Florida Resident 3 & 4-Day “Discover Disney” Discount Tickets Return; Potential AVATAR Opening Date Revealed

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

The Florida Resident Discover Disney 3-Day and 4-Day tickets will be returning to Walt Disney World and are on sale now, but the most interesting thing about them is a series of blackout dates only for the Animal Kingdom park.

The tickets themselves are good for 3 or 4-days of visits to Walt Disney World theme parks between January 4th until June 9th, 2017. The 3-day ticket is $139.00 for ages 3 and up and the 4-day ticket is $159.00 for ages 3 and up. Guests can also add then Water Parks Fun and More Option at a discounted price.

Pandora: The World of AVATAR is scheduled to open Summer 2017 at Disney'sAnimal Kingdom. Does that mean May 27th, 2017?

Pandora: The World of AVATAR is scheduled to open Summer 2017 at Disney’sAnimal Kingdom. Does that mean May 27th, 2017?

The most interesting facet of this is the blockout dates exclusive to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park that begin on May 27th, 2017 and run through the end of the tickets on June 9th. Based on when these dates are, it seems likely that this is currently penciled in as the official opening of Pandora: The World of AVATAR at the park. As we learned from Rivers of Light, these things are always subject to change, but it seems likely that Pandora will kick off the Summer season with a grand opening during Memorial Day weekend 2017. 

Disney has stated that Pandora: The World of AVATAR will open Summer 2017. Memorial Day weekend is often considered the beginning of the U.S. summer season.

Rivers of Light Merchandise Hitting Shelves, Show Debut at Animal Kingdom Seems Imminent

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

 

A rather interesting new item appeared today in the Shop Disney Parks app…

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It’s a light-up totem pole representing the Rivers of Light nighttime show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The below picture shows the glow wan illuminated.

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Why suddenly start selling merchandise for a show that has been delayed for so long? Well, we can only assume that the nighttime spectacular will finally debut soon at thew park, just a few weeks after cast members were the first to see it in late-November 2016.

We expect a starting date announcement soon from Disney, but as you know with this show, something could always happen between now and then…

Florida Resident 3 & 4-Day “Discover Disney” Discount Tickets Return; Potential AVATAR Opening Date Revealed

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

The Florida Resident Discover Disney 3-Day and 4-Day tickets will be returning to Walt Disney World and are on sale now, but the most interesting thing about them is a series of blackout dates only for the Animal Kingdom park.

The tickets themselves are good for 3 or 4-days of visits to Walt Disney World theme parks between January 4th until June 9th, 2017. The 3-day ticket is $139.00 for ages 3 and up and the 4-day ticket is $159.00 for ages 3 and up. Guests can also add then Water Parks Fun and More Option at a discounted price.

Pandora: The World of AVATAR is scheduled to open Summer 2017 at Disney'sAnimal Kingdom. Does that mean May 27th, 2017?

Pandora: The World of AVATAR is scheduled to open Summer 2017 at Disney’sAnimal Kingdom. Does that mean May 27th, 2017?

The most interesting facet of this is the blockout dates exclusive to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park that begin on May 27th, 2017 and run through the end of the tickets on June 9th. Based on when these dates are, it seems likely that this is currently penciled in as the official opening of Pandora: The World of AVATAR at the park. As we learned from Rivers of Light, these things are always subject to change, but it seems likely that Pandora will kick off the Summer season with a grand opening during Memorial Day weekend 2017. 

Disney has stated that Pandora: The World of AVATAR will open Summer 2017. Memorial Day weekend is often considered the beginning of the U.S. summer season.

Animal Kingdom to Test Several New Animal Encounters Over the Next Few Weeks

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

Over the next several weeks, Disney will be testing several new animal experiences around Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. While many of the tests will occur prior to park open, some concepts may take place during park operating hours. In partnership with Natural Encounters, Inc. (NEI) and the ASE team, testing will occur in DinoLand U.S.A., Africa and Discovery Island.

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During the testing, guests and cast may see birds and possibly other small mammals or reptiles outside of their typical locations, but be aware that members of the Natural Encounters and the ASE team will be
monitoring the animals and their training at all times.

In short, it sounds like new “roaming” animal experiences will be tested at the park as they prepare for the busy Summer season once Pandora: The World of AVATAR opens.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: December 2016 Aerial Flyover of Pandora: The World of AVATAR As It Nears Completion

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

 

After the exciting inside look at Pandora: The World of AVATAR that we got to see on the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration special, we decided it might be a good time to take to the skies and take a look at Animal Kingdom’s newest land from above and see how it is coming along.

The below video is the longest of the sort that we have filmed to date, as we fly around the entire perimeter of the land, giving you a 360 degree view of Pandora just months ahead of its Summer 2017 opening.

The video, as well as the photos below, show a project rapidly approaching completion (finally). Hopefully the land will be open to guests by Memorial Day 2017, or at the very least by the 4th of July.

It appears that the full fleet of boats for the Navi River Journey are being loaded in this week. This indicates that the ride is likely finished and now they will begin cycling a full fleet of boats inside of the attraction.

Very little scaffolding remains on the mountain range, meanwhile, Pongu Pongu Refreshments, Windtraders, and Satuli Canteen appear to be just about finished from the exterior

Pongu Pongu Refreshments is the small building on the right side of the above photo, just north of the hangar-looking building, which is home to Satuli Canteen. We believe that Windtraders is the small building to the right of the Canteen, but we have been unable to confirm that as of yet.

Even from this angle, never intended to be seen by a guest, the mountains appear to be floating.

Pavement has been laid finally, no longer leaving dirt trails between the sights of Pandora.

The large cranes were moved off-site in the last two weeks, leaving the skyline of the park closer to its finished product.

So, what do you think of Pandora: The World of AVATAR? Are you excited yet?

Disney Releasing Album for Rivers of Light & Tree of Life Awakenings

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

 

While we we still do not know when Rivers of Light will finally debut at Animal Kingdom, when it does, Disney is planning to release a new album featuring music from the much-maligned show, as well as the beloved Tree of Life Awakenings nightly projection shows.

The album should be released at Walt Disney World in early-2017.

PHOTOS: New Monkey Exhibit Opens at Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on December 26, 2016

This week, the lion-tailed macaque exhibit along the Maharajah Jungle Trek attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom finally opened.

The new exhibit is located towards the beginning of the walkthrough, just before the bat house.

Guests here can observe the creatures through glass windows, which there are two sets of at opposite corners of the exhibit.

In the exhibit are 3 females from Cologne, Germany and 1 male of the species from Colorado. The male has been trying to assert dominance over the others but has not been successful as of yet.

They are ground foragers in nature, but just like your kids, they apparently won’t eat the broccoli you give them…

If you want to see these cute little guys, they are now located in the Maharajah Jungle Trek walkthrough in Asia.

Restaurantosaurus Starting “Limited Time” Build-Your-Own Mickey Waffle Breakfast Next Week

WDWNT on December 26, 2016

For a limited time, guests can enjoy a quick-service breakfast at Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The location will open 30 minutes after park opening and serve breakfast until 10:30AM from December 19th through December 31st, 2016.

Selections will include Mickey Waffle Platters for adults and children, as well as a toppings bar featuring up to 12 different toppings including: warm syrup, whipped butter, walnuts, warm cinnamon apples, warm cherries, warm bananas foster, warm caramel, warm chocolate sauce, strawberry topping, whipped cream, sprinkles, and chocolate chips.

Cereals with milk, yogurt parfaits, and fruit cups will also be available.