New baby animals are the cutest… especially monkey babies! We are so excited about the news from Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President, Disney’s Animals, Science & Environment. Dr. Mark took to Instagram to announce the newest bundle of joy at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
Today (July 26), I’m overjoyed to share a sweet surprise with you all. This weekend, we welcomed a baby mandrill monkey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! When the Animal Care team at Animal Kingdom arrived at work yesterday, they found mom, Scarlett, had just delivered this adorable little one. Both are doing well and quickly bonding.
I couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up #AnimalCareAppreciation Week than to see their work in action to help this baby into the world.
There’s so much changing right now at Disney World it’s hard to keep up. In addition to all the changes to park operations and offerings during the phased reopening, we’ve also seen changes to multiple construction projects timelines, project postponements, and even project cancellations. Today, we can add the permanent closure of two attractions and one of the nighttime spectaculars to the list.
Earlier today, Disney management confirmed in an internal memo to cast members that two attractions, Stitch’s Great Escape and Primeval Whirl, which did not reopen with the parks. Would in fact be closing permanently.
Stitch’s Great Escape comes as no surprise. The attractions has been operating seasonally since 2016 and was rarely open. Recently, it has served as the location of character meet and greet. The most surprising part of this announcement was that the attraction was technically still on the list of attractions open seasonally.
Likewise, Primeval Whirl has also been listed as a seasonal attraction and is rarely open. Primeval Whirl has been plagued in recent years with maintenance and operational issues. The attraction always had a line due to a very slow loading process, but overall had mixed reviews, so this closure isn’t shocking.
What will likely be surprising for many guests is the permanent shuttering of Rivers of Light, the nighttime spectacular at Animal Kingdom. Rivers of Light was technically the most complicated and expensive nighttime spectacular shows ever produced by Disney.
From the memo:
“As you know, when Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park reopened to our Guests, several experiences, attractions and shows did not reopen with the park for a variety of reasons. While we look forward to adjusting our operation as we continue to learn and grow in our new environment, Primeval Whirl and Rivers of light: We Are One will not reopen.”
“Over at Magic Kingdom, Stitch’s Great Escape – which has not operated for some time – is permanently closed. Guests can currently see stitch at the Rockettower Plaza Stage throughout the day.
We do not have any creative updates to share for these areas at the moment.”
We are so close to the reopening of Walt Disney World after a nearly four-month closure. Disney has shared with us information on what we can expect to see and interact with characters when the parks reopen this week.
1 – New Character Magic
Part of the magic of a Walt Disney World Resort theme park visit is seeing beloved Disney characters. With traditional parades and character greetings on hiatus to promote physical distancing among guests, theme park character experiences have been reimagined in new and different ways. From cavalcades down Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom Park to sailings down Discovery River at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and much more, characters from dozens of favorite Disney stories will surprise and delight guests across all four theme parks. These are just some of the reimagined experiences guests will discover as the theme parks begin their phased reopening.
2 – Magic Kingdom (reopening July 11)
“The Royal Princess Processional” – Several times daily, favorite Disney princesses travel through the streets of Magic Kingdom. Princess Merida leads the way on her steed Angus, followed closely by a gazebo float and crystal castle carrying Cinderella, Tiana, Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Rapunzel and others.
“Mickey and Friends Cavalcade” – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their pals pop up throughout the day, inviting everyone to “Get Their Ears On” as they wave to guests along the park’s parade route.
Cinderella’s Evil Stepsisters – From time to time, guests in Fantasyland may spot the dastardly Anastasia and Drizella and can interact with them from afar while they’re perched on a balcony of Cinderella Castle.
Goofy Cavalcade – Goofy will star in “A Goofy Cavalcade!” when Magic Kingdom Park reopens July 11, 2020, at Walt Disney World Resort.
3 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom (reopening July 11)
“Donald’s Dino Boat Bash!” – Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Launchpad McQuack wave to guests from their party boat as “Donald’s Dino Bash!” moves from DinoLand U.S.A. to Discovery River.
“Discovery River Character Cruise” – Throughout the day, guests can see Timon and Rafiki or Pocahontas with Meeko, who will set sail on the parks’ waterways.
Discovery Island Drummers – These high-energy percussionists cruise along Discovery River, entertaining guests on the shore with an energetic beat.
4 – EPCOT (reopening July 15)
“Mickey and Friends World Tour” – As guests travel around World Showcase, they may come upon Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto and Goofy all out sightseeing and waving to their friends.
“Frozen Promenade” – Queen Anna and Elsa venture into the unknown around World Showcase, journeying from country to country and waving hello to guests along the way.
5 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios (reopening July 15)
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – While living their own adventures in a galaxy far, far away, guests are likely to come across some familiar faces as they explore Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu:
Heroes of the Resistance, including Rey, Chewbacca and Vi Moradi, may be spotted on platforms above the garage in Black Spire Station or surveying activity around the spaceport where the Millennium Falcon has landed.
A contingent of First Order Stormtroopers join Kylo Ren in patrolling the landing platform at Docking Bay 9 beneath their TIE Echelon assault vehicle.
“Pixar Pals Motorcade” – Some of the biggest stars from Pixar Animation Studios’ films arrive on Hollywood Boulevard, from The Incredibles to Toy Story pals and more. They’ll wave to their fans as they head down the avenue accompanied by a celebratory musical score.
“Disney Junior Stars Motorcade” – Throughout the day, Disney Junior stars including Fancy Nancy, Doc McStuffins and Vampirina will cruise down Hollywood Boulevard waving to fans from colorful custom convertibles.
President of Walt Disney World Resort, Jeff Vahle, visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom and shared an inside look at what we can expect to see upon Animal Kingdom’s phased reopening beginning July 15.
Jeff Vahle shared on Instagram four photos and the following message:
Disney has shared entertainment will be modified to accommodate for social distancing. It looks like we’ll be hearing some tunes from the river!
The Wilderness Explorers program is a family favorite. It looks like with a little social distancing in mind, the self-guided activities will continue. “Caw! Caw!”
Thanks for the photos @JeffVahle! We simply can’t wait to get back to Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
Sometimes you just have to take a break from a busy day and check out videos with tigers, porcupines, and butterflies! Disney shares three videos that feature these animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Check out the videos and details below as shared by DisneyParksBlog.
Disney Channel stars Ava Kolker and Christian J Simon from “Sydney to the Max” teamed up with the Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team and National Geographic to learn about the animals that live at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.* Ava and Christian had the unique opportunity to get up close to some of the most incredible animals on the planet and learn how the animal care experts take care of them. These previously recorded pieces showcase Sumatran tigers, zebra longwing butterflies, giant swallowtail butterflies and prehensile-tailed porcupines.
Ava and Christian worked with Dawn, an animal keeper, to prepare some food-based enrichment items for the Sumatran tigers and then delivered these to the Sumatran tigers at the Maharajah Jungle Trek. Check out the video below to find out what happens:
Ava and Christian got up close to a prehensile-tailed porcupine while learning from Conservation Manager Dr. Zak and Maria, an animal keeper, about what makes these animals unique. They even met a baby porcupine, called a porcupette!
Dr. Zak shared with Ava and Christian why butterflies are so important and provided the chance for them to interact with zebra longwing butterflies and giant swallowtail butterflies in the Pollination Garden near Conservation Station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
Together we can make a positive impact by protecting the places these and other animals call home. To check out more of Ava and Christian’s animal adventures, click here to visit the Disney Magic Moments collection in the DisneyNOW app. DisneyNOW is a kids-safe app with the newest episodes and current seasons of your favorite Disney Channel shows, DCOMs and dozens of games.
