Disney's Animal Kingdom Sets Conservation Station Closure Date for Bluey Transformation

Posted: Tuesday February 3, 2026 1:07pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has confirmed the closure date for Conservation Station and the Wildlife Express Train as Disney's Animal Kingdom prepares to transform the area for the Bluey and Bingo character experience.

Both attractions will temporarily close on February 23, 2026. The closure allows Disney to complete construction work ahead of the summer 2026 opening for the new Bluey offering.

Rafiki's Planet Watch overview

What's Closing

The Wildlife Express Train, which transports guests from Africa to Rafiki's Planet Watch, will temporarily shut down along with Conservation Station itself. This means the entire Rafiki's Planet Watch area will be inaccessible during the construction period.

Conservation Station currently houses animal exhibits, educational displays, and a petting zoo area. You can expect significant changes to the space when it reopens with the Bluey experience.

Construction Timeline

Casting materials posted last month indicated rehearsals would begin in early May 2026, suggesting a late spring or early summer opening once construction wraps up.

What's Coming to Conservation Station

The new experience will feature Bluey and Bingo leading interactive games inspired by the series. Host actors will guide guests through activities with animal-themed twists, including butterfly Keepy Uppy.

Disney describes the offering as an "excursion" where families can play, dance, and take photos with the characters. The experience will include an outdoor component featuring animals native to Australia.

The casting call revealed performers will be part of the "P.A.C.K. team" (Playful Animal Crew for Kids), hosting large groups and working closely with children during the activities.

Bluey and Bingo Set for New Experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Part of Larger Bluey Expansion

This Animal Kingdom addition joins other Bluey experiences launching across Disney properties in 2026. Disneyland Park will debut "Bluey's Best Day Ever!" at Fantasyland Theatre on March 22, and Bluey and Bingo will appear on select Disney Cruise Line sailings with meet-and-greets and dance parties.

If you're planning to visit Conservation Station before the transformation, you have until February 22, 2026 to experience the current version of the attraction

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MisterPenguin1 day ago

We could have seen several new rides and lands back there for decades. It all depends on WDW choosing to do so.

jhendrix2 days ago

Is there any chance this whole section becomes Australia/Oceana eventually? The laydown yard for Tropical Americas construction is right next to this area. When that wraps up, could we see a ride added back here? Could the Moana flume be added here?

Gusey4 days ago

This is how Busch Garden has been doing their Kangaroo Petting Zoo area for a while now (they've had it since 2010 but its changed a bit since then):

MisterPenguin4 days ago

WDI Exec: Let's see, are there any Australian animals we can put in a petting zoo>... let's see... venomous... venomous... tear your arm off... poisonous... one shot you across the room.. venomous... one shot... poisonous... de-arming... venomous... Nope, that's it. No Australian animals safe for a petting zoo. WDI Intern: what about koa.. WDI Exec: Oops, forgot about 'riddled with sexually transmitted disease.'

Captain Barbossa4 days ago

Better yet, just hire Fluffy to walk around impersonating Steve.

Brer Panther4 days ago

Maybe it could be a meet and greet with Robert Irwin's koala character from Zootopia 2! Y'know, that character they made such a big deal about who only had, like, a minute of screentime?

ToTBellHop4 days ago

Imagine our surprise when it’s just a meet and greet with the Irwin kids.

Aramar4 days ago

What Australian animals does the aprk have that could be moved there? Wallabies and red kangaroos?

Moth5 days ago

They have claws too, nasty ones. I don't want either type of limb near me. Thank god they don't have a third leg!

Touchdown5 days ago

FTFY. A kick is far more worrisome coming from a kangaroo.

ToTBellHop5 days ago

It’s all fun and games until a 3-year old tries to hug a kangaroo and gets punched. I actually like this though. Animals I can’t see at the farm 5 minutes away? Nice!