Disney’s Animal Kingdom introduces its biggest holiday celebration in the park’s twenty-year history, with new festive offerings available for all guests to enjoy day and night! The feature that I have been anticipating the most for the holidays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the Tree of Life awakening and now we have a first look!
As the sun sets at Disney’s Animal Kingdom the Tree of Life awakens with wintry tales with festive holiday music and in between awakenings, the Tree of Life will shimmer and sparkle!
Okay, who’s ready to take a trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the holidays?!
If you’re planning on catching that dino or taking a spin on a Triceratops, you should keep in mind that upcoming hours for various DinoLand attractions have changed.
The Boneyard, Fossil Fun Games, Triceratop Spin, and DINOSAUR are all scheduled to close at 6 PM on Thursday, November 14th and Saturday, November 16th. The rest of Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close at 8 PM.
Starting November 24th, 2019, Primeval Whirl will resume operation in the Hester and Chester’s Dino-Rama area of Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, for a few days at least…
The attraction will only be open until December 1st, opening to handle higher crowds at the park due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
It would appear that Primeval Whirl will be able to come back from whatever issues have been keeping the attraction closed the past few months. It did open to guests for a few hours on a single day not too long ago. While closed over most of this time, Disney announced that the attraction would only operate seasonally, opening when needed and closing when not.
It’s expected that the Primeval Whirl will reopen again for Christmas week, but it has yet to be announced.
Disney After Hours is a special after regular hours ticketed event similar to the Halloween and Christmas parties and is a great way to experience the park after dark.
Unlike those parties, which are very busy, Disney After Hours allows you to enjoy the parks with very small crowds, little to no wait on attractions, and complimentary treats and drinks. These events have grown in popularity and Disney has added more dates to the calendar for these events.
Attention fans of our Disney After Hours events: there are now more event dates to choose from in 2020 at both Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
In addition to the dates already available at both Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, even more events will be available so you can be a part of these special nighttime experiences on select nights:
Magic Kingdom Park
January 17, 20
January 23, 27 & 31 – NEW
February 3, 10, 17 & 24 – NEW
March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 – NEW
April 5, 13, 20 & 27 – NEW
May 5, 11, 18 & 25 – NEW
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
January 9, 16, 22 and 30, 2020
February 6, 13, 19 and 27, 2020
March 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2020
April 1, 7, 14 & 22 – NEW
May 2, 9, 16, 19 & 26 – NEW
These specially ticketed experiences occur after the gates close for the night, extending access to favorite attractions and providing you with more opportunities to have magical experiences. Your event ticket also allows you early entry into the park, beginning at 7 p.m.
For three fun-filled nighttime hours, when you purchase your ticket for each park, you can have exclusive access with lower wait times for favorite attractions, plus receive complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select beverages.
Disney has just announced that Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night add-on dining experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be returning starting December 4th. Reservations are now open. Read on below to check out the menu and full slate of offerings for the experience!
Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night is a family-friendly progressive dining experience drawing inspiration from the many facets of African cultures. In addition to celebrating the beloved story of “The Lion King,” this experience honors some of the most majestic and endangered African animals through delicious flavors, fun activities, live music, and appreciation for animal conservation.
One of the fun activities is a new Kilimanjaro Safaris Virtual Realty experience. After enjoying a welcome reception at the train station in Harambe, guests will hop on the train and journey to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Here guests have the opportunity to try out a virtual reality 360-degree safari experience like you’ve never seen before, one that is only available exclusively during Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night! “Join our Pride” and get up close and personal with the sights and sounds of Pride Rock, coming face-to-face with our amazing host, the African lions.
In addition to virtual reality, guests will be able to indulge on a culinary expedition of food and beverages throughout the entire experience. Upon beginning your journey at the Harambe Train Station, you’ll enjoy a welcome reception featuring meat pies, Durban chips and dip, and a hand-selected array of meats and cheeses as well as Harambellini, a specialty beverage featuring sparkling South African wine blended with a bright burst of passion fruit, orange, and guava juices. And for the kiddos, they can nibble on cheese, fruit, and Tofaa (chocolate caramel-dipped green apples).
