Australian Animals Headed to the Affection Section at Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Earlier this month, Disney announced a new Bluey and Bingo meet-and-greet coming to the Conservation Station at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. At the same time, the company revealed that Australian animals would be added to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, leading many to assume they’d move into the Affection Section.

Now, multiple sources have confirmed to us that the Affection Section, a petting zoo outside Conservation Station, will indeed become the new home for those animals. The area is expected to close soon for a multi-month refurbishment to prepare for their arrival.

We’ve also learned that Bluey and her sister, Bingo, will replace The Animation Experience inside Conservation Station. More on that in a bit.

Australian animals coming to Affection Section

The Affection Section is one of Animal Kingdom’s most unique offerings, giving guests the chance to pet and feed goats, pigs, cows, sheep, donkeys, llamas, and more. It’s also home to Charlotte the pig, who famously served as the real-life inspiration for Moana’s Pua. At this point, it’s unclear whether the current animals will be relocated elsewhere in the park or moved offsite entirely.

What replaces them is also a bit of a mystery. Most Australian animals aren’t suited for a traditional petting zoo, but wallabies are an exception, and they already live at Animal Kingdom. You can find them in the Oasis near the park entrance.

Kangaroos are another possibility. They already reside on the Discovery Island Trails beneath the Tree of Life, though many guests don’t realize it. While they aren’t a hands-on species, relocating them to the Affection Section would increase their visibility.

Other Australian species, such as emus, koalas, and wombats, could also be introduced. Again, none are pettable. If Disney goes that route, the experience might be an educational animal encounter, similar to Feathered Friends in Flight in Asia.

Whatever the final lineup looks like, spotlighting Australian wildlife is a net positive. Sure, I’ll miss the pigs and goats, but I wouldn’t mind hanging out with a wallaby, either.

Animation Experience moving to Hollywood Studios

As I mentioned, Bluey and Bingo will be taking over the space currently occupied by The Animation Experience at Conservation Station. That move makes sense. A Bluey meet-and-greet is going to need every square foot it can get, and there simply isn’t room for both experiences in that building.

Fortunately, this isn’t the end of the drawing class. According to several Cast Members, the Animation Experience will relocate to The Magic of Disney Animation when that area opens at Hollywood Studios in late summer 2026. Unlike recent relocations (Muppets, I’m looking at you), this move doesn’t feel like a compromise at all. It actually makes a lot of sense.

With the arrival of Bluey and Bingo, the reimagining of the Affection Section, and the relocation of The Animation Experience, Rafiki’s Planet Watch is clearly entering a new chapter. As long as Disney keeps conservation at the heart of the area, we’re all for it. Now, let’s hope they have a solid plan for getting those massive crowds on and off the Wildlife Express Train.