resort–specifically Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT–some rides were not functioning.

It’s always a risk when visiting a theme park like Walt Disney World Resort, as not all attractions and experiences will operate. Of course, there are planned closures that guests can account for, but it can be disappointing when attractions go dark outside of schedule, leaving plans derailed.

At present, for example, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed indefinitely at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom theme park while it undergoes extensive refurbishment ahead of Frontierland’s complete overhaul over the next few years. Following the July 7 closures of Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America, the area will be transformed into Piston Peak National Peak.

Guests visiting Magic Kingdom this Fourth of July weekend will likely be especially interested in these two Frontierland attractions, which will cease to operate at the end of the day on July 6.

Independence Day weekend can be busy for the Orlando-based Disney parks, and for Central Florida in general. The state’s busiest airport, Orlando International Airport (MCO), recently stated that it would see another increase in travelers this year compared to 2024.

While it might not draw the same packed crowds as spring break or the end-of-year holidays, Fourth of July weekend still lights up Walt Disney World Resort with a surge of patriotic energy—and plenty of guests eager to celebrate.

As the Independence Day festivities get underway, Magic Kingdom is set to dazzle with its fan-favorite nighttime spectacular, Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky, returning for a limited two-night run on July 3 and July 4 only. This special fireworks display, exclusive to the Magic Kingdom, promises to transform the skies above Cinderella Castle into a red, white, and blue tribute to the nation.

But that’s just the beginning of the celebration.

Throughout the day on July 4, guests at Magic Kingdom can get into the spirit with high-energy DJ dance parties happening across the park. Whether you’re strolling through Frontierland, exploring Tomorrowland, or soaking up the atmosphere near Cinderella Castle, expect patriotic beats and festive vibes all day long.

Over at EPCOT, the park is also joining in the holiday fun. After the nightly showing of its newest nighttime spectacular, Luminous The Symphony of Us, guests can stick around for a special Independence Day tag: Heartbeat of Freedom. This extra fireworks finale is a longstanding EPCOT tradition and a must-see for anyone wanting to end their evening with a bang.

However, for the guests choosing to spend their day at Disney World, a number of attractions were closed down unexpectedly early on in the day. Per the official My Disney Experience app, it could be seen that two attractions at EPCOT and two attractions at Magic Kingdom Park were closed not long after the parks opened.

The wait time listing showed that Frozen Ever After and Living With the Land were shuttered at EPCOT, while Magic Kingdom guests lost access to crowd-pleasers Pirates of the Caribbean and TRON Lightcycle / Run. Update: Upon reopening, both Pirates of the Caribbean and Living With the Land had wait times of five minutes, while Frozen Ever After and TRON had longer lines at 30 minutes and 65 minutes, respectively.

Of course, with all four theme parks and both Disney water parks in operation, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the holiday weekend. But if you’re planning to catch the Fourth of July celebrations, be sure to arrive early—capacity can fill up fast, especially with these one-of-a-kind offerings lighting up the parks.

How are you spending the Fourth of July? Let us know in the comments down below!