What's New in Animal Kingdom: A TERRIFYING Pin, Stunning Photo Op, and MORE!

Welcome back, DFB friends! We’re here with another What’s New at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

Foggy morning in Animal Kingdom!

It’s been a week filled with foggy mornings in Disney World, but we’ve still been in the parks searching for everything new! And, we’ve got plenty of merchandise, construction, and more updates to share with you. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s jump right on in!

Animal Kingdom Construction Update

Restaurantosaurus

If you ever find yourself craving some chicken nuggets, burgers, or other classic theme park food, then Restaurantosaurus is a great place to head to in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. But, there’s been quite a bit of construction going on here over the past few weeks. Recently, both the front and back patio reopened, but there are still some construction walls to pass by on your way in.

There’s still some construction going on here!

From what we’ve seen, Disney has just been giving the areas some TLC so we’re not expecting any major changes here. But, in the meantime, there’s still plenty of room to get around the construction walls and into the restaurant.

Animal Kingdom Merchandise Update

Island Mercantile

What’s a trip to Disney World without some shopping, right? Well, right now you can get in the festive mood and become a spectacle of your own with the Light Up Holiday Necklace!

Light Up Holiday Necklace

This accessory has been popping up at a lot of different Disney World stores recently and we found it at both Island Mercantile and outside Discovery Trading Company for $17.

Discovery Trading Company

If you’re a pin collector, then you’re in luck! At Discover Trading Company we spotted TWO new pins that are bigger than most of the ones you’ll find in the parks.

First up is the Mad Tea Party Loungefly Pin, which features Alice inside of a sparkly purple teacup. Can we PLEASE get one of these teacups in Magic Kingdom?! What makes this pin extra special (and worthy of its $34.99 price tag) is that it slides from side to side, mimicking the classic Disney ride.

Mad Tea Party Loungefly Pin

And, Funko POP! has done it again and released a giant Abominable Snowman Pin. The Yeti is just as fear-inducing as he is on Expedition Everest but, unlike the ride, you can take this one home with you for $24.99.

POP! Yeti Pin

We also spotted both of these pins in Magic Kingdom this week, so be sure to check other stores if you’re not headed into Animal Kingdom but want to pick them up.

Other Animal Kingdom Updates

‘Encanto’ Mural

Have you seen Disney’s Encanto yet? Well, while you wait for it to become free on Disney+, you can stop for a photo op with the new Encanto mural located just outside of Creature Comforts (aka, Animal Kingdom’s Starbucks location).

Encanto Mural

It features some stunning artwork and you can learn more about the artist, Catalina Estrada, on the surrounding banners.

Details about the Encanto Mural

And, that’s it for all the NEW things you’ll find in Animal Kingdom on your next trip! We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more updates, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest!

Check Out What’s New in EPCOT HERE!

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What new thing are you most excited to see in Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!