Files include all major projects (restaurants, shops, major refurbishments, attractions) planned for Disney's Animal Kingdom for the next years (2016 - 2030).
2016 - Rivers of Light, Infrastructure work
Disney's Animal Kingdom is finally getting an exciting new nighttime spectacular! This new nighttime show will be called "Rivers of Light", and will celebrate all that DAK stands for, from animals to the environment to nature. Construction on the seating areas for this show has already began and are near Asian and Dino-Land. In addition, preparation in the lake is underway for setting up show pieces. until July 11th 2020, Rivers of Light Closed Permenately.
2017 - Pandora: The World of AVATAR
Potentially the most highly-anticipated Disney park expansion for the last few years will finally open in the summer of 2017- Pandora. This expansion will feature two rides, one simulator and one boat dark ride, will be themed like nothing every before with floating mountains and new, creative plant life, and new interactive experiences the will make the land an immersive adventure
2018 - No Major Projects Taking Place
2019 - DINOSAUR Major Refurbishment
Dinosaur is an Animal Kingdom original, and has been delighting and frightening guests ever since opening with the park in 1998. While initially known as "Countdown to Extinction", it has been slightly modified over the years, and while for the most part good, there are some things that need improving once again in a refurbishment. Some special effects are not as effective as they once were, such as lighting and audio synchronization with the vehicle movements and audio animatronic movements in particular. This is fixed during the refurbishment to make the ride feel much more authentic and captivating. Aside from that, no major story changes will take place, and the theme of the Dino Institute and their mission will also stay the same.
2020 - Kali River Rapids Major Refurbishment
Another ride along with DINOSAUR that will receive some attention to bring its "ticket" level up is Kali River Rapids. It may be one of the best river rapid rides around visually, it isn't the most exciting.
As far as changes go, it will only be to the ride, not so much the queue. First, the lift hill. If you look at the two images below of the lift hill over the years, it is evident that there has been a huge cutback on trees and foliage.
More trees will be transported and planted in the ground to make it feel much more like a jungle you are in. In addition to the foliage, mist will be added in once again to add to the atmosphere.
As far as the rest of ride goes, none of the current ride will be changed significantly, as it is a good ride. The complaint is that it is too short. The ride will be extended about about one minute. It's not that long, but it's enough to make it feel like a much more complete experiencing. Along this new path, there will be some more new, fun elements, such as waterfalls, and more springs that shoot up.
With all of these new improvements, Kali River Rapids will be a whole new ride, just maybe even the best river rapids rides in the country.
However, The Park Closed on March 12th 2020 due to COVID-19, and Reopened on July 11th 2020
2021 - 50th Celebration, Expedition Everest Major Refurbishment, "Morning Mist" Cafe
After 15 years of satisfied guests, Expedition Everest will finally take it's first really "break". This world-renowned coaster will close to receive a general refurbishment to clean things up and make sure everything is working well (without having to work around guests). However, there is much more significance in this refurbishment that that....You guessed it, the plans for fixing the Yeti will be put to work, and this crucial and exciting scene of the ride will be restored to its full beauty
Coming soon to the Oasis will be a new cafe for guests to grab a nice breakfast or snack as they start their day entering the park. Named after the mist of the rain forest waterfalls, this cafe is housed inside a themed cave, and will serve a variety of pastries and breakfast sandwiches. It is open from park opening-11:00 am.
2022 - No Major Projects Taking Place Yet
2023 - PreHistoria retheme from Dinoland U.S.A.
PreHistoria is a new land coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This new land replaces the cheaply-done Dino-Land USA with something much more exciting, immersive, and magical. Keeping with the Dinosaur theme, this land transports you millions of years back to when those majestic creatures roamed the Earth. You will be back in a prehistoric jungle with rocks and streams about, with a giant volcano façade in the distance. Attractions include:
-DINOSAUR (No major changes since refurbishment, just exterior theming & Dino Insitute Remaining)
- The Boneyard (No Changes just stays remains)
-Pterodactyl Glide (Triceratop Spin Replacement)
-Prehistoric Canal (Slow-moving boat dark ride through a prehistoric environment with many audio animatronic dinosaurs and a lot of unique plant life)
-The Good Dinosaur Musical! (Replacing Finding Nemo: The Musical!)
- The Excavator (New Generation of a Wooden Roller Coaster, since the Unbuilt Attraction was canceled before the Opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom in April 22nd 1998 & Replacement of Primeval Whirl)
2024 - No Major Projects Taking Place Yet
2025 - It's Tough to Be a Bug Major Refurbishment
Another show that's been with DAK since the very beginning is ITTBAB. While it may not be everyone's favorite, some find the show a really fun part of their day at DAK. Like in all refurbishments, there will be general cleaning/ maintenance, but the main draw of this refurbishment is that some of the scenes will be replaced. New bugs will get to go live on stage, including poisonous spiders, dragonflies, and mosquitoes.