During the welcome reception, guests will receive a boarding pass that allows them to hop on the train and head to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, where fun activities (including the VR experience and character greetings with familiar friends Timon and Rafiki) and more bites and refreshments await them. Guests can snack on spiced crisp plaintains, South African oat and coconut bars, and Sundowner Safari Mix with spiced nuts and dried fruit. Kids can enjoy seasonal fruit and Trail Mix Bites with granola, chocolate chips, raisins, and honey. For the adults, the specialty beverages featured here are the Chief’s Shandy (Tusker beer blended with lemonade), and Wanjohi’s Dawa, a refreshing blend of tequila, pineapple, mango, and Ancho chile.
Hop back on the train to head back to the final destination: Harambe Market. Here, guests will partake in a delicious dinner while enjoying upbeat music from African musicians, a dance party, and captivating storytelling. On the menu is an array of hearty dishes and yummy desserts inspired by the five featured African animals. Around the marketplace, you’ll find stations representing each of the animals and a selection of additional offerings in the courtyard.
The African Lion Station
Char-Grilled Steak with Herb-Infused Mealie, Chakalaka, and a Red Wine Sauce
Chicken with Fingerling Potatoes, Kool Slaai, and Mango Sambal
Chicken Tenders (Kid’s Option)
The Cape Buffalo Station
Shrimp Curry with Sustainable Shrimp, Cape Malay Green Coconut Curry, and Fragrant Basmati Rice
Grilled Sweet Corn with Farmer’s Cheese, Chili-Lime Spice, and Citrus Aioli
Barbecued Ribs (Kid’s Option)
Macaroni and Cheese (Kid’s Option)
The Rhinoceros Station
Vegetable Curry with Roasted Seasonal Vegetables served over Basmati Rice
Vegetarian Potato and Pea Samosa, Pickled Vegetables, and Tamarind Dipping Sauce
Barbecued Ribs (Kid’s Option)
Macaroni and Cheese (Kid’s Option)
The African Elephant Station
Smoked Honey-glazed Pork Belly with White Bean Purée, Caramelized Apple-Bacon Chutney, and Curry-Apple Gastrique
The Leopard Station
Sustainable Fish with Coriander-Fennel Slaw and Dhania Chutney
Grilled Lamb with Goat Cheese Polenta and Roasted Garlic Sauce
Mini Corn Dog (Kid’s Option)
Harambe Market Courtyard Station
Petite Greens, Local Tomatoes, Cucumber, Sweety Drop Peppers, Citrus, and Citrus Vinaigrette
Boerie Roll with South African Farmers’ Style Sausage, Peppadews, and Pickled Vegetables
African Spiced Popcorn
Dessert Station
Honey-Caramel Candy Bar with Crispy Pearls
Animal-inspired Cupcakes
Lions S’mores Pop with Chocolate and Graham Cracker Crumbs
Marketplace Sangria – Blend of African Wine and Rooibos Tea finished with a Citrus and Mint Infusion
Safari Sunset – Passion Fruit, Strawberry, Orange, and Guava Juices blended with Rum
Assorted African-inspired Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (Also available at the Welcome Reception and Rafiki’s Planet Watch Train Station)
Assorted African Beer and Wine (Also available at the Welcome Reception and Rafiki’s Planet Watch Train Station)
Menus and options are subject to change, but at each station, you’ll learn a little bit about each of the Big Five animals. Children are invited to choose their favorite Big Five animal charm and learn more about them while creating their very own bracelet or necklace.
Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night begins on December 4, 2019 on select nights from 6 – 9pm for a limited time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Pricing is $125 plus tax for adults and $99 plus tax for children ages 3-9 and separate park admission is required.
