Half of the Discovery River Amphitheater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is now closed to guests. Rolling planters block off the side closest to Theater in the Wild and the Tropical Americas construction. The Expedition Everest side remains open. Disney hasn’t said why, but the closed half faces Theater in the Wild, right where Disney says the new Santa’s Holiday Grove will be.
Discovery River Amphitheater Partially Closed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Which half of the Discovery River Amphitheater is closed, and which half is still open.
- Why Santa’s Holiday Grove is the likely reason for the closure.
- What Disney says is coming to the Grove, including its holiday treats.
The Discovery River Amphitheater stretches along the water from Theater in the Wild toward Expedition Everest, and guests often stop there to rest in the shade. Right now, only the Everest half is open. The half nearest Finding Nemo is empty behind a row of shrubs.
Planters Block Off the Theater in the Wild Side
Planters now line the path from Theater in the Wild toward the Discovery Island bridge, each one packed with tall shrubs. Together they form a living wall around the upper plaza on this side of the amphitheater. Guests can no longer access the benches, fans, or the seating rows under the blue umbrellas. The planters start near the Finding Nemo theater entrance and continue along the path across from the Tropical Americas construction walls.
There’s no visible work behind the planters yet. We didn’t spot any equipment, decorations, or building materials. The empty plaza looks the same as it did before the closure. Over on the Expedition Everest side, the stone bench seating is still open. From there, guests get a clear view across the water to the closed half.
Santa’s Holiday Grove Opens November 13th
Disney says Santa’s Holiday Grove sits across from Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! at Theater in the Wild. The closed half of the amphitheater is directly across the walkway from that theater, which makes it the most likely home for the Grove. Disney hasn’t confirmed the exact spot, though. According to Disney, guests will find “a magical trail with intermittent snow flurries” that leads to Santa.
The Grove gives Santa a new home after two holiday seasons at Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand USA, which closed to make way for Tropical Americas. Disney says treats will be available at the Grove from November 13th through January 3rd. Highlights include a Peppermint-Chocolate Cookie Dough Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich, a Cookie Butter Milkshake, and Chilled Mulled Wine. With less than a week to go, we expect the setup to move quickly if the amphitheater is the spot.
Keep Reading
- Catch up on everything Disney has shared about Santa’s Holiday Grove, from the snow flurries to the festive soundtrack.
- Look back at Santa’s final season meeting guests in DinoLand USA before the land closed.
- See what’s taking shape behind the walls in our guide to Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!