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Disney Erases Meme-Worthy Attraction From Theme Park

The Walt Disney World Resort has lost yet another part of its history—this time, an attraction that left fans laughing for all the wrong reasons.

Disney's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Credit: Disney

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is undergoing a major overhaul, bidding farewell to DinoLand U.S.A. to make way for a new land inspired by the Tropical Americas. This upcoming area will feature two headline attractions: one based on Encanto and another centered around Indiana Jones.

While Disney has confirmed that DINOSAUR will remain open through 2025, speculation suggests it will eventually be reimagined into an Indiana Jones Adventure-style ride, much like its Disneyland counterpart. Signs of the transformation are already apparent, with the removal of the DinoRama sign and the permanent closure of three key attractions, including TriceraTop Spin.

Beyond DinoLand, change is sweeping through Animal Kingdom. Over at the Tree of Life, It’s Tough to be a Bug! will also be making its exit, with Zootopia: Better Zoogether set to take its place. Just as Frontierland is evolving at Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom is gearing up for a bold new future.

The Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park in front of a clear blue sky.
Credit: Brittany DiCologero, Inside the Magic

Another Piece of Animal Kingdom History Disappears

For years, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has delivered some of the most unique entertainment offerings at Walt Disney World. As part of The World’s Most Magical Celebration—honoring the resort’s 50th anniversary—guests were introduced to one of the most ambitious yet unintentionally hilarious spectacles: Disney KiteTails.

Launched on October 1, 2021, KiteTails took over Discovery River Lagoon, featuring massive, 30-foot-long kites themed to The Lion King and The Jungle Book. Accompanied by beloved Disney soundtracks, guests watched as Simba, Baloo, and Zazu soared through the skies—though not always as smoothly as Disney intended.

Instead of graceful landings, KiteTails became a viral sensation thanks to its unexpected (and frequently comedic) crashes. The giant kites often dove headfirst into empty seating areas or splashed dramatically into the water, sparking endless memes and laughter from Disney fans. Despite attempts to modify the show, Disney gradually reduced performances before quietly ending it on September 30, 2022.

Concept art of KiteTails
Credit: Disney

Now, the last remnants of KiteTails are being removed.

As WDWMagic reports: “The wooden docks built for the short-lived KiteTails show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom have now been removed. These structures were originally installed along Discovery River as launch points for the large kites featured in the show. The metal pilings used to support the docks remain, though it’s unclear whether these will also be removed or left in place.”

Currently, Disney has not announced any plans to introduce new entertainment at Discovery River Lagoon. While KiteTails may not have reached the legendary status of Festival of the Lion King, it left behind a legacy of unintended magic—and some of the funniest guest videos ever captured at Walt Disney World.

Would you like to see new entertainment at Animal Kingdom? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his… More »

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