2026 - Nature Discovery Boats
After closing many years ago, the Discovery River Boats will return under a new name, the "Nature Discovery Boats". Guests can board at Discovery Island, & Upcountry Landing in Asia, and go on a tour through around the lake, passing by all of the lands in a complete circle. Unlike its previous iteration, it is not a transportation amenity, but rather more classified as a ride.
2027 - Kilimanjaro Safaris Major Refurbishment
In a refurbishment, Kilimanjaro Safaris will have many maintenance aspects taken care of and refurbished, as well as general upkeep. However, there will be more than just that to take place here. First, the story will return. It made the ride more fun and original, not just an average safari, but a true Disney safari where you are on an adventure and the ride tells a story. In addition, there will be a new interactive queue.
One attraction in WDW that is probably in one of the most dire needs of an interactive queue is probably Kilimanjaro Safaris, due to its high wait times and high demand. However, it is not one of the common cheap game interactive queues, but a real stand out and a great way to pass the time. One feature is Binoculars towards the end of the queue, where guests can look through and see video of animals on the safari, while other additions are replaced video footage that still feels authentic while adding a bit of humor and ride-preparation. In an extended Safari Booking Room, guests can see a giant map showing the route, as well as animal art and more animal trivia. However, a brand new queue and perhaps the biggest part is offered for guests who choose to take it, is the adventurer's queue, with walking across barrels, unsteady bridges, and nets, has water springs like in the ride that can shock and delight guests, and rock work and waterfalls to walk by/cross/climb, bringing the below picture to the queue itself. In the end, before boarding, one last addition is a live Cast Member, who greets guests and prepares them for their journey, tells them what to look out for, what to prepare against, and the legends of the Safari.
2028 - Rafiki's Planet Watch Major Refurbishment
Rafiki's Planet Watch has always been a semi-popular land to visit, mostly among kids. However, whoever visits can tell that it really isn't quite up to par with how other Disney themed lands look. Its theme is relevant and has potential, as shown in the train station, etc., but will be more prominent in a refurbishment. It will look a lot more like the kid-friendly characters and designs that Discovery Island used to have. With these changes however, the actual attractions themselves will remain more or less the same, just themed.
2029 - No Major Projects Taking Place Yet
2030 - No Major Projects Taking Place Yet
Please Check out this link, and it will tell you more about it https://animalkingdomrehabrally.weebly.com/
2016 - Rivers of Light, Infrastructure work
Disney's Animal Kingdom is finally getting an exciting new nighttime spectacular! This new nighttime show will be called "Rivers of Light", and will celebrate all that DAK stands for, from animals to the environment to nature. Construction on the seating areas for this show has already began and are near Asian and Dino-Land. In addition, preparation in the lake is underway for setting up show pieces. until July 11th 2020, Rivers of Light Closed Permenately.
2017 - Pandora: The World of AVATAR
Potentially the most highly-anticipated Disney park expansion for the last few years will finally open in the summer of 2017- Pandora. This expansion will feature two rides, one simulator and one boat dark ride, will be themed like nothing every before with floating mountains and new, creative plant life, and new interactive experiences the will make the land an immersive adventure
2018 - No Major Projects Taking Place
2019 - DINOSAUR Major Refurbishment
Dinosaur is an Animal Kingdom original, and has been delighting and frightening guests ever since opening with the park in 1998. While initially known as "Countdown to Extinction", it has been slightly modified over the years, and while for the most part good, there are some things that need improving once again in a refurbishment. Some special effects are not as effective as they once were, such as lighting and audio synchronization with the vehicle movements and audio animatronic movements in particular. This is fixed during the refurbishment to make the ride feel much more authentic and captivating. Aside from that, no major story changes will take place, and the theme of the Dino Institute and their mission will also stay the same.
2020 - Kali River Rapids Major Refurbishment
Another ride along with DINOSAUR that will receive some attention to bring its "ticket" level up is Kali River Rapids. It may be one of the best river rapid rides around visually, it isn't the most exciting.
As far as changes go, it will only be to the ride, not so much the queue. First, the lift hill. If you look at the two images below of the lift hill over the years, it is evident that there has been a huge cutback on trees and foliage.
More trees will be transported and planted in the ground to make it feel much more like a jungle you are in. In addition to the foliage, mist will be added in once again to add to the atmosphere.
As far as the rest of ride goes, none of the current ride will be changed significantly, as it is a good ride. The complaint is that it is too short. The ride will be extended about about one minute. It's not that long, but it's enough to make it feel like a much more complete experiencing. Along this new path, there will be some more new, fun elements, such as waterfalls, and more springs that shoot up.
With all of these new improvements, Kali River Rapids will be a whole new ride, just maybe even the best river rapids rides in the country.
