Theme Park Scope

One of Magic Kingdom’s most colorful corners is finally making its comeback.

After months hidden behind construction walls, scaffolding, and scrim, Pete’s Silly Sideshow is beginning to reemerge in Storybook Circus at Magic Kingdom. Disney has removed most of the construction scrim surrounding the popular character meet-and-greet location, revealing a vibrant new look as the refurbishment enters its final stages.

The refurbishment began in January 2026, when Pete’s Silly Sideshow closed to address the aging exterior of the circus tent. The original fabric had become noticeably faded over the years, and portions of the tent roof had even developed tears before construction officially began. Early in the project, Disney completely removed the old tent roof before installing a brand-new replacement in April.

Now, with the scrim removed, guests can finally see the refreshed exterior. The tent walls feature bright new red and pink fabric, giving the attraction a much fresher appearance compared to the weathered exterior that greeted guests for years. The Pete’s Silly Sideshow entrance sign also appears to have received a fresh coat of paint, restoring the colorful circus aesthetic that has welcomed families to Storybook Circus since the land debuted.

Although the project is nearing completion, work isn’t quite finished. Some scaffolding remains behind the attraction, and crews were recently spotted putting the finishing touches on the sign supports. The decorative banners that normally hang from the entrance have not yet returned, suggesting additional work is still underway before the attraction is ready to reopen.

Pete’s Silly Sideshow has long served as one of Magic Kingdom’s premier character meet-and-greet locations, where guests can typically meet Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, and Goofy in their Storybook Circus costumes. During the refurbishment, those character greetings have been temporarily relocated to other areas throughout Storybook Circus, allowing guests to continue meeting their favorite Disney friends while work continues.

The neighboring Big Top Souvenirs also remains closed for its own exterior refurbishment, with Disney continuing work on the circus tent-themed buildings throughout Storybook Circus. At this time, Walt Disney World has not announced reopening dates for either location.

While there’s still a little work left before Pete’s Silly Sideshow welcomes guests back inside, the removal of the scrim marks one of the biggest milestones yet. The refreshed colors already make a noticeable difference, and it won’t be long before this beloved Storybook Circus landmark is once again complete.

Be sure to revisit Theme Park Scope for more Walt Disney World construction updates, Magic Kingdom refurbishment news, attraction reopenings, and the latest developments from around the Disney Parks.