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Maharajah Jungle Trek’s Bat Exhibit to Temporarily Close for Refurbishment
If you’re planning a trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in early 2025, heads up: the popular bats exhibit along the Maharajah Jungle Trek will be undergoing a short refurbishment. According to the Walt Disney World Resort website, the bat area will close on February 17, 2025, with plans to reopen in early March 2025. Though this portion of the trail will be unavailable to guests, the rest of the Maharajah Jungle Trek will remain open, giving guests plenty of opportunities to spot creatures like Komodo dragons, gibbons, and of course, the park’s headline-making tigers.
Why the Maharajah Jungle Trek Is a Must-Do
Related: Bakso the Baby Tiger Cub Has the Longest Wait at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Located in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Maharajah Jungle Trek offers a self-guided walking tour through lush forests, dramatic ruins, and immersive habitats. It’s become even more popular thanks to the debut of Bakso, a Sumatran tiger cub born in September 2024. Bakso first ventured onto the trail in January 2025, quickly capturing hearts and drawing crowds eager to see one of the newest members of the park’s animal family. Whether you’re trekking across towering footbridges or ducking into the open-air aviary, there’s no shortage of breathtaking encounters with exotic wildlife.
Spotlight on the Malayan Flying Fox
One of the most fascinating inhabitants of the trek is the Malayan flying fox, also called the large flying fox—one of the world’s biggest bat species with wingspans that can stretch up to six feet. Unlike many other bats that navigate with echolocation, these fruit enthusiasts rely on keen eyesight and a powerful sense of smell. Their penchant for snacking on fruit helps scatter seeds throughout the forest, playing a vital part in reforestation and the overall health of their ecosystem.
Enriching Bats’ Lives at Disney
Disney’s animal care experts work diligently to simulate the bats’ natural environment, incorporating rope structures, fruit-laden branches, and plenty of room for roosting. Because the large flying fox can eat up to half its body weight in fruit daily, the caretakers offer a variety of produce—everything from bananas to cucumbers—to keep them happy and healthy. During the temporary refurbishment, animal care teams will likely use the downtime to perform needed habitat upgrades and enhancements.
Ongoing Conservation Efforts
Beyond simply showcasing these marvelous creatures, The Walt Disney Company has a broader commitment to conservation. Through the Disney Conservation Fund, the park supports global initiatives to protect bat populations and combat misconceptions about them. While bats often get a bad rap due to folklore and superstition, Malayan flying foxes (and bats in general) are indispensable to the planet’s ecosystems, serving as pollinators and seed dispersers in the wild.
Related: Timelapse Camera Setup to Document Tropical Americas Transformation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Plan Your Visit
If you want to see the flying foxes in action, be sure to drop by before February 17, 2025, or wait until their exhibit reopens in March. In the meantime, the rest of the Maharajah Jungle Trek remains a top attraction—especially for anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of baby Bakso or snap photos of the region’s striking array of birds. No matter when you choose to visit, the trek offers a truly immersive experience that blends natural wonder with Disney magic.
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