Animal Kingdom – Page 2 – A Walk With The Mouse

Disney World Clarifies Its Free Dining Plan Offer

Posted on January 8, 2024January 8, 2024 by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Resorts, Disney+, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Disney World is clarifying the offer of free Disney Dining plans for Disney+ subscribers that the company first shared last Tuesday, and guests might not be happy with some of the newly-released details.

On Tuesday, the Walt Disney World Resort announced a brand-new promotional offer that includes free Disney Dining plans for Disney+ subscribers, following the announcement in May 2023 that the Disney Dining plan was scheduled to return to Disney World on January 9, 2024. Bookings including the new dining plans were available as of May 31, 2023.

This week, Disney World shared news about a new offer for Disney+ subscribers who purchase select vacation packages at Disney World. Per the announcement, the offer applies to non-discounted 4-night, 4-day vacation packages that include a room at select Disney Resort Hotels, as well as theme park tickets with the Park Hopper option added on. The promotional offer extends to packages purchased for travel between July 1, 2024 and September 30, 2024.

But on Wednesday, Disney World made another announcement, this time clarifying the specifics about eligible stays that will net guests the free Disney Dining plans–and which Disney Dining plan is available to guests, depending on where they’re staying on property.

The following points are the highlights of Disney World’s clarification:

Guests who select a Disney Value or Moderate Resort Hotel or The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will receive the Quick-Service Dining plan, but they can pay to upgrade to the Disney Dining plan.

Guests who book their stays at a Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort hotels will receive the Disney Dining Plan.
Guests who book at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will not be eligible for the free Disney Dining plan promotion.
Guests who book three-bedroom grand villas at Disney Deluxe Villa Resort hotels are also excluded from this offer.
The free Disney Dining plan promotion is only available to Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. Subscribers in other countries are not eligible for the promotion.

It’s worth restating that in order to receive the free Disney Dining plan promotion, guests must include the park hopper option with their theme park tickets.

The following locations are available to guests as part of the Disney Dining plan. They are categorized by Disney World theme park. A notation of two asterisks (**) is included next to the name of each restaurant that requires two table-service credits.

Magic Kingdom Locations

Be Our Guest Restaurant**
Cinderella’s Royal Table**
The Crystal Palace
The Diamond Horseshoe
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
Liberty Tree Tavern
The Plaza Restaurant
Tony’s Town Square Restaurant

EPCOT Locations

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall**
Biergarten Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant
Garden Grill Restaurant
La Hacienda de San Angel
Le Cellier Steakhouse**
Nine Dragons Restaurant
Rose & Crown Dining Room
San Angel Inn Restaurante

Spice Road Table
Teppan Edo
Tokyo Dining
Tutto Italia Ristorante
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

50’s Prime Time Cafe
Hollywood & Vine
The Hollywood Brown Derby**
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
Roundup Rodeo BBQ

Guests and cast member at Roundup rodeo BBQ

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Rainforest Cafe
Tiffins Restaurant**
Tusker House Restaurant
Yak & Yeti Restaurant

Disney Springs

The BOATHOUSE**
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
City Works Eatery & Pour House
The Edison

Enzo’s Hideaway
House of Blues Restaurant & Bar
Jaleo by Jose Andres**
Mario & Enzo’s Ristorante
Morimoto Asia**
Paddlefish**
Paradiso 37
Planet Hollywood
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant
Rainforest Cafe
Splitsville Dining Room
Teralina Crafted Italian
T-REX

**Requires two Table-Service meal credits

Additional restaurants located at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels are also available to guests with the Disney Dining plan.

‘Indiana Jones’-Themed Ride to Replace DINOSAUR! at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Posted on November 27, 2023November 27, 2023 by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

A brand-new Indiana Jones-themed attraction could be the new anchor attraction to replace DINOSAUR! at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as Disney’s Parks President says the new attraction would be in keeping with Animal Kingdom’s storyline.

But amid the cries of “Say it ain’t so!” from diehard fans of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and, more specifically, of Dinoland, U.S.A., the truth remains plans call for the removal of Chester and Hester’s old stomping grounds to make way for a brand-new themed area of the park called The Tropical Americas.

animal kingdom dinoland usa entrance sign

Dinoland, U.S.A. has been a guest-favorite area at the Walt Disney World Resort since it first opened with the park on April 22, 1998. Fans of the prehistorically-themed land have enjoyed the DINOSAUR! attraction, as well as TriceraTop Spin, the Boneyard, and the now-removed Primeval Whirl attraction for more than 25 years, and news of its demise hasn’t gone over well with many of them.

And while the news was met with sadness and even frustration by many of Disney World’s frequent guests who love the dino-themed land inside the resort’s fourth gate, others met the news with a fresh perspective on what might be in the works for the new area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and those who are looking to the stories of Indiana Jones for clues about the new land’s major attraction are reportedly “digging in the right place,” if you’ll pardon the excavation pun.

During a press preview for the long-awaited opening of Hong Kong Disneyland’s World of Frozen, Disney’s Parks and Experiences Chairman, Josh D’Amaro, teased an Indiana Jones-themed replacement for the DINOSAUR! attraction, which has served as Dinoland U.S.A.’s signature attraction since April 22, 1998–the first day of operation for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

“I think I actually played some music, didn’t I?” D’Amaro teased, referring to his presentation at the Destination D23 event in September 2023, during which he revealed an artist’s rendering that depicted an Indiana Jones-style temple situated in place of the current DINOSAUR! attraction.

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, D’Amaro talked further about plans for an Indiana Jones presence in the location that is currently Dinoland, U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

D’Amaro talked briefly about a piece of concept art that was originally shared at the Destination D23 event in September 2023, saying that the artwork was not a final piece. But he did say that the image depicted in the artwork, which shows Dinoland, U.S.A. revamped into a wholly new land with a tropical Americas theme, shows “where [execs’] heads are” as the discussions about new plans for the area continue.

“We’ve got so many stories to tell,” D’Amaro explained. “We have so many things we want to make even better in the theme parks. My plan is to continue to share that with the guests. I know people are like, ‘My gosh, I can’t believe he’s saying this. Is he serious, is he not?’ The answer is, we are absolutely serious.”

The concept artwork depicts themes with nods to PIXAR’s Coco (2017) and Disney’s Encanto (2021).

D’Amaro touted The Walt Disney Company’s September 2023 announcement about its plans to infuse $60 billion into Disney’s Parks around the world over the next ten years to–as Disney CEO Bob Iger explained it, “turbo-charge” the parks–a decision that has angered many on Wall Street.

walt and mickey sculpture at hong kong disneyland

“We know what this business is capable of, we know what our fans expect of us, and we’re going all in,” D’Amaro continued. “You’re going to see more and more of that. As we make our way through some of these ideas, some of them will become real, and we’ll say that’s specifically what we’re going to do, but I want our guests to be on the journey with us.”

In the days following news of Dinoland U.S.A.’s eventual demise at the Destination D23 event in September, fans began to question just how Disney would try to use the stories of Indiana Jones at Animal Kingdom, a park that has been devoted to specific themes and principles, including wildlife conservation, since it first opened more than 25 years ago.

Would those stories be in keeping with the theme of the park as a whole? Would they add to it–or worse, detract from it?

In response, D’Amaro, who previously held the position of Vice President of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, said he wasn’t ready to dive “deep into” specifics about the addition of Indy at this time but said that he remained optimistic about guests’ reception of ideas for the new themed land and attraction.

“Animal Kingdom is about exploration and adventure,” D’Amaro explained. “I was fortunate enough to have run that theme park, so I know how special it is, and I think there are a lot of stories that we can [use and] stay true to Animal Kingdom and express new properties in there, and that’s what you see us starting to do.”

