Ranger the White Rhino Calf Now Visible on Kilimanjaro Safaris

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

A four month old white rhino calf and his mother joined the herd at Kilimanjaro Safaris today. The Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment, Dr. Mark Penning, posted the announcement on Instagram today.

Baby Ranger is a four month old white rhino calf who was born back in October at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Ranger and his mother Kendi have joined the savanna together for the first time today, and may be seen while riding the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction.

The White Rhino is considered to be a Near Threatened species as opposed to Endangered, and this is largely in part of conservation efforts like those at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

“Raya and the Last Dragon” Treats Arrive at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining

To celebrate the upcoming release of Walt Disney Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon,” I have some very special treats to share. In addition to the experiences coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom announced previously on Disney Parks Blog, three new creative sweet treats inspired by the film debut today in the Park.

  • Baby Tuk Tuk Mousse – 5-spice mousse on top of chocolate cake, milk chocolate cream, chocolate velvet ”shell,” and chocolate crispy pearls (available starting Feb. 22 at Creature Comforts Coffee Shop and Isle of Java).
  • Baby Tuk Tuk Ice Cream Sundae – Chai-spiced caramel cake, chai caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream, green tea cake crumbs, salted caramel crispy pearls, and edible image of Baby Tuk Tuk (available starting Feb. 22 at Dino-Bite Snacks).
  • Mighty Mist Soft-Serve – Twist of strawberry and vanilla soft serve with blue-tinted white chocolate- dipped waffle cone rolled in sparkling sugar (available starting Feb. 22 at Anandapur Ice Cream Truck).

And it gets even sweeter! As a Disney Parks Blog exclusive debut, here is a “foodie inspired” clip from the new film introducing Boun, the self-styled “owner, manager, chef, and captain” of his boat, the Shrimporium.

Don’t miss “Raya and the Last Dragon” releasing simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on Mar. 5, 2021.

Multiple Series of Shows Related to Disney Attractions Coming To Disney+

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

Ronald D. Moore is in the process of developing multiple TV projects at Disney Plus that will be set in Disney’s Magic Kingdom, according to Variety.

The first such project will be “The Society of Explorers and Adventurers,” which Moore will write and executive produce. The series is loosely based on the fictional organization of the same name that is part of the Disney theme parks. Mystic Manor, The Jungle Cruise, Tokyo DisneySea’s Tower of Terror and Soaring Fantastic Flight are among the places guests can learn more about the story behind the organization.

“In the show, the themed lands and characters of the Disney parks and classic films all actually exist in another reality.”

Moore is also said to be working with the Walt Disney Imagineering Team on the other projects, which would amount to an interconnected universe similar to Marvel or “Star Wars” but within the world of the Disney theme parks.

Reps for Disney and 20th Television declined to comment.

Passholder Exclusive Coming Weekdays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Hello Disney Passholders! Visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom on a weekday in the near future? Disney has announced Passholder exclusive weekday offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and we’ll be sure to take advantage of them!

As shared via the Walt Disney World website: On weekdays (Monday through Friday) from February 22 through March 19, 2021, Passholders can head to DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park to find a variety of Passholder-exclusive offerings (while supplies last, operating hours vary by location):

  • Head to Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures to try your luck at Fossil Fun Games with a special promotional offer: buy 3 game tickets and receive a complimentary retired, non-Disney plush consolation prize (Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures opens one hour after Park Open to 4:00 PM; Fossil Fun Games is open 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
  • Try 4 exclusive beverages available for purchase at Restaurantosaurus Lounge—Tyrannosaurus Wreck, Fossil Fuel, Pterodactyl Punch and Triceraberry Pop* (open 10:30 AM to Park Close)
  • Enjoy an exclusive cookie featuring Donald Duck, available for purchase at Dino-Bite Snacks (open 10:30 AM to Park Close)
  • Receive a complimentary Donald Duck magnet, which makes its return for pick-up in DinoLand U.S.A. (limit one magnet per passholder; Annual Passholder must be present to pick-up magnet; available from Park Open to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday only)

*Annual Passholder discount excludes alcoholic beverages

Important Information: Valid park admission and park reservation for the same park on the same date are required for theme park entry. Limit one Donald Duck magnet per passholder. Available while supplies last. Must visit DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and present your valid annual pass card and government-issued photo ID to receive the magnet. Available weekdays (Monday through Friday) only. Not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged magnets. Passholder must also present your valid annual pass card and government-issued photo ID to purchase any passholder-exclusive food and beverage(s), and game tickets. Offer not valid on previous purchases. No other discounts apply. Promotional item must be returned in the event that any of the game tickets for the qualifying purchase are returned. All offers valid while supplies last and subject to change or cancellation without notice. Food and Beverage availability and operating hours subject to change without notice. Annual Passholder discount excludes alcoholic beverages, and applicable tax and gratuity. Locations, Food and Beverage availability and operating hours subject to change without notice.

Operating Hours Released for Walt Disney World Theme Parks Through May 8, 2021

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

Walt Disney World has released the operating hours for its theme parks now through the first week of May. Park hours have also been extended from March 5th through the 13th at select parks.

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The Magic Kingdom continues to open at 9:00 AM, but will now close at 8:00 PM from March 5th to the 8th, and closes at 7:00 PM on the 9th through the 11th. The park closes at 10:00 PM instead of 6:00 PM on March 12th and 13th.

EPCOT continues to open at 11:00 daily, and will now close at 9:00 PM on March 6th. From March 7th through the 12th the park will close at 8:00 PM. EPCOT now closes at 10:00 PM on the 13th.

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Animal Kingdom will now open at 8:00 AM everyday March 7th through the 13th. The park will now close at 6:00 PM on the 7th and 8:00 PM on the 13th.

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Hollywood Studios will now open at 9:00 AM from March 7th through the 13th, one hour earlier each day. The park’s closing time has remained the same at 7:00 PM.

Here are the new park hours from May 2nd to the 8th:

  • Magic Kingdom: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
  • EPCOT: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Blizzard Beach: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM