Rafiki's Planet Watch Closes for Bluey Transformation

Rafiki's Planet Watch closed on February 23, 2026, including the Wildlife Express Train, Conservation Station, Affection Section petting zoo, and The Animation Experience. The beloved but low-traffic area is being converted into something entirely different.

The area will become an interactive Bluey "Play Pavilion" for families, scheduled to open in summer 2026. The popular Australian cartoon dog has become a cultural phenomenon with preschool families, making the IP a natural fit for Animal Kingdom's younger audience.

The transformation is part of Animal Kingdom's broader reimagining, which also includes the Tropical Americas expansion and various character meet-and-greet relocations throughout the park.