Work on New "Rivers of Light" Amphitheater Starting Sept. 3

As Disney’s Animal Kingdom undergoes the largest expansion in the history of the park, construction continues on a number of enhancements and additions to park offerings, including a new nighttime spectacular called “Rivers of Light.” The first phase of construction walls will be installed after park hours September 2 in Asia, which includes the future seating areas in Asia and DinoLand U.S.A. Additional walls will be installed around Discovery River throughout Asia and into DinoLand U.S.A.

As a result of this project, the following changes will take effect in the park beginning September 3, 2014:

• The smoking location across from Expedition Everest will be removed as the wall is installed. The smoking location at Rafiki’s Planet Watch also will be removed September 3. Remaining Guest smoking locations can be found near Pizzafari in Discovery Island, behind Dino Sue in DinoLand U.S.A., and next to Rainforest Cafe outside the main entrance.
• The construction wall in Asia also will impact the Wilderness Explorers Telescope Badge activity. Instead of taking part in the assigned activity (using a telescope to determine the height of the Forbidden Mountain Peak), Wilderness Explorers can identify the correct answer on a Himalayan Vista image that will appear on the construction wall and earn their badge.

In addition to that, the construction walls around the new home for the cotton-top tamarins will be removed after the park closes Friday, August 29. The two male and female tamarins won't make their first appearance in their new home in Discovery Island until later in September.