Guests who plan to visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom this spring should take note: the popular Affection Section at Rafiki’s Planet Watch will be temporarily closed beginning February 23, 2026 through April 18, 2026 for refurbishment and changes related to a new experience coming later in the year.
While Disney has confirmed the closure dates, details about what will replace or update the Affection Section remain limited. The company has not yet shared a full list of what these updates will include. What has been revealed – first announced last year – is that a Bluey-themed experience is planned to debut at Conservation Station beginning in summer 2026.
That announcement revealed that families visiting Walt Disney World will soon see get to see beloved characters Bluey and her sister Bingo leading new interactions, including meet-and-greets, dance moments, and photo opportunities. In addition, the experience is expected to include appearances by real-life Australian animals, adding an educational, wildlife-focused twist that fits with the overall theme of Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
The Affection Section has long been a favorite stop for guests who enjoy getting up close with domesticated animals in a relaxed setting. Its closure has prompted questions from fans interested in how the new Bluey experience might blend character fun with Animal Kingdom’s conservation-based storytelling.
As of now, Disney has not announced whether any part of the current Affection Section elements will remain or return after the update, or if the space will be entirely reimagined. Guests hoping to see animals or interact with the Affection Section should plan their visits accordingly around the closure dates.
With the spring break season approaching and warm weather bringing busy crowds, guests may find the Bluey experience along with the other Cool Kids’ Summer activities, to be another fun reason to plan a summer visit.
We’ll continue to update this story as Disney releases more specifics about the Bluey experience and how Rafiki’s Planet Watch will evolve later in 2026.
