Foodie Guide to Can’t-Miss Earth Month Treats

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

We’re continuing to show our appreciation for our planet with special items inspired by Earth Day! While Earth Day, and the 25th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, is on April 22, Walt Disney World Resort is celebrating the world around us and its creatures all throughout the month with the help of the talented Disney chefs and mixologists!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disney Resort Hotels are bringing the beauty of Earth to the plate with delicious dishes like the Elephant Cupcake at Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus, the plant-based Chaat at Sanaa, and the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail Sundae from Tamu Tamu showcasing our very own gorilla – Kejana!

As part of Disney Planet Possible, we’re dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint, supporting conservation efforts, and finding ways for us all to take part in the magic of nature this Earth Month. With so many ways to enjoy Earth Month this year through our tastebuds, be sure to continue that love of our planet all year long. Now, let’s explore this year’s Foodie Guide to Earth Month at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Creature Comforts (Available March 28 through April 30)

  • Bee Hive Mousse Dome: Honey mousse on top of a brownie base with sugar bees

and white chocolate honeycomb (New)

Dawa Bar

  • Bahari Breeze: Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Blue Curaçao Liquor, sour mix, pineapple juice garnish with pineapple wedge showcasing the ocean. The drink takes its name “bahari” from the Swahili word for “ocean.”

Flame Tree Barbecue (Mobile order available)

  • Flamingo Cupcake: Strawberry cake, strawberry compote filling, guava buttercream, pink crispy pearls, sugar flamingo, and white chocolate wings (Available starting March 28)
  • Bubbling Pink Lagoon: Strawberry lemonade, Sprite, and kiwi flavoring (Also available with glow cube and available with vodka for guests 21 and over) (Available March 28 through April 30) (New)

Nomad Lounge (Available March 31 through April 30)

  • The Elephant and the Bees Cocktail: Cruxland Gin, bitters, and soda water garnished with a lemon wheel and honey simple syrup Inspired by the use of strategically placed beehives to protect the crops of African farmers from elephants (New)

Pizzafari (Available March 28 through April 30; mobile order available)

  • Elephant Cupcake: Graham cracker cake, pineapple filling with matcha buttercream, crispy pearls, and a stunning white chocolate elephant celebrating Earth Month (New)
  • Viva Gaia Tonic: Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade, Sprite, and cotton candy-flavor with mint leaves (Also available with glow cube and available with vodka for guests 21 and over)(New) 

Restaurantosaurus (Available March 28 through April 30; mobile order available)

  • Elephant Cupcake: Graham cracker cake, pineapple filling with matcha buttercream, crispy pearls, and a stunning white chocolate elephant celebrating Earth Month 

Tamu Tamu (Available March 28 through April 30)

  • Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail Sundae: Brownie with scoop of vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and trail crunch mix topped with a white chocolate image of Kejana (New)

Terra Treats

  • Roasted Mushroom & Leek Pizza: Plant-based offering with IMPOSSIBLE Meatballs, roasted mushrooms, braised leeks, and a dash of truffle oil (New) (Plant-based)

Tusker House  

  • Bee Mini-cupcake included with buffet
  • A variety of plant-based items including Cauliflower Bunny Chow, Black-eyed Pea Salad, IMPOSSIBLE Bobotie, Feisty Green Beans, Tandoori Tomatoes, Carrot and Chickpea Salad, Jollof Rice with Plant-based Sausage, Garlic-leek Hummus, and Harira Soup

Available at Isle of Java, Terra Treats, Thirsty River Bar, and Outdoor Ice Cream Carts (Available March 28)  

  • Tiger Eye Gold: Refreshing, light golden ale brewed with blend of malt and rice and finished with hops from the Pacific Northwest that import a hint of citrus flavor and the aroma of mandarin orange blossoms

Available at Dawa Bar, Eight Spoon Café, Restaurantosaurus Lounge, Thirsty River Bar, TriloBites, and Warung Outpost (Available April 2 through 30)

  • Honey Bee Citrus Ale: Celebrating our pollinators, this ale is a light, slightly sweet, honey ale with a crisp clean finish

Disney Resort Hotels

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge  

The Mara (Available April 22 only; mobile order available)

  • Cactus Cake: Chocolate cake, peanut butter filling, strawberry jam, and buttercream (New)

Sanaa (Available April 1 through 30)  

