Disney World has sparked an uproar online after it announced it’s replacing one of its few cultural restaurants with an American-style eatery.
According to WDW News Today, Harambe Market in Disney’s Animal Kingdom will receive an overhaul to its menu in early 2026.
Currently, the restaurant offers ‘African-inspired fare,’ but starting next year, it will serve hamburgers, chicken nuggets, and other typical American food instead, per the publication.
The change is set to ‘accommodate guests’ amidst the closure of Restaurantosaurus, which currently offers burgers and chicken fingers but will close permanently on February 2, 2026, to make way for the new Tropical Americas area.
Harambe Market will ‘close for refurbishment sometime this winter to prepare for that new menu,’ WDW News Today reported.
It’s unclear how long the change will take place or if it will be permanent, but the Daily Mail has reached out to Disney for comment.
After the news hit the web, fans of the theme park were furious, and took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their outrage.
‘Sad… [Harambe Market] is the best quick stop restaurant in Animal Kingdom,’ one user wrote.
Disney World has sparked an uproar online after it announced it’s replacing one of its few cultural restaurants with an American-style eatery
According to WDW News Today , Harambe Market in Disney’s Animal Kingdom will receive an overhaul to its menu in early 2026. The Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom is sen
‘That is so disappointing,’ another added.
‘Massive L,’ penned someone else, while a different user interjected, ‘This is absolutely ridiculous, add them to the menu maybe but REALLY this doesn’t fit in with the Harambe Market.’
‘Nooooooooooo, so many places in the park already [have that type of food],’ scathed another fan.
‘Is Disney really on this quest to have nothing distinctive that makes it worth going there?’ read a sixth tweet.
A seventh said, ‘Hate this! It’s the second best quick service at Animal Kingdom (just behind Satu’li Canteen).
‘There’s plenty of burger and nugget places to choose from. Why take away the good stuff?’
‘This is a bad move,’ announced another person, while someone else said, ‘Definitely need more locations to buy s***ty fast food at Disney. I’ll never go back to that place. Such a joke.’
‘Seriously?! One thing I love about Animal Kingdom is that you get to explore new flavors, and Harambe Market is a great place to do that,’ pointed out a disappointed user.
Currently, the restaurant offers ‘African-inspired fare,’ but starting next year, it will serve hamburgers, chicken nuggets, and other typical American food instead, per the publication
The change is set to ‘accommodate guests’ amidst the closure of Restaurantosaurus, which currently offers burgers and chicken fingers but will close permanently on February 2, 2026
‘What else can be downgraded and cheapened? Better hike the prices,’ someone else sarcastically penned.
Restaurantosaurus’ closure is part of a wider project that will seen DinoLand USA at Disney’s Animal Kingdom transformed into the upcoming Tropical Americas land.
The new area will include an Indiana Jones attraction and Disney’s first ever Coco-themed water ride. It’s scheduled to open in 2027.
But that means the beloved restaurant, as well as the ride DINOSAUR will be shut down for good next February.
The Boneyard playground closed on September 1, and construction has already begun.
That’s not the only change coming to Animal Kingdom. In addition, a new show called Zootopia: Better Zoogether! is set to replace the former It’s Tough to be a Bug! attraction located in the Tree of Life, and will open this November.
Over at Hollywood Studios, there’s a new Monsters Inc.-themed land in the works and the Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster is going to be rethemed to feature the Muppets.
And at Magic Kingdom, an area inspired by the Cars franchise, as well as a Villains land are being added to the park.
