Walt Disney World Cancels Infamous KiteTails Show

Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks are seeing many changes coming in 2022.

From the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind launching at EPCOT to the return of the beloved Tumble Monkeys in the Festival of the Lion King, Guests have a lot to look forward to on their next Disney vacation.

Something that will be missing, it seems, though, is Disney KiteTails, which has mysteriously been dropped from the Disney Park schedule.

The Animal Kingdom show has inspired many TikTok Disney fail videos and memes due to its unreliable nature and the kites’ tendency to crash into the water.

Pair this with the extremely hot theater that sits under the Florida sun, and KiteTails has been left with a divided mix of reviews. Now, though, it seems that Disney KiteTails is being canceled by Disney – or is at least getting an update.

According to the Walt Disney World website, Disney KiteTails is no longer scheduled for performances after Thursday, May 26. Normally, the show has a performance in the morning at 11:15 a.m., followed by afternoon showings at 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m., and 5:15 p.m.

We are not sure if Disney World is planning to replace or update the show or if it is being completely removed at this time.

The Walt Disney World Resort has previously announced that it is “shifting the focus” of the Disney KiteTails show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to allow visitors to experience it from anywhere around the Discovery River Lagoon. As part of the shift, the show will get shorter with more frequent performances throughout the day.

Disney KiteTails first debuted last October as part of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration. The show features large, colorful kites depicting different Disney characters such as Simba, Baloo, and Pumbaa. Disney describes the Discovery River show as:

Taking Magic to New Heights
Hearts and imaginations will soar as larger-than-life kites and colorful props dance through the air to the beat of beloved Disney songs. Enjoy 2 unique shows, each themed to a beloved Disney animated classic:

• The Lion King, featuring kites inspired by Simba, Zazu and more
  The Jungle Book, featuring kites inspired by King Louie, Baloo and more

See the magic take flight above the Discovery River Amphitheater during The World’s Most Magical Celebration—the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary.

The lengthy closure could be allowing Disney to reimagine the Discovery River Theater. It would mean, however, that Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park loses another attraction. With the permanent closure of Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Discovery River Lagoon was eerily quiet until Disney introduced Disney KiteTails.

Guests are still awaiting the return of Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond! with its new revamp at the Theater in the Wild later this year, although no official opening date has been announced.