Credit: Disney Parks BlogDisney’s Animal Kingdom uniquely balances entertainment, education, and conservation, offering hands-on experiences with wildlife. For families with young children, these interactions, especially at the Affection Section in Rafiki’s Planet Watch, create lasting memories and foster a deep appreciation for nature. However, rumors suggest that this petting zoo may close permanently to make way for new Bluey-themed experiences, coinciding with the ongoing transformation of DinoLand U.S.A. into the Tropical Americas. This would significantly reduce offerings for younger children, shifting the park’s focus from interactive experiences to passive observation.
The Disney Rumor Details
According to reports, Cast members working at the Affection Section have been informing guests for several weeks that the petting zoo will be closing soon. While Disney has not officially confirmed any closure plans, the Affection Section currently shows operating hours only through mid-March, which corresponds to the extent of the Walt Disney World operating calendar. This timeline detail neither confirms nor denies permanent closure, but the combination of cast member statements and the lack of scheduled hours beyond March has fueled speculation.
The Affection Section occupies roughly two-thirds of an acre at Rafiki’s Planet Watch in Conservation Station. This relatively compact footprint houses the infrastructure necessary to care for the domesticated animals that guests interact with during their visits. The space requirements for a petting zoo differ significantly from those of standard animal exhibits, as they must accommodate both animals and guest interaction areas, along with appropriate safety barriers and supervision zones.
The Bluey Connection
Disney has announced that Bluey and Bingo, the popular Australian Cattle Dogs from the hit children’s television series, will arrive at Conservation Station this summer. The new experience will allow guests to play and dance with the characters while participating in games inspired by episodes of Bluey. Disney specifically mentions “butterfly Keepy Uppy” as one activity, indicating the experience will incorporate physical play elements with animal themes.
More significantly for the Affection Section rumor, Disney has stated that guests will be able to “step outside to discover an experience with animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia.” This outdoor animal component suggests Disney plans to utilize space at Conservation Station beyond just the indoor character meet-and-greet areas. The Affection Section’s outdoor location and existing animal care infrastructure could provide exactly the type of space Disney needs for Australian animal exhibits tied to the Bluey experience.
Animal Kingdom already features kangaroos near the Tree of Life, demonstrating Disney’s willingness to showcase Australian wildlife. Additional species native to Australia could include wallabies, various bird species, or other animals that fit the educational mission of Conservation Station while connecting thematically to Bluey’s Australian setting.
Why This Closure Matters for Disney Guests
The potential permanent closure of the Affection Section represents more than just the loss of one attraction. It would eliminate Walt Disney World’s only petting zoo, removing an experience type that exists nowhere else across the resort.
For young children, petting zoos provide developmentally appropriate interaction with animals. Children can touch, observe up close, and ask questions in ways that traditional zoo exhibits do not permit. The educational value comes from tactile experience and close observation under expert supervision.
The DinoLand U.S.A. Problem
The timing compounds concerns because DinoLand U.S.A. is currently closed for transformation into the Tropical Americas. This multi-year project eliminates TriceraTop Spin, the Boneyard playground, and other family-friendly offerings that provided accessible entertainment for younger guests.
With both the Affection Section and DinoLand USA unavailable, Animal Kingdom’s options for families with young children become significantly limited. The park would retain Festival of the Lion King and character meet-and-greets, but would lose the interactive, hands-on elements that allow children to burn energy and engage physically.
Theme parks need diverse attraction types to serve guests of different ages. Removing interactive play areas and petting zoo experiences in favor of character encounters and passive exhibits shifts the park’s balance in ways that may not serve all guest demographics equally well.
What Remains Unclear
Disney has not officially commented on the Affection Section’s future. The rumor remains unconfirmed despite Cast Member statements and operating calendar observations.
Several questions remain unanswered. If the Affection Section closes, will the animals be relocated or rehomed? Will any petting zoo experience return in a different location? Does Disney plan to replace the hands-on animal interaction with different family-friendly activities?
The Australian animal experience Disney has described for the Bluey arrival could potentially include interactive elements. However, interactions with native Australian species would likely be more limited than the domesticated animal encounters the petting zoo currently provides.
Disney Guest Impact
Cast members reportedly hope Disney will announce any closure with sufficient advance notice to allow guests one final visit. For families who have made the petting zoo part of their Animal Kingdom routine, losing access without warning would eliminate the opportunity for one last memory.
The lack of official confirmation leaves guests uncertain. Those planning Animal Kingdom visits for late spring or summer cannot know whether the Affection Section will be available. Families interested in petting zoo experiences may want to visit sooner rather than later if the rumor proves accurate.
Awaiting Confirmation
Until Disney officially addresses the status of the Affection Section, the closure remains a rumor rather than a confirmed fact. Cast member statements and operating calendar details provide some evidence supporting the speculation, but Disney has not returned requests for comment on the matter.
For guests concerned about losing Animal Kingdom’s only petting zoo, the coming weeks may bring clarity as Disney either confirms closure plans or extends the Affection Section’s operating calendar beyond March. Until then, families interested in this unique Animal Kingdom experience may want to visit while it remains definitively available.