  • Chaat: Seasonal vegetables from The Land at EPCOT and potato croquette with chana masala, kale pakora, tamarind, coriander chutney, and coconut raita (New) (Plant-based)

Available at Various Table-service Restaurants and Disney Resort Hotel Lounges including California Grill, Jiko: The Cooking Place, Boma: Flavors of Africa, Victoria Falls, Flying Fish, Belle Vue Lounge, and AbracadaBAR (Available April 1 through May 31)

  • Honey Bee: A tribute to global conservation through bee pollination featuring Four Roses Bourbon, lemon juice, and honey garnished with a dehydrated blood orange and honeycomb (New)

Available at Various Pool Bars Across Disney Resort Hotels (Available April 1 through May 31)

  • Cucumber Gimlet: Inspired by bright, refreshing flavors of spring and garden vegetables like cucumber, lime juice, and simple syrup topped with soda water with a chili-lime rim and cucumber garnish (New)

(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)

Disney Announces Earth Week Celebration Details at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

It’s hard to believe that the month of April is only one week away. Earth Day, Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s anniversary, is now under one month away. Celebrations for Earth Week have been announced at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

From a Disney Cast Member;

Is there something special that you are doing to help the planet? Earth Day is the moment when the world wraps a big symbolic hug around the bright blue world that we call home.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, come join in the fun of our annual Earth Day Celebration, as the park spends not just the day but an entire week honoring our planet and how we can all come together to create a healthier home for people and wildlife. That’s right, a whole week – April 18-24 – connecting with the magic of nature through family-friendly experiences and special offerings.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom delivers an Earth Day Celebration like no other. Share in the spirit of wildlife conservation and learn more about animal species the Disney Conservation Fund is working to protect. At Conservation Station, try your hand at drawing as Disney artists at The Animation Experience guide you step by step to bring your favorite Disney characters to life using real animals for inspiration. Each animal represents some of the amazing stories of conservation work Disney is doing around the world.

You can also check out a limited-time Wilderness Explorer activity that rewards you with an Earth Day Nature badge.

You’ll also want to make tracks to Discovery Island where you can spot a special Disney Character Cruise on Discovery River. And throughout the park you can find Disney PhotoPass magic that frames you with Wall-E and Eve from Disney and Pixar’s animated feature “Wall-E.” Of course, as you stroll through the park, take time to marvel at its heart and soul – the majestic animals in our care.

And, lastly, don’t forget to pick up a limited-edition Earth Day 2022 trading pin to commemorate the celebration! You’ll also find specialty merchandise and custom food and beverages at the park during this exciting week.

Remember the ways big and small we can all do our part to create a happier, healthier planet – from planting a tree to picking up litter, recycling or turning off lights to conserve energy. We can help keep our planet healthy and make every day Earth Day.

I hope to see you at the park for our Earth Week Celebration April 18-24. And Happy 24th Birthday on Earth Day, Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

Walt Disney World To Develop Two New Solar Facilities To Power 40% Energy Consumption

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Happy Earth Month Disney fans! Disney has been celebrating all April, and has made a new announcement regarding more solar power on the way to Walt Disney World. With two new solar facilities coming to the property, Disney plans to power 40% of their annual energy consumption!

As announced by Disney: “Walt Disney World has been basking in the glow of the Sunshine State and using solar energy for several years, and today, Walt Disney World and Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) are teaming up with local utility partners in Central Florida to develop two new 75MW solar facilities, which are expected to come online in approximately two years. These new solar projects add to a not-so-hidden Mickey shaped solar array, built in collaboration with RCID and Duke Energy, sharing that authentic Disney flair across 22 acres of land, as well as the massive 270-acre, 57MW solar facility built in partnership with RCID and Origis Energy USA. When combined, Walt Disney World’s total solar facilities will produce enough renewable energy to power up to 40% of its total annual energy consumption.”

That’s seriously impressive! But, of course there’s more! Disneyland Paris, Disneyland in California, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disney, and even Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay are using solar power to better the environment. Check out all the details as shared by Disney here. 

Harnessing the Sun to Power Disney Parks

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Happy belated Earth Day (and Happy Anniversary to Disney’s Animal Kingdom)! Disney has been hard at work to harness the power of the sun to power parks globally. Disney has announced there is a new solar facility coming online at Castaway Cay! When completed, this new solar array will power 70% of Disney’s private island in The Bahamas. This new facility represents a larger effort by Disney to power its parks more responsibly. Globally, these solar facilities are enough to power 65,200 homes for one year, the equivalent of 8 Walt Disney World theme parks!

