4 Changes Coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom Next Month

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

Cranes!

From disappearing perks to changing hours, the park might not be what you expect next month. However, you’ll be able to get a new glimpse at the future of Walt Disney World.

Changes in Hours

For the first week or so of August, Animal Kingdom will be closing at 7 PM. However, beginning on August 9th, that time shifts to 6 PM for the rest of the month.

Expedition Everest

However, Deluxe Tier Resort guests will have a chance to stay at the park past 7 PM on August 26th. That night, the park will feature Extended Evening Hours, remaining open to select hotel guests from 6 PM to 8 PM.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Bye Bye V.I.Passholder Perks

July 31st will see the end of this year’s V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days promotion, a “summer celebration brimming with limited-time offerings and exciting perks just for Passholders!” That means that beginning on August 1st, the following perks will NO LONGER be available to Animal Kingdom guests:

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.
An exclusive Popcorn Bucket featuring a design from illustrator Ashley Taylor that was available at Chakranadi.
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

Construction Progress

Of course, the defining part of a trip to Animal Kingdom right now is the construction of the upcoming Tropical Americas takeover of DinoLand/partial expansion. The village of Pueblo Esperanza — and its headline attractions based on Indiana Jones and Encanto — are coming together quickly.

The Tropical Americas Model in Walt Disney Presents

Most recently, Disney has begun installing steel-cage-like structures on top of the show building that will house the upcoming Encanto ride. The “cages”, which provide a new point of vertical construction for guests to look at, are designed for rockwork to be built on top of, which will help expand the thematic immersion of the land (think Pandora’s mountains, or the cliffs that surround Galaxy’s Edge.

What’s happening at the Madrigal House?

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

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