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Bluey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Everything Families Need to Know

News, Special Events By May 14, 2026 Tags: , , No Comments

Bluey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Everything Families Need to Know

If your kids are obsessed with Bluey, this summer just got a whole lot more exciting. Starting May 26, 2026, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is bringing Bluey’s Wild World to Conservation Station as part of Cool KIDS’ SUMMER at Walt Disney World Resort. This is the first time EVER that Bluey will be at Walt Disney World! Think interactive play, real Australian animals, themed food and drinks, and Bluey and Bingo joining your family for games in one of the most unique settings at any Disney park. Here is everything you need to know before you go.

What Is Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station?

Bluey’s Wild World is a new immersive experience at Conservation Station inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It is built around the world of the Australian animated series Bluey, which if you know, you KNOW. If you don’t know, it follows a six-year-old Blue Heeler puppy and her family through imaginative, everyday adventures. The show has become one of the most beloved kids’ programs in the world, and this experience brings that energy into the park with familiar games, music, and characters.

Conservation Station is located in the Rafiki’s Planet Watch area of the park, which means you will need to take the Wildlife Express Train to get there. Find the train station near Harambe Market in Africa.

The experience opens May 26, 2026, and Disney has confirmed it will stick around beyond the summer. This is not a limited-time summer-only activation, but in the same breathe, we don’t have an end date and know it won’t last forever.

How to Join the Virtual Queue

Since it’s the first time Bluey will be at Walt Disney World, Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station will operate on a virtual queue when it opens on May 26. There is no standby line during the initial opening period, though Disney expects to add one at a later date.

You will need to join the virtual queue through the My Disney Experience app. There are two daily windows to request a spot:

  • At 7 a.m., you can join from anywhere as long as you have valid park admission and, if required, a theme park reservation for Disney’s Animal Kingdom for that day.
  • At 10 a.m., you must be physically inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom with valid admission to request a spot.

The virtual queue also covers the Wildlife Express Train, Jumping Junction, and the Animal Care experiences at Conservation Station. You need a boarding group to access all of these, not just the Bluey experience itself.

Plan ahead and have the My Disney Experience app ready to go. The 7 a.m. window gives you the best shot at securing a spot before you even arrive at the park.

Bluey and Bingo: What to Expect Inside

This is not a traditional Disney character meet and greet. If you are picturing a line, a posed photo, and an autograph, this is something completely different. Bluey’s Wild World is a group play experience where Bluey and Bingo arrive and lead the whole crowd through activities together. Think of it less like meeting a character and more like joining in on one of the Heeler family’s famous games.

Familiar music from the show plays throughout, and guests get to participate in some of the family’s most iconic activities, including Keepy Uppy and the transformative Magic Asparagus game that Bluey fans will instantly recognize. The grand finale is a shower of bubbles with Bluey and Bingo, which is exactly the kind of joyful, everyone-at-once moment that little ones will be talking about for the rest of the trip.

Because the whole group experiences it together, there is no waiting in a character line and no individual photo opportunity built into the experience itself. The Magic Shots from Disney PhotoPass (covered below) are how you get a Bluey-and-Bingo photo to take home.

Bluey and Bingo New at Walt Disney World

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

See Real Australian Animals at Jumping Junction

One of the most exciting additions tied to the Bluey experience is Jumping Junction, a brand new habitat where you can see kangaroos and wallabies. These animals are native to Australia, Bluey’s home country, which makes the connection feel genuinely thoughtful rather than just themed decor.

A few fun facts worth knowing before your visit:

  • Kangaroos and wallabies are both marsupials, meaning their babies (called joeys) continue developing in their mother’s pouch after birth.
  • You can tell them apart by size. Kangaroos are significantly larger, while wallabies are roughly half as big.
  • Both animals live in groups called a mob.

Jumping Junction requires the virtual queue the same as the rest of the Conservation Station experiences, so factor that into your planning.

Animal Care Experiences at Conservation Station

Conservation Station has long offered behind-the-scenes animal care content, and that continues alongside the Bluey activation. Here is what you can explore:

  • The Veterinary Treatment Room, where you can look inside the space where animals receive medical care and sometimes observe procedures in progress.
  • The Animal Nutrition Window, where you can see how Disney’s expert nutrition team prepares meals for the park’s animal residents.
  • The Amphibian, Reptile and Invertebrate Windows, featuring frogs, lizards, and some of the smallest species in the park.
  • The Science Center, where Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team shares what they are currently working on.

These areas give the experience real depth beyond the characters, especially if your kids are drawn to animals as much as they are to Bluey.

Pssst…. speaking of animal care, who is watching yours while you’re gone?

Rover ad

We love using Rover for taking care of our furry family members while we’re gone. We are pretty sure Bandit and Chilli would approve. #affiliate

Bluey-Themed Food and Drinks at Animal Kingdom

This is where things get really fun for families who love a themed snack moment. Disney has rolled out a lineup of Bluey-inspired food and beverages at several locations across the park, and they are worth building into your day.

Pizzafari on Discovery Island

Pizzafari is serving up several Bluey-themed items that lean into Australian food culture:

  • Fairy Bread Cake: a Vanilla Birthday Cake dipped in White Chocolate and Rainbow Sprinkles, served with a Raspberry Dipping Sauce. Fairy bread is a beloved Australian party treat, and this is Disney’s elevated take on the classic.
  • Wackadoo Fruit Freeze: a frozen drink made with Simply Fruit Punch and garnished with Fruit Salad, inspired by Bluey’s love of fruit salad in the show.
  • Bluey’s Berry Lemonade: Frozen Minute Maid Lemonade blended with Blueberry, Blackberry, and Raspberry flavors. This drink is also available at Eight Spoon Café.
  • Bluey Sipper: a super-sized souvenir cup sold with a fountain beverage. Limited to two per person per transaction, while supplies last.
Bluey at Disney's Animal Kingdom Fairy Toast

Photo credit: Disney Parks Blog

Isle of Java on Discovery Island

Isle of Java is serving Pretzel’s Pretzels: soft mini pretzels with homemade cheese and blueberry-mustard dipping sauces. The blueberry-mustard combo is a clever nod to Bluey’s blue coloring and a genuinely fun snack to share.

For a broader look at what Animal Kingdom has to offer on the food front, the MouseDining Animal Kingdom dining guide covers the full park from snacks to signature dining.

Bluey Merchandise at Animal Kingdom

If your family wants to bring a piece of the experience home, Bluey merchandise is available in two spots: Island Mercantile on Discovery Island and at Conservation Station itself. The current collection includes:

  • Bluey (and sometimes Bingo) t-shirts, hoodies and rain jackets for adults and children
  • Water bottles, bags, toys and more
  • Bluey and Bingo Create Your Own plush, arriving later this summer
  • Bluey and Bingo plush headbands, also arriving later this summer

Conservation Station also stocks select baby care products including diapers, wipes, sunscreen, over-the-counter medications, and formula.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Bluey Merchandise

Photo credit: Disney Parks Blog

PSSSSTTT….Bluey’s Play Date Plush Surprise – Mystery Plush is ON SALE 

Look at this darling mystery plush – on sale for $12.98, regularly $29.99. That’s over 50% off while supplies last!

Surprise Bluey Plush

Affiliate link for Bluey’s Play Date Plush Surprise – Mystery Plush

Bluey Magic Shots from Disney PhotoPass

Disney PhotoPass photographers will be stationed at two locations to offer Bluey-themed Magic Shots: at the entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and along the Discovery River pathway between Africa and Asia. Three different Magic Shots are available:

  • Janet and Rita, the beloved granny alter-egos that Bluey and Bingo play in the show, shuffling into your photo
  • A butterfly Keepy Uppy shot featuring Flappy and Bluey
  • A Dance Mode Magic Shot with Bluey and Bingo

Since Bluey’s Wild World is a group play experience rather than a character photo opportunity, these Magic Shots are your best bet for getting a Bluey and Bingo keepsake image from your visit.

Bluey Magic Shot at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Photo credit: Disney Parks Blog

Tips for Planning Your Visit

  • Join the virtual queue the moment it opens at 7 a.m. if you can. You do not need to be at the park to do this, which gives you a significant advantage.
  • Download and set up the My Disney Experience app before your trip. You will need it for the virtual queue.
  • Pizzafari and Isle of Java are counter service locations on Discovery Island, making them easy stops before or after your time at Conservation Station.
  • The Wildlife Express Train is the only way to reach Conservation Station, Bluey’s Wild World, and Jumping Junction. It departs near Harambe Market in Africa.
  • If you have an Annual Pass, check out the V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days discounts, which include significant savings at Animal Kingdom restaurants like Tiffins and Tusker House through July 31, 2026.

Do You Need a Dining Reservation for This Experience?

The Bluey food and drink items at Pizzafari, Isle of Java, and Eight Spoon Café are all counter service, meaning no reservation is required. You order, pay, and enjoy. These are among the most accessible stops in the park, which makes it easy to work them into any day.

If you want to pair your Bluey visit with a sit-down meal at Animal Kingdom, Tiffins and Tusker House are the top dining options in the park. Both require advance reservations and fill up quickly, especially in summer. Use MouseDining to set up alerts for your preferred dates so you can get notified the moment a reservation opens up.

