Note: this post covers Disneyland’s refurbishment “season”, from January-March. For current scheduled closures, please visit here.
Each year, Disneyland schedules routine maintenance and refurbishments on their attractions. These keep attractions safe, scenery pristine, and guests happy! For most of the year, these refurbishments are staggered and spread out to prevent too many closures. But during the slow period of mid-January through early March, the park schedules more closures than usual, to get as much of the park in shape as possible before spring and summer crowds roll in.
Here’s a look at this year’s tentative schedule. Please note that these dates are subject to change without advanced notice, and it’s not unusual for schedules to change as refurbishment season progresses.
HOLIDAY OVERLAY REMOVALS
- Haunted Mansion (January 8 -18)
- It’s A Small World (January 22 – February 1)
REFURBISHMENTS
- Casey Jr. Circus Train (February 5 – March 1)
- Dumbo The Flying Elephant (January 8 – April 26)
- Grizzly River Run (January 8 – February 1)
- Main Street Vehicles (January 8 – March 14)
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (January 2 – March 9)
- Splash Mountain (January 2 – April 14)
- Storybook Land Canal Boats (February 5 – 28)
PIXAR PIER CONSTRUCTION CLOSURES
Starting in January, the southern half of Paradise Pier will close in order to become Pixar Pier. The new pier opens June 23, though the carousel will not open until 2019. Note: Toy Story Midway Mania! will remain open during refurbishment.
The following attractions will be inaccessible starting January 8:
The northern half of Paradise Pier will become Paradise Park, but Disney currently doesn’t list any closures for this area. Since the “re-theming” here is largely just the name and border, there likely won’t be any closures for this refurbishment season.
Hi, I apologize if this has already been mentioned…but my sister and I are going the week of September 10th…are we going to be running into any problems with refurbishments? Specifically the Haunted Mansion?? I know September is when they start changing things over to Halloween so I was worried we would be missing out on some of the rides. ?
Disneyland doesn’t release refurbishment dates this far in advance, so I can’t say for sure. You’ll probably be right on the line from when the Mansion finishes its transformation. For the latest refurbishment schedules outside of refurb season (January-March), check out my page here.
Wow, we are booked for the same week (sept 16th-21). World of color at Calif. Adventure is on extended refurbishment until late 2018 when they found additional major issues and missed June re-open, plus Matterhorn will not be open until after we leave. Fantasmic will only be open the night we arrive.
“Fantasmic – no performances September 10–13 during refurbishment of Sailing Ship Columbia, and September 17-20 during the refurbishment of the Mark Twain Riverboat.” So, the ships will be on refurb schedule at the same time.” Also, Tiki HUT is down until Sept 21; fingers crossed to catch it on our last day. Sigh. What a week to choose.
What this means…crowd level predictions are dropping steadily so ride lines will be terrific, but we will miss many favorites. We are out of state and fly there about every 5 or six years. Still, we will have a wonderful vacation! Hope you do too.
I sympathize; it’s a huge bummer when a lot of attractions end up closed. However – you’re a pro for seeing the positives. Smaller crowds, awesome September weather, and of course, Halloween decor (some of the best of the year!). Fingers crossed you get lucky and the Tiki Room reopens on time for you!
Yeah I did see the closures…but I’m excited to be there for Halloweentime for the first time ? every time I’ve been there it’s always been during the summer time. So it’ll be nice to see a different side of Disneyland.
I’m seeing Pirates of the Caribbean being closed in April for refubishment. Do you have a general idea how long those refurbs last? I’m going for a trip at the end of May and will be devastated if that is closed. That’s our #1 ride.
Pirates of the Caribbean is closing to change the auctioneer scene, per the announcement at D23. Currently, Disney does not list a reopening date, so I can’t guess as to when it will be back open. Fingers crossed it’s ready to go for your trip!
Not until like June 6th I saw online
That wouldn’t surprise me. Replacing animatronics tends to be a really lengthy process from what I’ve seen. Since Disney World got a head start on their transformation, we’ll have to see how theirs plays out first.
It took WDW 20ish days to finish their refurb with the brides, wouldn’t it take Disneyland the same amount of time?
Hopefully! I haven’t seen any official re-opening date yet.
Hi, Me and my family are planning on going to disneyland in early June, and I’m now wondering if we should still go then, because of so many ride closers. Splash mountain and grizzly river run are tow of our favorites as well as many others on the list. And as always we were hoping to get a picture on main street. None of us have ever been on the fares well or California screaming and I at least was hoping to try them out, but my heart wouldn’t be broken if we didn’t get to. Do you think we would still get our monies worth to go in early June.
Hi Bella! Early June is a wonderful time to go to Disneyland. All of the refurbishments in Disneyland will be done, so Splash Mountain shouldn’t be a problem. In California Adventure, Pixar Pier doesn’t open until June 23. So the Incredicoaster (formerly California Screamin’) and ferris wheel will not be open, but the rest of the park will be in full swing for the summer season.
I was just there last week Feb 28-March 2.
