Heads up, Disney foodies! If you love hearty skillets, rowdy fun, and a side of sass, you’ll want to plan your 2025 Disney World trip carefully because one of Disney’s most beloved (and most hilarious) restaurants is about to take a little break.
That’s right — Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is closing for refurbishment from May 12 to May 21, 2025. But don’t worry — there’s still time to grab your bottomless BBQ and milkshakes before the temporary closure!
And that’s not the only thing closing at Disney World next year — several resorts and attractions are also undergoing big changes. Let’s dig into everything we know so far!
Whispering Canyon Café Refurbishment — What You Need to Know
If you’ve never been to Whispering Canyon Café, you’re missing out on one of the most unique dining experiences at Disney World. This Western-style, all-you-care-to-enjoy restaurant is famous for:
- Massive, shareable skillets loaded with BBQ, potatoes, and other comfort food favorites.
- Playful cast member antics — like bringing you a WAY too big pile of ketchup if you ask for some. (Trust us, it’s hilarious.)
- A lively, boisterous atmosphere that makes it one of the most entertaining places to eat at Disney.
But starting May 12, 2025, Whispering Canyon will close for refurbishment until May 21, 2025. Disney hasn’t shared exactly what kind of updates are happening, but if this is just a quick closure, we’re probably looking at a little freshening up rather than a big overhaul.
Before the doors close, the restaurant will still host its annual Mother’s Day brunch on May 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Just keep in mind that during the brunch, regular breakfast and lunch menus won’t be available — so plan accordingly if you’re hoping for their usual fare.
While Whispering Canyon takes a break, you’ll still have plenty of delicious dining options at Wilderness Lodge:
- Roaring Fork: A great spot for quick-service comfort food and grab-and-go bites.
- Geyser Point Bar & Grill: An open-air lakeside spot with creative cocktails and unique small plates.
- Territory Lounge: A cozy lounge with great snacks and craft drinks — perfect for a chill night out.
- Storybook Dining at Artist Point: A magical character meal with Snow White, The Evil Queen, and Dopey — plus some seriously impressive dishes.
Other Resort Refurbishments You Need to Know
Disney isn’t stopping with restaurant updates — several resorts are also getting some TLC in 2025. If you’re planning to stay at one of these hotels, be sure to check the construction schedule so you know what to expect.
- All-Star Movies Resort: The Fantasia Pool will close from January through April 2025 — but the Duck Pond Pool will remain open.
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort: The Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool will close from January to June 2025. (This is a big deal because Stormalong Bay is one of the best pools at Disney World.)
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort: Room refurbishments are ongoing through September 2025, and the Skybridge will have intermittent closures.
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Wilderness Lodge: Refurbishments from May to September 2025 may cause minor disruptions, but all amenities should stay open.
- Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: The resort-wide refurbishment continues through 2025, with updates to rooms, the lobby, and shared spaces.
- Polynesian Village Resort: Construction on the new DVC tower and other enhancements will continue through 2026, so expect some obstructed views and noise.
- Pop Century Resort: Room updates from March 2025 to February 2026 mean you might see construction crews around — but pools and other amenities should stay open.
- Port Orleans – French Quarter and Riverside: Room refurbishments throughout 2025 will keep these resorts fresh and comfortable, though construction noise could be a factor.
What’s Changing in the Parks?
It’s not just the resorts getting upgrades — Disney World’s theme parks have a ton of changes coming in 2025, too!
Magic Kingdom:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: A multi-year refurbishment starts on January 6, 2025 — so get your last ride in ASAP.
- Astro Orbiter: The Tomorrowland spinner closes on January 13 and reopens in summer 2025.
- The Hall of Presidents: Closing on January 20 for updates — no reopening date announced yet.
New attractions coming to Magic Kingdom include:
- Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern: Opening in late 2025 — expect pirate-themed bites and swashbuckling vibes.
- Cars-Themed Expansion: Frontierland is getting a Pixar makeover — with a Radiator Springs-inspired area.
- Villains Land: Construction finally begins in 2025 for this long-rumored dark and daring expansion.
Animal Kingdom:
- Kali River Rapids: Closes January 6 — with no reopening date yet.
- DinoLand U.S.A. Transformation: Construction kicks off in January 2025 for a total reimagining of this area.
- Zootopia Show: A brand-new stage show replacing It’s Tough to Be a Bug — opening in winter 2025.
- DINOSAUR Ride: Staying open in 2025, but slated to close in 2026 for a new experience.
EPCOT:
- Gran Fiesta Tour: Closes from January 6 to March 15 for updates.
- Spaceship Earth Lounge: A sleek new guest lounge opens in spring 2025.
- Test Track 3.0: An updated version of Test Track debuts in late summer 2025.
Hollywood Studios:
No major refurbishments — but some BIG new additions are coming:
- The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure: Opening in summer 2025.
- Villains: Unfairly Ever After: A new show spotlighting Disney’s most iconic villains — opening in summer 2025.
- Monsters Inc. Land: Construction starts in 2025 — bringing Mike, Sulley, and their world to life.
Should You Change Your Disney World Plans?
If you were hoping to get your fill of Whispering Canyon Café’s BBQ and antics, you’ll definitely want to visit before May 12, 2025. And with so many closures and refurbishments happening, it’s more important than ever to plan ahead for your 2025 Disney trip.
We’ll keep you posted on any updates, reopening dates, and more Disney food news, so stay tuned!
