Rafiki's Planet Watch is about to go quiet. Disney's Animal Kingdom will close the entire area later this month as Walt Disney World converts it into a Bluey-themed family zone built around the hit kids show. Starting Monday, Feb. 23, the Wildlife Express Train will stop running, the Conservation Station exhibits and Affection Section petting zoo will go offline, and the Animation Experience drawing class will also close for the overhaul. Guests who still want the current hands-on animal displays or the drawing class are being steered to visit by Sunday, Feb. 22.
Disney's notice and what it means
Disney's attraction listings mark Feb. 23 as the first day of work and tease a "new Bluey adventure coming Summer 2026." That train closure is not just symbolic. According to Walt Disney World, the Wildlife Express is the only public transportation to Conservation Station, which means once the train pauses, guest access to Rafiki's Planet Watch effectively ends until the makeover is done.
What the Bluey project looks like
This is not a slap-on-some-posters job. Park reporting and recent permit filings indicate the revamp will bring new interactive games, dance parties and meet-and-greets with Bluey and Bingo, plus outdoor encounters with animals from Australia. As reported by WDWMagic, a mix of casting notices and construction permits points to a focused push to have the experience ready for the heavy summer crowds.
Animals and staff
Outlets that track the parks say animals currently in the Affection Section will be rehomed once the area shuts down, and that when it reopens, the petting space will feature species that actually hail from Bluey's Australia. WDW News Today reports that cast members in animal care roles have already been reassigned while the work is underway, while Disney's public pages so far stick to the simple "Summer 2026" reopening window.
Permits and timing
Permits filed earlier this year show Disney Live Entertainment bringing in electrical and general construction contractors for Conservation Station. Outside reporting notes that the scope lines up with the quick turnaround needed for a summer launch. Disney Tourist Blog and other park reporters point out that rehearsals and casting activity could kick off in May, which would support a late spring to early summer opening stretch. For now, Disney's attraction pages only spell out the Feb. 23 closures and that vague "Summer 2026" promise.
How this affects visitors
For guests planning Animal Kingdom days, the bottom line is simple: once the train stops, Rafiki’s Planet Watch is off the table. That removes a quieter, educational detour from many family itineraries. According to Walt Disney World, the Animation Experience is also marked with a Feb. 23 closing date. Visitors are encouraged to keep an eye on attraction pages and park calendars for status changes as construction rolls along. While the back-of-house areas are rebuilt for the Bluey offering, expect Animal Kingdom to have fewer midday touring options than usual.
Where the Bluey brand is headed at Disney
Bluey is set to spread across Disney properties in 2026, from new entertainment at Disneyland to meet-and-greets on Disney Cruise Line. At Animal Kingdom, Rafiki's Planet Watch is slated to become the interactive hub for families who want to step into Bluey's world this summer. As reported by Spot On Florida, local coverage and video of Disney's closure notice rolled out alongside the company's own attraction updates.
