NEWS: Disney Announces Big Change to Popular Animal Kingdom Show

Disney has announced today a brand new show coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the spring of 2018 featuring two lovable characters, Russell and Dug from Disney•Pixar’s “UP. To make room for the show, another long time show will be ending it’s run. Check out all the details below.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Thomas Smith:

Beginning just in time for the 20th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom next year, this new experience will offer guests the chance to see Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his furry friend Dug as they discover species of birds from around the world in their newest adventure at the Caravan Theater in Anandapur village. There will be “UP” close encounters each day with amazing winged creatures!

As you plan ahead, we also wanted to let you know that in order to begin to prepare for the new show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, December 31, 2017 will be the final showing of Flights of Wonder. Until the end of this month, you can still experience Flights of Wonder at the park.

RELATED ARTICLE: 16 Pixar Themed Experiences We Love at Disney World

by Mike and Jamie Sylvester

Pixar Animation Studios and The Walt Disney World Company go together better than Dole Whips and Mickey Ice Cream Bars! These mind-blowing animation entities officially joined forces in 2006, when the Walt Disney World Company purchased Pixar. This enormously beneficial relationship has made the animation experience jump leaps and bounds! Thanks to the partnership, we know have a whopping 16 (that’s right 16!) Pixar themed experiences to enjoy at Walt Disney World.

1 – Finding Nemo The Musical @ Animal Kingdom

Simply incredible – Finding Nemo The Musical in DinoLand U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom should be on your must-see list! We absolutely love this musical where a talented cast sing and present a theatrical experience through puppetry of the Pixar/Disney film, Finding Nemo.

 2 – Toy Story Mania @ Hollywood Studios

An attraction so popular Pixar Place at Hollywood Studios had to add an extra ride track! Toy Story Mania is a must-do of ours that we simply can’t get enough of. Ride along while blasting targets and wearing 3D glasses to get the most of this 4D attraction. It’s fun to see all your favorite Toy Story characters cheer you on as you rack up the points arcade style. Get a FastPass+ for this one! We just can’t wait until Toy Story Land opens at Hollywood Studios!

3 – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and be prepared to watch animation come to life! With Disney/Pixar films Cars and Finding Nemo taking spotlight as well as Disney’s Little Mermaid and The Lion King – this is one of the more affordable resorts and is an awesome place for all Disney/Pixar fans! Stay in one of the Cars or Finding Nemo themed rooms to get the full Pixar experience. Throw off your flip flops and take a swim in Finding Nemo “Big Blue” Pool (largest pool on Disney property!) or in the Cars themed “Cozy Cone” Pool.

 4 – Meet Buzz and Woody @ Hollywood Studios

Meet best buds, Buzz and Woody from Disney/Pixar film, Toy Story, in Hollywood Studios Pixar Place. We especially love that the photo taken here is on Andy’s bed!

5 – Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin @ Magic Kingdom

Head over to Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg by shooting targets to gain points while taking a ride (and controlling) a spaceship of your own! This attraction has the same concept as Toy Story Mania but doesn’t pull in the 4D effect. Still totally worth the wait or snag a FastPass+ later in the evening if one is available.

6 – Meet Buzz @ Magic Kingdom

Buzz flies solo over to Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom where he meets guests just outside of his Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin attraction.

7 – The Seas with Nemo and Friends @ Epcot

Who’s ready for an adventure with Nemo and Friends? Climb aboard a clamshell to ride through a slow-moving tunnel filled with REAL sea creatures, plus our favorite Pixar fish friends! This attraction ends as you are dropped off in what is known as Sea Base – a beautiful 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium. We could spend all day here!

8 – Turtle Talk with Crush @ Epcot

Dude! Crush, one righteous turtle from Disney/Pixar, Finding Nemo, talks to you at Sea Base in Epcot! That’s right, Crush takes center stage of his aquarium in this attraction where we see into his world and he sees into ours. Kiddos sit up front and have a chance to interact with Crush by asking him questions and answering questions he might have as well!

9 – Monster, Inc. Laugh Floor @ Magic Kingdom

At this attraction, you have one job – to laugh! That’s right… head into this Comedy Club in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom to interact through jokes and laughter with some of our favorite monsters from the Disney/Pixar film, Monsters, Inc. Our favorite part of this attraction is that guests have the opportunity to text in their funny jokes before the show for a chance to have them shared during the show.

10 – It’s Tough To Be A Bug @ Animal Kingdom

The Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom isn’t just for looks! In fact, inside the Tree, you’ll find a bunch of bugs that have decided to put on a show! Head into the bug theater for a 3D experience where friendly (and not so friendly) bugs from Disney/Pixar’s A Bug’s Life film ask you to become an honorary bug for the show. This is a fun one and typically isn’t crowded – but you’ll want to think twice before taking little ones into the theater as it does get loud and dark at certain points.

11 – Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival @ Epcot

Nestled in Future World at Epcot, in the Imagination Pavilion, you’ll spot the Magic Eye Theater (former Captain EO location) which now holds the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival. Slap on some 3D glasses and get ready to experience an 18-minute festival with three great Disney/Pixar Short Films in 4D!

12 – Meet Merida @ Magic Kingdom

Check out this playful meet and greet in Magic Kingdom’s Fairytale Garden in Fantasyland where our favorite redhead princess, Merida from Disney/Pixar’s Brave film, greets all her fans! Full of energy, Merida is a burst of excitement and a blast to meet. While you wait, you might want to try shooting a bow and arrow!

13 – Meet Flik @ Animal Kingdom

Flik, our favorite, daring ant from Disney/Pixar’s A Bug’s Life film is at Discovery Island for a meet and greet at Animal Kingdom. Flik is a unique character and a fun one to meet! Check your Times Guide when arriving at the park to know Flik’s meet and greet schedule.

14 – Meet Joy and Sadness @ Epcot

Joy and Sadness are hanging out in Future World at their meet and greet inside Epcot’s Character Spot location. The two are the stars of the Disney/Pixar film, Inside Out, and draw a sizable crowd with their joyful and sad personalities!

15 – Meet Russell and Dug @ Animal Kingdom

Located in Discovery Island, Russell from the Disney/Pixar film, Up, is as cute as ever! This Wilderness Explorer is energetic and excited to take a picture with guests. Dug, his loyal dog, is sometimes at his side.

16 – Ratatouille Hide & Squeak @ Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival

At the most recent Food and Wine Festival, Epcot had Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak which was an interactive scavenger hunt that took guests around the World Showcase in search for ingredients for none other than Remy’s signature dish, Ratatouille. This experience was a fun way to remember the Pixar/Disney Film, Ratatouille, and the cost was under $10. Will this experience be back for the next Food and Wine Festival? We hope so!