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Disney World Entices Its Biggest Fans Back to Animal Kingdom After Entire Land Closure

in Disney Parks, Walt Disney World

Posted on by Thomas Hitchen Leave a comment
Jeff Vahle poses with 'Zootopia' characters Nick & Judy Hopps in front of the Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

Credit: Disney

Disney is drawing its biggest fans back to Animal Kingdom.

A large crowd of guests gathers in front of Cinderella Castle at Disney World.
Credit: Inside the Magic

The Walt Disney World Annual Passholder Program lets you visit all four theme parks repeatedly over a year with various benefits, including standard theme park parking, discounts on dining, merchandise, and select experiences, and access to exclusive perks and offers.

Passes vary by type—with different prices, park reservation limits and blockout dates—and can include add-ons like water parks or PhotoPass downloads. Passholders must make park reservations on many dates and show a valid ID for discounts. There’s also support via the V.I.PASSHOLDER team and options to renew or upgrade existing passes.

A family on vacation in EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort.
Credit: Disney

Walt Disney World has released a new Zootopia-themed Annual Passholder magnet, now available for a limited time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The magnet features Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde and can be picked up by eligible Annual Passholders from February 5 through March 15 at Discovery Trading Company, while supplies last. Guests must present a valid Annual Pass and photo ID to receive one.

The magnet arrives as the Zootopia franchise continues to maintain a visible presence at Walt Disney World following the release of Zootopia 2 in late 2025. The billion-dollar franchise, which debuted in 2016, has remained popular with fans and has recently expanded beyond film and merchandise with new theme park offerings.

Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde in front of the Tree of Life
Credit: Disney

Most notably, Disney’s Animal Kingdom welcomed Zootopia: Better Zoogether in November 2025. The new 4D show, located inside the Tree of Life Theater, replaced It’s Tough to Be a Bug! and features Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and several other characters as they celebrate Zoogether Day in the city of Zootopia. The attraction includes 4D effects, new characters, and an Audio-Animatronic appearance by Clawhauser.

While the magnet itself is a small perk for Annual Passholders, it fits neatly alongside Disney’s recent additions and ongoing updates across Walt Disney World. Passholders visiting Animal Kingdom in the coming weeks can enjoy the new Zootopia experience and pick up the collectible during their visit.

Aerial view of concept art for Disney World's Tropical Americas land in Animal Kingdom
Credit: Disney

The exclusive merchandise comes just days after Disney officially (and permanently) shuttered the DinoLand U.S.A. area of the Animal Kingdom Disney park, as Imagineering prepares to bring the Tropical Americas to Orlando, Florida.

How do you feel about the changes happening at Animal Kingdom? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!

in Disney Parks, Walt Disney World

Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his favorite TV show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer except when it's One Tree Hill. He loves sandy beach walks, forest hikes, and foodie days out in the Big City. Thomas lives in England, UK, with his fiancée, baby, and their dog, a Border Collie called Luna.

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