From a Disney Cast Member;

As we celebrate Earth Day, I wanted to share some of the amazing work being done around the world to power the magic by harnessing the sun! I am incredibly proud to share that we’re continuing to make tremendous steps towards reducing our carbon footprint at our global parks and resorts with new solar facilities coming online around the world.

While using solar energy may not be a new concept, we are pushing the boundaries in our unique Disney way, including solar panels atop our most famous attractions at Disneyland Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and a solar farm in the shape of Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World Resort. And coming soon are solar canopies at Disneyland Paris that will provide shelter for 9,500 guest vehicles, a facility that will power ~70% of Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island in The Bahamas, and two colossal solar facilities coming to Central Florida. To put all of this into perspective our Disney Parks, Experiences and Products solar portfolio around the world can produce enough energy to power eight Magic Kingdom Parks at Walt Disney World Resort.

Pretty cool, right? Through the innovative use of space, and with a touch of Disney magic, we are using the sun to conserve energy and power up in a responsible manner. Let’s take a tour around the world to see our solar arrays in action.

Powering ~70% of the island’s power, Disney Cruise Line will soon bring online 4,320 solar panels at Castaway Cay.

Walt Disney World has been basking in the glow of the Sunshine State and using solar energy for several years, and today, Walt Disney World and Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) are teaming up with local utility partners in Central Florida to develop two new 75MW solar facilities, which are expected to come online in approximately two years.

These new solar projects add to a not-so-hidden Mickey shaped solar array, built in collaboration with RCID and Duke Energy, sharing that authentic Disney flair across 22 acres of land, as well as the massive 270-acre, 57MW solar facility built in partnership with RCID and Origis Energy USA. When combined, Walt Disney World’s total solar facilities will produce enough renewable energy to power up to 40% of its total annual energy consumption.

Disneyland Paris is setting the standard for solar energy in Europe – working on one of the largest solar canopy plants in collaboration with Urbasolar. These solar canopies will provide practical and innovative use of 67,500 solar panels sitting atop an outdoor guest parking lot.

Hong Kong Disneyland is also setting an example locally, serving as home to the single largest solar panel site in Hong Kong. Across 20 attractions and buildings, the park has installed over 5,000 solar panels.

Soaking up the California sunshine, atop the Radiator Springs Racers attraction sits 1,400 solar panels that help power the magic at Disneyland Resort.

And solar power energizes Tokyo Disney Resort, generating enough power to fuel the iconic Dreamlights Parade with solar panels installed at eight backstage locations across the resort.

Since 2009, Disney has operated under a long-term vision to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions, and we’re just getting started. Our new set of ambitions goals commit us to achieve net zero emissions for our direct operations by 2030.

To learn more about how we help protect and celebrate the magic of nature not just during Earth Month, but all year round, be sure to tune into my Instagram handle, @DrMarkatDisney. Together, we can take better care of the world we share.

Earth Day Activities Land on My Disney Experience App April 22

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Earth Day is right around the corner and Disney is celebrating! While we’re enjoying all the celebrations of Earth Month Disney is currently offering throughout April, we’re thrilled to learn Disney is bringing an extra dose of fun to Earth Day with the My Disney Experience App!

As shared by Disney: “On Earth Day, April 22, be sure to check out the My Disney Experience app to learn all about different projects from Disney destinations around the world and how you can participate through activities at home that can help make a difference. From recycling plastic bottles in Florida to creating pollinator gardens in Paris, we’re finding new practices that help the environment and we invite you to join us wherever you may be!”

Screenshots of Sounds of the Wild and Wild Sights on the My Disney Experience app

On the app you’ll come across activities such as a new series of mini games that will test how well you know the sounds of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You’ll even have a chance to meet the adorable Nigerian dwarf goats of Kilimanjaro Safaris! Disney will offer downloadable wallpaper, virtual backgrounds, and more. And if you’re a fan of all things trivia, get ready for an Earth Day trivia challenge which launches on Friday, April 23!  

Be sure to download the My Disney Experience App if you haven’t already so you’ll be able to enjoy these experiences right from the comfort of your home, or while spending the day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Happy Earth Month, and soon to be Earth Day, Disney fans!