FAQ: Bluey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

When does Bluey’s Wild World open at Animal Kingdom?

Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station opens on May 26, 2026.

How long will Bluey be at Animal Kingdom?

Disney has confirmed the experience will be available beyond the summer of 2026, so it is not a limited-time event. But at the same time, we don’t know when it will end.

Do you need a reservation for Bluey’s Wild World?

You do not need a dining-style reservation, but you do need to join a virtual queue through the My Disney Experience app at least for now. Because this is the first time Bluey will be at Walt Disney World, they are expecting  a lot of excitement. The queue opens at 7 a.m. and again at 10 a.m. each day.

Where is Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom?

Conservation Station is in the Rafiki’s Planet Watch area of the park. You access it by taking the Wildlife Express Train, which departs near Harambe Market in Africa.

Is Bluey food available without joining the virtual queue?

Yes. The Bluey-themed food and drinks at Pizzafari, Isle of Java, and Eight Spoon Café are counter service locations on Discovery Island. You do not need a virtual queue boarding group to purchase food and beverages there.

What Bluey food is available at Animal Kingdom?

The current lineup includes Fairy Bread Cake, Wackadoo Fruit Freeze, Bluey’s Berry Lemonade, the Bluey Sipper, and Pretzel’s Pretzels with blueberry-mustard dipping sauce.

Where can I buy Bluey merchandise at Animal Kingdom?

Bluey merchandise is available at Island Mercantile on Discovery Island and at Conservation Station.

Can I meet Bluey and Bingo at Animal Kingdom?

Bluey and Bingo are part of Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station, but this is not a traditional character meet and greet. Rather than waiting in a line for a posed photo, the whole group plays together with Bluey and Bingo as part of a shared experience. You will need a virtual queue boarding group to access it. If you want a photo keepsake with the characters, the Disney PhotoPass Magic Shots are the way to go.

Start Planning Your Trip

Bluey at Animal Kingdom is exactly the kind of experience that makes a Walt Disney World trip feel genuinely special for little ones. Between the interactive play, real Australian animals, themed snacks, and character fun, it covers everything families are looking for in one area of the park.

Dining is one of the easiest parts of the trip to lock in ahead of time, and it makes a real difference in how smoothly your day goes. Head to MouseDining to set dining alerts for Animal Kingdom restaurants and make sure your family’s table is waiting when you arrive.

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Everything New at Walt Disney World This Summer: Your Complete Guide to Cool Kids Summer 2026

General, News By May 5, 2026 Tags: , , , No Comments

If you are wondering what’s new at Walt Disney World this summer, the answer is: a lot. From May 26 – September 8, 2026, Disney’s Cool Kids Summer celebration brings reimagined rides, brand-new shows, and beloved character experiences to all four parks. Whether your family loves Toy Story, Bluey, Star Wars, or the Muppets, there is something wonderful waiting for you.

Here is everything you need to know, park by park.

Magic Kingdom: Two Fan Favorites Return Better Than Ever

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is back. The attraction reopened on May 3, 2026, after a full reimagining that includes a brand-new track, refreshed trains, and stunning new on-ride scenes.

The highlight is the new Rainbow Caverns. Early in the ride, guests plunge underground into a glowing cavern. Phosphorescent pools illuminate shimmering stalactites and stalagmites, and over 2,000 bats fill the scene above. A deep rumble builds the suspense before the real adventure begins.

Riders will also find refreshed Audio-Animatronics, restored effects, new gold props, and a breathtaking final lift that pays off the legend of Barnabas T. Bullion. The town of Tumbleweed has been lovingly updated too. The new track makes for a noticeably smoother ride from start to finish.

The best news for families: the height requirement has been lowered from 40 inches to 38 inches. Little ones who have been waiting to ride can finally join the adventure this summer.

What's new at Walt Disney World this summer Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Photo credit: Disney Parks Blog

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin reopened on April 8, 2026, with meaningful upgrades across the board. This is a true reimagining of a ride that had been largely unchanged since 1998.

The biggest change: the blasters are now fully handheld. They feature an always-on laser sight, haptic feedback when you hit a target, and color-coded LED lighting so each rider can track their own shots. The ride vehicles are all new as well.

Before the mission begins, guests meet Buddy, a new support robot created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar. Buddy walks Space Rangers through blaster calibration and a quick training round. It is a fun touch that helps younger guests feel ready to take on Emperor Zurg.

The space battle scene near the end has been completely reworked. For the first time, Buzz Lightyear himself appears in the sequence. Your ride photo now shows your score, rank, mission location, and full stats. Veteran Space Rangers will find the new target system, which shifts point values in real time, adds a fresh challenge to every ride.

