As Disney’s Animal Kingdom prepares to evolve with the times, a new attraction has quietly taken root in a fan-favorite location. Inside Restaurantosaurus, which first opened in 1998, guests can now meet Daisy Duck in an immersive new setting known as Daisy’s Dig. This recently launched experience invites guests to join the feathered fashionista for sing-alongs, crafts, and special character encounters.
The debut is part of Cool Kid Summer, Walt Disney World’s seasonal celebration designed to deliver fresh experiences during a time of heavy park transformation. At EPCOT, the festivities include the colorful GoofyCore party held at the brand-new CommuniCore Hall. These limited-time offerings provide visitors with creative ways to enjoy the parks while major work continues across the resort.
Animal Kingdom is undergoing one of its most significant transformations yet. The once-vibrant DinoLand U.S.A. is being phased out, with closures beginning in January 2025. Attractions like TriceraTop Spin and Fossil Fun Games have since shuttered permanently, while DINOSAUR remains one of the only experiences still in operation in that area.
In its place will rise a brand-new themed land called Pueblo Esperanza, part of the upcoming Tropical Americas addition confirmed by Disney Experiences at the recent D23 Expo. The land will feature two headline attractions based on Encanto and Indiana Jones and one of the biggest quick-service restaurants on resort property, marking a dynamic new chapter for the park.
With sweeping updates also in motion at Magic Kingdom Park’s Frontierland, where the Cars franchise will soon take over, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which will be rethemed to Monsters, Inc., Walt Disney World is making every effort to keep its current offerings engaging. Events like Cool Kid Summer seem poised to bridge the gap between now and the resort’s next big chapter.
What’s your take on Disney’s pivot toward seasonal events during park updates? Let us know in the comments!
