A pair of The Lion King (1994) fan-favorites won't be where Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park guests expect to find them anymore — and a certain blue dog is responsible for the shake-up.
Bluey Takes Over, Timon and Rafiki Move Out
Timon and Rafiki have been quietly relocated at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, displaced from their longtime meet-and-greet home by the arrival of Bluey and Bingo from the wildly popular animated series. The Heeler sisters are set to meet and play with guests in the space the Lion King duo previously called home — the Conservation Station Building on Rafiki's Planet Watch, an area tucked away at the back of the park and only accessible via the Wildlife Express train.
The area was temporarily shut down last month to prepare for the transition, and the changes run deeper than just a character swap. The Affection Section petting zoo, a longtime staple of Rafiki's Planet Watch, has permanently closed as part of the reimagining. Australian animals will now feature in the area, leaning into the Bluey theme.
Where to Find Them Now
As of Sunday, Timon and Rafiki are greeting guests in The Oasis, near the Garden Gate Gifts merchandise location, close to the park's main entrance. WDWNT reported on the relocation, sharing this photo of Rafiki settling into his new surroundings.
The characters rotate on a set schedule — Timon typically appears every hour on the 20-minute mark, with Rafiki following every hour on the 50-minute mark. Walt Disney World Resort recommends checking the My Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date entertainment schedules before heading over.
The Lion King Isn't Going Anywhere
Guests hungry for more from the 1994 Disney animated classic still have plenty to look forward to. Festival of the Lion King, the long-running Broadway-style show in the Africa section of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, continues to deliver a 30-minute performance blending live vocalists, puppetry, and gymnasts into one of Walt Disney World Resort‘s most celebrated live entertainment experiences.
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A Blue [?] dog is a joke. But with Disney’s execs recent brain farts, who is surprised. BALOO WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAVORITE.
Disney should be run by people who enjoy Disney not a bunch of burned out old grumps that have no consideration for the people who visit the park‼️‼️ Disney is NOT TOO MUCH FUN TO VISIT ANYMORE‼️‼️💔🥺💔🥺💔🤷♀️ They should let the people vote on character removal or relocation; they are the ones enjoying the park not the grouchy old executives‼️‼️😖😖