Disney Animal Kingdom ParkNews

Viral Disney World Attraction Dismantled, Marking End of an Era

The Walt Disney World Resort is saying goodbye to yet another piece of its history—this time, an attraction that was both short-lived and unexpectedly meme-worthy.

The Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park in front of a clear blue sky.
Credit: Brittany DiCologero, Inside the Magic

As Disney’s Animal Kingdom undergoes a massive transformation, guests are watching as entire sections of the park are being reimagined. DinoLand U.S.A. is on the chopping block, set to be replaced by a brand-new land inspired by the Tropical Americas. This space will feature two marquee attractions: one themed to Disney’s Encanto and the other based on Indiana Jones.

Disney has confirmed that DINOSAUR will remain open through 2025, but it’s widely expected to receive an Indiana Jones Adventure-style makeover similar to its Disneyland counterpart. Meanwhile, the removal of the DinoRama sign and the permanent closure of three key locations—including TriceraTop Spin—signal that the change is already well underway.

But the changes don’t stop there. It’s Tough to be a Bug! at the Tree of Life will also be making its exit, making way for a brand-new Zootopia-themed attraction, Zootopia: Better Zoogether. As Frontierland prepares for its own transformation over at Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom is stepping into a new era that will redefine its future for generations to come.

Concept art for the Encanto area in the Tropical Americas land at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park at Disney World.
Credit: Disney

Disney Demolishes Another Part of Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been home to some of the unique entertainment offerings at Walt Disney World and during the resort’s 50th-anniversary celebration—The World’s Most Magical Celebration—guests were introduced to something truly one-of-a-kind: Disney KiteTails.

A show that was as ambitious as it was unintentionally hilarious, KiteTails made its grand debut on October 1, 2021, taking over Discovery River Lagoon with a spectacle of giant, 30-foot-long kites themed to The Lion King and The Jungle Book. As classic Disney soundtracks played, characters like Simba, Baloo, and Zazu soared through the skies—though not always with the grace Disney had likely envisioned.

Instead of smooth and elegant landings, KiteTails quickly became famous for its unexpected crashes, as massive kites nose-dived into empty seating areas or splashed into the water. Fans couldn’t get enough, turning the chaotic landings into a viral internet sensation. Despite Disney’s attempts to modify the show, KiteTails gradually scaled back its performances, transitioning into a more relaxed pop-up experience before quietly ending on September 30, 2022.

Concept art of KiteTails
Credit: Disney

Now, new reports confirm that even the last remnants of KiteTails are disappearing.

WDWMagic reports: “The wooden docks built for the short-lived KiteTails show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom have now been removed. These structures were originally installed along Discovery River as launch points for the large kites featured in the show. The metal pilings used to support the docks remain, though it’s unclear whether these will also be removed or left in place.”

Currently, there are no announced plans to introduce new entertainment to the Discovery River Lagoon. While KiteTails may not have achieved the legendary status of Festival of the Lion King, it certainly left behind a legacy of unintentional magic—and some of the funniest guest videos ever recorded at Walt Disney World.

Do you think Animal Kingdom should bring back more entertainment? Let us know in the comments below!

Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his favorite TV show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer except when it's One Tree Hill. He loves sandy beach walks, forest hikes, and foodie days out in the Big City. Thomas lives in England, UK, with his fiancée, baby, and their dog, a Border Collie called Luna.

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