The Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party may have ended its limited-time run, but Timon and Rafiki are still keeping the party going at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. No longer occupied with dance moves, they’ve moved on over to Discovery Island’s Character Landing, where they are meeting and greeting guests for a special photo op.
Once there, you can find Rafiki and Timon monkeying around. A special Lion King backdrop featuring Simba and some hanging gourds, framed by bamboo and rock is available for photos.
Always check the park times guide to know when Timon and Rafiki will be meeting guests. Despite the many Entertainment cuts taking place across Walt Disney World and even close by at Donald’s Dino-Bash in Dinoland, we’re glad character meets are still alive and well.
The third-quarter injury report for Walt Disney World has been released thanks to the MOU Exempt Facilities Report. Typically, amusement parks and fairs are subject to inspection from the State of Florida. However, “Permanent facilities that employ at least 1,000 full-time employees and that maintain full-time, in-house safety inspectors” are exempt from state inspection.
To remain exempt, the operators must report serious injuries to Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services every quarter for the MOU Exempt Facilities Report. Let’s take a look at the report for the third quarter of 2019.
Animal Kingdom
Na’vi River Journey (7/3/19)
83-year-old Male: Injured hip entering the attraction
Expedition Everest (7/5/19)
41-year-old Female: Seizure after experiencing the attraction
Expedition Everest (9/22/19)
45-year-old Female: Guest felt ill; migraine and vomiting when riding Expedition Everest
Epcot
Mission: Space (7/9/19)
34-year-old Male: Guest with a history of motion sickness became ill after riding
Hollywood Studios
Star Tours (8/19/19)
40-year-old Male: Guest with a pre-existing medical condition had a seizure and fell after riding
Magic Kingdom
Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid (7/21/19)
69-year-old Female: Guest with a pre-existing medical condition had a seizure after experiencing the attraction
Tomorrowland Speedway (7/23/19)
75-year-old Male: Guest fell loading onto the attraction; multiple abrasions and contusions
Peter Pan’s Flight (9/25/19)
4-year-old Male: Guest with a pre-existing medical condition had a seizure after experiencing the attraction
Typhoon Lagoon
Castaway Creek (9/22/19)
44-year-old Female: Guest experienced sudden memory loss
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has extended its operating hours on select nights in November and December to cope with expected guest demand. These additions to the park hours are different than Extra Magic Hours, which requires a guest to stay on property to gain access to extended hours.
The long extension of operating hours on New Year’s Eve is to accommodate the offerings announced earlier this year. Throughout the night, you’ll find special New Year’s Eve-themed food and drinks, while DJs in Asia, Discovery Island, and DinoLand U.S.A. will keep the party pumping!
Let’s take a look at the new, longer hours at the Animal Kingdom.:
November 25, 26, 27, 29: Park Hours Extended to 9 PM (Previously 8 PM)
December 31: Park Hours Extended to 12 AM (Previously 8 PM)
Check us out for all of the holiday news and updates.
A rumor that the Burudika Band would be making their final performance on October 13th began circulating in September, which has sadly turned out to be true. Performing multiple times throughout the day in Harambe Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this popular show has been entertaining guests with their infectious energy and spirit since their debut in April 2012.
Ever since their debut, the Burudika band has been a fan favorite, bringing plenty of fun, rhythm, and life to Harambe Village.
Here’s how Disney described the show:
“Clap to the beat when you hear the joyous sound of Burudika in the air. This exuberant band will have you singing along to their tunes. Then, get ready to dance along as the performers show you some moves. “Burudika” is Swahili for “to be refreshed”—so go ahead and refresh yourself!”
The Burudika Band is just one of many casualties in the entertainment budget cuts that have hit the Walt Disney World Resort recently, with other cancellations including “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History” and The Royal Majesty Makers, both in the Magic Kingdom.
Here is video of their final performance. Thanks to wdwnt.com for the footage.
With the sheer number of upcoming additions and attractions coming to the parks for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, there’s no doubt that 2021 (specifically October 1, 2021) is sure to be a big year. But amidst the announcements at this year’s D23 Expo, one small detail was briefly announced and quickly overlooked, and that’s the actual 50th Anniversary logo and theme.
For the 50th, aptly titled “The World’s Most Magical Celebration”, the logo features an art deco “50” on a sleek adaptation of Cinderella Castle. The castle itself is coated with a shining, iridescent swirl of pastel rainbow colors. (Why they couldn’t have come up with a shade of gold is beyond us, but I guess they couldn’t come up with another made-up, on-trend color for the celebration.)
For the 50th, some of the usual offerings were previewed in a quick slide, along with a few new ones. There’s the usual celebratory cupcake, coated in iridescent frosting and Mickey ears, the promise of specialty coffee and beverages also coated in iridescent glitter, as well as balloons and celebratory champagne flutes. Banners across property will feature the same design, as will a new set of MagicBands to be offered to guests and Annual Passholders.
As for the castle overlay design, it’s as if the entire castle will feature the various colors by way of lighting or added layers.
One of the key things to note is that while usually just one of the parks participates as the hub of anniversary celebrations, for 2021, all parks will be offering something special, as hinted by the Tree of Life projection show in the promotion.
Rumored additions include a new fireworks spectacular at the Magic Kingdom with added projection mapping throughout Main Street, a new daytime lagoon show at Epcot (much akin to “Surprise in the Skies” for Walt Disney World’s 20th anniversary) and even a new version of Rivers of Light over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
