Disney KiteTails — Former Show · History & Timeline

Former Show · the memorial record

⚰ Permanently closed · Sep 30, 2022operated 1 year · 2021–2022

This show is gone, but its history stays documented — the full lifetime log is below.

Show history

the lifetime record

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2025

Area UpdateJan 29, 2025#

The custom-built KiteTails docks were removed from the Discovery River Amphitheater, stripping the last physical trace of the show from the venue.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
2022

◆ Latest milestone

RefurbishmentSep 30, 2022#

Disney KiteTails closed permanently at the end of its announced run on September 30, 2022, though its true final performance came three days early, at 3:10 PM on September 27, when Walt Disney World closed its parks ahead of Hurricane Ian.

operating→permanently closed after just under one year

Cast members announced to the audience on September 27 that it would be the final show and the performers took a final lap around the lagoon; the parks were closed September 28-29 for the hurricane. The closed_date is held at the announced September 30 end of the run.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
ChangedSep 14, 2022#

Disney announced that Disney KiteTails would give its last performance on September 30, 2022, with entertainment on Discovery River Lagoon transitioning to the character flotillas.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
NerfJun 5, 2022#

After the reformat, all land-based performers were dropped from Disney KiteTails, runtimes were cut to between two and a half and four and a half minutes, and the show's entrance banners, character flags and advertised showtimes were removed.

Date is the date the cutbacks were reported; the exact effective date was not stated. Guests were instead encouraged to watch the sky throughout the day.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
NerfMay 26, 2022#

Disney KiteTails gave its final performance as a scheduled show on May 26, 2022, ending the seated theatrical version with posted showtimes.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
ChangedApr 5, 2022#

Disney announced it was shifting the focus of Disney KiteTails so guests could watch from anywhere around Discovery River Lagoon, with shorter and more frequent performances throughout the day.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
2021

NewOct 1, 2021#

Disney KiteTails debuted at the Discovery River Theater in Disney's Animal Kingdom as part of Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary celebration, with performers carrying oversized kites and props on shore while watercraft towed three-dimensional character kites as large as 30 feet long across Discovery River Lagoon.

Shore performers carried kites and props themed to The Little Mermaid, A Bug's Life and Finding Nemo, while the towed kites depicted characters from The Lion King and The Jungle Book, set to original worldbeat arrangements of Disney songs. The venue had been dark since Rivers of Light was retired in July 2020; no source describes KiteTails as its replacement.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes

Questions & answers

When did Disney KiteTails open?

Per the documented record, Disney KiteTails at Animal Kingdom opened on Oct 1, 2021.

When did Disney KiteTails last close for refurbishment?

The most recent closure/refurbishment documented for Disney KiteTails is dated Sep 30, 2022: Disney KiteTails closed permanently at the end of its announced run on September 30, 2022, though its true final performance came three days early, at 3:10 PM on September 27, when Walt Disney World closed its parks ahead of Hurricane Ian.

What changed recently on Disney KiteTails?

The latest documented change (documented Jan 29, 2025): The custom-built KiteTails docks were removed from the Discovery River Amphitheater, stripping the last physical trace of the show from the venue.

How many changes are on record for Disney KiteTails?

7 documented changes, dating back to 2021 — the fan-kept show changelog nobody else keeps.

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