Walt Disney World is adding a new entrée to the menu at Pizzafari in Disney's Animal Kingdom — and it arrives during one of the busier periods of closures, refurbishments, and construction the resort has seen in recent memory.
What's New at Pizzafari
Baked Chicken Tenders are expected to join the Pizzafari menu in Discovery Island on September 6. According to menu tracking, the new entrée will be served with a tangy dipping sauce and kettle chips, giving families another familiar quick-service choice at the park.
Pizzafari's current lineup already includes Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta, a Chicken Caprese Baguette Sandwich, pizza, and Caesar salads. The addition of baked chicken tenders stands out because of the preparation — baked rather than fried, which is a different approach from the fried tenders commonly found at quick-service spots. It's worth noting that Disney has not described the item as "healthy," so it's more accurate to call it an alternative preparation rather than make any nutritional claim without published nutrition information.
Before you visit, be sure to check the official Pizzafari menu on the Disney World website or in My Disney Experience, as offerings and operating details can always change. The September 6 rollout still needs final live-menu verification.
Disney Springs Is Saying Goodbye to Some Familiar Favorites
The new Pizzafari option arrives at the same time that Disney Springs is losing a few well-loved spots. Both Sunshine Churros kiosks — at the Marketplace and West Side locations — are reported to be closing permanently after September 5. Disney has not announced any replacements for either location.
Adding to the dining turnover, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill is set to close permanently on September 13, with no replacement announced. Unlike a refurbishment, this is a permanent removal rather than a temporary closure for maintenance.
For guests who rely on quick, walk-up food options or enjoy a sit-down meal at Wolfgang Puck, these changes are worth factoring into vacation planning. There's no suggestion that the Pizzafari addition is connected to these departures — Disney has not presented the new menu item as any kind of compensation for the closing restaurants — but the developments do land in the same planning environment for guests.
A Busy Season of Refurbishments Across the Parks
Dining isn't the only area seeing change. Walt Disney World is in the middle of a significant wave of refurbishments and construction projects across all four theme parks.
- Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom has been temporarily unavailable since July 6, with an expected reopening in late spring 2027. Disney has confirmed a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure for the attraction, and D23 2026 brought additional details about the updated show — including Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston joining as the voices of the mom and dad.
- La Signature in EPCOT's France Pavilion is also temporarily closed for refurbishment.
- Mickey Shorts Theater at Disney's Hollywood Studios closed on August 9 for temporary Annual Passholder magnet distribution, with a return expected later in 2026 but no exact reopening date confirmed.
- Walt Disney World Railroad at Magic Kingdom is scheduled to close for refurbishment beginning September 28, with a reopening expected sometime in November.
Magic Kingdom's Big Construction Picture
Magic Kingdom is also in the midst of longer-term transformation. Frontierland construction continues as Disney develops Piston Peak, its Cars-inspired expansion. Disney revealed new Piston Peak attraction details at D23 in August, making clear that the construction walls are part of a deliberate, long-range plan rather than unrelated work.
It's important to keep perspective: refurbishments are temporary, permanent vendor closures are a separate category, and construction projects are designed to deliver new or updated experiences down the road. That said, the concentration of work happening all at once can meaningfully shape what guests encounter on a particular visit.
Planning Your Animal Kingdom Visit
For families heading to Animal Kingdom this fall, the practical takeaway is simple: Pizzafari is gaining a new entrée option while the broader Walt Disney World dining and attraction lineup remains unusually fluid. Guests who love chicken tenders may soon have a baked version to enjoy alongside the restaurant's existing pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and salads.
New food, permanent restaurant departures, temporary refurbishments, and major construction are all happening at the same time. The baked chicken tenders won't offset every closure, but they do represent something guests can look forward to as Disney's parks and dining landscape continue to evolve.