Celebrate Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month at Disney World

Walt Disney World is celebrating Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month! Catch all the details below on how you can join in on the celebration.

From a Disney Cast Member;

I’m very proud to be a Hispanic/Latinx cast member at Walt Disney World Resort and that’s one of the reasons why I’m always excited to share the different events and opportunities we have to celebrate our cultures with all of you. As part of Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month we are happy to announce the multiple ways you can celebrate across Walt Disney World Resort through food, music, and more! Because, after all, “Together We Are Magia!”

As you may have heard, Miguel and Dante from Disney and Pixar’s “Coco” are a part of the “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection” – golden sculptures coming to all four parks as part of the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary celebration – and you can see these two amigos in EPCOT.

Here are more ways you can celebrate Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month throughout the Walt Disney World Resort:

THEME PARKS

Head over to the Mexico pavilion at EPCOT and stop by the Mexico Folk Art Gallery. Don’t forget to enjoy something delicioso to eat and drink. The pavilion’s world-famous San Angel Inn restaurant will showcase San Pascual Award-winning chef, Federico A. Lopez and his menu representing regional Mexican foods from Oct. 1 – Dec 31.

You can also take in a performance from Mariachi Cobre who’ve added songs from “Coco” to their show at the America Gardens Theater.

If you visit during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival that runs through Nov. 20, try the Chimichurri-up Offense at Flavors from Fire Hosted by The NFL on ESPN or the Crispy Pig Ear Salad at The Swanky Saucy Swine. From Oct. 1 – 4, you can see the band Latin Ambition do a special performance at The American Gardens Theater.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, be sure to try the brand new Colombian Hot Dog at Fairfax Fare Counter, or at Magic Kingdom Parksee Princess Elena in the cavalcade in “A Royal Princess Processional”.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the signature restaurant Tiffins offers food items inspired by Imagineers’ travels to Oaxaca, Mexico, including Sweet Corn Soup and Charred Octopus. For something to eat on the go, stop by The Smiling Crocodile and grab some Street Corn Tacos, which pay homage to the tacos found in the markets and thoroughfares of Mexico City.  To satisfy your sweet tooth, stop by Nomad Lounge for their delicious churros!

RESORTS

Guests staying at a Disney Resort Hotel can end the night with la familia watching Movies Under the Stars.  The resorts will show several movies inspired by Latin culture and Hispanic and Latinx talent – featuring “Elena and the Secret of Avalor,” “Coco,” and more!

Hotels at Walt Disney World Resort will also be serving up Latin-inspired food, including Pork Tacos with marinated mango and a Warm Manchego cheese dip at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort’s Three Bridges – Villa de Lago, Pork Ropa Vieja at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, and Shrimp Tacos at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.

DISNEY SPRINGS

Disney Springs is also celebrating Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month with entertainment, food, and plenty of shopping. Throughout the month, enjoy lively performances by La Calle, a Latin Pop band featuring a high-energy interactive-style show that seamlessly blends music and dance. You’ll also hear Nicholas Marks – known as the “Jimi Hendrix” of Flamenco music – blending American Pop music with the rich and fiery Spanish Flamenco beat and rhythm.

If food is the way to your corazón, Disney Springs is proud to feature three Hispanic and Latinx culinary Cast Members who have created their own unique dishes inspired by their personal heritage: Alex Cabrera’s Tres Leches at Amorette’s Patisserie, Jose Rodriguez’s Tripleta Burger at D-Luxe Burger and Oscar Prieto’s Tostones at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar. 

Featured visiting food truck, Cilantro Urban Eatery celebrates Latin Street Food offering infused Venezuelan, Puerto Rican, Mexican and American cuisine including burritos, rice bowls, urban tacos, salads, and quesadillas. These offerings join guest favorites Jaleo by José Andrés and Frontera Cocina by Rick Bayless, available year-round at Disney Springs.

While you’re shopping this month, you might discover something special that celebrates the diversity and artistry of the Hispanic and Latinx community. An artist spotlight series features a focus on Hispanic and Latinx producers, directors, and animators working on Walt Disney Animation Studios upcoming film “Encanto” at The Art of Disney. You’ll also find crystal and porcelain giftware from Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers, soccer gear from Pelé Soccer, hand-rolled Cuban cigars from Sosa Cigars, and jewelry handcrafted by Spanish artists at UNOde50.

Celebrating Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month at Walt Disney World Resort reminds us that “Together We Are Magia,” and we can’t wait to share all of the magic with all of you!

Showtimes for Animal Kingdom’s new ‘KiteTails’ show have been announced

The entire resort is gearing up for the 50th-anniversary celebration of the opening of Disney World, and all four theme parks are preparing to debut new shows and experiences, beginning October 1–the first day of the anniversary celebration!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the youngest of the four theme parks, just announced this week that it’s revamping the uber-popular Finding Nemo: The Musical. The new show will debut sometime next year.

Animal Kingdom is also ramping up to bring Guests the recently announced “KiteTails” show.