It’s important to note that DINOSAUR! is an opening day attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom that debuted in 1998 using a ride system that is very similar to the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction that opened at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, in 1996.

indiana jones adventure ride at disneyland california

As such, some fans have speculated that an Indiana Jones-themed attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom might be a carbon copy of the one at Disneyland, though there’s been no confirmation of this as of the time of this publication.

Walt Disney World Legend Tragically Passes Away

Posted on November 6, 2023November 6, 2023 by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

The recent death of a true Disney icon has rattled the theme park community.

Stephan Mikes, one of Disney’s talented performers, has sadly passed away. His contributions to the magical world of Disney will forever be cherished and remembered. With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to a remarkable individual who left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.

Stephan Mikes was not just a name but a person who dedicated his life to bringing joy and enchantment to people of all ages. His passion for performance was unparalleled, and he strived to create unforgettable experiences for Guests at Walt Disney World and beyond.

Born in 1954, Stephan was a man with so much talent. If you have ever had the pleasure of roaming around Disney’s Animal Kingdom, there’s a chance that you may have caught a performance by Mikes. Mikes performed regularly at the Anandapur, Asia stage within the Park. A talented sitarist, Mikes’ dazzled and awed millions of tourists in his lifetime.

Animal kingdom theme park Walt disney world tree of life discovery island DinoLand USA retheme zootopia bug encanto Indiana Jones dinosaur disney park Asia Africa Central America

Mikes’ performance, which was called Chakranadi, has been a staple piece of entertainment in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park for many years; this 20-minute-long show features;

“…the simmering sounds of traditional Indian melodies, performed by a talented musician playing the sitar.”

This exotic performance was incredibly unique, and it is a highlight for many visitors coming to the Park. One of the reasons that fans love Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is because of all the incredibly immersive entertainment offerings. It goes without saying that Mikes’ was one of the strongest performers in the theme park’s history.

In addition to his performing, Stephan Mikes was also a dedicated composer and teacher. He has numerous musical projects available for listening on CD, including his recent release, Serenity, Ragas for Meditation and Yoga.

Just last week, the news of Stephan Mikes’ death was announced by his wife, Bonnie Pedicord Mikes. She announced his passing to hundreds of heartbroken friends and fans on her Facebook the afternoon of October 22, 2023.

It was confirmed by Mikes’s obituary that he passed away on October 21, 2023. To honor his memory, the page is asking that friends, family, and friends consider purchasing a memorial tree to honor him. Other suggested options include making a donation to a charitable cause.

It is always tragic to hear of the death of someone so beloved, but it is equally important to remember just how much he contributed to the world while he was here. Because of Stephan’s music, millions of lucky fans were able to be inspired and entertained in such a unique way. While Disney has not made many announcements about what will become of the Chakranadi attraction at Walt Disney World Resort’s Animal Kingdom, many fans hope that Disney does something to honor such an incredible man.

Disney World Announces Extended Hours in November

Posted on October 24, 2023October 24, 2023 by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

The Walt Disney World Resort official website has just unveiled its updated operating hours calendar, and the most updated version of the parks calendar reveals an extension of park hours for the earliest part of the month of November.

Disney World has just announced its extended hours for the beginning of November, and we have all the details. Read on to see the extended hours below. The most updated version of the calendar gives the park operating hours for all four theme parks at the Central Florida Disney resort, including Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Park hours are now available through the latter part of the merriest month of the year around the country and around the Disney World Resort–December!

In the most recent update of the Walt Disney World Resort calendar, dates and hours of operation are available through the twenty-third day of December at each of the four Florida theme parks.

But the newest update to the calendar doesn’t read like a run-of-the-mill Disney World calendar, and it includes several changes that have been made to the parks’ operating hours in the month of November 2023, and in most of those changes, the operating hours in one or more Disney theme park at Disney World have been extended by at least one or two hours, meaning there will be more time for magic and memories in November!

You can see the changes to the calendar’s operating hours below. The extended hours for Magic Kingdom are shown with the previous hours included in the parentheses. When making your plans to visit any of the Central Florida Disney theme parks, it’s a good idea to double-check the official calendar on the Walt Disney World Resort website.

The changes are shown by Disney theme park, by date, beginning with Magic Kingdom Park.*

Extended Hours at Magic Kingdom Park

October 28th: 8 am-11 pm (9 am-10 pm)
November 4th: 8 am-11 pm (9 am-10 pm)
November 5th: 9 am-10 pm (9 am-9 pm)
November 6th: 9 am-11 pm (9 am-9 pm)
November 7th: 8 am-11 pm (9 am-9 pm)
November 8th: 9 am-10 pm (9 am-9 pm)
November 9th and 10th: 8 am-6 pm (9 am-6 pm)
November 3rd and 11th: 9 am-12 am (9 am-9 pm)

bridge to adventureland in magic kingdom

Extended Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park

November 10th and 11th: opening at 8:30 a.m., as opposed to the usual opening time of 9:00 a.m.

Extended Hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

November 5th through 9th: opening at 8:00 a.m., as opposed to the usual opening time of 9:00 a.m.
November 10th and 11th: open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., as opposed to the usual operating times of 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Again, when Guests are planning their visits to the Walt Disney World Resort, it is important to double-check the calendar to confirm operating hours.

*There are no changes noted for the operating hours at EPCOT, as of the time of this publication.

Numerous New Food Items Coming Soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Posted on October 12, 2023October 12, 2023 by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is getting some great new food and beverage items for guests to enjoy. There are a lot of new things coming!

Grab your appetite and take a walk on the wild side of flavor because Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is introducing quite a few new menu items to various dining locations throughout the park starting Oct. 11. The talented culinary teams have put their creativity to the test and put together a combination of dishes that will delight your taste buds with each and every bite.

From new breakfast items like the Stuffed Pancake Sandwich to dinner delights like the Chicken and Shrimp Rice Bowl, and even a snack (or two) from Tamu Tamu, there’s something for everyone to indulge in. Once you see all these items, you’ll be roaring with excitement (and hunger).

I won’t keep you waiting anymore. Let’s see “what’s cooking” over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park starting Oct. 11!

We’re kicking things off over at Harambe Market, an open-air quick-service location that’s filled with African-inspired fare. This location is bursting with excitement, flavor, and fun – and the newest additions to the menu are no different. Starting this week, hungry visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of new rice bowls – the Chicken and Shrimp Rice Bowl, Chicken Rice Bowl, and Shrimp Rice Bowl. Each dish features jollof rice with kachumbari tomato salad and tzatziki sauce and you can choose between chermoula-marinated chicken, peri peri-marinated shrimp, or both to top it off. There’s also a new kid’s version available – the Shrimp and Rice Bowl with peri peri-marinated shrimp, white rice, and a Cuties Mandarin Orange.

That’s not all. The new Beef and Lamb Kofta Pita is a must-try. It combines house-made beef and lamb kofta with a deliciously refreshing tzatziki sauce, chermoula, and house-made chips that you won’t be able to get enough of. If you’re interested in a plant-based option, the chefs have also created the IMPOSSIBLE Kofta Pita. This plant-based bite showcases IMPOSSIBLE kofta accompanied by a plant-based aïoli, chermoula, and house-made chips.

Salad fans will be more than pleased with the latest dish to join the menu. The Harambe Salad with Chicken perfectly combines chermoula-marinated chicken with quinoa, grilled corn, black-eyed peas, and crispy chickpeas topped with a tasty chermoula-herbed vinaigrette. You can also get this salad topped with shrimp if you prefer.

