fbpx
Menu

Disney World announces the PERMANENT closure of Guest-favorite attraction at Animal Kingdom

animal kingdom attractions

On Wednesday morning, Disney World announced plans to close a popular attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and we’re sad to see the hilarious show spread its wings and fly away, if we’re honest.

Disney’s KiteTails joined the line-up of attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the opening of the central Florida Disney Parks Resort. The exciting show features huge, gorgeously elaborate three-dimensional “kites” inspired by Disney’s The Lion King and Disney’s Jungle Book.

disney's kitetails Simba

Credit: Disney Parks

Disney describes the attraction as follows:

Hearts and imaginations will soar as larger-than-life kites and colorful props dance through the air to the beat of beloved Disney songs. Enjoy unique shows, themed to two beloved Disney animated classics:

  • The Lion King, featuring kites inspired by Simba, Zazu, and more
  • The Jungle Book, featuring kites inspired by King Louie, Baloo, and more

See the magic take flight above the Discovery River Lagoon during The World’s Most Magical Celebration—the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary.

Credit: PaulaK

The show became popular for its (supposedly) unscripted kite crashes into the stands, but soon, those crashes turned into (supposed) intentional parts of the show. Disney was mum about the crashes, leaving Guests to decide for themselves whether Simba’s nose dives were pre-planned or the result of a design flaw.

RELATED: Pumbaa, Baloo, & others have it rough at Disney’s KiteTails, causing Guests to cheer for the chaos, not necessarily the story

KiteTails

Credit: Disney Parks

But Disney has announced the official “Finale of the Nose Dives,” as we’re calling it, and the change takes effect on September 30, the same day another Disney fan-favorite bids Guest farewell.

Disney’s KiteTails attraction at Animal Kingdom will continue to wow and thrill Guests (and make them double over with laughter) through September 30, 2022, just one year after the all-new attraction inside Dinoland, U. S. A., first took Disney World’s fourth park by storm.

The announcement was made via Disney World’s official website, as well as by journalist Scott Gustin (as seen above) and other Disney news outlets.

About Becky Burkett

Becky's from the Lone Star State and has been writing since she was 10 and encountered her first Disney Park when she was 11. It was love at first Main Street Electrical Parade. Joy is blank lined journals, 0.7 mm pens, and all things Walt, Woody and Buzz, PIXAR, Imagineering, Sleeping Beauty (make it blue!), Disney Parks history and EPCOT. At Disney World, you'll find her croonin' with the birdies at the Enchanted Tiki Room or hangin' with Woody and the gang at Toy Story Land. If you can dream, you really can do it!