Occasionally things do not go according to plan on your Disney World Vacation which many unfortunately discovered last night. While we wish Disney existed in a bubble where nothing bad ever happened, sadly, that’s just not true. Tragedy sometimes strikes and the unexpected can occur, even at the Happiest Place on Earth! Many discovered that last night after Animal Kingdom Lodge guests woke to an unwelcome surprise.
Around 1:00 am, guests, many of whom were asleep in their beds woke to a terribly loud noise as fire alarms went off throughout Jambo House. Through sleep filled hazes, many tried to ignore and go back to bed thinking it was a malfunction or a prank. Then they heard the speakers. A resort wide intercom system told guests that there was a fire reported in the resort and that the resort was being evacuated.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House is a very large resort so evacuation is no small undertaking. With six floors and 972 rooms, the resort was extremely chaotic as everyone tried to get out safely. In the event of an emergency, elevator use is forbidden so guests piled into stairwells to make their way to safety. Once outside, guests huddled in the parking lot in pajamas until the all-clear was given to reenter the resort.
A video by Roadtrip Dave was uploaded to YouTube detailing the evacuation. He reported that the evacuation was successful and no one, at that time, had been reported as injured. He shared his experience and explained that there are more questions than answers currently. He reported that he “smelled something electrical.” Fire trucks arrived on scene quickly and entered the resort to check out the source of the alarm, extinguish any active fire, and evaluate for guest safety. Guests were eventually permitted back inside the hotel. You can see his full account here:
August is going to be another step toward normal again, with more favorites returning. Here are the August, 2021 reopenings.
Entertainment
Wonderful World of Animation – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – reopening August 1: We don’t know when fireworks will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be an end of the night presentation. Wonderful World of Animation is a projection show that takes place on and around the Chinese Theater. You’ll enjoy decades worth of cinema in the 12 minute show. Many past guests have missed it because they were at Fantasmic. You don’t have that excuse right now.
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor – Magic Kingdom – reopening August 8: Humans will soon be able to enter the monster world once again! Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor is a live show the relies heavily on audience participation. It’s a lot of fun and sure to put a smile on your face. If you know a good joke you can text it before you enter the theater and it might be part of the show!
Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – reopening August 15: A tale as old as time will soon delight young and old alike once again. Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage is a high quality show that is faithful to the animated film that you know and love. At 25 minutes it’s condensed, but you’ll hear your favorite songs and see your favorite characters. The highlight is arguably the waltz between Belle and the Beast. This is one of the top shows that Walt Disney World fans have wanted to return, on August 15 they will get their wish.
Turtle Talk With Crush – EPCOT – reopening August 21: You’ll soon be able to enjoy a totally tubular time with everyone’s favorite turtle! Crush and the gang will be back entertaining and interacting with guests. Get your questions ready, because Crush wants to answer all of them! He’s been quiet for too long.
Hall of Presidents – Magic Kingdom – date unknown: Whenever a new US President is sworn in, the Hall of Presidents shuts down to install a new animatronic and update the soundtrack. Disney has not given an exact date for when the attraction will open again, but it has been confirmed that it will be sometime in August.
Restaurants
Pizzafari – Disney’s Animal Kingdom – reopening August 2: If you’re in the mood for individual sized pizza, Pizzafari is the place to go. The atmosphere is half the fun, with five themed rooms that you can dine in. Check the hours, because it looks like they will be limited; at least at first. Mobile Ordering is encouraged.
Columbia Harbour House – Magic Kingdom – reopening August 5: Enjoy a taste of New England at this popular quick service restaurant. You can start with Clam Chowder, and then move onto a Lobster Roll. You don’t have to want seafood to dine here. The Lighthouse Sandwich is a popular plant-based option. It’s so popular that when it was removed from the menu several years ago, there were a number of complaints and Disney decided to bring it back. Again, Mobile Ordering is encouraged.
Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood – Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – reopening August 5: Located in Gran Destino Tower, Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood has the feel of a signature restaurant. It’s beautiful inside, and since you’re on the roof you can head outside and enjoy spectacular views. If you aren’t sure what to order, try the Chef’s Signature Dinner for Two. You won’t be disappointed.
Yachtsman Steakhouse – Disney’s Yacht Club Resort – reopening August 5: Many people say that the steak served at Yachtsman Steakhouse is the best at Walt Disney World. You can enjoy this signature restaurant again on August 5. Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is a quick walk from the International Gateway Entrance to EPCOT, so you can easily get away and then head back to the park for EPCOT Forever. There is a dress code at Yachtsman Steakhouse, so make sure you’ve checked it before you make your plans.
Atlantic Dance Hall – Disney’s BoardWalk – reopening August 6: Get ready to dance the night away! There is no food served at Atlantic Dance Hall, but there is a full bar. Videos from yesteryear and more recent are played. Atlantic Dance Hall is strictly for the 21 and up crowd. It may not be open nightly, before the closure it was open Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Resorts
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House, Reopening August 26: All of the Walt Disney World resort hotels will be open by the end of 2021. Next up is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Jambo House. There are some aspects of the property that may not be operating, and all restaurants might not be open. Still, it’s a beautiful property and a wonderful place to stay. Spend some time watching the animals on the savannas. They’ve missed you.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House could soon say “Jambo!” to the athletes of the NBA as they prepare to resume their season.
According to DVCNews.com, all rooms at Jambo House are unavailable on Disney Vacation Club’s reservation site through the end of the year, while all other DVC resorts have availability beginning June 22nd. They also noted that legally, Jambo House and Kidani Village are part of the same condominium association, therefore, Disney is not completely blocking access as long as DVC members would only have to relocate to Kidani Village to stay at the lodge.
The league is reportedly planning to resume its season in Orlando, likely at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, with a formal vote to approve the plan by team owners scheduled for Thursday. Walt Disney World’s resort hotels would act as dormitories for players, keeping them isolated from the public in an effort to contain any threat of COVID-19 infection.