And don’t worry dessert lovers. The brand-new Mango Passion Fruit Cheesecake is refreshing, delicious, and beautiful. What could be better than mango and passion fruit in cheesecake form?

Are you ready to kickstart your day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? If you weren’t sure, you will want to once you see this new bite. The salty-sweet combination has been taken to the next level with the Stuffed Pancake Sandwich. It’s filled with sausage, guava paste, egg, and cheese. If guava isn’t your thing, you can get this breakfast sandwich without it, so don’t worry. I don’t know about you, but this one is making my mouth water already. This new item will be available for breakfast at Drinkwallah, Pongu Pongu, Trek Snacks, and select outdoor vending carts.

Also serving up some new breakfast items and new snack bites is Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery. Whether looking for those early morning treats or midday cravings fix, the latest items here are going to impress. First up, joining the menu for breakfast is the Egg and Bacon Croissant Sandwich with Tomato Pepper Relish. This item features a croissant with a cheese omelet, crispy bacon, and tomato-pepper relish served with potato barrels. Also for breakfast is the Breakfast Totchos with Eggs, Bacon, and Cheese. It combines potato barrels, scrambled eggs, nacho cheese sauce, cheese curds, and crumbled bacon. I personally will be bringing my appetite for breakfast on my next outing to try everything.

But that’s not all for Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery – there are two more dishes on the way. The plant-based IMPOSSIBLE Gatsby fills a pita pocket with plant-based picadillo, tomato-pepper relish, and crispy potato sticks and tops it off with a plant-based aïoli. The Harissa Chicken brings together harissa chicken salad with vegetables and an avocado spread rolled in a spinach tortilla. Both items are served with house-made potato chips too!

In addition to the Stuffed Pancake Sandwich (which sounds incredible), Pongu Pongu will also have another item joining the menu. This fan-favorite spot nestled within Pandora – The World of Avatar serves up Na’vi-inspired refreshments and bites, like the Night Blossom. Starting Oct. 11, it will add a decadent new Cinnamon Roll. What a perfect sweet pairing to go with one of its tasty refreshments.

Barbecue lovers, are you (and your taste buds) ready for some exciting new bites? I sure hope so because Flame Tree Barbecue also has some additions on the way. The IMPOSSIBLE Burnt Ends are a can’t-miss plant-based dish whether you eat plant-based all the time or simply want to try something new. It’s paired with french fries and coleslaw on the side. If you fancy yourself a french fry fan, then I have the plate for you – the French Fries with Pulled Pork and Cheese. Need I say more?

We’re not done yet! Pizzafari is joining in on the menu updates. Here, you’ll find yet another plant-based item coming on Oct. 11. Add the Plant-based Italian Sausage to your list of things to try on your next Disney’s Animal Kingdom outing. This new offering is served alongside a side salad with Italian dressing. If you’re looking for another side option to pair with any of the tasty items already on the menu at this location, the Antipasto Side Salad will soon be available to complete your meal.

Last, but certainly not least, we’re trekking back over to Africa for one of my personal favorite snack spots at the park – Tamu Tamu Refreshments. Found in the heart of Harambe Village, those with a sweet tooth will rejoice at the options here. Joining the already delicious menu are four new snacks. First up, the DOLE Whip Orange Soda Float with strawberry syrup on top. Few things are as refreshing as pineapple, strawberry, and orange. Did you know you can also get the classic DOLE Whip Float at Tamu Tamu Refreshments already? This treat features DOLE Whip with DOLE pineapple juice for pineapple perfection. For those over the age of 21, you can enjoy the DOLE Whip Float with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum currently or the DOLE Whip Hard Cider Float featuring DOLE Whip and ACE Pineapple Craft Cider starting Oct. 11.

Wow! The culinary teams have clearly been working hard creating these incredible new delights for us to enjoy. No matter where you are, the foodie adventures are endless at Disney Parks! I can’t wait to see you all out there on Oct. 11 to try these can’t-miss eats and sips.