Another newcomer has arrived at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and we couldn’t be more excited! This baby news comes on the heels of the announcement Disney recently shared about the new baby hippo pictured below.
And now, check out the newest addition to Disney… a sweet infant gorilla! As shared via Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment: “Baby love times two! We’re celebrating yet another baby animal birth and are excited to share a first look at the youngest member of our gorilla troop – a western lowland gorilla infant born on July 13! Here are some #KeeperCam photos of mom and baby bonding.
Congrats to all the Disney Cast Members that take care of the amazing animals. Hopefully, soon enough we’ll have a chance to spot this sweet baby gorilla while visiting Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.
The next time you’re visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you’ll want to take a ride on the popular attraction, Kilimanjaro Safaris. It doesn’t matter how many times we ride this attraction, there is always something new and unexpected to see. The most recent addition to Disney’s animal friends is a little hippo that was born.
Disney recently celebrated the 26th birthday of Henry the Hippo, and gave some insight that a baby would be arriving shortly. Henry’s mate, Tumu, was expecting a baby very soon… and it looks like the little one has arrived!
As shared via Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Facebook on July 12: “Baby News! Our newest resident, a Nile hippopotamus calf, was born earlier today and popped up for a first photo! Our animal care experts are giving the calf plenty of room to bond and nurse with mom, so check back for more updates (and those adorable baby photos) in the coming days.”
Congrats to Mom (Tuma) and Dad (Henry) on their little hippo calf!
Today Disney is celebrating “Halfway to the Holidays!” If you’re ready to plan a visit to Walt Disney World for the 2021 holidays, we have some exciting news for you! Disney has announced holiday festivities happening at all four parks, Disney Springs, plus Walt Disney World Resorts. Get ready to experience festive entertainment, whimsical décor, seasonal food and drinks, and holiday-themed merchandise will all be a part of this very special season. Here’s a sneak peek as shared by Disney below:
Magic Kingdom Park
Holidays are sure to be enchanting at Magic Kingdom Park, where quintessential decorations will return to Main Street, U.S.A. When the sun sets, special holiday projections will appear most nights on Cinderella Castle, alternating periodically with the castle’s transformation into a Beacon of Magic.* What a great way to celebrate the holidays and the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort! Now, talk about an early holiday gift… “Disney Very Merriest After Hours,” a new special-ticketed event, will debut Nov. 8 before all the rest of the festive fun. It will be available on select nights through Dec. 21. The four hours of festivities will delight guests with “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks,” Disney characters throughout the park, holiday music and décor, treats included and so much more! As with other Disney After Hours events, a limited number of tickets will be sold for this event. It’s held after regular park operating hours, with lower wait times and access to more than 20 select attractions. Tickets will go on sale next month, with an early purchase window available to guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Sunset Seasons Greetings returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as the Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel on Sunset Boulevard will twinkle once again with projection effects, magically transforming into a snowy corner of Arendelle, a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy hotel, and a Dickensian village inspired by “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” This holiday show will also alternate with the tower’s nightly transformation into a Beacon of Magic. Santa Claus will bring some North Pole cheer to a motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard. You will also be able to enjoy “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration,” with its festive finale featuring everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf. Minnie Mouse is also returning to host her festive meal at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Minnie and her friends will be donning their holiday best – even Santa Goofy will be there! And throughout the season, vintage-themed holiday décor will shine bright across the park.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
It will be a wild holiday time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park with the return of seasonal décor and festive Disney character flotillas sailing down Discovery River to the sounds of joyful songs of the season. The park’s centerpiece – The Tree of Life – becomes another Beacon of Magic most nights during the 50th anniversary celebration. During the holiday season there’s even more magic inspired by nature as the holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings also takes place most nights.
Disney Springs
You can happily discover whatever you’re after this holiday season at Disney Springs. The shopping, dining and entertainment destination will transform into a winter wonderland, full of sparkling lights, enchanting décor and holiday surprises. This year sees the return of the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll, with elaborately decorated, Disney-themed trees – some new and some inspired by “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” A magical snowfall will add a touch of wonder for holiday shoppers in Town Center. Here, you can find the perfect gift for everyone on your list, including yourself. Discover holiday ornaments, matching family pajamas, festive Spirit Jerseys, and more – be sure to check your list twice so you don’t forget any holiday must-haves! There will even be themed food and beverages; one of my favorite spots, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, will once again transform into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, with delightful décor and a delicious limited-time menu filled with festive favorites.
Disney Resort Hotels
Our Disney Resort hotels will be decked for the holidays, with iconic trees and other seasonal touches. And a guest favorite will return this year, as select gingerbread displays will once again be part of our holiday season! Also at select resorts, you will find restaurants offering holiday menus and specialty food and drink.
EPCOT
Where can you enjoy traditions from around the world, with inspiring music, tasty treats and family-friendly experiences? If you guessed EPCOT … … you are correct! The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return this year, from Nov. 26 – Dec. 30, with Holiday Kitchens around the park, performances by Voices of Liberty, the guest favorite Cookie Stroll and more!
Walt Disney World has updated their park hours which includes extended hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! The Walt Disney World website now shows parks hours have been released through September 25. With the return of fireworks, the arrival of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, and Disney After Hours Boo Bash events, you can expect crowds to be flooding back to the magic. As you plan your vacation, here are the current posted park hours for July 11 – September 25, 2021.
Magic Kingdom:
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 – 6: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 7: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 8 – 9: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 10: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 11: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
September 12: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 13: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 14: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 15 – 16: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 17: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 18: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 19: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 20: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 21: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 22 – 23: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 24: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 25: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
EPCOT:
July 11 – 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 – 25: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
July 11 – 31: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
August 1 – 28: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm) *EXTENDED: Previously 8pm
August 29 – 31: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm
September 1 – 25: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
July 11 – 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 – 25: 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.
Two popular restaurants recently reopened and the fantastic Cast Members are celebrating. We previously shared the news that Tusker House reopened on June 20, with Casey’s Corner not far behind on June 30. Well, Cast Members returning to these restaurants are all smiles about the reopening!
As shared via Walt Disney World Cast and Community Facebook: “From swinging baseball bats to swinging through the jungle, our Cast are keeping busy! Recently, they welcomed guests back to two of our favorite dining locations, Casey’s Corner and Tusker House Restaurant. We can’t thank these awesome Cast Members enough for all the magical moments – and delicious food – they serve up each day.”
