It seems like things are constantly changing in Disney World, doesn’t it?

With new construction updates, tons of new food, and new merchandise, there’s a lot to see and do. Here at DFB, we go to Disney World basically every day, so we can keep you up to date on the latest goings-on. We’ve made a few trips to Disney’s Animal Kingdom recently and now we’re talking you on a virtual adventure with us to see what’s new in this wild park!

Animal Kingdom Food Updates

First up is an exciting food update for you! The Grape Soda Badge Cupcake that we tried last year has returned to Animal Kingdom. This cupcake first appeared in 2021 with several other badge-themed cupcakes.

The cupcake is a vanilla cupcake with grape soda-flavored custard and grape-flavored frosting. We thought it was VERY grapey last year, but we overall enjoyed it! You can grab this cupcake at Flame Tree Barbecue, Restaurantosaurus, and Pizzafari for $5.99.

Click here to read our full review of the Grape Soda Badge Cupcake!

Animal Kingdom Construction Updates

A Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King is currently closed and will reopen on July 16th with more components from the original version of the show. It appears the show’s name will also return to being Festival of the Lion King.

When the show returns, some features that had previously been missing due to the pandemic will be back, like the tumble monkeys and acrobatic birds!

Click here for more details about the reopening of Festival of the Lion King!

Animal Kingdom Merchandise Updates

Riverside Depot

Riverside Depot had tons of new merchandise when we were there recently! Star Wars is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, and we saw some new limited edition pins to commemorate it! First up, we saw this pretty big pin that looks like the movie poster for Star Wars: A New Hope. This limited edition pin says “Star Wars 45” and is $99.99. Better break open those piggy banks! 😮

We also saw this pin set that consists of two pins, one that has Darth Vader with two Stormtroopers, and one with Luke, Leia, and Han Solo. Both of the pins in this set also have the “Star Wars 45” emblem on them. The set is $44.99.

Another pin we saw was this Funko POP! Dapper Dans pin. It has each of the four Dapper Dans holding a Mickey balloon! This pin is a limited-release pin and is available for $15.99.

Looking for a new phone case? Check out this Mickey Mouse animal print case! It’s a clear case covered with animal print versions of Mickey Mouse. It also has a 3-D effect. You can grab this phone case for $34.99.

We also spotted this Pride Stitch Plush, which we’ve seen already online and in Disneyland. It’s a rainbow Stitch plush that’s also holding a rainbow heart. ❤️ It is $34.99.

Looking for some headwear that’s not Minnie ears? Check out this Aladdin-inspired headband! It’s a black velvet headband that has subtle touches from the movie. It is $29.99.

And finally for Riverside Depot, if you’re a huge fan of Turning Red, check out this tumbler! It’s red and light blue and features Mei in both human and panda form, plus snacks. YUM!

You can grab this tumbler for $19.99.

Mombasa Marketplace

It looks like the animal print merch doesn’t stop with that phone case from Riverside Depot because we spotted two more animal print items at Mombasa Marketplace! We saw this animal print shirt for $24.99…

…and the matching hoodie.

The hoodie is priced at $54.99!

Dino Institute Shop

We spotted two new-to-us shirts in the Dino Institute Shop, which is the gift shop connected to the Dinosaur ride. First, we saw this shirt that has a picture of a T-Rex and says “Looking Sharp!” It is $24.99.

And we found this shirt that also has a T-Rex on it and says “Check yourself before you T-Rex yourself.” Get it? 😂

This shirt is also available for $24.99.

Windtraders

And if you’re looking for some merchandise that you can truly get nowhere else, head on over to Windtraders! On one of our recent trips, we spotted this Pandora pen that comes in a wooden box that says “Sivako.” The pen in the decorative box is $34.99.

We also saw this bomber jacket that is covered in different patches.

The bomber jacket is $59.99.

And that’s what’s new in Animal Kingdom (for now)! If you’re looking for even more updates around Disney World, check out the latest updates about the changes coming to Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

If you’re like us and eagerly awaiting the start of the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival, check out the food booth menus with prices that have popped up in EPCOT! And click here to see all of the food items you’ll be able to get at the festival this year.

As always, make sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World news!

Click here to see 10 spots in Disney World that will be UNRECOGNIZABLE in a few years!

What is your favorite thing to do in Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!