Permit Filed for Feathered Friends in Flight Theater – Animal Kingdom Update?

Animal Kingdom is hopping into 2026 with major changes, and the bird show is getting its moment, too. On Jan. 21, Disney filed a permit for construction work at the Feathered Friends in Flight! theater in the Asia area. This isn’t an Imagineering-led project (so don’t expect a completely new show), but it does mean Disney contractors will be at work providing “labor, material and/or electrical” upgrades.

In plain terms, this likely signals a routine refurbishment or tech refresh of the bird habitat and show space. Disney hasn’t announced a closure yet, but we can guess the show might pause for a short time so crews can do their magic. Industry observers note that filings like this often precede a show’s refresh. In other words, the beloved parrot-and-hawk performance could return with some tweaks or improved staging down the line.

This comes amid Animal Kingdom’s big makeover: the entire DinoLand USA is closing soon for new rides, Pandora is getting a nighttime glow-up, and now even the Feathered Friends are on deck. For guests, the takeaway is to expect no major changes to the show’s theme, just maybe some nicer-looking sets or sound updates. Watch for signs that Feathered Friends is briefly unavailable, and stay tuned to see if Disney surprises us with any new feathered friends or effects when it reopens.

Until next time, keep believing in magic. — Behind the Wish