Animal Kingdom – Page 30

“Winged Encounters” – A New Bird Show Coming to Animal Kingdom This Summer

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

There’s a new animal experience coming soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Stars of the show are flocks of macaws in a kaleidoscope of colors flying over and around the heart of the park — Discovery Island. Brought to you by the fantastic team that inspires and delights guests at our Flights of Wonder show in collaboration with Disney Creative Entertainment, “Winged Encounters — The Kingdom Takes Flight,” will debut this summer.

The macaws, with wingspans up to 60 inches, are now making short flights in the early morning hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in preparation for the debut of the new experience, which features six types of macaw: hyacinth, green-winged, blue and gold, scarlet, blue-throated and military.

In addition to seeing these colorful birds in flight, during up-close encounters, avian experts will share conservation stories about the macaws, the majority of which are endangered in their native Central and South America.

VIDEO: First Look Inside Harambe Theatre, New Home For Festival of the Lion King

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

The cast of Festival of the Lion King recently got a look inside the new Harambe Theatre in Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which will be home to their show come June:

VIDEO: “Bark-O-Lator” Interactive Element Allows Animal Kingdom Guests to Be Like Dug from UP

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

A few weeks ago, the queue for the meet-and-greet experience featuring Dug and Russell from Disney-PIXAR’s UP at Animal Kingdom received a new, interactive element. In the film, Dug speaks through a collar that translates his barks into human languages. Well, guests can now test one of these collars out by barking into the “Bark-O-Lator” just outside of the queue for the meet-and-greet. The device will then give guests a translated dog phrase in English. It seems to have some problems picking up the barks sometimes, but it is a neat little added element when it works. Here’s video of the Bark-O-Lator working and not working:

Joe Hogarty’s 2/20/14 WDW Photo Report (Mine Train, AVATAR, & More)

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom on Thursday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Starting at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Some work still taking place on the paths around the Tree of Life

Nothing much to see over at the AVATAR site

It will hard to track construction unless we try from above… 😉

Another look at the walls around the Tree of Life paths

This could be related to the work needing to be done to the tree for the nighttime offerings, or it could be general rehab

Work continues on the new Festival of the Lion King Theater

Walls still up near the Africa stroller parking

Moving over to the Magic Kingdom, work continues on the steps of City Hall

The Castle is still getting some touch-ups

Time for the obligatory Seven Dwarfs Mine Train construction photos

The waterfall has been running non-stop

It looks great

The refurbishment of Splash Mountain continues

Don’t expect much different when it reopens except some scenes that have been freshened up

It will be Splashing again soon!

Dirk Wallen’s 3/1/14 WDW Photo Report (Hub, SpectroMagic, Flower & Garden, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Drik Wallen visited three of the Walt Disney World theme parks on Saturday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

The latest progress on the Polynesian Vacation Club wing

The Magic Kingdom moat has been drained to start work on the new hub

The latest piece of Spectromagic history pin is out and features the Mickey float

Another look at the drained moat

Moving over to Epcot, the Flower & Garden Festival starts Wednesday and it looks like the park is just about ready

Is Mickey cross-eyed?

Moving over to Animal Kingdom, the Festival of the Lion King theater is progressing nicely

One Kodak picture spot remains…

New Walt Disney World t-shirt

New Gaston t-shirt

Tom Corless’ 12/30/13-1/1/14 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

I managed to spend the last three busy days citing Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Magic Kingdom, and Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World and I have some photos to share with you all from my journey, so let’s tai a look at what’s new and exciting:

New 2014 iPhone 4/4S and 5 cases have hit stores

These have a new design as they are hard cases with a bumper

Disney’s Hollywood Studios once again had the stage up for the holidays and used the screens to give guests park information

The Legend of Jack Sparrow is now only available to guests via a ticketing system done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Disney’s thoughts are guests will be less let down that this isn’t a ride if they don’t have to stand in line for 30 minutes or more. The tickets were all gone by the time we got there on the 30th.

Specialty holiday drinks were available in the park

Comedy Warehouse returned again for the busy holiday season

Moving to Downtown Disney, the new barbecue quick service location at House of Blues is nearing completion

These two-layered t-shirts were found at World of Disney

It’s a mesh layer over a colored character layer

The Disneyland 4-D puzzle has made its way to WDW

A whole bunch of new charms for charm bracelets have been released, including the Orange Bird

The 4th and final food truck debuted at Downtown Disney, Fantasy Fare

There are a lot of good offerings

CORN DOGS!!!

I dared to venture to the Magic Kingdom for New Year’s Eve again this year…

This looks much worse than it actually was, it took less than 3 minutes to get through bag check

Some lines were long, as to be expected, especially at Starbucks

Casey’s Corner was offering breakfast due to crowds

The ham, egg, and cheese croissant was excellent

Golden Oak Outpost has re-opened and now has a spicy chicken sandwich, the lines were just too long to try it on the 31st…

Pirates of the Caribbean reached an 80 minute wait at one point

Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Friar’s Nook is open as well and now has gourmet mac and cheese dishes

There are 3 choices of different mac and cheese styles

Here is the Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese

And the mac and cheese with bread crumbs, both were very good

The 31st was your last chance to catch Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

See you in 2014 Santa!

