“Walt Disney World Resort was fortunate to be spared from Hurricane Dorian, and today it’s back to business as usual. Cast Members across property worked diligently to prepare for the storm, including the Animals, Science and Environment Cast Members, who were busy taking care of our herd. And we’re excited to share the herd just grew by one.
Early this morning, an eland in our care gave birth to a healthy calf named Doppler in honor of its post-storm arrival. Gender is not known as of yet. These photos were taken in the first few hours after the birth, and the calf has already taken its first steps.
The calf was born as part of a species survival plan in partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Mom and baby are bonding well, and the team will conduct a neonatal exam in the coming days to get a gauge on the calf’s weight, height and gender. The pair will remain backstage for the next several weeks before venturing out onto the savanna with the rest of the herd at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.”
More dates have just been added to the Disney After Hours events at the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, extending the event through to March 2020.
The new dates are listed below for each park, and all go on sale now. No dates have been announced for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
All Disney After Hours event tickets cost $125 + tax for advance purchase and $129 + tax for day-of purchases. Disney Vacation Club members and Annual Passholders do receive a discounted price $95 + tax.
The event gives you access to the park for three hours after regular park hours, which means nearly no wait for attractions, and you can enter the park early – at 7pm on your event night – before Disney After Hours begins. Ice cream, popcorn and non-alcoholic beverages are also included in your Disney After Hours admission, which is a separately priced ticket from daytime park admission.
Magic Kingdom Park
August 22, 29 2019 September 5, 12, 19, 26 2019 November 18 2019 December 9 2019 January 6, 13, 17, 20 2020
Includes the Tree of Life Awakenings, the adventures within Pandora – The World of Avatar and more. Select quick-service food & beverage locations will remain open throughout the night for purchases.
August 26 2019 September 3, 9, 16, 23 2019 October 5, 9, 19, 26, 30 2019 November 5, 13, 19 2019 December 7, 14, 18 2019 January 9, 16, 22, 30 2020 February 6, 13, 19, 27 2020 March 5, 12, 19, 26 2020
Get your tickets to these events now before they run out.
This holiday season there will be new entertainment and holiday decor for each land within the park. Guests will get to enjoy themed holiday experiences everywhere that they go.
From Disney Parks Blog:
It all begins when you cross the bridge to Discovery Island, finding yourself in the midst of a celebration of winter, hand-crafted by the eclectic community of artists who make the island their home. The village is filled with sparkling white holiday decorations. Colorful, animal-inspired luminaries line the rooftops, and wireframe lanterns in the shape of beautiful birds can be found perched throughout the area.
A holiday gathering of winter animals – realized in the form of life-size, artisan-sculpted puppets – frolics on Discovery Island during the day. Reindeer, foxes, polar bears, penguins and more interact with guests, accompanied by serenading musicians as they create a playful atmosphere of festive fun.
As day becomes night, the rooftop luminaries and bird lanterns all around Discovery Island bring a warm and festive glow to the entire village. At the center of everything, the Tree of Life awakenswith a series of wintry tales, complemented by a familiar and heartwarming holiday-inspired musical score. Between awakening moments, the Tree of Life continues to shimmer and sparkle throughout the night, alive with the magic of nature and the spirit of the holidays.
“Earlier this week, guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom were treated to a surprise performance of “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” by JD McCrary and Shahadi Wright Joseph the voices of Young Simba and Young Nala in Disney’s “The Lion King.” The special appearance was in advance of a performance of “Festival of the Lion King.”
While here, JD and Shahadi took a little Hakuna Matata time to enjoy Disney’s Animal Kingdom. There’s no better place to celebrate the story of the cub who would be king as it roars back into your heart during a celebration of “The Lion King” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. So come get down at the new Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party, pose in front of limited time photo backdrops, experience “Festival of the Lion King” show”
Walt Disney World’s largest park by size is also home to some of the biggest attractions in all of WDW. People love animals! People love adventure! Animal Kingdom puts these 2 together in glorious fashion for some of its best attractions.
Attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom incorporate a wide variety of technologies that have been refined by Disney—including animation and 3-D. Live shows are colorful and entertaining, and parades showcase character-based safari vehicles, drum sculptures, rickshaw taxis, animal puppets, Disney characters, and Party Animal stilt-walkers.
With the addition of Pandora – The World of Avatar to its lineup, what was typically a half to full day visit has now turned the park into one that you may want to revisit in a single vacation.
Here are our top ten Animal Kingdom attractions:
10. TriceraTop Spin
If your children love dinosaurs, they’ll love TriceraTop Spin in DinoLand U.S.A.. Although any age can ride TriceraTop Spin, the whimsical dinosaurs operate much the same way as Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Disney’s Magic Kingdom, a longtime favorite and gentle ride for the youngest park guests.
