Disney World fans have been keeping a close eye on Animal Kingdom lately, and it’s not hard to see why. The park has been quietly evolving, with more IP-based projects starting to take center stage. Now Disney has officially confirmed that Bluey is coming to the park in Summer 2026, and it’s the kind of announcement that instantly grabs attention.
Bluey isn’t just a popular show. It’s a massive global brand that families love, and Disney knows exactly what it’s doing by bringing it into the parks. The upcoming experience is expected to feature interactive elements like dancing and games, plus a chance to meet Bluey and Bingo. It’s clearly designed to appeal to younger kids, and it will likely become a must-do attraction almost immediately.
But while fans were initially focused on Bluey itself, the bigger story quickly shifted to something else.
Affection Section.
Animal Kingdom’s petting zoo has always been a small but meaningful part of the park. It isn’t a thrill ride, it isn’t flashy, and it doesn’t dominate the marketing. But for families, it’s often one of the most memorable experiences of the day because it’s hands-on and calm. It feels like a reminder of what Animal Kingdom originally represented before the park started leaning harder into blockbuster franchises.
That’s exactly why rumors exploded when Disney confirmed the Wildlife Express Train and Rafiki’s Planet Watch would be closing temporarily beginning February 23, 2026. Since the train is the only way to reach the area, the closure effectively shuts down everything in that back section of the park, including the petting zoo.
Update: When The Affection Section reopens, it will feature animals native to Australia, giving guests the chance to affectionately enjoy animals native to Bluey’s home. Animals currently part of the petting zoo will be rehomed following the last day of operations on Feb. 22. https://t.co/6Qjfg1zEz6 pic.twitter.com/BeeviQrEhB
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) February 3, 2026
At first, fans panicked. Many believed this was Disney quietly preparing to remove Affection Section permanently. The company has used “temporary closures” before, and Disney fans know those can stretch longer than expected. Some experiences disappear entirely, and by the time anyone realizes it, it’s too late.
Then Disney clarified that the petting zoo was only being removed temporarily.
But now we’ve gotten an update that confirms the situation is bigger than that.
Disney has now confirmed that the animals currently part of Affection Section will be rehomed following the last day of operations on February 22, 2026. That detail changes everything. It means the closure isn’t just a pause. It’s a transition into something new, and the current version of Affection Section will not return the way guests remember it.
That’s a major emotional moment for longtime Animal Kingdom fans. The petting zoo has been a rare example of an experience that feels timeless. It’s one of the few places at Walt Disney World where kids can interact with animals in a way that feels simple and genuine, without a major franchise attached to it.
At the same time, Disney has confirmed that when Affection Section eventually reopens, it will feature animals native to Australia. That’s clearly being done to match Bluey’s home environment and make the new experience feel connected rather than random.
In a way, it’s Disney trying to blend IP with the park’s conservation roots. If it’s done well, this could become one of the most unique family experiences in Animal Kingdom. Guests could potentially interact with animals they don’t normally see in this kind of setting, and the Australia theme could give the area a stronger identity.
Still, it’s hard not to notice what this update really means.
Even if Affection Section comes back, the original version is officially ending. The rehoming announcement confirms that February 22, 2026 is the final day for the current experience, and after that, Animal Kingdom will be moving forward into a completely different era.
Bluey may be bringing excitement, but the petting zoo transformation is the real headline—and it’s going to leave a lot of fans with mixed emotions.