Prince Eric’s Village Market was offering soup since it was cold

90 minute wait for Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Cinderella’s Coach is out for photos through the 4th to deal with some crowds

The second seating planter by Pinocchio’s Village Haus came out from behind walls recently

A new sign was added to the facade of the Country Bear Jamboree in an attempt to draw in more guests

We dined at the Tortuga Tavern buffet that was only open for the busy holiday season and I have to say it was pretty good

Some great desserts as well!

The animated Pluto bank is now available in stores for $19.95

As always, free cookies and cocoa were offered at the end of the night to keep guests in the park during the midnight rush to leave

Moving over to Animal Kingdom, the Dawa Bar in Africa has moved opposite the Tusker House check-in desk to accommodate the eventual queue for Festival of the Lion King

A new limited release iPhone 5 case available at the park

Some new clothing

A sweatshirt

Construction continues on the new Festival of the Lion King theater

All guests visiting Animal Kingdom can now use FastPass+ by heading to any service center or FastPass+ location

This is the first KODAK picture spot sign I’ve seen blank, but it should have a new NIKON picture spot sing in it soon

Some new Toy Story action figures made by Disney Parks have been released

Construction Begins on AVATAR Project for Disney’s Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

Earlier this week, the long-awaited ground breaking ceremony was held in former Camp Minnie-Mickey for the AVATAR-themed land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. George Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort; Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, United States and France; Tom Staggs, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; a Na’vi; Jon Landau, AVATAR Producer; Bruce Vaughn, chief creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering; and Joe Rohde, creative executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, pose Jan. 8, 2014 during the ceremonial groundbreaking.

The area, which is being designed by Walt Disney Imagineering in partnership with “AVATAR” creator James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment, will be unlike anything ever experienced at a Disney park. Guests will experience the wonders of Pandora when they fly with banshees and explore a rich natural environment with mountains that float and interactive plants that glow at night.

“Disney’s Animal Kingdom is already home to some of our guests’ favorite attractions,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “With AVATAR, we are adding a spectacular new world and an exciting set of attractions unlike any our guests have experienced. The expansion now under way will make the park a true full-day, must-see experience.”

This week’s milestone is just the first step in a larger expansion for the park that will also include the debut of a new evening spectacular, as well as a nighttime version of Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Check out the video below for a look inside the ceremony:

Dirk Wallen’s 1/15/14 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom last week and has some newsworthy photos (and video) to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Banners for The Jungle Book on Blu-Ray now hanging in the Animation Courtyard

A billboard up as well

A billboard for Maleficent is also up near PIXAR Place, and yes, the horns stick out of the top…

The scanner boards at Star Tours have still not been activated to work with MagicBands yet

There’s also a new sign that will interact with guests installed in the pre-show area at Muppet Vision 3-D

The Etch-A-Sketch in the queue at Toy Story Mania was finally turned on last week, here’s a video showing the device in action:

Osborne Lights are coming down

All clear on this end of the street

The AFI exhibit is quietly being updated at the exit of the Backlot Tour

A few props have been switched out and moved around

Among the new additions is a costume from Batman

There are also now some items from E.T.

The croissant doughnut (or Cronut) is our only photo from Epcot, but you can pick up this incredible snack at the Refreshment Port

The Let The Memories Begin signage has been removed from the front of Animal Kingdom

Some walls are up near Island Mercantile where FastPass+ kiosks once stood… not sure if they are moving this help desk or not

Walls now up blocking guests from Camp Minnie-Mickey as it transforms into AVATAR

Camp Minnie-Mickey signage around the park has been removed

Work continues on the new home for Festival of the Lion King and the former Dawa Bar has now been absorbed by walls to accommodate queue construction

A look at the theater construction from far away

Not too long ago, Dug and Russell got some permanent signage for their meet and greet

Since Camp Minnie-mickey is closed and Animal Kingdom is down one show, Dinoland is now hosting a dance party

Here’s a short clip of the new offering that is full of obscure characters:

Dirk Wallen’s 1/19/14 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Downtown Disney, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Work continues on the Disney Springs parking structure

Since this photo was taken, the new confer service location at House of Blues opened

It’s called The Smokehouse

Here is the menu

The West Side Starbucks under construction

A look at what will be The Landing

Paradise 37 will remain open through all of the construction

No visible progress on Pleasure Island

Walls up in the Marketplace

The Starbucks under construction in the Marketplace

Captain Jack’s and the marina has been reduced to some poles in the water

Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Min and Bill’s is now serving turkey legs and pork shanks

The Glow with the Show window at Villains in Vogue has vanished behind this old Fantasmic display

Over at Animal Kingdom, the stroller parking area at the Wildlife Express Train in Africa is behind walls

Work continues on the new DVC wing of the Polynesian

We spotted out first Nikon Picture Spot in Fantasyland

FASTPASS machines are now being uninstalled at the Magic Kingdom as they are now only using FastPass+

Peter Pan FASTPASS covered up

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train appears to be nearing completion, and trains are now testing on the track daily! Here’s video of a train running:

Hayley Nance’s 2/2/14 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Hayley Nance visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom this past weekend and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from her trip, so let’s take a look: