Why Disney World Guests Will Want To Be at Animal Kingdom on September 26
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is preparing for a very special milestone. Guests are encouraged to circle September 26, 2025, on their calendars, when the park will celebrate the first birthday of Bakso, a Sumatran tiger cub who has captured the hearts of visitors and caretakers alike.
Born on September 26, 2024, to parents Sohni and Conrad, Bakso is the first Sumatran tiger cub born at Animal Kingdom in seven years. His name, pronounced “bach-soh,” means “meatball” in Bahasa Indonesia—an especially meaningful choice, since one of his earliest milestones included tasting a tiny meatball as his very first solid food.
Bakso’s birth is part of the Species Survival Plan led by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), supporting the protection of endangered animals around the world. With fewer than 600 Sumatran tigers left in the wild and managed care combined, every cub plays an important role in conservation.
Before his public debut, Bakso spent his earliest months backstage, bonding with Sohni and receiving care from Disney’s animal experts. Guests were able to follow along through the video series “Tiger TV Tuesdays,” which documented milestones such as wellness checks, playful enrichment with scents like lemongrass, and his first bites of solid food. To make exploration safe, caretakers even drained water features and added hay to his habitat during this time.
On January 29, 2025, Bakso officially appeared onstage at Maharajah Jungle Trek, where guests can often find him in the mornings alongside Sohni. His presence has proven so popular that crowd flow was adjusted to manage the experience, with wait times for the Jungle Trek reported to have reached 90 minutes following his debut.
In a recent Instagram post, Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment, encouraged guests to join in celebrating Bakso’s birthday, where he’ll receive special enrichment activities in his habitat.
Meanwhile, larger changes are also underway across Disney’s Animal Kingdom. DinoLand U.S.A. is being transformed into the Tropical Americas–themed Pueblo Esperanza, set to open in 2027, featuring new Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions, plus additional guest experiences.
For those eager to visit Bakso, Disney reminds guests that he chooses his time onstage and may not appear every day. To increase the chances of spotting him, mornings at the Maharajah Jungle Trek are the best bet.
