Bambi and Thumper will be part of the Disney Fab 50 Character Collection in honor of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary.
Roy Conli, producer at Disney Animation and Disneynature, announced their gold statue on social media today.
Bambi and Thumper will be on display in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
A new daytime show is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Disney has released more details on the show, and we’re super excited to see it!
From a Disney Cast Member;
Beginning Oct. 1 as part of the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary celebration, “Disney KiteTails” will take the magic of nature and Disney storytelling to new heights, immersing everyone in a gala performance of color and movement at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
It’s all set to happen several times daily at the Discovery River Theater, near DinoLand U.S.A. As you make your way into the space, you’re joined by a team of performers bringing with them a colorful collection of oversized props and kites adorned with Disney animal friends from “The Little Mermaid,” “a bug’s life” and “Finding Nemo.” Original, worldbeat arrangements of favorite Disney tunes fill the air, and the excitement builds toward the launch of an impressive show of kites over the lagoon.
Watercraft zoom into view, pulling with them dynamic kite trains and enormous, three-dimensional kites depicting familiar characters from “The Lion King” or “The Jungle Book.” From one performance to another, you may see Baloo the bear dancing in the sky or Zazu the red-billed hornbill chasing after Simba. These remarkable kites, some as large as 30 feet in length, are inflated by moving through the air, allowing characters like King Louie or Timon and Pumbaa to soar like never before!
The team behind “Disney KiteTails” has been hard at work getting everything ready to open Oct. 1.
Disney has filed a permit for “general construction” at the site of Primeval Whirl in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which permanently closed over a year ago.
Other than ride vehicles being removed, the attraction has sat mostly untouched. Earlier this year, Disney filed a permit for “labor, material and/or electrical for construction”, contracting their in-house construction company, but no visible work has been done to the attraction.
The new permit may be for demolition of the attraction, but it contracts MLC Theming, a company that usually deals in construction. The permit expires in April 2022, so any work that will be done should be visible in the coming months.
Today on the official Disney Cruise Line Twitter account, Cruise Director Jimmy Lynett revealed the newest Fab 50 golden statue, set to be installed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary in October.
Nemo and Dory from Disney/Pixar’s “Finding Nemo” will be immortalized as part of the Fab 50 Character Collection coming to the theme parks of Walt Disney World. The two fish are seen floating above some coral, which serves as the base of the statue. Nemo and Dory will join the Timon and Pumbaa character statue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Announced earlier this year, one of the new benefits of staying at a Walt Disney Resort will be a new 30-minute early entry. Extra Magic Hours have been retired and will not return. This new benefit allows guests to enter any theme park, ahead of non-resort guests to get a jump on the day. Another benefit, available only to guests of Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts, gives guests extended evening hours in the parks. Disney has announced the attractions that will be open during the Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Theme Park Hours.
Starting October 1, 2021, as part of The World’s Most Magical Celebration, Disney Resort hotel Guests and Guests of other select hotels will be able to enjoy more fun with 30-minute early entry to any Walt Disney World theme park, every day. It’ll be a great way to get a jump start on your Disney day, no matter the day!
Valid theme park admission, park reservation, and Resort ID are required.
Participating HotelsEarly theme park entry is a benefit for registered Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels, which include:
What’s Available at the Theme Parks
During the early entry period, select attractions, merchandise, and food and beverage locations will be operating.
In addition, the following attractions are planned* to operate:
Magic Kingdom Park
Epcot
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
*Please note that attractions are subject to change and may not always be operational. To learn about any unplanned closures or long-term refurbishments, please view details about the attraction on our website or mobile app.
What You Need to Know
With the kickoff of the 50th anniversary, enjoy extended evening hours on select evenings in select theme parks when you stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort or, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or other select hotels. This exciting benefit begins in October 2021—so you can celebrate the spectacular 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort!
Participating HotelsExtended evening theme park hours is a benefit for registered Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, which include:Disney Deluxe Resorts
Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
Other Select Hotels
What’s Available at the Theme Parks
During the extended evening theme park hours, select merchandise and food and beverage locations will be available.
In addition, the following attractions are planned* to operate:
Magic Kingdom Park
Epcot
*Please note that attractions are subject to change and may not always be operational. To learn about any unplanned closures or long-term refurbishments, please view details about the attraction on our website or mobile app.
The chart below show the available Extended Evening Theme Park Hours schedule at the time of publication.
| Date | Theme Park | Extended Hours |
| Monday, October 4 | Epcot | 10:00 PM to midnight |
| Wednesday, October 6 | Magic Kingdom | 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM |
| Monday, October 11 | Epcot | 10:00 PM to midnight |
| Wednesday, October 13 | Magic Kingdom | 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM |
| Monday, October 18 | Epcot | 10:00 PM to midnight |
| Wednesday, October 20 | Magic Kingdom | 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM |
| Monday, October 25 | Epcot | 10:00 PM to midnight |
| Wednesday, October 27 | Magic Kingdom | 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM |
| Monday, November 1 | Epcot | 10:00 PM to midnight |
| Wednesday, November 3 | Magic Kingdom | 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM |