NEW Park Map at Disney's Animal Kingdom Has Some Big Changes!

Another change has hit Disney World!

No, we’re not talking about the new restaurant that recently opened at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, the Genie+ change, or the new Annual Passholder perks that have arrived. Something else is different in Disney World now — and you’ll have to head to Animal Kingdom to find it!

We last saw a new Park Map over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on November 7th, 2022. But with the end of the 50th Anniversary around the corner (it only lasts through March 31st, 2023) things have changed and a brand NEW park map has arrived in the park!

There’s a new guide map in Animal Kingdom! pic.twitter.com/w61FEuj3U9

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) March 21, 2023

Here’s the old map (which was decked out in 50th Anniversary designs)…

…and here’s the new map (which you’ll notice is completely devoid of 50th Anniversary touches). Instead of mentions about the Most Magical Celebration, this map has a more standard image of the Tree of Life on it and a simple indication that the map is for Disney’s Animal Kingdom on top. It uses more solid blues and greens around the edges.

GONE are the prior mentions about the 50th Anniversary, specialty food and beverage, the beacon of magic effect, and more. Instead, the map now features a section talking about entertainment (non-50th specific), dining, animal experiences, and the My Disney Experience app.

Interestingly, on the top, it says “Alive With Magic.” “Animal Kingdom: Alive with Magic” was the name of a 2017 documentary about the park, its animals, and more. You may also recognize that phrase from a nighttime show that used to exist in the park — “The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic.”

Another part of the map has more standard language about guest services, park rules, transportation, and the Disney Vacation Club. Note how under the park rules Disney does specify that it reserves the right to require a guest to leave if they use profanity or offensive language toward Cast Members or other guests. This is something we’ve previously seen added to Disney park websites as well.

Moving to the true “map” portion, you can see that some 50th Anniversary touches (which previously appeared in EARidescent colors) have been removed. The compass has also been changed to a more standard one with the Tree of Life in the center. There is now a designation for “The World’s Largest Pin Truck” in Dinoland U.S.A., and on the left-hand side you’ll see a designation that says “Character Flotillas Route.”

In this list portion of the map, it looks like there have been some design changes in terms of how the sections are colored. These are some other changes we noted: more animals are listed under the animal highlights section in Discovery Island, and “exotic birds” has been changed to “colorful birds” under the animal highlights in Asia.

And that’s a look at the big changes. What do you think about this updated map? Will you be picking one up during your next trip? Let us know in the comments!

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