In a new video from Disney, the residents of Disney’s Animal Kingdom are smashing 2020-branded pumpkins, watermelons, and more in celebration of new year’s eve!
As Scott Terrell, Director of Animal & Science Operations at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, says on Disney Parks Blog, the destruction is a great enrichment activity for the animals.
“Enrichment is all about giving animals fresh, unique objects in their environment so they can use their natural behaviors to check it out,” Terrell writes. “When we give them novel experiences in unexpected ways, it encourages them to continue to discover and explore.”
Terrell points out that babirusas love pushing the watermelon down the hill because that’s a natural rooting behavior for them. And black rhinos use their horn to smash a watermelon while also drinking up the juices. The rhino calf featured in the video—who is likely the same one born only a couple of months ago—is learning how to push things with his nose while his horn continues to come in.
Today marks a major milestone in Walt Disney World’s phased reopening as the return of Park Hopping launches later this afternoon. While Park Hopping has existed for years now, it’s returning in a somewhat modified form to accommodate existing health and safety measures. That being said, there are many questions surrounding the process, like “Can I visit more than two parks a day?” and “How will I know a park has reached capacity?” Given that today is the first day of Park Hopper Hours, there may still be kinks to work out in the system, but here’s what we know so far.
Signs are already out at the entrances to the parks informing guests of some of the procedures.
Transportation for Park Hopping
This particular A-frame seen outside of the Magic Kingdom addressed bus transportation. Park-to-park transportation, previously unavailable at the start of the reopening, resumes today for guests who are park hopping. To board, you must have a valid ticket or pass with Park Hopper benefits—Cast Members will be checking ticket media prior to boarding. As a reminder, you must have a Disney Park Pass reservation for the first theme park you plan to visit and have entered the first theme park prior to visiting another. And while many fans have pined for its return, the EPCOT monorail line is still unavailable to guests.
Park Hopper Hours
Park Hopping doesn’t begin until 2:00 PM, or that day’s stated Park Hopper Hours. Currently, Park Hopper Hours start at 2:00 PM and go through park close, but that could change at any time.
Park Hopping – Capacity and Logistics
You can visit multiple parks after your initial parks, so theoretically you could visit all four parks in one day (like back in the good old days!), so long as the parks you’re trying to visit haven’t reached capacity. How will you know a park’s at capacity? Currently, there is no feature on the app, nor a number to call to check on this. If you’re taking a bus to the next park, the Cast Members at the stop will know which parks, if any, are at capacity. If you’re still in the park and want to check if your next park is at capacity (perhaps if you’re driving over), you can also inquire at Guest Relations.
Once you leave your first park, you may not be guaranteed access back in again if it reaches capacity. However, since your pass is part of the collective capacity established by the Disney Park Pass system, you should be able to get into another park—it just may not always be the one you want.
Rise of the Resistance
Yes, the popular Disney’s Hollywood Studios attraction has its own set of rules for park hoppers. As we’ve previously reported, only guests with Disney Park Passes for Disney’s Hollywood Studios (i.e. their first park of the day) will be able to try for a boarding group at 7:00 AM and the newly modified 1:00 PM release time. Previously, boarding groups were released at 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM, but the latter release was moved back to ensure guests wouldn’t make a mad dash to the park at the start of Park Hopper Hours.
If you’re headed to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and have plans to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris, get ready for a duo of cuteness. Two giraffe calves have officially joined the savanna and yep, they’re the cutest!
As shared on Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Facebook page on December 4:
“It was an exciting morning at Kilimanjaro Safaris as giraffe calves Maple and Zella joined our family of Masai giraffes on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. They’ve spent a lot of time bonding backstage with moms Mara and Willow, and today was like a big party with the rest of the family and a few neighbors, including zebra, wildebeest and springbok. At first, the two baby besties took their time exploring their new surroundings on the savanna, with their moms and aunts, keepers said. But soon enough, they were running around with four of the older “kids,” enjoying the chilly morning air. The calves will start spending more and more time on the savanna in the coming days, so see if you can catch a glimpse of them on your next safari adventure.”
In an apparent drug-induced rage, a South Florida man attacked a Disney security guard at Animal Kingdom’s DinoLand U.S.A. on October 25, according to an Orange County Sheriff’s Office report.
As reported by the OrlandoSentinel: James Arvid, 19, of Pompano Beach, was arrested and charged with battery on a security guard, a third-degree felony, according to Orange Circuit Court records. He has pleaded not guilty.
The uniformed 41-year-old Disney security guard was on patrol in the DinoLand U.S.A. area when Arvid tackled him from behind. Arvid put the guard in a headlock and held him down, but the guard still managed to radio for help. Eventually, theme-park guests noticed what was happening and pulled Arvid off the guard and “subdued him” until law enforcement arrived.
The ordeal left the guard with two bloody cuts on his elbow, but he was not seriously hurt, the report said. No guests were hurt, according to Disney. A deputy sheriff described Arvid as “bloody, sweating profusely, non-responsive to commands, and compulsively kicking his legs.”
“I took LSD and tried to kill someone,” Arvid later told a nurse but he could not remember anything else that had happened at the park, according to the report. An emergency room doctor told authorities Arvid showed signs of heatstroke, alcohol use, and drug use which could lead to aggression and a heightened mental state, the report said.
Disney announced last week that Disney’s Animal Kingdom welcomed the birth of an endangered white male rhino calf. Now, DisneyParksBlog shares photos of the cutie and a video below!
The video below features endearing moments as mother Kendi bonds with her playful, yet-to-be-named baby. He is curious, loves his afternoon naps and has started sparring with his mom.
