Category Archives: Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom Turns Twenty! 20 Things to Love

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We’ve made no secret of our love for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  We love it even more now that Joseph’s been a Disney College Program Cast Member there for the past several months.  From the lush landscaping to the nature trails, the thrill rides, and the excellent entertainment – Animal Kingdom has a lot going for it.  The theming is arguably its best feature.  Joe Rohde and his amazing team of Imagineers totally outdid themselves on this park.  100% a FULL-DAY park, Animal Kingdom offers a Disney experience unlike any other and on this very special occasion, I’d be pleased to tell you why.

Animal Kingdom Turns Twenty! 20 Things to Love

  1. The Tree of Life – Take the time to really study this Imagineering marvel…There’s something new to discover on every visit.Kilimanjaro Safari Elephant
  2. Creatures great and small – Trail, Trek or Safari – both the animals and their habitats are interesting and entertaining.  Such a variety of fauna, it’s almost impossible to take them all in during a single visit.
  3. Entertainment – The shows (Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo-The Musical) are awesome, but the Burudika Band and African acrobats are even more exciting (to our family, at least).  If you can spot the elusive DiVine, she’s pretty cool too.
  4. Tusker House – Best character meal to our family – the food and friendliness there cannot be beat.
  5. Flight of Passage – The absolute pinnacle of planet Pandora, this attraction is a feast for the senses.
  6. Dawa Bar – A must-do on every visit, this centrally located watering hole is the best place to grab an adult beverage right in the middle of Animal Kingdom’s hustle and bustle.Details along the Maharajah Jungle Trek
  7. Being transported to other continents.  More immersive than World Showcase, Animal Kingdom’s Africa and Asia are indescribably well done.  Down to the tiniest detail – every aspect is amazing.
  8. Baby animals – From gorillas to hippos, elephants, and even naked mole rats…the babies are wonderful to see.Expedition Everest Queue Yeti Museum
  9. Yeti!  A broken yeti is better than no yeti at all.  Expedition Everest is such a fantastic thrill and the best attraction in Animal Kingdom (to me).  An added bonus, is that the queue alone for this attraction is unsurpassed in its entertainment value.
  10. Harambe Market – We loved it even before Joseph started spending nearly every waking hour working there.  It’s so well-themed and the food is outstanding.  Get there early to snag a shaded table and soak up the atmosphere.Bird in Animal Kingdom
  11. Birds!  Whether they’re flying overhead, building nests in the aviaries on the animal trails, or performing in the bird show in Asia (used to be Flights of Wonder, Now UP! A Great Bird Adventure), these birds have given us a whole new appreciation for their species.
  12. Wilderness Explorers – Fun for all ages!  If you’re going to be in the park all day (as I strongly suggest), jump on into this fun, educational, and entertaining badge-earning activity.
  13. Primeval Whirl – For our family, this funky little ride in Dinoland U.S.A. is the best reason to visit this area of the park.  It’s weird and wacky and wonderfully whirly.View of Kali River
  14. Kali River Rapids Queue – The ride’s okay, but the queue is worth checking out at least once.  Gorgeous, detailed, and well-themed…I believe it’s also underappreciated.
  15. Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes – This busy little walk-up window by the Yak & Yeti restaurant serves up my favorite Animal Kingdom snack – the humble yet delicious and satisfying egg roll.  Need a snack or a bargain meal?  This is the place.
  16. Sunset – Ah, the beauty of staying all day!  Sunset is magical in Animal Kingdom no matter where you are in the park!  Safari?  Great!  Expedition Everest?  Gorgeous view!  Tree of Life?  Not to be missed…you get my point.
  17. Nomad Lounge – We knew it wouldn’t stay a secret forever and it’s very busy these days, but if you can snag a table, this wonderful oasis near the entrance to Pandora is arguable one of, if not THE best lounge in Walt Disney World.
  18. The Views – Everywhere you look in Animal Kingdom, there are wonderful sights to see, but if you take the time to really notice, the views can be breathtaking.
  19. Tiffins – It’s expensive and the food is maybe not for everyone, but this signature restaurant contains some of the most interesting decorations, menu, and Animal Kingdom history to be found anywhere.  The wine flights are awesome and if you go, be sure to ask your server to tell you about the artwork on the walls.
  20. The memories.  We’ve got so many cherished family memories of our time spent in Animal Kingdom.  (And Joseph has all his Disney College Program memories to add to his.)  Animal Kingdom is absolutely a unique and wonderful place to make magical memories on every visit.

