Credit: Steven Miller, FlickrDisney’s Animal Kingdom is about to go through another major change, and this one is hitting a part of the park that longtime fans have always viewed as one of its most peaceful escapes. While most guests think of Animal Kingdom as a park filled with big-ticket rides like Avatar Flight of Passage or Expedition Everest, there’s always been another side to it. It’s the quieter side, the part of the park that feels slower, more educational, and more connected to the park’s original purpose.
That’s exactly why the latest news surrounding Rafiki’s Planet Watch has started stirring up so much attention. At first, it seemed like a pretty straightforward update. Disney confirmed a brand-new Bluey experience is coming to Animal Kingdom in Summer 2026, and the announcement immediately got families excited. Bluey has become one of the most beloved children’s shows of the last decade, and a Disney park expansion tied to the franchise almost feels inevitable.
But the real story isn’t just Bluey showing up in the park. The bigger focus has become what’s happening to the Affection Section petting zoo, and why Disney’s newest update may completely change what guests experience back there for years to come.
Bluey Is Coming, But the Location Choice Raised Concerns
Disney’s announcement about Bluey sounded like something that should have been an easy win. The upcoming experience is expected to include interactive games, dancing, and opportunities to meet Bluey and Bingo, creating a high-energy environment aimed at younger families. From a business perspective, it’s the kind of addition that instantly makes sense, because it gives Animal Kingdom something that can appeal directly to preschool-aged kids in a big way.
However, what made fans nervous was the fact that this new Bluey experience is tied to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, which has always felt like a hidden corner of Animal Kingdom. It’s not a loud, flashy area. It’s where guests go when they want to slow down, explore, and feel like they’re experiencing something that isn’t driven by blockbuster IP. For many people, it’s one of the last places in the park that still feels like the original Animal Kingdom from the early days.
That’s why the Bluey announcement immediately sparked speculation. Fans didn’t just wonder what the experience would look like. They started wondering what Disney might be taking away to make room for it.
The Closure of Wildlife Express Train Is What Really Changes Everything
Disney has confirmed that the Wildlife Express Train and the Affection Section will temporarily close beginning February 23, 2026. That’s a significant detail because the Wildlife Express Train is the only way guests can reach Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Once the train stops operating, the entire back area becomes inaccessible, essentially shutting down everything connected to that section of the park.
This isn’t like a typical ride refurbishment where one attraction goes down and the rest of the land stays open. This is an entire portion of Animal Kingdom effectively disappearing from guest access, at least temporarily. Rafiki’s Planet Watch includes Conservation Station, educational exhibits, and the petting zoo, which has long been a favorite for families with small children.
When Disney first shared the closure information, it left one major question hanging in the air: would Affection Section ever come back at all?
The Petting Zoo Became the Center of the Rumor Mill
Affection Section is not just another minor attraction. It’s one of the few places left at Walt Disney World where kids can interact directly with animals in a hands-on way. It’s simple, it’s peaceful, and it fits Animal Kingdom’s identity perfectly. For many families, it’s one of those experiences that doesn’t feel like a “must-do” until you’ve done it once, and then suddenly it becomes part of your tradition every time you visit.
That’s why rumors about the petting zoo possibly closing forever spread quickly. Fans have watched Disney remove experiences in the past that were considered small or outdated, and once those experiences are gone, they rarely return in the same form. Even though Disney’s wording described the closure as temporary, many people didn’t trust that the petting zoo would survive long-term.
For a while, it felt like the story was stuck in limbo. Disney didn’t confirm a permanent closure, but they also didn’t reassure guests that Affection Section would return exactly as it was. That uncertainty made fans assume the worst, especially because the Bluey project is expected to debut in Summer 2026, leaving a wide gap of time where nothing is clearly defined.
Disney Has Now Confirmed a Major Change: The Animals Are Being Rehomed
Now, we finally have the most important update yet, and it changes the entire conversation. Disney has confirmed that when Affection Section reopens, it will feature animals native to Australia. The goal is to give guests a chance to interact with animals from Bluey’s home country, which ties the petting zoo experience directly into the new Bluey adventure.
That detail alone would already be a major shift, but Disney went even further. It has now been confirmed that the animals currently part of the petting zoo will be rehomed following the last day of operations on February 22, 2026.
