Walt Disney World guests visiting Disney's Animal Kingdom will soon find a new entrée on the Pizzafari menu. Baked Chicken Tenders — served with a tangy dipping sauce and kettle chips — are expected to roll out at the Discovery Island quick-service spot on September 6. The preparation stands out in a quick-service landscape dominated by fried options, though Disney has not released nutrition information, so describing the dish as "healthy" would be getting ahead of the facts.
Pizzafari's existing menu already offers a range of casual choices including Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta, a Chicken Caprese Baguette Sandwich, pizza, and Caesar salads, so the tenders add a familiar protein option to a lineup that skews Italian. Guests should verify the item on the official Pizzafari menu or through the My Disney Experience app before visiting, as rollout details can shift.
The new addition lands during a noticeable period of dining turnover across the resort. Both Sunshine Churros kiosks at Disney Springs — the Marketplace and West Side locations — are set to close permanently after September 5, with no announced replacements. Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill is also scheduled to shutter for good on September 13, marking a permanent departure rather than a temporary refurbishment.
Beyond dining, Walt Disney World is juggling a wide slate of construction and closures. The Walt Disney World Railroad at Magic Kingdom is slated to close for refurbishment beginning September 28, with a return expected sometime in November. Carousel of Progress has been offline since July 6 and isn't expected back until late spring 2027, though Disney has confirmed updates including new Audio-Animatronics figures and celebrity voice talent. Meanwhile, Frontierland construction continues as the resort develops its Cars-inspired Piston Peak expansion.
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For families planning an Animal Kingdom visit this fall, Pizzafari's baked tenders offer one new option in a dining landscape that is otherwise contracting in several spots. This reporting is drawn from coverage by Inside the Magic.
