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!
The Rainforest Cafe sign is missing!
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One of my favorite all time photo reports Adam. Very nice pictures and the food and dance party looked great.
I would love to learn to dance at that dance party!
Nice Pic.s wish we were there ..economy is killing us. ugh!
[…] Adam Roth’s 6/30/12 Animal Kingdom Photo Report […]
[…] Adam Roth’s 6/30/12 Animal Kingdom Photo Report […]
Adam — Your photo trip reports are so appreciated. I just love them.
Question: What did you mean when you said that Lion King was being booted from Camp Mickey Minnie? Where is it going, why is it leaving, and what is taking its place at Camp Mickey Minnie?
Also, do you think they will ever gut Dinoland and built a better dinosaur themed land? It's just so junky and tacky. Would love to see a Disney version of Jurassic Park there.
But then again I would have loved Beastly Kingdom too.
Hello Drago!
In regards to Camp Minnie Mickey, you’ve gotta ask Tom. He writes the captions, I just provide the photos and the background of their context, so that comment was all him! Same with Dinoland.
Glad you enjoyed the street party video! I happened to love watching it in person (with a Jungle Juice in hand) and it looked like the other guests were having a great time too!
Adam — Your photo trip reports are so appreciated. I just love them.
Question: What did you mean when you said that Lion King was being booted from Camp Mickey Minnie? Where is it going, why is it leaving, and what is taking its place at Camp Mickey Minnie?
Also, do you think they will ever gut Dinoland and built a better dinosaur themed land? It's just so junky and tacky. Would love to see a Disney version of Jurassic Park there.
But then again I would have loved Beastly Kingdom too.
One of my favorite all time photo reports Adam. Very nice pictures and the food and dance party looked great.
Nice Pic.s wish we were there ..economy is killing us. ugh!
I dunno, I saw the Yeti move when I went on it last…
I dunno, I saw the Yeti move when I went on it last…
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My daughter and I were able to ride Everest 5 times on the same day last month…..the first 3 times I didn't see the Yeti at all, the 4th time the strobe light looked like it was behind him, and the 5th time in front of him. It was really weird how inconsistent it was!
Love your photo reports!!! They make me happy :)
GREAT photos Adam, making me miss WDW you are!
My daughter and I were able to ride Everest 5 times on the same day last month…..the first 3 times I didn’t see the Yeti at all, the 4th time the strobe light looked like it was behind him, and the 5th time in front of him. It was really weird how inconsistent it was!
Love your photo reports!!! They make me happy :)
Hello Drago!
In regards to Camp Minnie Mickey, you've gotta ask Tom. He writes the captions, I just provide the photos and the background of their context, so that comment was all him! Same with Dinoland.
Glad you enjoyed the street party video! I happened to love watching it in person (with a Jungle Juice in hand) and it looked like the other guests were having a great time too!
GREAT photos Adam, making me miss WDW you are!
Been to Animal Kingdom about 3 times and except for Everest,Dinosaur,Primeval Whirl,I don't care for AK.I like your pics however, you take cool pics,but the whole park itself seems to be less exciting after once or twice.Even though I'd love to ride Everest again,unless we can get hoppers,we will probably never go back to AK.That's just me though.Oh and I did like eating at the Tusker House before it was changed.
Been to Animal Kingdom about 3 times and except for Everest,Dinosaur,Primeval Whirl,I don't care for AK.I like your pics however, you take cool pics,but the whole park itself seems to be less exciting after once or twice.Even though I'd love to ride Everest again,unless we can get hoppers,we will probably never go back to AK.That's just me though.Oh and I did like eating at the Tusker House before it was changed.