Buzz Lightyear What's New at Walt Disney World

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Jessie’s Roundup: A Rip-Roarin’ Revue at the Diamond Horseshoe

Opening May 26 at the Diamond Horseshoe in Frontierland, Jessie’s Roundup is a joyful Toy Story show featuring Jessie, Woody, Bullseye, and friends. The high-energy western experience includes singing, dancing, games, and interactive fun for the whole family. The timing feels perfect with Toy Story 5 on the horizon.

EPCOT: A Brand-New Film and a Beloved Experience Returns

Soarin Across America

EPCOT’s beloved Soarin attraction has an all-new film. Soarin Across America opens May 26, replacing Soarin Around the World. The new film celebrates America’s 250th birthday with a sweeping flight over dozens of stunning American landscapes. The classic Soarin score has been reimagined for the journey, and Patrick Warburton returns. This overlay is limited time, so this summer is the moment to fly.

GoofyCore at CommuniCore Hall

GoofyCore returns to CommuniCore Hall for its second Cool Kids Summer. Led by Goofy and DJ Dance Pants, the indoor space features group games, dancing, and plenty of laughs. The comfortable seating and air conditioning make it a wonderful way to play together during warm Florida afternoons. Kids tend to talk about this one long after the trip ends.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios: The Most New Experiences of Any Park This Summer

Rock n Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets

The Muppets have taken over Sunset Boulevard. Rock n Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opens May 26. The Electric Mayhem is headlining the biggest concert of their careers, and guests help them get there on time aboard Muppets Labs’ L.I.M.O. (Lengthy Immediate Motion Object).

The soundtrack features The Electric Mayhem alongside Def Leppard, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, and Questlove. Songs include Born to Be Wild, Love Rollercoaster, Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop), and Walking on Sunshine. Celebrity cameos appear throughout the queue and post-show. This high-thrill coaster is intense and you must be 48 inches or taller to ride.

Rock n Roller Coaster New at Walt Disney World

Photo credit: Disney Parks Blog

New Mando and Grogu Mission on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Starting May 22, the Millennium Falcon has a brand-new mission. Din Djarin and Grogu lead guests on a chase to track down ex-Imperial officers. Pilots can now choose which planets the ship visits, and engineers can communicate directly with Grogu during the flight. Star Wars fans who have ridden before will find this mission brings real new energy to the experience.

Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live

Opening May 26 in the newly reimagined Walt Disney Studios courtyard, this brand-new stage show is inspired by Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+. Mickey and Minnie are throwing a party, but their friends have not arrived yet. The 20-minute show follows the gang on a fun adventure to find Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto. It is made for young Disney fans and will continue beyond the Cool Kids Summer season.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

The Walt Disney Studios Courtyard and The Magic of Disney Animation

Opening May 26, the reimagined Walt Disney Studios courtyard is a lush gathering space home to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live and The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure. Later this summer, The Magic of Disney Animation joins the lineup. It will feature a Drawn to Wonderland play area, character meet-and-greets in Off the Page, and Olaf Draws, where guests learn to draw from legendary Disney Animation artists. Hollywood Studios truly has something for every age this season.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Bluey and Bingo Have Arrived

Bluey’s Wild World

Bluey and Bingo have made their Walt Disney World debut. Opening May 26, Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station is one of the most anticipated new experiences of the season. After riding the Wildlife Express Train, families arrive at Conservation Station to play games from the show, dance with Bluey and Bingo, and discover animals native to Australia. The experience fits beautifully into Animal Kingdom’s spirit of wonder. It is staying well beyond summer, so any family visiting Walt Disney World in 2026 can enjoy it.

Bluey and Bingo New at Walt Disney World

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Resort-Wide Magic All Summer Long

Cool Kids Summer goes beyond the parks. Guests staying at Disney Resorts Collection hotels receive free admission to one Disney water park on their check-in day. Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are open all summer.

At select resort hotels, families enjoy Disney Publishing reading libraries, poolside DJ dance parties, pajama party story time, and campfire sing-alongs. All Disney Resort hotel guests also enjoy early theme park entry each morning, with special character experiences available during that window this summer.

Disney Springs joins the fun too, with DJ dance parties, a splash pad, themed photo opportunities, and summer activities on select dates.

Key Dates at a Glance

Plan Your Walt Disney World Summer Vacation

Now you know what’s new at Walt Disney World this summer, the only thing left is to book your trip. Every park has something fresh and exciting waiting for your family, and the 4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket starting at $399 + tax total is a wonderful way to experience it all.

Your Disney travel agent can help you choose the best dates, find the right resort, and handle every detail so all you have to do is enjoy the magic.

Contact your favorite Disney travel agent today and start planning your Walt Disney World summer vacation!

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