 

Best Time for Animal Kingdom’s Kilimanjaro Safaris?

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If you’d asked our family this question a few weeks ago, we would have answered “Morning!”.  With gusto!  Having had amazing experiences in Animal Kingdom early in the day, we started always making FastPasses for Kilimanjaro Safaris at the beginning of every Animal Kingdom visit.

Best Time for Animal Kingdom’s Kilimanjaro Safaris?

During our last visit to Animal Kingdom, we wanted to wait until Joseph was finished with work for the day so he could ride with us.  I ended up making a late afternoon FastPass for Kilimanjaro Safaris and honestly had very low expectations for animal viewing.  I was so very wrong!  The animals were active, were close to the vehicle and we saw things we’d never seen during our dozens of previous safaris.  One of the best was this bull elephant enjoying his enrichment activity – playing with an enormous log!

As our expedition moved through all the different habitat areas, I was having a great time!  I started wondered exactly how far from sunset it was so I could share this with you and also try to replicate it in the future.  A quick check of my weather app and I calculated we began the safari just over an hour before official sunset time.

Animals were perky and the light on the savannah was beautiful.Best Time for Animal Kingdom's Kilimanjaro Safaris? Best Time for Animal Kingdom's Kilimanjaro Safaris?

Many animals were right beside our safari truck.  It was a treat to see them closer than ever before!Best Time for Animal Kingdom's Kilimanjaro Safaris? Best Time for Animal Kingdom's Kilimanjaro Safaris?

Okay, the hyena was sound asleep, but still!  We usually only see the African painted dogs, which swap habitats with the hyenas every evening. The switch had already taken place by the time we came along, so we got to see a hyena…sort of.Best Time for Animal Kingdom's Kilimanjaro Safaris?As I’ve mentioned before, I can’t not take a million pictures on each and every safari.  Raymond, Megan and Joseph can always be counted on to tease me about this irresistible urge.  This time was different though.  I was, as expected, snapping away, but the experience was so extraordinary that Raymond, from his place on the outside left of the safari truck, jumped in and took pictures right along with me, knowing I wouldn’t want to miss a thing.  (That’s true love for sure.)

So…Next time you find yourself booking a Kilimanjaro Safaris FastPass, check on sunset and book accordingly.  Hopefully, your tour will be as awesome as ours was.

Is Kilimanjaro Safaris an Animal Kingdom must-do for you?  What time of day was it when you saw the most amazing sights?

 

Rum Blossom in Pandora’s Pongu Pongu

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— By Joseph Green

When Mom asked me to try out some new Walt Disney World food and beverages and write some reviews for her blog, I agreed.  Enthusiastically!  I mean, win-win, right?  I get to eat and Mom gets to pay for it…what’s not to love?  She emailed me a list and I got busy.  What I didn’t expect on the list (Mom knows me and loves me and wants me to be happy) was a cocktail.

Rum Blossom in Pandora’s Pongu Pongu

This was the one item on Mom’s list that sounded unappealing to me.  I’m a craft beer and dry red wine kind of guy.  Occasionally, when I’m especially flush (or Mom and Dad are buying), I like a good single malt scotch.  A fancy, fruity cocktail is never on my radar.  Ever.

I thought I was taking one for the team.

