All Events, Closures and Refurbishments at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs or Water Parks in Walt Disney World during April and August of 2017, 2018 and 2021

April 2017

Nov. 30 - CLOSINGAsia : Disney's Animal KingdomFlights of Wonder This show will close to make way for a new show featuring Russell and Dug from "UP!"
Apr. 23 - Fall 2017The Landing : Disney SpringsPortobello Country Italian Trattoria Terralina Crafted Italian is slated to open this fall on the site of the former Portobello Country Italian Trattoria. No official opening date has been announced yet.
Apr. 23 - Apr. 29Discovery Island : Disney's Animal KingdomIt's Tough to Be a Bug

August 2017

Nov. 30 - CLOSINGAsia : Disney's Animal KingdomFlights of Wonder This show will close to make way for a new show featuring Russell and Dug from "UP!"
Apr. 23 - Fall 2017The Landing : Disney SpringsPortobello Country Italian Trattoria Terralina Crafted Italian is slated to open this fall on the site of the former Portobello Country Italian Trattoria. No official opening date has been announced yet.
May. 30 - TBAThe West Side : Disney SpringsJaleo A new restaurant coming from Chef Jose Andres.
Aug. 02 - CLOSINGDisney Springs : Walt Disney WorldWolfgang Puck Grand Cafe
Aug. 17Disney Springs : Walt Disney WorldAmerican Idol Bus Tour ABC's "American Idol" launches the start of its highly anticipated open auditions at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort. The iconic "American Idol" bus will roll into Disney Springs for auditions taking place on THURSDAY, AUGUST 17.

April 2018

May. 30 - TBAThe West Side : Disney SpringsJaleo A new restaurant coming from Chef Jose Andres.
Oct. 2017 - Aug. 12Disney Springs : Walt Disney WorldNBA Experience The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort will be a one-of-a-kind basketball-themed experience featuring hands-on activities that put guests of all ages right in the middle of NBA game action. There will be immersive NBA video productions and numerous interactive experiences and an exciting retail store that will offer something for all NBA fans worldwide. The NBA Experience opens in summer 2019.
Jan. 01 - Apr. 22Asia : Disney's Animal KingdomFlights of Wonder / New UP-Themed Show Flights of Wonder is now closed. A a new show featuring Russell and Dug from Disney Pixar's film "UP" will open spring/summer 2018. 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.
Mid-Feb. 2018 - Oct. 26The Marketplace : Disney SpringsWorld of Disney World of Disney will be "reimagined" in 2018. Work will be completed in phases so guests can continue shopping during construction. Shops in Town Center at Disney Springs, such as Ever After Jewelry Co. or The Disney Corner (opening in mid-February), will carry select merchandise during renovations.
Mar. 15 - Apr. 15The Landing : Disney SpringsSakura Festival at Morimoto Asia The restaurant will be decorated with the pink blooms of the Sakura and will feature themed menu specials during lunch and dinner.
Apr. 22Disney's Animal KingdomD23 Celebrates 20 Years of Disney's Animal Kingdom
Apr. 22Discovery Island : Disney's Animal KingdomTiffins Talk At Tiffins restaurant, as part of the theme park's 20th anniversary celebration, Dr. Joseph Soltis, Research Scientist for Disney's Animals, Science and Environment, will speak about the "Elephants and Bees" project in which honeybees are helping people and elephants in Kenya. The menu will feature African cuisine.
Apr. 22 - May 5Disney's Animal KingdomParty for the Planet/20th Anniversary Celebration As part of this celebration, the new attraction UP! A Great Bird Adventure will debut, and the park will offer animal encounters, family-friendly activities, specialty desserts and more.
Apr. 25Discovery Island : Disney's Animal KingdomTiffins Talk At Tiffins restaurant as part of the theme park's 20th anniversary celebration, Joe Rohde, Portfolio Creative Executive and a veteran Imagineer, will share tales from his adventures all over Asia, India, Nepal and China. The chefs of Tiffins will follow Joe's journeys with a menu inspired by his travels.
Apr. 27Discovery Island : Disney's Animal KingdomTiffins Talk At Tiffins restaurant as part of the theme park's 20th anniversary celebration, Dr. Jason Fischer, Conservation Program Manager for Disney's Animals, Science and Environment, will speak about Disney's efforts to conserve the purple martin, a remarkable migratory songbird that travels to Walt Disney World Resort from the Brazilian Amazon to raise a family each year. The menu will feature North American cuisine.
Apr. 29Discovery Island : Disney's Animal KingdomTiffins Talk At Tiffins restaurant, Rachel Daneault, Zoological Manager at Disney's Animal Kingdom for the Primate - Carnivore team, will talk about the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center (GRACE) project that Disney supports in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The menu will feature African cuisine.

August 2018

May. 30 - TBAThe West Side : Disney SpringsJaleo A new restaurant coming from Chef Jose Andres.
Oct. 2017 - Aug. 12Disney Springs : Walt Disney WorldNBA Experience The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort will be a one-of-a-kind basketball-themed experience featuring hands-on activities that put guests of all ages right in the middle of NBA game action. There will be immersive NBA video productions and numerous interactive experiences and an exciting retail store that will offer something for all NBA fans worldwide. The NBA Experience opens in summer 2019.
Mid-Feb. 2018 - Oct. 26The Marketplace : Disney SpringsWorld of Disney World of Disney will be "reimagined" in 2018. Work will be completed in phases so guests can continue shopping during construction. Shops in Town Center at Disney Springs, such as Ever After Jewelry Co. or The Disney Corner (opening in mid-February), will carry select merchandise during renovations.
June 18 - Late August 2018Pandora - The World of Avatar : Disney's Animal KingdomLake Buena Vista Golf Course The course will operate as a 9-hole course during its refurbishment, which will include the addition of a Mickey-shaped bunker. Also, all of the bunkers will be enhanced, adding new powdery white sand.
Jun. 21 - Aug. 11Typhoon Lagoon : Water ParksDisney H2O Glow Nights Special lighting effects will transform the water park as Buzz, Woody and Jessie throw a Beach Party inspired by their friend, "Partysaurus" Rex. This special ticketed event will take place on Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 to 11 p.m. and costs $55 for adults and $50 for children ages 3-9 (plus tax). For more information and to purchase tickets, call (407) 939-1872.
June 25 - Mid-August 2018Pandora - The World of Avatar : Disney's Animal KingdomOak Trail Golf Course Oak Trail will receive a Mickey-shaped bunker; also, the greens are being restored to their original size and totally resurfaced using paspalum grass for the first time ever on a Disney putting green.

April 2021

Mar 2020 - Jun. 13Disney's Animal Kingdom : Walt Disney WorldFinding Nemo: The Musical Disney has announced that Finding Nemo: The Musical has permanently closed as we know it to be reimagined with a new storyline based on the same classic characters. The new show will be named Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! and is set to open sometime in summer 2022.

August 2021

Mar 2020 - Jun. 13Disney's Animal Kingdom : Walt Disney WorldFinding Nemo: The Musical Disney has announced that Finding Nemo: The Musical has permanently closed as we know it to be reimagined with a new storyline based on the same classic characters. The new show will be named Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! and is set to open sometime in summer 2022.
Jul. 06 - Aug. 13Disney Springs : Walt Disney WorldFlavors of Florida
2021-07-06 - 2021-08-13Disney Springs : Walt Disney World2021 Flavors of Florida