All Events, Closures and Refurbishments at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or ESPN Wide World of Sports in Walt Disney World during April, May, July and October of 2016 and 2020

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.

May 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.
May 8 - 12ESPN Wide World of SportsInvictus Games Britain's Prince Harry is bringing the Invictus Games, an event that features wounded servicemen and women from around the world competing in a variety of sports events, to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The inaugural Invictus Games, held in London in 2014, drew more than 400 athletes from 13 countries -- plus some 65,000 spectators. The Invictus Games at Disney next year is expected to involve a similar number of athletes from up to 14 nations competing in 10 sports -- archery, cycling, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, triathlon, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.
Memorial Day Weekend - 2016Discovery Island : Disney's Animal KingdomTiffins Restaurant Opens
Memorial Day Weekend - 2016Asia : Disney's Animal KingdomThe Jungle Book Alive with Magic Show For the summer, Discovery River will become the stage for a limited-engagement show inspired by Disney's hit live-action film "The Jungle Book." "The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" is filled with music and special effects that celebrates the new film and the classic songs, now infused with an Indian influence.
Memorial Day Weekend - 2016Discovery Island : Disney's Animal KingdomThe Tree of Life Awakens
Memorial Day Weekend - 2016Africa : Disney's Animal KingdomKilimanjaro Safari After Dark

July 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.
Jul. 25 - Nov. 19Dinoland USA : Disney's Animal KingdomDinosaur
Jul. 25 - Nov. 19Dinoland USA : Disney's Animal KingdomDino Institute Shop

October 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.
Jul. 25 - Nov. 19Dinoland USA : Disney's Animal KingdomDinosaur
Jul. 25 - Nov. 19Dinoland USA : Disney's Animal KingdomDino Institute Shop

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

May 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.

July 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.
July 11, 2020 - No end dateDisney's Animal Kingdom : Walt Disney WorldAnimal Kingdom Reopens

October 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.