There are new announcements coming out every single day! Today is no different. Disney has released the daily showtimes for Animal Kingdom’s all-new “KiteTails” experience

Disney says “KiteTails” will be awesome:

“Hearts and imaginations will soar as incredible kites and windcatchers dance through the air to the beat of beloved Disney songs during this high-flying performance at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Be awed by elaborate, three-dimensional kites of Simba, Zazu, King Louie, Baloo and more as they take flight above the Discovery River Amphitheater—beginning October 1, 2021, during the 50th anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World Resort.”

“KiteTails” will have multiple performances throughout the day. The showtimes begin at 11:15 a.m., and the last performance is at 5:15 p.m.

You can see this fascinating display of colors and characters at 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m., so you can fit it into your Animal Kingdom day’s schedule whenever you like. The show takes place at the Discovery River Theatre near Dinoland, U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

See characters from many of your most favorite Disney and PIXAR films take flight in this display of beautifully designed props and inflatable kites, some of which are 30 feet long!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park Announces Arrival of Healthy Baby White Rhino

There’s been another rhino birth at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park!

From a Disney Cast Member;

It’s always a momentous occasion to share news of a successful animal birth at Walt Disney World Resort. Today, I would like to introduce you to an adorable baby white rhino, born to first-time mom Jao backstage at Disney’s Animal KingdomTheme Park. Mom and baby are doing great under the keepers’ watchful and joyful eyes. I am happy to report that the beautiful calf snuggled up to mom and began nursing right away.

While we give Jao and her baby boy ample time to bond, it will be a little while before we know the calf’s weight. Typically, white rhino calves can weigh as much as 140 pounds at birth. Did you know that the majestic rhinos are the world’s second-largest land animal?

Rhinoceros also have one of the longest gestation periods of any mammal – approximately 16 to 18 months. Our animal care team’s veterinarians, scientists and animal keepers kept a close eye on Jao throughout her pregnancy, conducting regular checkups and ultrasounds to ensure a safe birth.

Jao was paired with dad Dugan, the bull of the herd, through one of the Species Survival Plans, which are overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to ensure the responsible breeding of endangered species. This birth is a true milestone for this endangered species. And our herd continues to grow. This delivery marks the 12th rhino born at Disney, and the second rhino born in the last year. And even more hooves are on the horizon as another first-time mom, Lola, is expected to give birth this fall.

In the coming weeks, Jao and baby are expected to join the “crash” (a group of rhinos), in their habitat on the Harambe Wildlife Reserve where park guests can catch a glimpse of the herd while aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Disney Announces Return of ‘Finding Nemo the Musical’

Rumors have been swirling that “Finding Nemo – The Musical” would be closing permanently at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The show has not returned since Disney’s Animal Kingdom reopened in July 2020, due to the pandemic. Thankfully, Disney confirmed that the show will return!

From a Disney Cast Member;

When my twin boys were little, “Nemo” was one of their first words. They loved the movie, and seeing it come to life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom would always put grins on th

eir faces and a tear in my eye. “Finding Nemo — The Musical” has been delighting our guests since 2007, and I’m excited to tell you a reimagined show, based on the same beloved characters, will debut in 2022.

Although our Disney Live Entertainment team is still in the early stages of development for the show, the musical retelling of this underwater tale of family, friendship and kindness will feature new story material, as well as fan-favorite songs such as “In the Big Blue World” and “Go with the Flow.”

Everest Is Closing In 2022 For Renovations

Disney has been undergoing lots of upgrades lately, and the next attraction in line for an upgrade involves the Mount Everest-themed roller coaster. The popular “Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain” ride in the Animal Kingdom Disney park is closing from January 4th of this coming year to mid-April for refurbishment. The renovations will be focused on ride control operations, so Disney Guests who love the roller coaster don’t have to worry about any big changes to the attraction or its signature Yeti. The official closure date of the ride is January 4th, and a reopening date obviously cannot be confirmed until repairs have begun and the Disney engineers have some information with which to estimate a proper date.

Several Disney fans, like Scott Gustin, were actually hoping that the repairs would involve updates to the Yeti.

Gustin also expressed his disappointment in the news by sharing one of his old Tweets from 2020, in which he had also referenced Walt Disney World visitors’ hope that the Yeti would be repaired and upgraded.

Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain is typically known for its fast-paced roller coaster, high-altitude thrills, and the exquisite details in the Himalayan ski lodge that houses the queue. If you love Expedition Everest and can get to Disney World before January 4th, now may be a good time to visit!

Expedition Everest

Disney fans are accustomed to Walt Disney World refurbishments and the ride closures that follow (such as the current changes that are occurring on Splash Mountain), but Everest’s grand scale and the prospect of months without access to the ride will be a challenge for some avid fans of the Animal Kingdom. For a similar experience (albeit a wetter one) Disney visitors might want to head to the Kali River Rapids, or perhaps Space Mountain! Is Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain one of your favorite rides?