Disney’s Animal Kingdom is undergoing significant construction across multiple sections of the park. Disney guests visiting in 2026 should prepare for construction walls in several key areas as the park transitions through major changes.
DinoLand U.S.A. Demolition
The most visible construction involves the complete demolition of DinoLand U.S.A This entire land is being removed to make way for Tropical Americas, a new themed area inspired by Central and South American ecosystems.
Large construction barriers now block what was previously an accessible section of the park. Guests can no longer access DinoLand U.S.A. attractions and experiences as Disney crews work to dismantle the land’s structures and prepare for new construction.
The transformation represents a fundamental change to Animal Kingdom’s layout. DinoLand U.S.A. occupies substantial space, and its removal would affect park flow and navigation. Pathways that previously led through the land now redirect guests around construction zones.
Tropical Americas promises more cohesive theming that aligns better with Animal Kingdom’s conservation-focused identity. However, the multi-year construction timeline means guests will encounter these walls for an extended period.
Harambe Market Construction
New construction walls recently appeared at Harambe Market in the Africa section. The quick-service dining location closed in October 2025 for refurbishment and now has visible barriers surrounding portions of the venue’s front area.
The timing is connected to the closure of DinoLand U.S.A. Restaurantosaurus, one of the quick-service restaurants in DinoLand U.S.A., is scheduled to close in early February 2026. Once that happens, Harambe Market will become the primary location at Animal Kingdom serving burgers and chicken tenders.
The refurbishment isn’t just behind-the-scenes kitchen work. Construction walls around guest-facing areas suggest changes to ordering windows, pickup locations, and queue flow. These modifications aim to improve efficiency and reduce wait times when the location handles increased customer volume.
Disney wants Harambe Market operational before Restaurantosaurus closes to maintain continuous availability of these popular menu items. The construction walls indicate the venue likely won’t reopen immediately, but current plans call for Harambe Market to be serving guests by February 2nd at the latest.
Impact on Guest Experience
Construction in several areas of Animal Kingdom is affecting the overall guest experience. Each project has a purpose. The changes in DinoLand aim to improve its fit within the park’s theme. The updates to Harambe Market focus on increasing quick-service dining options.
However, guests face multiple construction zones during their visits. Walking through Animal Kingdom now means navigating around the DinoLand construction and encountering barriers at Harambe Market, which was once one of the park’s most immersive areas.
For a park known for its detailed environments, construction walls create a visual disruption. Animal Kingdom prides itself on taking guests to different parts of the world, but plywood barriers and construction equipment break this illusion.
This situation reminds some visitors of EPCOT’s long construction period, which led fans to call it “Wallcot.” While Animal Kingdom hasn’t reached that point, the number of active construction zones raises similar concerns about its impact on the guest experience.
Timeline Expectations for Disney Guests
DinoLand U.S.A. demolition and Tropical Americas construction will extend across multiple years. This isn’t a quick refurbishment that concludes in months. Guests should expect these construction walls to remain prominent features of Animal Kingdom throughout 2026 and beyond.
Harambe Market’s timeline is shorter, with reopening expected by early February. However, the work still contributes to the overall construction presence in the park during the transition period.
Disney Guests Planning Their Visit
Guests planning Animal Kingdom visits should understand they’re visiting during a significant transition period. Major attractions like Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, and Avatar Flight of Passage continue operating normally. The park’s core experiences remain accessible.
However, construction walls in multiple areas affect atmosphere and navigation. The immersive theming that defines Animal Kingdom is temporarily compromised by visible construction zones.
This doesn’t mean guests should avoid the park entirely. It means adjusting expectations to account for construction presence that will persist for an extended timeframe. The eventual result promises improved theming and new experiences, but the transition period requires patience from guests visiting before those changes are complete.
For now, construction walls have become a defining characteristic of the Animal Kingdom experience as the park undergoes its most significant transformation since opening.
