A Walt Disney World ride that has been closed for refurbishment now has an opening date added to the calendar. It is common for Disney World to close rides temporarily to make necessary updates, ensuring everything runs smoothly year-round.
This attraction’s reopening is necessary as this theme park is experiencing multiple closures due to ongoing construction. At Mickey Visit, we report on all the important Disney news, like the reveal of the celebrity narrator at Disneyland’s Candlelight Processional and our review of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
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Animal Kingdom Attraction Reopening Date Revealed
Walt Disney World has revealed the reopening date for Kali River Rapids, which has been closed since October. According to the attraction calendar, it will reopen on December 12, 2025. Wait times for water rides naturally dip during the winter months, but Disney World usually waits until January to complete its annual refurbishment. This year, the refurbishment took place earlier than usual, likely to ensure the refurbishment was completed before DINOSAUR closes permanently on February 2, 2026.
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Animal Kingdom already has fewer attractions than the other Walt Disney World parks and the smallest selection of Lightning Lanes. With DINOSAUR closing, Disney doesn’t want a second attraction in that same area unavailable at the same time. Since Kali River Rapids is located right next to DinoLand, having both down would basically create an empty area on that entire side of the park.
Changes Coming Soon to Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is in an active state of construction as Disney works on the creation of this major new land, Tropical Americas, which will introduce brand new Encanto and Indiana Jones themed attractions.
Restaurantosaurus, along with DINOSAUR and the rest of DinoLand, will all officially close on February 2, 2026, to make way for the Tropical Americas. The menu items at Restaurantosaurus will move to Harambe Market in early 2026. To prepare for the new menu items, Harambe Market is currently closed until early next year.
Construction has already shifted the flow of the area. The former DinoLand main entrance is now blocked, and guests must weave through construction walls to reach DINOSAUR during its remaining months of operation.
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Animal Kingdom is a disaster of a park.