Update: When The Affection Section reopens, it will feature animals native to Australia, giving guests the chance to affectionately enjoy animals native to Bluey’s home. Animals currently part of the petting zoo will be rehomed following the last day of operations on Feb. 22. https://t.co/6Qjfg1zEz6 pic.twitter.com/BeeviQrEhB
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) February 3, 2026
This is the part that really stands out, because it means the current version of Affection Section is not just temporarily pausing. It is ending. Even if the petting zoo returns, the experience guests knew before February 2026 will not be the same one that reopens later.
Why This Confirms the Petting Zoo Isn’t “Closing Forever,” But It Is Ending an Era
For fans who were worried that Affection Section would disappear completely, this update is somewhat reassuring. Disney isn’t removing the petting zoo concept entirely, and they are clearly planning to bring back an animal interaction area as part of the updated experience. That means Animal Kingdom isn’t losing one of its most family-friendly features altogether, which is something many guests feared.
At the same time, rehoming the current animals signals that this is more than a simple refurbishment. It suggests a full reimagining of the area, where Disney is intentionally rebuilding the petting zoo experience around a specific theme. Instead of being a more general farm-style animal encounter, it will now connect directly to Bluey and Australia, giving it a stronger identity and a more marketable concept.
It’s the kind of change that feels very modern Disney. Keep the general experience, but tie it to a franchise that draws attention and helps sell the story.
The Australia Twist Actually Makes Sense for Bluey
If Disney was going to overhaul the petting zoo, making it Australian-themed is honestly one of the smartest directions they could take. Bluey’s popularity isn’t just about being cute. The show has become known for its family storytelling, its outdoor vibe, and the very specific Australian atmosphere that makes it stand out compared to other preschool programming.
By building the Affection Section around animals native to Australia, Disney isn’t just adding a Bluey meet-and-greet and calling it a day. They’re trying to connect the environment to the show’s world, which could make the experience feel more immersive. It also gives Animal Kingdom something unique, because an Australian-themed animal area would stand out compared to what guests might expect from a typical petting zoo.
It’s a change that could end up being exciting, especially if Disney leans into it the right way and makes it feel like a natural part of the park rather than just another IP overlay.
The Bigger Concern Is How Long Rafiki’s Planet Watch Will Be Gone
Even with the reassurance that Affection Section is returning in some form, fans are still uneasy for a very simple reason. Disney has not provided a reopening date for Rafiki’s Planet Watch, and it only says the Bluey experience is expected to arrive in Summer 2026. That leaves a long stretch of time where guests may not have access to this part of the park at all.
Animal Kingdom already has fewer attractions than the other Walt Disney World parks, and it’s also known for closing earlier in the day. Losing an entire area of the park, especially one that offers a slower-paced break from rides, could have a noticeable impact on how guests experience the park for months.
It also raises the question of what Animal Kingdom is becoming long-term. The park has always walked a line between thrill rides and conservation messaging, but lately it has leaned harder into recognizable brands. Bluey fits the family-friendly side of the park, but the reworking of Affection Section still feels like another step away from the simpler, educational identity the park once leaned into more heavily.
February 22 Will Be the Last Day of the Current Experience
For guests who have fond memories of Affection Section as it exists today, the most important date is now clear. Disney has confirmed the current animals will be rehomed after the last day of operations, which is February 22, 2026.
That makes this feel less like a temporary closure and more like a goodbye. Even though Disney isn’t shutting down the petting zoo concept permanently, the current version is effectively ending, and the next version will be something completely different.
It’s one of those Disney World moments where you don’t realize something is disappearing until suddenly there’s a date attached to it. Once that happens, the nostalgia kicks in fast, and fans start looking at the experience in a whole new way.
Bluey May Be the Start of Animal Kingdom’s Next Era
Disney bringing Bluey to Animal Kingdom could end up being a major success. Families with young children are going to love the interactive dances and games, and the meet-and-greet potential alone could draw huge crowds. It’s easy to see why Disney would want to place a franchise like this into a park that sometimes struggles with keeping younger kids engaged beyond the animals and shows.
At the same time, the Affection Section changes show that Disney isn’t just adding Bluey as a small seasonal feature. They’re restructuring a piece of the park around it, and rehoming the animals confirms the transformation is deeper than many people expected.
For some guests, this will feel like a refreshing update that gives Animal Kingdom a new reason to visit. For others, it will feel like another reminder that even the most peaceful corners of the park are no longer safe from major change.
Either way, one thing is now undeniable. Affection Section isn’t just closing temporarily. It’s being rebuilt into something new, and February 22, 2026 will mark the end of the version fans have known for years.