Animal Kingdom is usually the easiest Disney World park for cast members to visit. This holiday season, it’s blocked every day from Dec. 20 to Jan. 2, and fans think that could mean something new.
Something unusual is happening on Disney World’s cast member calendar, and it’s at the park you’d least expect.
Disney has blocked cast members from visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom on their own park passes every day from Dec. 20 through Jan. 2, BlogMickey reported Tuesday, Oct. 20. That’s 14 straight days, making Animal Kingdom the second-most restricted park this holiday season, behind only Magic Kingdom.
Disney World hasn’t responded to BlogMickey’s request for comment.
What are Disney World’s cast member blockout dates?
Each park’s calendar through Jan. 2, according to BlogMickey:
Magic Kingdom: Nov. 10, 11, 23 and 26, Dec. 18-31 and Jan. 1-2 (20 days)
Animal Kingdom: Dec. 20-31 and Jan. 1-2 (14 days)
EPCOT: Dec. 8, 9, 13, 14, 22, 23 and 31 (7 days)
Hollywood Studios: Dec. 28-30 (3 days)
The blockouts cover cast members’ own park admission and the Main Entrance Pass they use to bring friends and family.
Why is the Animal Kingdom blockout a big deal?
Because Animal Kingdom is normally the easiest park for cast members to get into. It has lighter crowds and shorter hours than the other parks.
Holiday blockouts are expected at Magic Kingdom, and even EPCOT gets busy with the Festival of the Holidays and the Candlelight Processional. But blocking Animal Kingdom almost as long as Magic Kingdom is rare.
Have cast member blockouts hinted at new things before?
Yes. Disney often blocks cast members when it expects big crowds, and new attractions or shows can trigger that, too.
When Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened, Disney blocked cast members from Magic Kingdom during part of the preview period and after the opening. In 2025, Disney kept cast members out of Magic Kingdom alone through July 19, well past the July Fourth crowds and before it had announced a debut date for the Disney Starlight nighttime parade. Once the parade was running smoothly, the blockouts were lifted.
What could be coming to Animal Kingdom?
Nobody knows yet, and BlogMickey ruled out a few things right away.
Tropical Americas, the new land replacing DinoLand U.S.A., is still targeting 2027, and it doesn’t look anywhere close to ready for a December preview. Santa’s Holiday Grove is already announced for this holiday season, but a Santa meet-and-greet wouldn’t cause a two-week blockout.
That leaves a few possibilities:
Expedition Everest news. Disney announced at D23 in August that it’s bringing the Yeti back. Former Imagineer Joe Rohde later said Disney would build a brand-new figure. If Everest is set to close in early 2027 for the work, Disney might not want cast members crowding in for last rides over the holidays.
A new Yeti debuting in December. BlogMickey called this a very slim chance.
A new show. Fans have long hoped for a new nighttime show, maybe with drones, at the Discovery River Amphitheater, the former home of Rivers of Light and KiteTails.
Could Expedition Everest close in 2027?
It’s possible, but Disney hasn’t said anything about a closure.
Closing Everest would be tough for a park that’s already short on rides while DinoLand is torn down for Tropical Americas. On the other hand, closing it right after the holiday rush could get the Yeti fixed and Everest back up before Tropical Americas opens and brings huge crowds.
Is Animal Kingdom getting a drone show?
There’s no announcement. Disney has used drones at the Tree of Life during special media events. KiteTails flew at the Discovery River Amphitheater from October 2021 to September 2022, and Disney removed its custom docks in early 2025.
BlogMickey thinks a brand-new show is unlikely this holiday season, which points back toward Everest. For now, it’s a mystery, and the cast member calendar may be the first clue.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
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Hat Tips:
BlogMickey (Oct. 20, 2026), the cast member blockout calendar, past blockout patterns and the Animal Kingdom possibilities
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