Jumping Junction is officially open as the new animal enclosure at Conservation Station inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Jumping Junction replaced the former Affection Section and with it comes lots of new theming related to Bluey’s Wild World and the Heelers’ home of Australia. Most importantly, it is now home to adorable kangaroos and wallabies that you can actually walk alongside.
To experience Jumping Junction, you are led by a Cast Member in small groups along the walkway through the enclosure. Unlike before, you are instructed not to touch any of the animals and to stay on the paved pathway at all times. These Cast Members do a great job interacting with the group and giving interesting facts about the kangaroos and wallabies living there. There is also an animal expert on hand to help answer more in-depth questions and talk about the health programs at Conservation Station.
The space looks very familiar to the former Affection Section, using the same foot print. You can even still see the obsolete handwashing stations that were once used for petting the animals. At any given time there 3 – 4 groups touring Jumping Junction.
We made the classic mistake of visiting the kangaroos and wallabies during their afternoon naps. However, we are told they are quite active in the mornings and the earlier groups usually have to stop to let the kangaroos pass by. So if you wanting to see the Junction “jumping”, go in the morning! Seeing their sweet, sleeping faces was pretty great too.
Jumping Junction is located at the exit of Bluey’s Wild World and tends to get busy right after a show lets out. There was a small line when we went to see the animals and the experience took around 20 minutes total. Expect Jumping Junction, Bluey’s Wild World, and the Wildlife Express Train to take around an hour total.
It’s great to see new animal friends at Animal Kingdom and Jumping Junction offers the rare experience to walk amongst animals otherwise not native to the United States. If you’re heading out to experience Bluey’s Wild World, don’t miss Jumping Junction!
