Disneyland Plans Refurbishments: Jungle Cruise Reopening Date & More Early-2026 Closures

Meta Description: As the holiday crowds fade, Disneyland is entering its refurbishment season. Disney just revealed that Jungle Cruise will close briefly (Feb 17–21, 2026) for a refresh, plus added a new ride closure (Jumpin’ Jellyfish) at California Adventure and other maintenance downtime. Here’s what’s closing, when it’s back, and how it might affect your upcoming visit.

With the winter holiday rush behind us, Disneyland Resort is sliding into its traditional “refurbishment season.” Early in the year, crowds are lighter – which means it’s prime time for Disney to spruce up rides and facilities. If you’re planning a trip in the next couple of months, heads up: several attractions will be closed for maintenance. The good news is we’ve just learned when one iconic ride will reopen and which other attractions are joining the closure list. Here’s a roundup of the latest Disneyland closure news (as of mid-January 2026) and how it might impact your park plans.

Jungle Cruise: A Short Voyage to Dry Dock

One of the most notable refurbishments is happening in Adventureland. Disneyland has confirmed the Jungle Cruise will undergo a brief refurbishment in February – but it’s shorter than originally expected. The Jungle Cruise will be closed from February 17 through February 21, 2026 and is set to reopen on February 22, 2026. That’s just a five-day downtime for this opening-day classic, which is relatively quick in the world of Disney refurbs.

Why the quick turnaround? It appears Disney might have initially planned a longer maintenance period. According to an update previously shared on the Disneyland After Dark: 70 Years of Favorites event page, Jungle Cruise was thought to be down for a multi-week stretch. But Disneyland seems to have moved up the timeline and condensed the work into a shorter window. (As of now, an outdated reference still lists Jungle Cruise closed on certain dates in March, but we now know it’ll be back by late February.) For Jungle Cruise fans, this is great news – the ride’s famous skippers will be back to their punny tours in no time.

What’s happening during this refurbishment? Disneyland hasn’t specified details, but these short closures often involve general upkeep: cleaning the river, repainting sets, tuning up animatronics (perhaps giving those mischievous gorillas and hungry hippos some TLC), and other behind-the-scenes maintenance. Don’t expect any major changes to the ride’s storyline or scenes; it’s more about keeping everything shipshape and safe for guests for the year ahead.

Photo: The Jungle Cruise’s playful gorilla camp scene. The classic Adventureland attraction will close for refurbishment from Feb. 17–21, 2026, with Disneyland opting for a quick refresh to minimize downtime.

More Closures at Disneyland Park

Jungle Cruise isn’t the only attraction taking a breather. Disneyland Park currently has a handful of other experiences temporarily offline or scheduled for refurbishment soon:

• Mark Twain Riverboat – The elegant paddle-wheel riverboat that circles the Rivers of America is closed for refurbishment at the moment. These riverboat closures are routine (the Mark Twain often needs dock maintenance and a fresh coat of paint) and typically last a few weeks. It should be back cruising the river before spring.

• Haunted Mansion – After the holidays, Haunted Mansion usually goes down to remove its Nightmare Before Christmas holiday overlay. As expected, the Mansion is currently closed to transition from “Haunted Mansion Holiday” back to the classic version. This happens every year, and it should reopen later in winter once Jack Skellington’s decorations are all put away.

• “it’s a small world” – Similarly, it’s a small world is slated for downtime to remove its extensive holiday overlay (all those dazzling lights and Christmas tunes need to be switched back). If not already closed, expect it to have a brief refurbishment in January. It usually reopens by early February with the classic attraction restored.

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – One surprising upcoming closure on the calendar: Disneyland’s high-tech E-ticket in Galaxy’s Edge will have a refurbishment period. Dates indicate Rise of the Resistance will close for maintenance (perhaps to improve reliability on this complex ride) in the near future. This is one to watch, as Disney will try to time it during a traditionally slower week. Check Disneyland’s official refurbishment calendar for exact dates so you’re not caught off guard.

• Sailing Ship Columbia – The Columbia, Walt’s original pirate ship replica, often alternates with Mark Twain and goes down for upkeep too. It’s listed among closures, likely for routine maintenance on the sailing vessel. Don’t worry, it will be back in action probably by spring break.

Additionally, a couple of smaller attractions and even eateries have brief closures: Oga’s Cantina in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge had a short downtime (possibly for minor upgrades or deep cleaning) and Jat Kaa’s Coolers (a little snack stand) also saw a short closure. These minor closures usually last only a day or two.

