Disney’s Animal Kingdom is going through some major changes right now, and even more rides and restaurants will be closing soon to make way for Pueblo Esperanza, the park’s new Tropical Americas-themed land.
Meal from Harambe Market
Meanwhile, It’s Tough To Be A Bug closed earlier this year to make way for a new attraction coming soon, Zootopia: Better Zoogether. Well, that’s not the end of the changes Animal Kingdom is getting this year. This winter, ANOTHER restaurant in the park, Harambe Market, will temporarily close for refurbishment.
The Disney World website has confirmed that Harambe Market will close in winter 2025 for a refurbishment. However, it seems to be a short closure because the dining spot is expected to reopen in early 2026.
Harambe Market
Harambe Market is a quick service dining spot that features food like African-inspired food like shrimp and chicken bowls, as well as lamb kofta. The popular Frozen Flamingo drink can also be found here.
Frozen Flamingo
If you’re visiting Animal Kingdom after Harambe Market’s closure, you can always grab a quick meal at places like Eight Spoon Cafe, Flame Tree Barbecue, The Smiling Crocodile, Pizzafari, Satu’li Canteen, and Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes. Restaurantosaurus in Dinoland, U.S.A. will also be open until early February (after that, it will permanently close so Disney can continue construction on Pueblo Esperanza).
Satu’li Canteen
You’ll want to keep this closure in mind if you’re visiting Animal Kingdom later this year. Note that all of Dinoland, U.S.A. will be closed throughout most of 2026, or at least until construction on Pueblo Esperanza is completed. That could mean you might want to plan accordingly, or take the opportunity to take part in some underrated activities in Animal Kingdom — one of my personal favorites is visiting Conservation Station to take a drawing lesson from a Disney animator, pet some animals, and see Disney’s veterinarians taking care of animals.
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AK used to be my all-time favorite park but they’ve kinda ruined it over the last few years. So sad. Harambe Market is my favorite place to eat since they closed my former favorite. Honestly…. I don’t think we’ll be visiting AK for a long time. It’s just not the same. When all the dust settles, we’ll see if we like what they’ve created and hope the rides aren’t dark, scary or cause motion sickness but instead tell a story….like Walt’s and Eisner’s wdw did many years ago. So glad I have my memories….