In case I’ve failed to mention it lately, we love Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  I actually waffle between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom when asked to name my favorite park.  There may be more attractions at Magic Kingdom and all the lands are unique and fun, but Animal Kingdom draws me in so much more!  Asia and Africa, even Dinoland U.S.A. – all so well-themed and detailed in a way that it’s nearly impossible NOT to spot something new on each and every visit.

Animal Kingdom – Africa and Harambe Market

Recently, we had an afternoon to stroll through Animal Kingdom and soak up not only our usual favorite places – we also visited some new places, like the Harambe Market, for the first time.  In spite of the fact that it was December 26th and we expected high crowds and long lines, we found the park easy to navigate.  Before, after, and in between our FastPasses for Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris, we had time to take things at a leisurely pace and loved every minute.

For today’s Friday Five, I’d like to give you the top five moments of our afternoon at Animal Kingdom.

1.  Gorillas!  I never miss an opportunity to visit the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and this time was no different.  I was hoping to check up on the baby gorillas we’d seen on our last visit and was delighted to find mammas, babies, and dad(?) taking a lie-down right in front of the observation window.  The area was understandably crowded, but I was willing to wait patiently for an opportunity to move closer to the window for a good look.  I was happy to see a roped-off perimeter and cast member on hand to keep guests from getting right up to the glass – It’s good to know that care is taken to make sure the gorilla family has relatively undisturbed time to rest.  I watched the babies play and nurse and be adorable for several minutes before moving on to take the safari.
2. BEST use of a former FastPass distribution area! The new Thirsty River Bar has moved in to the old Expedition Everest FastPass machine location…and what a welcome addition it is!  We stopped for a refreshment just after returning from our Yeti-hunting adventure.  Thirsty work that Yeti business!
3. Zuri’s Sweets Shop – After the whole “Poop Candy” controversy, I’d wondered if this place was even worth a visit.  I was imagining a very small, limited-offering-type candy shop.  I was completely wrong!  The place was large with a broad inventory selection that kept me browsing for quite a while.  Very cool stuff!  The sweets selection was made up of a few animal-themed choices and I was enjoying the cute and clever offerings.  I don’t have much of a sweet tooth and was planning to walk away without making a purchase until I noticed the fudge selection included a maple nut choice.  Maple flavored candy always reminds me of those Russell Stover Easter Eggs – you know what I’m talking about?  They’re chocolate-covered with a flavored cream center.  When I was little, the maple ones were my absolute favorite!  Feeling nostalgic suddenly, I bought a piece of that fudge and tucked it into my backpack – forgetting all about it until the next day.  Oh, boy!  That fudge was heavenly – tasted exactly how I wanted it to – and I managed to make it last for several days.
4. The Perfect Details in Harambe Market!  I’d listened to podcasts and read reviews and trip reports about this phenomenally themed addition to Africa.  Even after seeing dozens of photos, I was surprised and so pleased by what I experienced first hand.  I guess I was worried that the area would not match the incredible details of the rest of the park – that it would be “less” than the rest by virtue of its newness.  I love it when I’m wrong at times like this.  It’s perfect!  It fits seamlessly into the rest of the park and is full of miniscule details impossible to completely discover in one visit.
5. Excitement is in the Air!  There’s a real feeling of anticipation – a collectively held breath, if you will, about what’s coming next.  For me it was like the new areas are little teasers for the monumental attractions and experiences currently under construction.  When the Sunset Safari and the Rivers of Light open, the park will be completely transformed into a nighttime destination.  Then when Pandora – an entire new land – comes to life, Animal Kingdom will, I believe, really come into its own.  I cannot WAIT!