January has brought two new additions to the Disney’s Animal Kingdom family. A baby Hartmann’s zebra, the first foal of the species to be born at the park, can be seen at Kilimanjaro Safaris. Meanwhile, Douglas, an Angolan black-and-white colobus monkey, can be seen on view at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.
Per Disney:
On Jan. 21, a yet-to-be-named Hartmann’s zebra foal was born to mom Prima under the care of the West Savanna team. This moment marks a milestone for the park as it is the first time this vulnerable zebra species has been born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Weighing in at about 65 pounds, the foal was standing and walking within 30 minutes of birth.
This little one is doing well and bonding backstage with his mom. Much of the time, he is nursing, napping and starting to play and explore his mom’s hay. When he’s ready, he will be introduced in stages to the other zebras and then join the herd as they go out onto the savanna. Be on the lookout for zebra the next time you go on Kilimanjaro Safaris!
Swinging on to other baby news… a male Angolan black-and-white colobus monkey named Douglas was born on Jan. 15 to mom Zahra at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. Look up high and you can see this small white fur ball snuggling close to his mom. As he grows up, his color will change to black with white around his face, and on his tail, like the others in his troop.
Douglas is the second of his family to be born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. His sister Alika (on the left) was born in 2018 and likes to preen him while mom looks on.
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.
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.
In recent years at Walt Disney World, certain PhotoPass spots turn a regular photo into an interactive experience with a Disney Character.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of Disney’s The Lion King, you can celebrate with the Disney PhotoPass photographers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Disney’s PhotoPass service is offering special new photo opportunities, including four brand new Magic Shots. The new photo opportunities are already available from 10 AM through 5 PM each day throughout the summer.
