Animal Kingdom Begins Limited Guest Access to Jumping Junction

Last week, Animal Kingdom Cast Members quietly began inviting small groups of guests to experience Jumping Junction, the new Australian animal exhibit at Conservation Station. While Bluey’s Wild World, the area’s other headliner attraction, officially debuted on May 26, the kangaroos and wallabies weren’t quite ready to meet park visitors.

Last month, we learned that these animals are brand new to Animal Kingdom, so their needing an adjustment period is natural. There was another factor Animal Kingdom’s caregivers had to account for as well. One of the mama kangaroos arrived with more joeys in her pouch than expected.

Understandably, Disney is being cautious as they introduce young animals to a brand-new environment. That’s especially important considering Jumping Junction is designed as a walkthrough habitat. Guests share the space with the kangaroos and wallabies rather than viewing them from behind a fence.

According to Maggie, an Animal Kingdom Zoological Manager, the goal is to have everyone enjoy the exhibit at some point:

“Eventually, we’d like to invite all our guests to have their own adventure walking through our habitat and sharing space with these amazing animals. As we’re acclimating the kangaroos and wallabies to be comfortable with guests in their space, we’re doing it very slowly and allowing the animals to let us know when they’re ready.”

As someone who grew up watching Hippety Hopper repeatedly pummel Sylvester, I have a healthy respect for kangaroos. These animals can take all the time they need to get comfortable with us humans gawking at them.