Overview
- The Disney Skyliner is scheduled to be fully offline for maintenance from January 25 through January 31, 2026, forcing bus substitutions and longer travel times for affected resorts.
- Free water park access tied to Disney resort stays is now seasonal rather than guaranteed year‑round, altering common arrival‑day routines for many families.
- Several headliners face 2026 downtime, including an extended transformation for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, updates to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, a refurbishment for Frozen Ever After, and planned closures for Soarin’, with Carousel of Progress discussed as a rumor rather than a confirmed shutdown.
- Permanent shifts include the Aerosmith version of Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster closing for a replacement and DINOSAUR set to close as Animal Kingdom changes direction.
- Guests report heavier reliance on phones for Lightning Lane bookings, mobile ordering, and real‑time adjustments, with overlapping closures contributing to replanning, longer waits elsewhere, and a less carefree feel.