First Look: ‘Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!’ Opening Summer 2022

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Climb aboard explorers and hold on tight, because it’s time to take a deep dive into the creation of the freshly reimagined show, “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” – opening this summer at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park!

Stepping inside the Theater in the Wild, Guests will catch up with the group of fish from Dr. P. Sherman’s office in “Finding Nemo,” who have made their way across the ocean to the Marine Life Institute. The fish tell Nemo’s story in this fully updated, 25-minute show, incorporating live performers and puppets, along with many of the beloved songs and production numbers from the original “Finding Nemo: The Musical.”

In addition to a new script, the show will feature new scenic set pieces and a new LED video wall designed to visually extend the world created by the physical sets on stage. We aren’t talking small set pieces either. Be on the lookout for a 32-foot-long sunken submarine and a fish tank volcano standing nearly 15 feet tall!

Working in close collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios, artists and designers at Disney Live Entertainment also developed a new aesthetic for “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” inspired by layered, cut paper sculptures. The resulting look is fresh and unique to the show, while staying true to the designs in the original film. Check out the video below for a sneak peek.

“Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” is just one of the many ways Disney is adding even more magic to the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration in the coming months.

Cast Member Recalls 10-Foot Snake Sneaks Through Line of 200 Disney Guests

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Walt Disney World Resort — and other Disney Parks around the globe — would not operate as seamlessly as they do without the efforts of their hard-working Cast Members each and every day.

Because Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, animals sometimes do very unexpected things, accidentally making exciting — and sometimes unwanted — memories for Park Guests.

One Cast Member shared a particularly interesting tale with People magazine — one that will be quite harrowing for those who suffer from Ophidiophobia!

snake jungle cruise disney world

The Cast Member said:

“I worked a ride in Animal Kingdom a long time ago. I saw a 10-foot-long snake emerge from an area with lots of plants and bushes. It slowly works its way through a line of about 200 people. It weaved its way through people’s legs, strollers, bags, etc… and then it just casually slipped back into another wooded area. No one noticed!”

Everest

While the CM did not share which Animal Kingdom ride this situation occurred at, it is quite likely that it was Kilimanjaro Safaris. There are, however, some animals that roam — and fly! — throughout the theme park, so the snake could have made its way through the queue at Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids, or any number of other attractions.

Disney Reveals When Expedition Everest Will Reopen

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

According to Walt Disney World’s official calendar, Expedition Everest will be returning on April 16. The attraction will also be available on Disney Genie and Disney’s Lightning Lane services. The website does note that this will last until August:

Until August 7, 2022, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Frozen Ever After, Space Mountain and Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain will be included via Disney Genie+ service and will not be included as an individual Lightning Lane selection.

Expedition Everest at night

Disney Removes Expedition Everest Reopening Date From Website

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

For months, Guests visiting Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort have been unable to ride one of the most popular attractions in the theme park. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain has been closed since early January as it undergoes a major, lengthy refurbishment. When it first announced the closure, Disney shared that Expedition Everest would be closed for several months, reopening in mid-April.

It looks like that is no longer the case.

The Walt Disney World website recently removed any mention of a reopening date. Instead of saying that the attraction will reopen in mid-April, the site now simply reads, “Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain is currently closed for refurbishment. Please check back here for updates.” The Walt Disney World Resort calendar currently runs through June 7 and there are no times listed for the ride.

Expedition Everest

Haven’t yet experienced Expedition Everest? Here’s more information on the thrilling Disney Park attraction that takes riders deep into the Himalayas.

Wander into a Tibetan village at the base of Mount Everest and board a train to the “top of the world.” Beware: Some say a legendary snow monster lives deep in the mountain.

After a steep ascent, your train picks up speed and races into the darkness. Without warning, a broken and twisted track appears in front of you. Brace yourself as you plummet backward into total darkness. Inside the cavern, the mythical tale comes true as you see the shadow of a massive, growling beast!

Race to escape the cursed mountain—before the Yeti claims another expedition.

Expedition Everest

While Expedition Everest may be closed, there are still a number of other fun rides and attractions you can experience during your Animal Kingdom trip — including Flight of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safaris, “It’s Tough to Be a Bug”, and Dinosaur. There are also a ton of great places to stop and get your foodie fix, like Flame Tree BBQ, Tiffins, and Satu’li Canteen.

Entertainment Roaring and Soaring in New Ways at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has always been home to some of our Guest’s favorite entertainment experiences at Walt Disney World Resort. With so much to do and see, our Guests won’t want to miss a thing – and today, we have some updates to share about entertainment at the park.

First up, let’s look to the sky as some of our favorite Disney characters take flight in “Disney KiteTails.” Since its debut as part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration, this show has been delighting Guests with a vibrant celebration of music, color and kites – some as large as 30 feet long – depicting Simba, Baloo and more! Just in time for summer fun, we’re shifting the focus of the show so guests will be able to experience “Disney KiteTails” from anywhere around the Discovery River Lagoon, with shorter and more frequent performances throughout the day.  

Between “Disney KiteTails” performances, Discovery River will come alive with our Character Flotillas! Setting sail in succession, these high-energy boats will fill the waters throughout the park with music, EARidescent 50th anniversary moments and characters including Mickey and friends, Timon, Rafiki and Pocahontas several times each day. 

Speaking of Guest favorites, a certain group of high-flying primates will be making their return to “Festival of the Lion King.” Not only will the delightful Tumble Monkeys be back to their acrobatic hijinks this summer, but the show’s iconic birds will once again soar above the stage.

That’s not the only excitement on the horizon. Guests visiting the park will soon be able to share a high-five with Mickey & Minnie at Adventurers Outpost and take in the newly updated “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond” – both opening in the coming months as we continue to add even more magic to The World’s Most Magical Celebration!