All Events, Closures and Refurbishments at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or ESPN Wide World of Sports in Walt Disney World during March, April and June of 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021

March 2015

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!"
Jan. 05 - Apr. 22Discovery Island : Disney's Animal KingdomFlame Tree Barbecue
Jan. 05 - Jun. 17Discovery Island : Disney's Animal KingdomCreature Comforts Closed to be converted into a Starbucks location.
Jan. 05 - Jun. 25Disney's Animal KingdomFlame Tree BBQ
Mar. 10 - Mar. 13Asia : Disney's Animal KingdomKali River Rapids

April 2015

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!"
Jan. 05 - Apr. 22Discovery Island : Disney's Animal KingdomFlame Tree Barbecue
Jan. 05 - Jun. 17Discovery Island : Disney's Animal KingdomCreature Comforts Closed to be converted into a Starbucks location.
Jan. 05 - Jun. 25Disney's Animal KingdomFlame Tree BBQ

June 2015

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!"
Jan. 05 - Jun. 17Discovery Island : Disney's Animal KingdomCreature Comforts Closed to be converted into a Starbucks location.
Jan. 05 - Jun. 25Disney's Animal KingdomFlame Tree BBQ

March 2016

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!"
Jan. 04 - Mar. 13Asia : Disney's Animal KingdomKali River Rapids
Jan. 25 - Mar. 17Asia : Disney's Animal KingdomWarung Outpost
2/16 - TBAESPN Wide World of SportsMulti-Use Sports and Entertainment Venue ESPN Wide World of Sports has teamed up with the nation's top cheerleading organization, Varsity Spirit, to create a new state-of-the-art cheerleading and dance team competition venue, which will include a flexible design for one large competition space that can be set up for as many as four competition areas. Additional areas are being tailored for warm up and practice, along with areas for judges and officials. With the capacity to seat more than 8,000 guests, plus performance and warm-up space, the new multi-use sports and entertainment venue will also be able to host six regulation basketball courts, six regulation volleyball courts or concert configurations. There will be concessions throughout the building, and an additional box office and entry to the complex. Construction is ongoing until further notice, with intermittent overnight lane closures, lane shifts, traffic congestion and noise along Osceola Parkway/Victory Way.
Feb. 22 - Mar. 17Dinoland USA : Disney's Animal KingdomBoneyard
Feb. 22 - Mar. 05Discovery Island : Disney's Animal KingdomIsle of Java

April 2016

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!"
2/16 - TBAESPN Wide World of SportsMulti-Use Sports and Entertainment Venue ESPN Wide World of Sports has teamed up with the nation's top cheerleading organization, Varsity Spirit, to create a new state-of-the-art cheerleading and dance team competition venue, which will include a flexible design for one large competition space that can be set up for as many as four competition areas. Additional areas are being tailored for warm up and practice, along with areas for judges and officials. With the capacity to seat more than 8,000 guests, plus performance and warm-up space, the new multi-use sports and entertainment venue will also be able to host six regulation basketball courts, six regulation volleyball courts or concert configurations. There will be concessions throughout the building, and an additional box office and entry to the complex. Construction is ongoing until further notice, with intermittent overnight lane closures, lane shifts, traffic congestion and noise along Osceola Parkway/Victory Way.
Apr. 22Disney's Animal KingdomEarth Day Animal Kingdom will host Party for the Planet presented by Disneynature. Throughout the day, guests are encouraged to connect with nature by engaging in fun activities in every land of the park. Meet animal-care team members, animal educators and conservation experts to see first-hand how Disney cares for animals and works to save endangered species worldwide. Watch animal feedings and training experiences specially planned for Earth Day to learn how keepers care for some of your favorite animals. Also, upon entrance to Animal Kingdom, stop by the Oasis to see "The Jungle Book" sand sculpture and celebrate the new live-action adventure opening in theaters April 15. In Discovery Island, Disney PhotoPass photographers will take your photo with Earth Day-themed props and frames.
Apr. 22Discovery Island : Disney's Animal KingdomJoe Rohde Appearance and Signing As part of Animal Kingdom's Earth Day festivities, Walt Disney Imagineer and Portfolio Creative Executive Joe Rohde will be at Discovery Trading Company (previously Disney Outfitters) from 1-2 p.m. Rohde will be signing his artwork, created for a new Disney Conservation Fund initiative. He will also sign the new coffee table book, The Disney Conservation Fund: Carrying Forward A Conservation Legacy, to which he contributed. The Disney Conservation Fund will receive 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the book. Visit DisneyParksMerchandise.com for details about wristband distribution.

June 2016

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!"
2/16 - TBAESPN Wide World of SportsMulti-Use Sports and Entertainment Venue ESPN Wide World of Sports has teamed up with the nation's top cheerleading organization, Varsity Spirit, to create a new state-of-the-art cheerleading and dance team competition venue, which will include a flexible design for one large competition space that can be set up for as many as four competition areas. Additional areas are being tailored for warm up and practice, along with areas for judges and officials. With the capacity to seat more than 8,000 guests, plus performance and warm-up space, the new multi-use sports and entertainment venue will also be able to host six regulation basketball courts, six regulation volleyball courts or concert configurations. There will be concessions throughout the building, and an additional box office and entry to the complex. Construction is ongoing until further notice, with intermittent overnight lane closures, lane shifts, traffic congestion and noise along Osceola Parkway/Victory Way.

March 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!"
2/16 - TBAESPN Wide World of SportsMulti-Use Sports and Entertainment Venue ESPN Wide World of Sports has teamed up with the nation's top cheerleading organization, Varsity Spirit, to create a new state-of-the-art cheerleading and dance team competition venue, which will include a flexible design for one large competition space that can be set up for as many as four competition areas. Additional areas are being tailored for warm up and practice, along with areas for judges and officials. With the capacity to seat more than 8,000 guests, plus performance and warm-up space, the new multi-use sports and entertainment venue will also be able to host six regulation basketball courts, six regulation volleyball courts or concert configurations. There will be concessions throughout the building, and an additional box office and entry to the complex. Construction is ongoing until further notice, with intermittent overnight lane closures, lane shifts, traffic congestion and noise along Osceola Parkway/Victory Way.
Feb. 25 - Mar. 29ESPN Wide World of SportsAtlanta Braves Spring Training Select dates
Mar. 06 - Mar. 10Disney's Animal Kingdom"The View" Broadcasts from Animal Kingdom You can get on the waitlist for tickets to a taping here: http://1iota.com/Show/385/The-View

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!"
2/16 - TBAESPN Wide World of SportsMulti-Use Sports and Entertainment Venue ESPN Wide World of Sports has teamed up with the nation's top cheerleading organization, Varsity Spirit, to create a new state-of-the-art cheerleading and dance team competition venue, which will include a flexible design for one large competition space that can be set up for as many as four competition areas. Additional areas are being tailored for warm up and practice, along with areas for judges and officials. With the capacity to seat more than 8,000 guests, plus performance and warm-up space, the new multi-use sports and entertainment venue will also be able to host six regulation basketball courts, six regulation volleyball courts or concert configurations. There will be concessions throughout the building, and an additional box office and entry to the complex. Construction is ongoing until further notice, with intermittent overnight lane closures, lane shifts, traffic congestion and noise along Osceola Parkway/Victory Way.
Apr. 20 - Apr. 23ESPN Wide World of SportsStar Wars Half Marathon - The Dark Side Weekend Races include the 5K, Kids' Races, 10K, and half marathon, with the Dark Side Challenge for those completing the 10K and half marathon distances. New for 2017: the 10K and half marathon will start on Floridian Way and finish at Epcot. In the Inaugural event those races started at Epcot and finished at ESPN Wide World of Sports. The Kessel Run Challenge medal will be awarded to those who complete both the Star Wars Half Marathon - The Light Side in California and the Star Wars Half Marathon - The Dark Side in Florida.
Apr. 23 - Apr. 29Discovery Island : Disney's Animal KingdomIt's Tough to Be a Bug

June 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!"
2/16 - TBAESPN Wide World of SportsMulti-Use Sports and Entertainment Venue ESPN Wide World of Sports has teamed up with the nation's top cheerleading organization, Varsity Spirit, to create a new state-of-the-art cheerleading and dance team competition venue, which will include a flexible design for one large competition space that can be set up for as many as four competition areas. Additional areas are being tailored for warm up and practice, along with areas for judges and officials. With the capacity to seat more than 8,000 guests, plus performance and warm-up space, the new multi-use sports and entertainment venue will also be able to host six regulation basketball courts, six regulation volleyball courts or concert configurations. There will be concessions throughout the building, and an additional box office and entry to the complex. Construction is ongoing until further notice, with intermittent overnight lane closures, lane shifts, traffic congestion and noise along Osceola Parkway/Victory Way.

March 2018

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.
Feb. 26 - Mar. 24ESPN Wide World of SportsAtlanta Braves Spring Training ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is home to 2018 Atlanta Braves Spring Training!

April 2018

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.
Apr. 19 - 22ESPN Wide World of SportsStar Wars Half Marathon - The Dark Side 2018
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.

June 2018

Spring 2018 - Jun. 18Pandora - The World of Avatar : Disney's Animal KingdomPalm Golf Course Undergoing regular aeration process and is also getting re-imagined bunkers and improved drainage capabilities.
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.
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.

March 2020

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.

April 2020

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.
Apr. 16 - Apr. 19ESPN Wide World of Sports : Walt Disney WorldStar Wars Rival Run Weekend

June 2020

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.

March 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.

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.
Apr. 15 - Apr. 18ESPN Wide World of Sports : Walt Disney WorldStar Wars Rival Run Weekend

June 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.