With the arrival of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update, players are gearing up for an exciting wave of new features, but this wave also sweeps away some familiar elements. Every major update in New Horizons has brought changes, sometimes adding, sometimes removing, and often shifting how the game feels from day to day. As new content arrives in ACNH Update 2026, a few aspects of the game will disappear or be modified, affecting how players interact with their islands.

ACNH Update 2026 - Things That Will Be Removed & Changed in ACNH 3.0 Update

The 3.0 update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons is poised to introduce a host of additions, such as the much-anticipated hotel on the dock, fresh multiplayer experiences, and new ways to personalize your island. Alongside these additions, Nintendo is also taking the opportunity to refine the game, removing certain limitations and changing how some existing features work. While change can be a bit unsettling, some of these removals may actually improve the overall experience and open up new possibilities for creativity and play.

Let's take a look at what’s set to be removed or altered in the 3.0 update, and how these changes may affect your daily island life.

1. Dock Decorating

One of the most notable changes involves the dock, which is gaining a hotel in the new update. Up until now, many players have used the dock as a space for creative decoration, filling it with items for aesthetic or thematic setups. However, because the hotel entrance will occupy the dock and Nintendo has never permitted blocking the entryways to key buildings, decorating the dock will no longer be possible in the same way. Once the update arrives, any ACNH items placed on the dock will likely be transferred to the lost and found box, and players will be unable to place new decorations there.

While this may disappoint some, especially given how popular dock decoration has been in the community, the addition of the hotel brings a fresh look and new opportunities for interaction. The dock won’t feel empty or neglected; rather, it will now serve a new purpose as a hub for activities. Despite the change, most players will find that the benefits of the new hotel outweigh the loss of dock decorating.

2. Kappn's Original Look

Another subtle yet permanent change coming with the 3.0 update is the retirement of Kapp’n’s classic outfit. Since his introduction in New Horizons in 2021, Kapp’n has maintained a familiar appearance reminiscent of his look from earlier Animal Crossing games. Now, as he joins the hotel staff, he will don a new uniform fitting his new role, bidding farewell to his iconic sailor attire.

There is a small exception: if you invite Kapp’n to the Roost using amiibo, he—and possibly his family—may still appear in their original outfits as a nod to longtime fans. This small Easter egg keeps a link to the past, even as the game moves forward with updated visuals and roles for its characters.

3. River Mouth and Island Limitations

For years, the river mouth at the edge of each island has placed constraints on how players can design and decorate their spaces. The 3.0 update brings a welcome change, at least on Slumber Islands, by removing this feature entirely for certain island layouts. Players can now select smaller layouts without river mouths, making it much easier to customize and decorate these areas. This adjustment may not be available for main islands just yet, but its presence in Slumber Islands suggests a possible future where more customization options become available across the board.

Similarly, some players have found the requirement for two river mouths restrictive. Now, certain layouts will allow you to have just one, further increasing flexibility. While these improvements are currently limited to Slumber Islands, they hint at a broader trend towards giving players more freedom in shaping their dream islands.

4. Terraforming With Friends Online

Another longstanding restriction has been the inability to terraform while playing online with friends. In the current version, terraforming tools are locked during multiplayer sessions on your main island. The 3.0 update changes this for Slumber Islands, allowing friends to terraform together in real-time. This collaborative experience is a welcome addition, and it raises hopes that similar functionality may eventually reach regular islands as well. If expanded, this would allow for more dynamic group projects and creative sessions without the usual barriers.

5. Potential Removal of Online Loading Screens

One of the most persistent frustrations for players has been the lengthy online loading screens, especially when friends are joining or leaving the island. Based on early footage and details from the update, it appears that Slumber Islands may now feature streamlined loading: all players seem to appear or “wake up” at the same time, suggesting that individual loading screens might be reduced or even eliminated. This smoother experience would make online play more enjoyable and less disruptive, especially with the expected increase in player count on the Switch 2.

While it's not confirmed for the main game yet, these changes show Nintendo's efforts to address player feedback and make multiplayer sessions more fluid.