Between no parades, no fireworks, the awful walls up, no dumbo, no splash mountain, and very short hours 8am-8pm it was a rather disappinting trip. Although we spent our time finding characters and riding some things multiple times. Fantasmic was incredible!!!! I wont be back again until the Star wars craze dies down whoch may be 5 years from now ha! Going to give a Disney Cruise a whirl this time!
Completely understandable why your trip was disappointing! Personally, I think Disneyland should discount tickets when so much is closed. It seems unfair. If you’ve never cruised before, I highly recommend my friend Mel at dclprepschool.com. She’s very knowledgeable about Disney Cruise Line and can help you plan an awesome trip.
Trying to plan Disneyland trip in September & Halloween themed Haunted Mansion is a MUST. Do we know what the first date it will be open after the transformation to Nightmare Before Christmas?
Unfortunately, Disneyland won’t release an official date until the summer. But typically, the attraction closes in late August and reopens by the second week in September.
If I stay at one of the Disney hotels I heard that I could do the extra “magic” hr before park opens? Or do I have to reserve breakfast somewhere to get in?
Yes, you get an extra magic hour if you stay at the resort hotels, no reservations required. The extra hours alternate between Disneyland and California Adventure, depending on the day. When you check into your hotel, you’ll be informed of the schedule during your visit, or you can look it up ahead of time here: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendars/
Planning my first ever trip to Disneyland late April. Will the parade and fireworks be on?
If you check out Disneyland’s daily calendar, you’ll be able to see scheduled parades, fireworks, and shows. The April calendar is not available yet (they only go 2 months out), but since tomorrow is February 1st, I would think April will pop up soon.
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendars/
What are the chances that I will be able to get a happy anniversary button❤️
Those are always available! Just swing by City Hall 🙂
Can you get buttons in Downtown Disney?
To the best of my knowledge, commemorative trip buttons are available only at Disneyland’s City Hall.
Yay thanks!
A few years ago they discontinued the Anniversary and Just Married buttons. Now they have a Happily Ever After button. Also, lines at City Hall can get crazy long. However, we found out last year that all buttons are available at any gift shop. So you can save time by ducking into any shop on Main Street and ask any Cast Member.
Good tip! Although I do enjoy the birthday call from Goofy if you stop in City Hall 🙂
Hi there! Is the April 13 refurbishment end for Splash Mountain a for sure thing? We are going the following week and it would make me SO HAPPY to know my favorite ride will be up and running. My heart sank when I thought it may be closed for our trip. Thanks!
Hi Stacey, there are never 100% guarantees with Disneyland refurbishments unfortunately. But since there’s a specific date listed, vs. just “spring”, it’s looking good!
Where did you find the date for splash mountain reopening! I looked at the disney list and it was listed as TBD! Planning on going that week and would love if splash mountain was open for our last few days!!
Hi Alex, thanks for the heads up about the date. Disneyland unfortunately CONSTANTLY changes reopening dates, and it’s hard to catch up. Post has been updated. (And fingers crossed it has reopened by your trip!)
Is there anywhere to eat with a princess that will be open at the end of March? I’m devastated Ariel’s grotto closed. ??
Me too. It was such a cute restaurant! At this time, there are no princess dining options. The best place to meet the royal ladies is in the Fantasy Faire. So sorry 🙁 I’ll let you know if Disney adds princesses to another venue!
Will the Ariel ride still be open? Will we be able to take a picture in front of the mickey wheel? Farris wheel whatever it is ((I’ve never been)) lol
Ariel remains open! The whole front side of Paradise Pier (now called Paradise Park) is not changing or closing. You’ll be able to take a photo in front of Mickey’s Fun Wheel from that side, with a nice angle including the water!
I went to C.A. website and it said the the Guardians of the Galaxy ride will be closed as well. Did I read that wrong?
Hi Tara, I haven’t seen that on any refurb calendars. So hopefully you read that wrong! If I find out about a scheduled closure, I’ll be sure to update this post.
We are headed there Feb 4th, if we don’t see It’s a Small World this go around (second attempt) you might just see the next Clark Griswold on the news aka me! Lol ?
Hahah! Small World should be open by then. It typically doesn’t open late, since they’re just removing the holiday overlay. Crossing my fingers for you!
What is the likelihood that the incredicoaster and Mickey’s Fun Wheel will be open in early May? Is that considered summer?
Hi Barbara! Generally speaking, the summer season at the Disneyland Resort starts in late May. When Disneyland releases an official opening date for Pixar Pier’s attractions, I’ll be sure to update this post.
We were there last weekend and King Triton’s carousel was open. 🙂
I heard it stayed open a little longer than expected! From the concept images, it looks like a carousel will stay in that spot, but I can’t tell what the theming is.
At the end you said California Screamin and Mickey’s fun wheel will be inaccessible. Do we know for how long?
🙂
Pixar Pier is slated for a vague reopening of “Summer 2018”. But when it reopens, California Screamin’ will be the Incredicoaster. I would think in the next few months we’ll get more details about the official opening of this area.
I actually talked to Disney two days ago, and was told that Toy Story Mania will be accessible and running during the changing over to Pixar Pier!
That makes me so happy! Post has been updated.