Baby Masai Giraffe Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Another Masai giraffe has been born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which welcomed two Masai giraffe calves last year.

The calf was born on June 10 and is six feet tall and weighs 183 pounds. According to Scott Terrell, Director of Animal & Science Operations, he’s “playful, curious and pretty chill” and has been spending lots of time with mom, Lily. He has a unique butterfly marking on his right shoulder and heart-shaped markings throughout his coat.

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Due to poaching and habitat destruction, there are only 35,000 Masai giraffes currently in the wild with a declining population. This birth is another success for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan Program.

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Lily and her calf will join the herd on Kilimanjaro Safaris in the coming weeks.

Another Disney Attraction Returns to Pre-COVID Experience

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

In just this past week, we’ve seen an increase of pre-COVID experiences returning to Walt Disney World. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway pre-show is back, Haunted Mansion’s Stretching Room has returned, and Living with the Land’s boat dividers have been removed. Another attraction is joining the list of returning to a pre-COVID experience!

One of the most popular attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Kilimanjaro Safaris, has removed the large plastic dividers between each of their seats on the safari vehicles. As you can see in the photo above, with the dividers in place, it was difficult to see what was up ahead leaving guests sticking with the view to their immediate left or right.

We’re loving watching the return of all these experiences! We’ll keep you posted as Disney continues to return more and more attractions and experiences to their pre-COVID state.

Walt Disney World Park Hours Released Into September

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

As you plan your vacation to Walt Disney World you’ll want to keep an eye on your My Disney Experience App for the latest update in park hours. The Walt Disney World website now shows parks hours have been released into September! Plus, several previously posted hours have been changed to accommodate the return of fireworks, the arrival of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, and Disney After Hours Boo Bash events. As you plan your vacation to the most magic place on earth, here are the current posted park hours for June 20 – September 4, 2021.

Magic Kingdom:

  • June 20 – 30: 8:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • July 1 – 10: 9:00am to 11:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
  • July 11 – 31: 9:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
  • August 1 – 13: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • August 14: 9:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • August 15 – 31: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • September 1 – 4: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)

EPCOT:

  • June 20 – 30: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
  • July 1 – 31: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
  • August 1 – 31: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • September 1 – 4: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • June 20 – 30: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
  • July 1 – 31: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
  • August 1 – 31: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • September 1 – 4: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

  • June 20: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • June 21: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • June 22: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 5pm)
  • June 23 – 26: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • June 27: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 5pm)
  • June 28 – 30: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • July 1 – 31: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • August 1 – 31: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • September 1 – 4: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)

Keep checking the My Disney Experience App before visiting as Disney has been known to add extra hours as dates draw nearer.

Pre-Shows Return, Plexiglass Dividers Disappear, and Attractions Now Seating Multiple Parties Together at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Via wdwnt.com

Walt Disney World continues to relax its COVID-19 protocols now that face coverings are no longer required for fully vaccinated guests and physical distancing markers are slowly being removed. 

DINOSAUR

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The attraction’s pre-show has been restored to its pre-pandemic state. Distancing markers are gone, and guests must now watch the entire presentation before they move on to board the ride.

In addition, Cast Members are now seating multiple parties together. And there’s also a welcome sight, as the divisive plexiglass dividers have gone extinct.

Kali River Rapids

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Similarly, Kali River Rapids is now seating all twelve seats in the raft, placing parties next to each other.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

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Over at Kilimanjaro Safaris, distancing markers are gone and every row is being utilized aboard the vehicles.

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The plastic dividers are also gone, allowing for a nicer view and much better airflow along the journey.

AVATAR Flight of Passage

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Both rides in Pandora – The World of Avatar have eliminated physical distancing. All banshee seats are being used at Flight of Passage.

Na’vi River Journey

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The plastic dividers have also been removed from Na’vi River Journey.

Walt Disney World Park Hours Released Through August 28

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

As you plan your vacation to Walt Disney World you’ll want to keep an eye on your My Disney Experience App for the latest update in park hours. The Walt Disney World website now shows parks hours have been released through August 28! As you plan your vacation to the most magic place on earth, here are the current posted park hours for June 12 – August 28, 2021.

Josh D’Amaro, chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products (center front right) and Jeff Vahle, president, Walt Disney World Resort (center front left), pose with Disney cast members for a photo in front of Cinderella Castle, July 11, 2020, prior to the phased reopening of Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)

Magic Kingdom:

  • June 12 – 26: 8:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • June 27 – 30: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • July 1 – 31: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • August 1 – 13: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • August 14: 9:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • August 15 – 28: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)

EPCOT:

  • June 12 – 30: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
  • July 1 – 17: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
  • July 18 – 31: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • August 1 – 28: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • June 12 – 30: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
  • July 1 – 31: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
  • August 1 – 28: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

  • June 12 – 20: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • June 21: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • June 22: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 5pm)
  • June 23 – 26: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • June 27: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 5pm)
  • June 28 – 30: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • July 1 – 3: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • July 4 – 31: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • August 1 – 28: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
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