A Refurbishment Update at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

January 2024 is the refurbishment month at Disney World. We have some news regarding an Animal Kingdom refurbishment that you will want to check out!

Refurbishment

Refurbishments happen regularly at Walt Disney World. It’s not unusual for at least one attraction to be closed at any given time. Restaurants, hotels, and other areas of the property also require updates to ensure optimal guest enjoyment.

Refurbishments may be carried out for several reasons, including mechanical issues or cosmetic updates. The length of the refurbishment depends on the nature and scope of the work, ranging from a few days to several months.

Regularly Scheduled Refurbishments

The cooler months of the year provide a great window of opportunity for “wet” attractions to close and receive some work. For example, Splash Mountain closed every year in January/February.

Another ride that closes every year is Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom. This ride takes you through fast-moving rapids, waterfalls, and a raging current, before dropping you down a 20-foot slope! Disney warns that you’ll get splashed and possibly soaked on Kali River Rapids.

And, that’s not fun in the winter!

We recently shared that Kali River Rapids will close for refurbishment on January 8, 2024. At the time, we did not have a reopening date. But, according to the Disney website, which was recently updated, the ride will reopen in mid-March.

What does this mean for you?

I’m sure not many of you planned to ride Kali River Rapids in January or February when it’s so cold! While we do not have an official reopening date, we are hopeful it will reopen before Spring Break crowds arrive.

The weather does tend to heat up, and it is quite pleasant in March. We will continue to monitor for updates!

If you need help planning your Disney vacation and how to navigate the refurbishments, I’m here to help! Please fill out this form and put my name (Monica) in the Special Request box.

Share your thoughts with us in the comments below, and pass this post along to someone visiting Disney World this winter.