The important thing is Disneyland tries to stagger these refurbishments so that not too many major rides are down at the same time. However, there are some overlaps happening, especially in late January and February, which even include popular rides and restaurants. This is partly because early-year crowds are lighter (excluding perhaps the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend and Presidents’ Day), so Disney can afford to have multiple rides offline and still keep guests happy with shorter lines elsewhere.

Disney California Adventure: New Closure Announced

Over at Disney California Adventure (DCA), there’s a new addition to the refurb list: Jumpin’ Jellyfish. This kid-friendly parachute drop ride on Paradise Gardens Park’s pier will close for refurbishment starting February 23, 2026. As of now, no reopening date is listed for Jumpin’ Jellyfish. That could mean the team isn’t yet sure how long the maintenance will take – possibly a few weeks or more. Jumpin’ Jellyfish is a relatively simple ride (bouncing up and down under colorful jellyfish canopies), so its refurbishment might involve mechanical checks or repainting its whimsical sea life theming.

DCA also has a few ongoing closures and refurbishments:

• Grizzly River Run – This white-water raft ride is always closed during the cold months for its annual refurbishment. It’s down right now (as it is every winter) and will reopen in the spring when the weather warms up. This lengthy closure allows Disney to drain the ride’s waterways, work on pumps and animatronics (those grizzly bear statues need love too!), and ensure safety for the upcoming high-demand summer.

• Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind – The spinner ride in Pixar Pier (based on Inside Out) is currently listed as temporarily closed. Likely a short maintenance or technical issue; these spinning flat rides sometimes need tune-ups, but downtime is usually brief.

• Incredicoaster – Disneyland officials noted the Incredicoaster had a short closure as well. It might be a quick refurbishment that has already finished or will wrap up soon, as high-thrill coasters generally undergo annual safety checks. Keep an eye on the schedule, but expect Incredicoaster to be operating most days except any scheduled tune-up days.

• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (not mentioned above, but often closes in winter for refurbishment after the holiday decorations from Christmas are removed – check if it’s open if that outdoor playground is on your list).

• And of course, World of Color (the nighttime fountain show) sometimes goes dark for refurbishment, though no major downtime has been announced for early 2026 yet.

Tips for Navigating Refurbishment Season

If you’re visiting Disneyland Resort in January or February 2026, plan ahead for these closures. Disneyland’s official website has a daily Entertainment Schedule and Refurbishments list – it’s wise to review it as your trip approaches, so you know which favorite attractions might be unavailable. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Prioritize must-do rides that are open. With headliners like Rise of the Resistance scheduled for maintenance, allocate time to experience it either before it closes or after it reopens. And if multiple big rides are closed during your visit, take advantage of the lower crowds to enjoy other attractions with minimal waits.

• Park-hopper benefits: Since DCA and Disneyland often offset closures (one park’s big ride down while the other park’s offerings are up), having a Park Hopper ticket can be useful. For example, if Jungle Cruise is closed at Disneyland, hop over to DCA and ride something like Soarin’ Around the World or Radiator Springs Racers instead.

• Embrace the seasonal vibe: Fewer rides doesn’t mean less fun. This is a great time to enjoy entertainment, like parades or park atmosphere. In fact, the Lunar New Year Festival at DCA (Jan 23–Feb 22) will have plenty of shows and food to enjoy (see our other post about that!). And the off-season means you might catch rare characters, enjoy easier dining reservations, and take in Disneyland’s slower-paced charm.

• Watch for hotel or ticket deals: Off-season often comes with special offers. Disneyland has been known to do discounted tickets for Southern California residents or hotel deals during this period. These can somewhat make up for a ride or two being closed by offering savings or extra perks.

Finally, remember that refurbishments are ultimately good news for us Disney fans. It’s how the parks keep the magic alive – by refreshing paint, updating technology, and maintaining safety, Disney ensures these classic attractions will be around for generations to come. A little patience in the slow season yields a better experience long-term. And sometimes, a refurbishment can even add new magic (for example, when Haunted Mansion returned from refurbishment a couple of years ago with a new floating Madame Leota effect, fans were thrilled!).

So while it’s a bummer if your favorite ride isn’t operating on your visit, you can rest assured it’s getting plussed up for your next trip. Jungle Cruise will be back sailing the rivers of adventure by late February with everything working swimmingly, and the rest of the park will wake from its winter nap in tip-top shape. Until then, use this downtime to discover a hidden gem you might have overlooked – maybe try that Main Street Vehicles ride, or watch the Dapper Dans barbershop quartet, or take the time to savor a churro while soaking in the atmosphere. There’s always more to explore at Disneyland, even on a refurb day.

Safe travels, and may all your Disney wishes come true (even if a few have to wait until after refurb).

Until next time, keep believing in magic. — Behind the Wish