9. Rafiki’s Planet Watch
If you are needing a break during the busiest time of the day, board the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. This attraction just reopened July 11th, 2019 with a new area called The Animation Experience at Conservation Station.his brand new experience offers guests the opportunity to learn more about how live animals have inspired some of Disney’s most iconic characters. Additionally, guests who visit have the chance to create a personalized piece of Disney art featuring Simba, Zazu, Pumbaa, Timon from Disney’s The Lion King and others through an instructor-led animation class.
The “Affection Section” is where young and old alike have an opportunity to interact with the animals. At first, they appear to be the usual petting zoo variety of animals, but you’ll discover that they are exotic breeds of sheep, goats, deer, pigs, etc.
In the main building, you will find viewing areas where exams and surgical procedures may be observed. In addition to the veterinary facilities, experts are on hand to educate you on the caring for, and meal preparation for the many animals found in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
8. It’s Tough to Be a Bug
Special effects, 3-D animation, and audio-animatronics characters bring to life “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” While awaiting entry to the theater, you’ll wind your way through a mass of gnarled roots and collect your pair of bug glasses. Inside the theater, custom log seating and a vine-draped ceiling set the stage for a hilarious look at the oft-misunderstood life of bugs.
Special effects shrink the audience to the size of bugs and turn the tables as they dodge the sweeping of a giant flyswatter and blinding fog of a giant can of “Bug Doom,” among other adventures of a bug’s life.
This is a good way to also beat the Florida sun. This ride has no age restrictions but can be a little scary for younger children.
7. Dinosaur
Board a rugged Time Rover vehicle and set off on a thrilling adventure through a primeval forest filled with life-like dinosaurs. Careen through unpredictable hairpin turns. Dart around a fearsome Velociraptor hunting for prey. Avoid the clutches of a Cearadactylus soaring overhead!
As the clock counts down, fiery meteors crash down around you. Will you make your escape before the dinosaurs—and you—become extinct?
You’ll ride in a 12-seat Time Rover on this dark and scary ride. Children must be at least 40 inches tall to go on the Time Rover.
6. Kali River Rapids
Whitewater raft ride spinning freely down a river through rainforest, ruins, and deforested areas with message of conservation. You will get wet on Kali River Rapids, and there’s a pretty good chance you’ll get absolutely soaked–it’s all random.
There are free (2-hour) lockers nearby, and we strongly recommend using them for a change of clothes (or wear a poncho on the ride). The queue is quite gorgeous. Kali River Rapids has a 38″ height requirement. Kali River Rapids is a good use of a FastPass.
5. Na’vi River Journey
The Na’vi River Journey in the world of Pandora takes you deep into a bioluminescent rainforest in a woven boat. You’ll feel enveloped by the rainforest, the darkness, and the out-of-this-world lighted features as you travel in search of the Na’vi Shaman of Songs. This is a slow and peaceful ride that even the smallest visitors can love.
4. Festival of The Lion King
Maybe the best show at Walt Disney World, this show takes you into the world of the Lion King. This show has something for everyone. The singers are fantastic and sing all of the classic songs. The acrobats are amazing to witness, the monkeys are my favorite. The stage floats bring some of the classic characters to life with an appearance from everyone’s favorite meerkat , Timon.
This show is a nonstop party from start to finish that the audience plays a role.
3. Kilimanjaro Safari
These final 3 could be labeled 1a, 1b, and 1c. All three are awesome attractions. Kilimanjaro Safari is reminds you that you are in a zoo type theme park.
You will ride an all-terrain safari vehicle thru Africa. On the Kilimanjaro Safari, your guide will point out the wild African animals—zebras, rhinos, lions, and giraffes and many more. Prepare to be entertained by your tour guide as they drive thru the rough terrain . During your safari, you’ll travel rutted dirt trails, cross shallow waterways, and plow through heavy vegetation to reach a spectacular view of a vast savannah.
My favorite area of the trip has animals roaming free and sometimes will block your route or come right up to the vehicle for a close encounter. This gives you a great opportunity to snap some unforgettable photos.
2. Expedition Everest
One of Disney’s most exciting coaster experiences, Expedition Everest brings the legend of the Yeti to life. It’s hard to miss the impressive landmark mountain located in the Asia section.
The roller coaster features steep climbs, breathtaking plunges. You will encounter a break in the track which will force you to travel backward back into the mountain. In the mountain, you will be confronted by the Yeti. You must then race for your life to safety back down the mountain.
This is arguably one of Disney’s best thrill rides and a must do for any coaster enthusiasts.
1 Avatar Flight of Passage
Avatar Flight of Passage was one of those rides that when you ride it for the first time, you are on awe of what just happened. This simulation ride is unlike any you will ever encounter. You will board your “banshee” and the screen in front of you transplants you into the world of Pandora
Pandora is a lot like Earth, but not exactly like Earth. On this thrill-a-minute ride, you’ll get a mountain banshee’s-eye view of the moon of Pandora. Your exotic and exciting trip will take you over water, trees, and creatures on the back of this otherworldly winged creature in this rite of passage for a Na’vi hunter.
