Archive for the DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM Category

Disney World Refurbishments 2012

Posted in DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM, DISNEY'S EPCOT, DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS, DISNEY'S MAGIC KINGDOM, EVERYTHING DISNEY with tags on May 4, 2012 by disneychronicles

 

Are you planning a visit to the Happiest Place on Earth?

Keep the refurbishment schedule in mind!

Magic Kingdom® Park
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Liberty Square Riverboat
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
01/09/12 – 05/27/12
04/16/12 – 05/20/12
06/27/12 – 06/29/12
Epcot®
Tutto Italia Ristorante
Innoventions: House of Innoventions exhibit
Test Track
01/08/12 – 04/27/12
12/04/11 – Late April 2012
04/16/12 – Fall 2012
Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
Sounds Dangerous
Lights! Motors! Action! Extreme Stunt Show
Closed; Operates Seasonally
04/29/12 – 05/02/12
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
None

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
Annual Refurbishment 12/04/11 – 03/17/12
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
None

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Beverage Cooler Installation – Installation will take place one floor at a time between 9am and 5pm. Guests will be notified via an in-room flier the day before the work is scheduled to take place. 03/05/12 – 04/30/12
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Beverage Cooler Installation – Installation will take place one floor at a time between 9am and 5pm. Guests will be notified via an in-room flier the day before the work is scheduled to take place. 03/05/12 – 04/30/12
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Beverage Cooler Installation – Installation will take place one floor at a time between 9am and 5pm. Guests will be notified via an in-room flier the day before the work is scheduled to take place. 03/05/12 – 04/30/12
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Pool slide at feature pool – The pool remains open. 01/05/12 – 04/05/12
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Grand Floridian Spa – As part of some planned changes for Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, there’s currently construction going on near the Grand Floridian Spa. The spa will temporarily close on Sept. 19 and reopen in approximately 18 months. During this construction, the Fitness Center will remain open. Guests may be referred to The Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort for spa services. 09/19/11 – Mid 2013
Disney’s Old Key West
Guest room door lock replacement – Letters will be placed in the rooms advising Guests the door locks will be replaced. Guests will not need to get new keys as their existing Key to the World cards will work with the new lock. 03/18/12 – 04/17/12
Pool near building 55 (leisure pool) – The feature pool and other leisure pools will remain open. 05/21/12 – 05/25/12
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Beverage Cooler Installation – Installation will take place one floor at a time between 9am and 5pm. Guests will be notified via an in-room flier the day before the work is scheduled to take place. 03/05/12 – 04/30/12
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Lobby/Atrium refurbishment 04/09/12 – 05/25/12
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
Pool slide and a portion of Stormalong Bay Pool – Guests may use pool and slide at BoardWalk in addition to the portion of Stormalong Bay that will not be closed and the three leisure pools located throughout Yacht & Beach Club Resorts during this time. 04/09/12 – 04/20/12
Dunes Cove Spa (hot tub) 04/16/12 – 04/19/12
Cape May Cafe 07/09/12 – 08/03/12
Yachtsman Steakhouse 08/27/12 – 09/14/12

Kilimanjaro Safari

Posted in DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM with tags on October 4, 2011 by disneychronicles

Can’t get to Africa this year?….me either…

Check out my favorite ride at Animal Kingdom!

The Kilimanjaro Safari..

It’s always a different experience!

You will board a 32-passenger open-air Safari Truck and take a trip through the 100-acre Harambe Wildlife Reserve.  There are a great number of animals that you may see during the ride, including black and white rhinos, cheetahs, flamingos, lions, giraffes, warthogs, zebras, wildebeests, ostriches, crocodiles, antelopes, and more.  The problem is that the animals aren’t always “out” and your viewing may be limited by the time of day and simple “luck of the draw.”

I have to add though that every time I have been on it we have been pretty lucky. The animals look like they could stroll right up to the vehicles, but there are cleverly camouflaged barriers and drops protecting both the animals and passengers.

The Safari is based on a story about missing elephants and poachers and there will be a live guide to narrate and answer questions during the Safari.  The Safari vehicles only stop for a few moments throughout the ride so make sure you have your camera or binoculars ready.  The ride isn’t particularly rough, especially now that the seats are cushioned, but if you’re concerned about being jostled then request seats closer to the front of the truck where the ride isn’t as rough.

There are no seatbelts.  I think this is fun, but use your best judgment if you are pregnant or have back problems.

Overall this is a great attraction. It incorporates the viewing of tons of live animals with a fun and active story to create an attraction that is great for the whole family. Whether you are planning a first or tenth trip to the Animal Kingdom, be sure to make this attraction part of your day.

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Mickey’s Jammin Jungle Parade

Posted in DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM with tags , on October 3, 2011 by disneychronicles

The animal-themed parade includes Mickey, Minnie, and Donald, animal puppets, stilt walkers, and strolling Disney characters.  Starts at the Tusker House Gate at Harambe Village. It winds through Disney’s Animal Kingdom and returns to the Tusker House Gate.

PARADE TIP!

The parade does a loop through the park. Part of the route (near the Safari entrance in Africa) the parade actually goes through twice (at the beginning and end). If you get a spot here just before parade starts, you can watch it go by once and then wait for it to come by the other way. After the first pass, most guests leave and you have your choice of front row seats without having to line up an hour beforehand! whooo hooo

Festival of the Lion King

Posted in DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM with tags , on September 20, 2011 by disneychronicles

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Festival of the Lion King brings the familiar characters of the Disney animated classic film The Lion King from the movie screen to the stage .

This scheduled 30-minute big-as-Broadway live show combines the pageantry of a parade with a tribal celebration.

This is my favorite show at the Animal Kingdom.  It will keep adults and kids entertained.  It does have a story line but they incorporate so much more into the show (juggling, dancing, acrobats) that even the youngest child will love it.  I truly became a Disney “FAN” when I had children. Seeing it through their eyes really made me truly appreciate it.  Now I am officially “HOOKED”.

I do have to say though that while we were there we sat next to an older couple, by older I mean well into their 70’s. It was fun to watch them enjoy the show and believe me they did. They sang every song and danced throughout the entire 30 minutes. Just a little more of the Disney magic I guess! Don’t miss this! It’s really worth seeing!