4 Changes Coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom Next Month

If you’re heading to Animal Kingdom this May, there are some major changes you need to be prepared for.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

From special scheduling, new perks, a new ticket option, and a LONG-ANTICIPATED new meet & greet, all are coming to Disney World’s newest (nearly 30 years old, but it still counts) theme park next month.

Bluey Is Coming!

After years of waiting, characters from the smash hit Australian series are finally coming to Disney World. Both Bluey’s Wild World and Jumping Junction will open at the park’s Conservation Station on May 26th. Guests will be able to meet Bluey and Bingo, as well as encounter animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia.

©Disney

Extended Evening Hours

On select nights, guests staying at Disney Deluxe Tier or Deluxe Villa resorts can access select theme parks for two extra hours after the park closes to the general public. Animal Kingdom will be open for these guests from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM on May 4th and 13th. Attractions included in Extended Hours include Avatar Flight of Passage, Na’vi River Journey, Expedition Everest, and Zootopia: Better Zoogether.

Animal Kingdom at night

Have a Lovely Afternoon

Beginning on May 26th, Disney will be offering specially priced 2 or 3-day tickets that provide admission to one theme park each day, after 2:00 PM. The 2-day ticket must be used within 4 days of the selected start date; the 3-day ticket must be used within 5 days of the selected start date. The ticket can be used for any of Disney World’s 4 theme parks. These tickets can be especially useful in Animal Kingdom, as the park often empties out in the early morning since so much of it is currently closed for refurbishment.

Expedition Everest

NEW AP Perks

Beginning on May 1st, Disney will once again launch V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days, a “summer celebration brimming with limited-time offerings and exciting perks just for Passholders!” APs who visit Animal Kingdom can purchase new exclusive merchandise, including a Zip-Up Hoodie, a Tee, a Loungefly Crossbody Bag, a Baseball Hat, and even a Corkcicle Canteen at Discovery Trading Company

©Disney

APs can also head over to Chakranadi for an exclusive Popcorn Bucket featuring a design from illustrator Ashley Taylor.

©Disney

Passholders can even save big on dining, with 40% off at both Tiffins Restaurant (dinner only) and Tusker House Restaurant (lunch and dinner), on Mondays to Thursdays from May 1st through July 31st.

Tiffins Menu

Guests heading to Walt Disney World in May will find a lot going on at Animal Kingdom. Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney World’s 2026 offerings.

CONFIRMED: 9 Exclusive Perks for Disney World in May 2026

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