When Bluey arrives at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this May, Affection Section will be renamed. The petting zoo closed with the rest of Rafiki’s Planet Watch last month. Affection Section Becomes Jumping Junction Affection Section will now be “Jumping Junction.” As previously announced, the goats and other Affection Section animals are being re-homed. Jumping Junction will … Read more
Isle of Java is a Discovery Island area coffee shop that will now open later in the morning at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. New Opening Time This morning, March 12, one of our reporters noticed signs sitting in the ordering window at Isle of Java. These signs read “Serving from 9:00 a.m.” This is a change … Read more
An X user captured a shot of a blazing car fire near the entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Cast Member parking lot. Car on Fire by Animal Kingdom Cast Member Parking Lot X user @DinoLandUSAarch snapped the shot of the engulfed vehicle, which appears to be a small SUV or minivan (although not a Minnie … Read more
Following the closure of Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Timon and Rafiki are now meeting in a new location. Timon and Rafiki New Meeting Spot The pair is now meeting in The Oasis by the Disney Animal Kingdom entrance near Garden Gate Gifts. However, they are meeting separately on a rotating schedule. Currently, … Read more
Disney World now has stroller name tags available for purchase. We found them at Animal Kingdom in Garden Gate Gifts. Stroller Name Tag Holder with Polka Dots – $16.99 The first is red with white polka dots, inspired by Minnie Mouse’s dress. Those who purchase the tag holder can place their name inside the clear … Read more
The gorilla family of Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been moved backstage for a window repair at their enclosure. Gorilla Enclosure Refurbishment We reported on March 2 that not all of the gorillas were in public view at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail due to a refurbishment of their habitat. On March … Read more
Crews continue to add to the Encanto ride building and work on the foundation of a new carousel in the future Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Tropical Americas replaces DinoLand, U.S.A. Encanto Ride The Encanto ride building was recently “topped off” with an American flag, a tradition that signifies vertical construction has reached its highest point. The American … Read more
Extended Evening Hours are scheduled for another Disney’s Animal Kingdom day this May, plus a date at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These events would usually be held at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Extended Evening Hours May 2026 As previously reported, Extended Evening Hours will be at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Monday, May 4 instead of EPCOT. … Read more
Walt Disney Imagineering filed a permit for set installation at the new Encanto attraction under construction in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Encanto Set Permit The Notice of Commencement contracts Scenario to “Install set elements” at 540 Dinoland Drive, the approximate location of the new Encanto ride building. It expires in one year. Crews have been assembling … Read more
Joe Rohde shared in a social media post how the Morocco pavilion in EPCOT influenced Imagineering’s approach to designing Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Morocco Pavilion Watch Rohde’s video of part of the space and read his thoughts below. Way back in 1990, when we were first beginning Design on Disney’s Animal Kingdom and had not been … Read more
In the newest aerial photos from @bioreconstruct on X, several piles of rubble indicate that demolition has begun inside DINOSAUR. Theming models have also arrived near the edge of construction. Tropical Americas Construction Update In our last aerial update, the entire courtyard in front of DINOSAUR had been demolished. While the marquee featuring the Carnotaurus and meteors … Read more
Pandora — The World of Avatar is glowing brightly at night once again as repainting of the bioluminescent pavement continues in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Bioluminescent Pavement Painting Since many of Pandora’s plants glow, and the walkways are designed to mimic dirt paths with natural flora embedded inside, they also shine once the sun sets. As … Read more
After teasing “something cool” with an announcement later this week, we’ve found out that the Imagineering Disney Legend’s surprise is a new book: Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible, now available for pre-order. It releases on September 8, 2026. The title is a reference to the “floating mountains” found in Pandora – The … Read more
Former Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde revealed that Tiffins Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has always had a reference to the upcoming Tropical Americas land. Tiffins opened in 2016 — eight years before Tropical Americas was announced. Tropical Americas Reference in Tiffins During a recent Walt Disney World trip, Rohde shared a video of a wood-carved … Read more
Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is temporarily closed to prepare for the arrival of Bluey and Bingo. The characters from the hit Australian children’s show Bluey will meet, dance, and play in Conservation Station while Australian animals will appear at Affection Section. February 22 was the last day to visit Rafiki’s Planet Watch … Read more
A Dino Institute snack cart is still operational at Disney’s Animal Kingdom even though DinoLand U.S.A. closed earlier this month. Dino Institute Snack Cart This outdoor vending cart features The Dino Institute logo on the front. The Dino Institute was the setting of the DINOSAUR ride and adjacent Restaurantosaurus, both of which closed permanently on … Read more
