For guests planning a visit to Magic Kingdom in early 2026, a notable change is coming to the Storybook Circus area of Fantasyland. Pete’s Silly Sideshow, the popular character meet-and-greet location housed under a large circus tent, is scheduled to close for refurbishment.
Refurbishment Schedule and Details
According to official announcements from Walt Disney World, the Pete’s Silly Sideshow tent will close to guests starting January 5, 2026. Currently, there is no specific reopening date listed, suggesting that the work required is significant enough to warrant an indefinite timeline.
The closure affects two primary meet-and-greet experiences located within the tent:
- The Daring Disney Pals: Featuring The Great Goofini (Goofy) and The Astounding Donaldo (Donald Duck).
- The Dashing Disney Pals: Featuring Minnie Magnifique (Minnie Mouse) and Madame Daisy Fortuna (Daisy Duck).
Industry observers note that permits were filed in late 2025 for “general construction” on the tent structures in Storybook Circus. The contractor listed on these permits specializes in tensioned membrane structures, indicating that the refurbishment will likely focus on repairing or replacing the canvas tent material itself.
Temporary Character Relocation
One of the primary concerns for guests during a refurbishment is the availability of characters. Fortunately, Disney has confirmed that Donald, Goofy, Minnie, and Daisy will not disappear from the park during this project. Instead, they will be relocated to other areas within Storybook Circus.
- Donald Duck and Goofy will greet guests at a temporary location nearby in Storybook Circus.
- Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck will also continue to meet guests in the Storybook Circus area.
While the specific backdrop of the Silly Sideshow interior, with its colorful props and circus posters, will be inaccessible, the characters themselves will still be available for photos and autographs.
Guests should check the My Disney Experience app on the day of their visit for the exact location and operating hours of these temporary meet-and-greets.
Impact on Storybook Circus
The closure of Pete’s Silly Sideshow is part of a broader maintenance effort likely to touch other parts of Storybook Circus. Similar permits have been filed for the adjacent Big Top Souvenirs structure. While no closure has been announced for the retail location yet, it is possible that work will be done in phases to minimize disruption to the land.
The rest of the land, including The Barnstormer and Dumbo the Flying Elephant, is expected to operate as normal.
Conclusion
Routine maintenance is necessary to keep Walt Disney World looking its best, and the upcoming refurbishment of Pete’s Silly Sideshow ensures that the Storybook Circus tents remain in top condition.
Although the indoor queue and themed environment of the sideshow will be unavailable starting January 5, 2026, the continued presence of Donald, Goofy, Minnie, and Daisy in the immediate area provides a good alternative for guests!
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
