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Credit: DisneyDo you remember when fans of EPCOT called it “Wallcot”? This nickname originated during a lengthy construction period when many areas were closed off, making the site feel like an outdoor construction site. Guests had to navigate around walls instead of enjoying the attractions. Eventually, EPCOT completed its renovations and reopened with new features, but the days of construction left a lasting impression on regular visitors.
Now, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is going through a similar situation. Once known for its natural beauty and immersive experiences, the park now feels cluttered with construction walls. It is undergoing major changes, including the demolition of DinoLand U.S.A. to create a new Tropical Americas area, which will add new food and attractions. Recently, more walls have been erected in the Africa section, further disrupting the guest experience.
At what point does construction take away from the fun? When do the walls blocking views and narrowing paths turn the visit from “exciting improvements” to “maybe we should have waited”? Animal Kingdom hasn’t reached the extreme construction levels that EPCOT did, but it’s moving in that direction. For a park focused on natural settings and themed lands, construction walls break the sense of immersion that Disney has spent years developing.
DinoLand U.S.A. Comes Down at This Disney Park
Disney is transforming DinoLand U.S.A. U.S.A. into Tropical Americas, involving a complete overhaul that includes removing buildings and changing pathways. Extensive construction walls now block this area, signaling the end of an era for those who enjoyed DinoLand U.S.A.’s quirky charm, while offering hope for a theme that aligns better with Animal Kingdom’s conservation mission.
The construction walls impede guest navigation, impacting their experience as pathways must redirect around the area. While Tropical Americas promises thrilling environments inspired by Central and South America, visitors must rely on their imagination to envision what’s coming during the lengthy construction period.
Harambe Market Adds More Walls
Guests at Animal Kingdom recently noticed new construction walls at Harambe Market in the Africa section. This popular quick-service restaurant closed in October for upgrades, and now more barriers surround the front area of the venue.
The timing of this construction is not a coincidence. Restaurantosaurus, a quick-service restaurant in DinoLand U.S.A., will close in early February as part of the area’s demolition. When this happens, Harambe Market will take on the role of the main location serving burgers and chicken tenders in Animal Kingdom. Disney aims to avoid any downtime for these popular menu items, so Harambe Market needs to reopen before Restaurantosaurus closes.
The construction walls imply that the work will go beyond updating the kitchen. It appears that changes will also be implemented for guests, likely aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing wait times. The refurbishment will probably include adjustments to ordering windows, pickup areas, and queue flow to handle the increased number of customers coming from Restaurantosaurus.
The construction walls around Chef Mwanga’s Meats Shop disrupt the visual appeal of Animal Kingdom’s Africa area, reminding guests they are in a theme park rather than an authentic marketplace. Harambe Market is set to reopen by early February, ensuring continued food options, including burgers and chicken tenders. This means these walls will be up for a shorter period compared to the ongoing work in DinoLand U.S.A. However, they still contribute to the overall construction presence in Animal Kingdom.
The Disney Park Cumulative Effect
Individual construction projects may seem manageable, but changes in DinoLand U.S.A. are necessary due to its lack of popularity. Refurbishing Harambe Market addresses operational needs as the park adapts to new quick-service options. While these projects have clear benefits, guests experience them all at once, facing barriers in DinoLand U.S.A. and Harambe Market during their visits.
EPCOT has faced similar challenges, with years of simultaneous changes altering the guest experience. Visitors had to weigh the value of the attractions against the ongoing construction.
Animal Kingdom has not yet reached that level, as its main attractions, such as Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, and Flight of Passage, remain open. However, regular visitors are concerned, reminiscing about the park’s immersive theming before construction became a common sight.
What Guests Should Expect
For anyone planning a visit to Animal Kingdom in the coming months, please adjust your expectations accordingly. The park is undergoing a transition, and this transition comes with visual compromises that affect the atmosphere and immersion. This doesn’t mean Animal Kingdom isn’t worth visiting. The core attractions and experiences that made it special remain largely intact.
Guests visiting Animal Kingdom should be aware that they are visiting during a significant construction period as Tropical Americas is being developed. The ongoing demolition and land construction in DinoLand will take time, and the park may earn a reputation for being Disney’s construction wall capital. Like EPCOT’s transformation, this process promises better experiences in the future but requires patience from visitors during the transition.