Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the MagicFor a lot of Animal Kingdom fans, the back corner of the park has always felt like a quiet escape. It’s the place you go when the crowds start to wear on you, when you want something slower, calmer, and more educational without leaving the park entirely. That’s why Disney’s latest announcement is landing a little harder than some people expected.
Disney has confirmed that the Wildlife Express Train and Rafiki’s Planet Watch will temporarily close later this month as preparations begin for a new Bluey experience coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. While the closure is being described as temporary, the ripple effect it creates across this part of the park is anything but small.
A Closing Date That Raises Eyebrows
Disney has announced that the Wildlife Express Train and Affection Section are scheduled to close on February 23, 2026. That date matters because the train is the only way guests can reach Rafiki’s Planet Watch, which means the entire area effectively goes offline once the train stops running.
This isn’t just a single attraction going down for a quick refresh. Rafiki’s Planet Watch includes several offerings that longtime guests associate with Animal Kingdom’s original mission of conservation and education. When the train closes, everything beyond that station closes with it.
Disney hasn’t shared a reopening date yet, only confirming that the new Bluey experience is expected to debut sometime this summer. That open-ended timeline has naturally led to questions about how long this closure could actually last and whether everything that closes will truly come back in the same form.
Why the Wildlife Express Train Matters More Than You Think
At first glance, the Wildlife Express Train can feel like a simple transportation ride. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t come with big drops or special effects. But its role inside Animal Kingdom is surprisingly important.
The train serves as the gateway to a completely different side of the park. It connects guests to Conservation Station, educational exhibits, veterinary demonstrations, and interactive experiences that aren’t replicated anywhere else on Disney property. Without it, Rafiki’s Planet Watch doesn’t just lose foot traffic — it becomes inaccessible.
For families who prioritize hands-on learning or want to slow things down for an hour, this area has always offered something special. The closure temporarily removes one of the few spaces in the park that isn’t driven by thrill rides or heavy IP storytelling.
The Uncertainty Around Affection Section
One of the biggest points of concern involves Affection Section, the petting zoo that has long been part of Rafiki’s Planet Watch. While Disney’s announcement says the area will temporarily close, there’s already speculation about whether it will return at all.
The notice itself doesn’t confirm a permanent closure, but rumors have started circulating that Affection Section may not reopen once the Bluey experience debuts. That uncertainty is what’s fueling a lot of fan anxiety.
Petting zoos aren’t as common across Disney parks as they once were, and Affection Section has always been one of the few places where kids could interact directly with animals in a relaxed, low-pressure environment. Losing that would mark another quiet shift away from Animal Kingdom’s original educational roots.
Another Experience on the Move
The changes don’t stop with the train and petting zoo. The Animation Experience, which allows guests to learn how to draw Disney characters under the guidance of real animators, is also expected to close in this area.
Unlike some of the other offerings, this experience isn’t disappearing entirely. Disney plans to relocate it to The Magic of Disney Animation, which is set to open this summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While that move keeps the experience alive, it does mean Animal Kingdom loses yet another non-ride offering that helped balance out the park.
It’s a subtle but noticeable shift. Animal Kingdom has already leaned more heavily into IP-driven attractions in recent years, and this relocation reinforces that trend.
What the Bluey Experience Will Bring
So what’s replacing all of this? Disney has confirmed that the new Bluey experience will include interactive games and dances with Bluey and Bingo, a meet-and-greet opportunity, and animal elements inspired by Australia — the characters’ home country.
From a crowd-appeal standpoint, this move makes sense. Bluey has become one of the most popular kids’ shows in recent years, and its presence at the parks is almost guaranteed to draw families with younger children. The experience is designed to be energetic, playful, and character-focused, which is a very different vibe from what Rafiki’s Planet Watch has traditionally offered.
That contrast is where some of the tension lies. For newer guests, this change may feel like a fun upgrade. For longtime fans, it feels like another example of Animal Kingdom slowly moving away from its quieter, conservation-first identity.
A Larger Pattern Inside Animal Kingdom
This closure doesn’t exist in isolation. Animal Kingdom has been in a state of transition for a while now. Entire areas have been reimagined, rebranded, or quietly phased out as Disney looks to modernize the park and align it more closely with popular franchises.
The Wildlife Express Train and Rafiki’s Planet Watch have always felt slightly removed from the rest of the park’s recent evolution. Their closure signals that no corner of Animal Kingdom is immune to change.
Even if everything eventually reopens, the experience guests return to may look very different from what they remember. That uncertainty is what makes this announcement feel heavier than a standard refurbishment notice.
Why Fans Are Watching This Closely
Disney hasn’t called this a permanent closure, but fans know that language matters. Temporary closures can stretch far longer than expected, and not everything that goes down always comes back unchanged.
The lack of a reopening date, combined with rumors surrounding Affection Section, has put Animal Kingdom fans on edge. This area holds a lot of nostalgia for guests who remember the park before IP-driven expansions became the norm.
At the same time, Disney is clearly betting on Bluey to connect with a new generation of visitors. That balancing act — honoring the park’s roots while chasing broader appeal — is becoming harder to manage with every change.
What Happens Next
For now, all eyes are on February 23, 2026. Once the Wildlife Express Train stops running, Rafiki’s Planet Watch will effectively disappear from daily park operations.
What returns — and how much of it — remains to be seen. Disney has promised a Bluey experience filled with energy, interaction, and family-friendly fun. Whether that can fully replace what’s being lost is a question only time will answer.
One thing is certain: Animal Kingdom is continuing to evolve, and this closure marks another turning point in that transformation.