However, The Park Closed on March 12th 2020 due to COVID-19, and Reopened on July 11th 2020
2021 - 50th Celebration, Expedition Everest Major Refurbishment, "Morning Mist" Cafe
After 15 years of satisfied guests, Expedition Everest will finally take it's first really "break". This world-renowned coaster will close to receive a general refurbishment to clean things up and make sure everything is working well (without having to work around guests). However, there is much more significance in this refurbishment that that....You guessed it, the plans for fixing the Yeti will be put to work, and this crucial and exciting scene of the ride will be restored to its full beauty
Coming soon to the Oasis will be a new cafe for guests to grab a nice breakfast or snack as they start their day entering the park. Named after the mist of the rain forest waterfalls, this cafe is housed inside a themed cave, and will serve a variety of pastries and breakfast sandwiches. It is open from park opening-11:00 am.
2022 - No Major Projects Taking Place Yet
2023 - PreHistoria retheme from Dinoland U.S.A.
PreHistoria is a new land coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This new land replaces the cheaply-done Dino-Land USA with something much more exciting, immersive, and magical. Keeping with the Dinosaur theme, this land transports you millions of years back to when those majestic creatures roamed the Earth. You will be back in a prehistoric jungle with rocks and streams about, with a giant volcano façade in the distance. Attractions include:
-DINOSAUR (No major changes since refurbishment, just exterior theming & Dino Insitute Remaining)
- The Boneyard (No Changes just stays remains)
-Pterodactyl Glide (Triceratop Spin Replacement)
-Prehistoric Canal (Slow-moving boat dark ride through a prehistoric environment with many audio animatronic dinosaurs and a lot of unique plant life)
-The Good Dinosaur Musical! (Replacing Finding Nemo: The Musical!)
- The Excavator (New Generation of a Wooden Roller Coaster, since the Unbuilt Attraction was canceled before the Opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom in April 22nd 1998 & Replacement of Primeval Whirl)
2024 - No Major Projects Taking Place Yet
2025 - It's Tough to Be a Bug Major Refurbishment
Another show that's been with DAK since the very beginning is ITTBAB. While it may not be everyone's favorite, some find the show a really fun part of their day at DAK. Like in all refurbishments, there will be general cleaning/ maintenance, but the main draw of this refurbishment is that some of the scenes will be replaced. New bugs will get to go live on stage, including poisonous spiders, dragonflies, and mosquitoes.
2026 - Nature Discovery Boats
After closing many years ago, the Discovery River Boats will return under a new name, the "Nature Discovery Boats". Guests can board at Discovery Island, & Upcountry Landing in Asia, and go on a tour through around the lake, passing by all of the lands in a complete circle. Unlike its previous iteration, it is not a transportation amenity, but rather more classified as a ride.
2027 - Kilimanjaro Safaris Major Refurbishment
In a refurbishment, Kilimanjaro Safaris will have many maintenance aspects taken care of and refurbished, as well as general upkeep. However, there will be more than just that to take place here. First, the story will return. It made the ride more fun and original, not just an average safari, but a true Disney safari where you are on an adventure and the ride tells a story. In addition, there will be a new interactive queue.
One attraction in WDW that is probably in one of the most dire needs of an interactive queue is probably Kilimanjaro Safaris, due to its high wait times and high demand. However, it is not one of the common cheap game interactive queues, but a real stand out and a great way to pass the time. One feature is Binoculars towards the end of the queue, where guests can look through and see video of animals on the safari, while other additions are replaced video footage that still feels authentic while adding a bit of humor and ride-preparation. In an extended Safari Booking Room, guests can see a giant map showing the route, as well as animal art and more animal trivia. However, a brand new queue and perhaps the biggest part is offered for guests who choose to take it, is the adventurer's queue, with walking across barrels, unsteady bridges, and nets, has water springs like in the ride that can shock and delight guests, and rock work and waterfalls to walk by/cross/climb, bringing the below picture to the queue itself. In the end, before boarding, one last addition is a live Cast Member, who greets guests and prepares them for their journey, tells them what to look out for, what to prepare against, and the legends of the Safari.
2028 - Rafiki's Planet Watch Major Refurbishment
Rafiki's Planet Watch has always been a semi-popular land to visit, mostly among kids. However, whoever visits can tell that it really isn't quite up to par with how other Disney themed lands look. Its theme is relevant and has potential, as shown in the train station, etc., but will be more prominent in a refurbishment. It will look a lot more like the kid-friendly characters and designs that Discovery Island used to have. With these changes however, the actual attractions themselves will remain more or less the same, just themed.
2029 - No Major Projects Taking Place Yet
2030 - No Major Projects Taking Place Yet
Please Check out this link, and it will tell you more about it https://animalkingdomrehabrally.weebly.com/
