Multiple areas of Animal Kingdom will be under construction in the coming weeks.
Construction to enhance the Serka Zong Bazaar merchandise location at Expedition Everest began on April 17th and will continue through May 12th. During construction, the location will remain open.
In addition to that, the FastPass+ touch points and entrance queue area at Kilimanjaro Safaris will undergo refurbishment from April 17 through May 12. A secondary queue will be used during the entire duration of this construction project.
“it’s tough to be a bug” will be closed April 24th through the 28th to accommodate work on the Tree of Life structure.
Finally, the tiger exhibit in the Maharajah Jungle Trek will undergo habitat enhancements through Friday, May 5. During this time, the tigers will be kept backstage and the viewing areas will be inaccessible to Guests.
It was quite the busy weekend at Walt Disney World, so I managed to visit all 4 parks to see what was new and have a ton of newsworthy photos to share with you in today’s report:
The Studio Backlot Tour closed forever on Saturday
A Big Hero 6 exhibit can now be found at the Magic of Disney Animation
Moving over to Epcot, menu changes have been made a the Electric Umbrella
I decided to try the French Dip burger
It was surprisingly good!
I also tried the Pumpkin Macaroon from the France ice cream parlor and it was amazing.
Over at the Magic Kingdom, this low clearance was added in the bus stop to ensure busses go the right way through the loop
The awning on the boat dock at the entrance was replaced, it’s now red instead of green
The latest progress on the hub at the Magic Kingdom
The Astro Orbiter reopened this weekend, but you can read more about that here
The leave-your-phone charging stations in Tomorrowland have all been closed, the test period came to an end and we’ll now have to wait to see if it was a success and is brought back
New Space Mountain ladies’ shirt
New men’s “I conquered Space Mountain” shirt
This artwork was previously on a black t-shirt and slightly different
Dumbo character sketches are now being sold at Big Top Souvenirs
New Beast plush for sale at Bonjour Village Gifts
Instead of selling generic items, there is a now a Beauty and the Beast shield toy
If you don’t have a FastPass for it, prepare to arrive at Be Our Guest at park opening to get a return time to eat lunch there or you’ll be turned away
Even more of Sir Mickey’s has been taken over by Frozen merchandise, even Ariel merchandise got pushed out
Some new Frozen artwork for sale
A two-sided Olaf ceramic ornament was just released
Queue work continues at Peter Pan’s Flight
We thought it would only be at Disneyland, but the Zero popcorn bucket was released at the Magic Kingdom! It costs over $13 but has a light-up nose feature
Strange new t-shirts…
LOVE this new sweatshirt!
Odd new Magic Kingdom shirt
Simple, but nice
Halloween 2014 Duffy
Some of the Haunted Mansion 45th anniversary lithographs have made it to Florida
An awesome new print by Alex Maher
In preparation for “Move It! Shake It! Dance and Play It!”, video screens are being installed on the floats
Moving over to animal Kingdom, it’s still a mess
At least all of the construction walls are decorated now
The UP meet and greet has seen better days
“it’s tough to be a bug” re-opened this weekend
Most of the nets installed to protect guests from falling particles have finally been removed from the queue
There are still nets by the base of the tree, not sure if these will stay here
work is picking up on the new nighttime show, Rivers of Light
The Everest shrine is behind walls and probably will be until the construction is done in late 2015/early 2016
Since one of the Wilderness Explorers’ answers is behind walls, they made a copy and placed it on the walls
The walls wrap around most of the river
We can peek through and see that the construction vehicles are already in place, ready to start working on the show and viewing area
Some sort of new structure is going up by Flame Tree Barbecue
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s All-Star Music Resort earlier this week and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look at what’s new:
The Tree of Life behind walls as work is being done to repair it and prepare for the new nighttime lighting that will illuminate the tree in the evening.
A new pathway is being cleared out behind Disney Outfitters, likely a new path to help guests exit faster when leaving after Rivers of Light
The path will cut straight through to the other side near Flame Tree BBQ
Walls are also up at Flame Tree BBQ
“it’s tough to be a bug” is closed for a few more weeks until work is completed at the Tree of Life
The new path around the marketplace in Africa is also still behind walls
We can see cranes, but not much else happening over in AVATAR-land
The food court at All-Star Music is getting an overhaul, so you can either dine in the temporary dining location or grab a bus to All-Star Movies
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Animal Kingdom, the Villas at the Grand Floridian, and Epcot earlier today and took some great photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:
Starting at Animal Kingdom, Kodak signage is gone from the Camera Center
With FastPass+ currently testing, It’s Tough to be a Bug once again has a FastPass queue
There are still some construction walls up under the Tree of Life, meaning they are still installing nets under it
Wow, they’ve caught plenty of stuff…
Over at Camp Minnie-Mickey, this theater is still just stroller parking
Since it isn’t closing in this location just yet, they are using FastPass+ at Festival of the Lion King
Pocahontas has moved into one of the greeting trails at Camp Minnie-Mickey
Chip and Dale have moved into another
Work continues on the new Festival of the Lion King theater in Africa
Still not much to see
Work is wrapping up on the FastPass+ queue at Finding Nemo: The Musical
The signage is now up
Leaving Animal Kingdom, work continues on the Villas at the Grand Floridian
I’m not crazy about the plain white sides, but I’ll hold my judgement until the building is finished
Scaffolding is down on the water side and it looks fantastic
Work continues on the new bus loop at the Magic Kingdom
More turnstile conversions happening at Epcot
The middle section that is typically the exit is walled-off
Some touch-point entrances are going to be here soon
In other news, they are still patching up the landscaping from the Flower and Garden Festival
This photo report is a little late as we have been preparing for our fifth anniversary festivities here at WDW News Today, but better late than never. WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Animal Kingdom on June 30th to catch one of the last Sundowner Celebrations held at the park. The celebration only lasted a month but was a unique offering, almost like the food and wine festival at Epcot. Let’s take a look:
A truck is used as an information board at the front of the park
Things going on in 3 lands
It is Animal Kingdom after all…
Wow… not very crowded…
Some fairly new Animal Kingdom merchandise available
Cool ear hat
Carnotaurus knit cap
Russel and Dug from UP meeting in the old “It’s Tough to be a Bug” FASTPASS area
Work continues on some of the side paths near the Tree of Life after the branch falling of a few weeks back
You can still get plenty of good photos of this…
On to Camp Minnie-Mickey
The dragon waterfall is still there
Hey, Meeko is out and doesn’t have a line!
It’s pretty empty
Word is the greeting trails are going away and these characters are moving to the former Beastly Bazaar in a few weeks
It wouldn’t be a trip to Animal Kingdom if we didn’t stop at Pizzafari to visit the greatest mural ever…
Psycho lion and incredibly nervous Zebra!
On to Harambe
Temporary signs inform guests of the festivities
There’s a wine walk
Beer
There are also some cultural demonstrations
The Henna booth was about the only one that wasn’t free
All kinds of special treats available
Fruit salads available as well
Let’s take a walk to Asia
You can learn how to play this instrument
The carts leading to Asia had special menus for the event
You can learn how to make summer rolls
Ta-da!
You can take home a recipe card
The boneless chicken wings are back!
I guess you can just call this place Anandapur Wild Wings! GET IT?
Huh?
I think I’m gonna be sick…
Live music
What is your Asian language?
Plenty of specialty drinks
Learn how to make fried rice!
They had dancers teaching dance moves to guests as Bollywood style music played in the area
I love the DJ’s decorated computer
Dragon Hollow? Now you’re just rubbing it in…
The water play area in Asia is being refurbished
Another Henna booth
Adam got a drink and decided to hang out in a secluded spot
Let’s see what’s going on at Kilimanjaro Safaris
Wilson is still featured in the queue even though his narration and story is gone from the ride
“WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE”
JUMPING GAZELLES!
Oh, it’s poachers…
It was…
Hiding, Hiding Hippos
“NOM-NOM-NOM”
Holy giraffes!
Here’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the backside of giraffe!
No, the bridge doesn’t collapse right now
Hidden Mickey
Awwww, sleepy cheetahs…
That turtle was moving so fast Adam couldn’t get a picture of him
Blurry, but some work was being done on the bridge
Work on the new finale scenes is visible
This is where Little Red once stood, but soon it will be a home to Zebras
A natural barrier being dug-out
Back to Harambe
The dance party is in full swing
Unlike the hated dance parties at the Magic Kingdom, this band performs music from their culture and teaches you their dances, a much better fit for a Disney park
Here’s a video of the dance party:
There is podium where guests can find out more about Wild Africa Trek
Some people seem to believe this will be the new entrance to Festival of the Lion King once it is forced to move out of Camp Minnie-Mickey
Popcone?
It’s the Enchantment in the Jungle Dance!
Gotta love intricate details…
Let’s take a look at the Tree of Life trails
You can still get some great photos of the Tree of Life
Some work continues
The exit of It’s Tough to be a Bug
Over at Expedition Everest, they have been chopping down some of the bamboo
Beautiful
Still no bird…
Still no movement… and no, there are not two of them…
New Everest shirts
More chopped bamboo
This old map of Dinoland U.S.A. is still up. It still includes Dinosaur Jubilee… look it up kids…
No, you won’t…
It’s time to leave
Not sure if Disney did anything, but the water isn’t bright green anymore!
Another DCA attraction has been added to the refurbishment list. It’s Tough to be a Bug will be closed for minor refurbishments from May 12nd to May 23rd.