Mom’s list is pretty long and my time at Walt Disney World is limited, so I dove right in by choosing the one thing I knew I’d like the least (to get it out of the way).  Billed as “Bacardi Superior Rum with layers of Apple and Desert Pear Limeade topped with Passion Fruit Boba Balls” – this drink was nothing I’d order on my own.The Rum Blossom proved me wrong!  It was incredibly delicious.  It was both sweet and tart, much like Sweet Tart candy.  The Boba Balls were just as tasty!  I loved it and would definitely recommend it.  This drink was very refreshing after having worked outside all day.  Let’s hear it for trying something new!  Okay, okay…I admit it was under duress, but still.

So far, this taste testing thing is working out even better than expected!  Next up?  D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs!  If you’ve got any Disney food/beverage suggestions (hint-hint), I’m sure my mom will pay for me to try them and report back.

Thanks for reading…Joseph    

Visit Rafiki’s Planet Watch in Animal Kingdom

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Yesterday I shared some highlights from our last trek on the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.  Today, staying with the Animal Kingdom theme, I want to give a shout-out to Rafiki’s Planet Watch.  Our family once tended to ignore this section of the park, but lately rumors have been swirling about possible changes (including the potential  demise of Rafiki’s area) which prompted us to give it another visit.  Turns out, there’s a lot to love!  If you’ve never been or if it’s been a while, here are five great reasons to…Rafiki's Planet Watch

Visit Rafiki’s Planet Watch in Animal Kingdom

Relaxing Train Ride – Getting to Rafiki’s Planet Watch involves one of the coolest modes of transportation at Walt Disney World.  The Wildlife Express offers an open-air train ride in outward-facing seats which makes for a relaxing and scenic ride to and from this area of the park.  Since this section typically opens later in the morning, mid-morning and mid-afternoon are great times to visit (between FastPasses).Wildlife Express to Rafiki's Planet Watch

Rafiki Himself – Sometimes there’s a queue to meet this wise sage of Africa and sometimes you can have your picture made with Rafiki with no wait at all.  He’s one of the more entertaining and playful characters in Animal Kingdom and will gladly teach you the art of meditation or give you an autograph.Rafiki's Planet Watch - Meeting Rafiki

Veterinarians at Work – Last month (January, 2018) we had time to spare and decided to either see Festival of the Lion King or visit Rafiki’s Planet Watch.  Raymond, Joseph and I were shocked when Megan piped up in favor of Rafiki’s.  We know how much she loves the Lion King show, but she’d had such a great experience on her last visit to Rafiki’s, she wanted to go again.  Joseph’s always up for anything that involves science and animals and that day, we were not disappointed!Rafiki's Planet Watch - Veterinarians at Work

A warthog was on the operating table when we arrived and a knowledgeable Cast Member was on hand to answer questions about what we were seeing.  The warthog’s immediate need was a broken hoof that needed to be shaved down/reshaped after a mishap cause a piece to break off.  Secondary to this was a known dental issue, so a dentist had been called in to cap a bad tooth.  Rafiki's Planet Watch - Warthog DentistryWe were fascinated and could, thanks to a strategically placed camera, watch the dentist at work.  Not every visit involves such cool veterinary care in action, but we lucked out that day.

Cast Members Have Time to Talk – The Cast Members at Rafiki’s Planet Watch seem to have more time to answer questions and explain scientific displays, animal behaviors, and veterinary treatments than they do in other Animal Kingdom areas.  Outside at the Affection Section, Cast Members can tell you individual animal’s names and histories as well as fun details about a particular animal’s personality.

Science and Live Animals Abound – There are tons of great learning opportunities all over Animal Kingdom, but Rafiki’s Planet Watch offers a unique opportunity to see, hear, and touch live animals while learning about both the animals in Animal Kingdom and those in the wild who benefit from Disney’s conservation and research efforts.

For as long as it lasts, Rafiki’s Planet Watch will remain one of our favorite places in Animal Kingdom.  It’s usually less crowded and much more slow-paced than just about anyplace else in the park.  The interesting displays, animals to pet, and veterinary work make every visit interesting and educational.

Are you a fan of Rafiki’s Planet Watch?  What keeps you coming back?