Disney has updated the pages for parts of Rafiki’s Planet Watch with a notice that they will temporarily close beginning February 23. Here’s the one from the Wildlife Express Train:
Wildlife Express Train will temporarily close on February 23, 2026, to make way for a new Bluey adventure coming Summer 2026.
The Wildlife Express Train is the only way for guests to get to and from Rafiki’s Planet Watch, so everything at that space will be temporarily closed beginning February 23.
I’ve seen it reported that Affection Section, the petting zoo, will close permanently. If that turns out to be the case, I’ll miss this space greatly, as it’s one Zoe absolutely loved.
On that topic, the closure notice for Affection Section currently just says it will “temporarily close.” But, even if that’s accurate, it could involve the space reopening in an entirely new form, too.
These closures come on the heels of the end of Dinoland USA, which permanently closed beginning February 2, 2026 to make way for the incoming Tropical Americas land.
With Wildlife Express temporarily closed beginning February 23, Animal Kingdom will have only five rides:
Avatar Flight of Passage
Na’vi River Journey
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Kali River Rapids
Expedition Everest
Reminder: Bluey and Bingo Incoming
ICYMI above, the reason for the closure is the “Bluey adventure” coming to Rafiki’s Planet Watch summer 2026.
It’s unclear whether the closure will last until that adventure debuts, but I assume it will. The changes are significant enough to warrant a closure, and if that’s the case I think a bunch of “coming soon” signs between an early reopening and the summer 2026 Bluey debut would be pretty bad Show.
Here’s how Disney previously described the new offering:
New Bluey Experience Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Beginning in summer 2026 at Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll be able to take a fun excursion to Conservation Station in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, where you can play and dance with Bluey and Bingo! Play some of your favorite games from Bluey episodes with a fun animal twist, like butterfly keepy uppy.
Grab the whole family and snap some pictures alongside your Blue Heeler pals to remember this one-of-a-kind adventure. Plus, as part of your wild excursion, step outside to discover an experience with animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia!
My bottom line for this is that when it launches it will certainly strain the low capacity of Wildlife Express Train. I suppose it’s possible Disney is upgrading to Japan L0 Series Maglev trains. That wouldn’t really fit the theme of a train out of Africa, but neither does Bluey, so maybe there’s hope. (I hate to say it, but this might be cause for some sort of virtual queue.)
We look forward to seeing Bluey at Animal Kingdom. It seems a little beside the point now to talk about losing this or that versus gaining this or that. I can’t talk about the loss of Affection Section without talking about the loss of the Boneyard, and so we might as well all look one direction—forward.
All Your Other Disney World Planning Questions Answered
Don't be overwhelmed by Disney World planning! Take a second to check out our most important content and you'll not only be an expert, but you'll save big $$$ along the way.
Just starting out? Check out our Walt Disney World planning guide! If you're still picking dates, we've got everything you need to know about Disney World crowd calendars. For picking your hotel, check out our Walt Disney World hotels guide.
When it comes time to book we’ll help you find discount Disney World tickets. Decide whether you need a dining plan in our Complete Guide to Disney World Dining Plans! And don't forget to book those Disney World Advance Dining Reservations!
Don't forget to master your Disney World Lightning Lane Guide and Strategy a few months in advance. We'll keep you out of long lines so you can maximize the magical time in the parks! We've got park-specific guides as well: Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy, Epcot Lightning Lane Strategy, Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy, and Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Strategy.
Know what to ride with our guides to: Magic Kingdom rides, Hollywood Studios rides, Epcot rides, and Animal Kingdom rides! Plus learn about the water parks with our guide to Blizzard Beach and our guide to Typhoon Lagoon! And for some some fun prep, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World.
Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip. And if you're interested in saving, there's no better list than our 53 Ways to Save on your Disney trip from start to finish.