Howdy! Today, I spent the morning trekking through Disney’s Animal Kingdom and spotted lots of our favorite Disney locals. Later, I walked through Disney Springs, where I came across a few new pins and other fun finds.
Good Morning from Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Good morning from a beautiful day in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The crowds are still manageable, but the Spring Breakers have started shuffling in for the season. Expect longer waits for attractions, and perhaps pack some extra patience for those groups walking in walls and stopping randomly in the center of the walkways.
Experience Guide
I love that Animal Kindom has released an experience guide during normal operation. I think this Cliffs note-like pamphlet will be great for all guests since there is a lot that can be easily missed in Animal Kingdom.
Usually Disney will make these during the holiday season to showcase any holiday happenings, but I think a daily operation guide is equally helpful to someone not looking at their phone.
Dinoland U.S.A. Deconstruction Continues
The deconstruction of Dino-Rama continues. Today, it sounded like the crews were still demolishing concrete. To be frank, the machinery sounded like real dinosaurs screaming from behind the wall. Don’t get me wrong, I am excited for the coming changes, I just hope they are not half-baked with budget cuts.
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Before I even entered the Maharajah Jungle Trek, I was greeted with gibbons and ducklings. It has been so fun watching so many Disney Duck families grow up in the parks while reporting. The gibbons were having a slow start to their morning and were just sitting together.
It’s Freakin’ Bats!
The bat exhibit has reopened! Well, it reopened Monday, according to the Cast Member, but oh my goodness am I glad they are back. That little face- all I can picture are the countless videos I have watched of bats eating fruit. I think this is one of the cooler exhibits in Animal Kingdom.
Skink Sneak
I have grown attached to this little skink in the bat exhibit over the past few weeks. This morning, the skink was very active and even posed for a few pictures. I want to hold or pet the animal. I wonder if it feels more like a snake or a lizard.
Let me know in the comments below if you have ever pet or held a skink before.
Tiger Updates
Sohni and Bakso were enjoying a frozen snack that also offers mental stimulation. Bakso gets bigger and bigger every week, but is still just as playful as ever with his mom. He was particularly fascinated with the water buffalo in the back of the enclosure. Of course, these guys are in separate enclosures.
I found out today that Bakso’s dad is too smart for his own good and has made it to where the Cast can’t share his name with guests. Luckily I predate this rule but will respect their wishes of not sharing. Apparently, he will respond to his name and expect a prize, usually in the form of food. The guests don’t have food so that makes for a grumpy tiger.
Birds
The birds were feeling the vibes this morning and were wild. They kept dodging down at guests or would run across the path like a game of Frogger, it was nuts. I didn’t stay too long; I figured they needed some space.
Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
I just smiled looking at this picture collage, because these animals have so much personality and just watching them exist is wild and a privilege I don’t take for granted. There were monkeys, naked mole rats, zebras, meerkats, gorillas, and more. These are just a few of my favorite moments and animals from today.
I am particularly partial to the meerkat propped on the wall, watching. I busted a gut laughing at him reacting to the strange humans in the human habitat. The naked mole rats will also always be one of my favorite exhibits. As a Kim Possible fan, from the start of the program on Disney Channel, how could you not love the real-life Rufus?
Cotton-Top Tamarins Returns
The cotton-top tamarins have returned from their check-ups and brief enclosure refurbishment. I love watching these little nuggets bolt from one side to the other or even climb the netting. It’s wildly impressive that these guys are so well-trained and stand on the platforms upon request.
Abdim’s Stork Nest
The Abdim’s Storks from Dinoland U.S.A. still don’t have an exhibit sign, but that hasn’t slowed down this pair. This morning, I spotted the pair working on their nest. One was gathering twigs and debris while the other was organizing the nest. I love how relatable these animals can be.
Pin Traders in Disney Springs
After a wild time in Disney’s Animal Kingdom I went to Disney Springs to see if there were any new happenings. I did find two new open edition pins in Pin Traders for $16.99 each. One pin features characters from ‘The Sword in the Stone’ and the other characters from ‘The Lion King’. The Pin Trading anniversary bags have been entirely restocked.
The one item that weirdly stuck out to me the most was this golden magnet featuring the Walt Disney World icon with Mickey’s hand holding it. Around the edges it says “Magic” and “Imagination.” The details are in a bright 1970s orange. It is available in Pin Traders for $12.99.
AMC Presents Scrim
It’s been a little over a week since I first noticed the scrim surrounding the AMC sign at Disney Springs. I don’t know if there is any refurbishment work being done here since there isn’t any scaffolding surrounding the sign. I wonder if there was just some serious damage or something underlying that needs to be repaired. Obviously, something needs to be repaired because this looks out of place.
I hope you enjoyed our morning in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs. I look forward to my Animal Kingdom days most of all. The animals really are precious, and the cast takes incredible care of them. Let me know which animal spotting from today was your favorite in the comments below.
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