Howdy! Today was a fun and beautiful day in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. I found a lot of construction throughout the parks and even some fun new merchandise and redesigned merchandise.
Good Morning from Disney’s Animal Kingdom
This picture really does say it all. My morning started with ease and perfect weather. The crowds hadn’t really started to file in yet, probably still too early for kiddos on Spring Break.
New Animal Kingdom Maps
With the closing of It’s Tough to Be a Bug last night we expected a new map reflecting the lost attraction, and we were right. The new map has totally wiped any memory of It’s Tough to Be a Bug, and the Braille Map has literally scraped it off the surface.
It’s Tough to Be a Bug Moved Out
The first place I checked was of course the entrance of It’s Tough to Be a Bug. The entrance is wide open, with the Lightning Lane touchpoints wrapped in scrim. When I walked further in there was eventually a wall blocking the path.
The exit is a similar story with the same old construction wall blocking any view. I do wonder how long they will keep the path open. Eventually, they will need to add signs and an entrance of some sort right?
I think for now it is nice that guests are still able to experience the Tree of Life up close in that space.
New Aristocats Pin in Discovery Trading Company
In Discovery Trading Company, the shop across from where It’s Tough to Be a Bug was, I found a new Aristocats pin featuring almost all our favorite characters. I say “almost” because I’m a bit partial to the Gabble Sisters, the geese. The cute pin is available for $16.99.
I also saw that the Mochi and Baymax additions to the Build Your Own Headband collection had also arrived in the parks in Discovery Trading Company. It was a week ago that Nana found them in Disney Springs.
Abdim’s Storks Update
If you don’t know the Abdim’s Storks were removed from Dinoland U.S.A. in January. Since then they have found a new home in between where Pocahontas meets and the Cotton-Top Tamarins live.
The storks still don’t have a sign and they still have yet to see their old tortoise roommate, but their nest is built and they seem very comfortable.
The Grand Floridian Easter Egg Display
The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is preparing for its annual egg display for Easter. It was only a few days ago that Disney announced the egg displays would be returning this year at multiple resorts including the Grand Floridian Resort.
The egg display should be finished by tomorrow, but the Cast seemed suspicious that it would be finished in time. Stay tuned to our website tomorrow to see if they finish the display.
Good Morning from Magic Kingdom
After checking in on the status of the eggs in the Grand Floridian, I took the monorail to Magic Kingdom where I was greeted by the now very awake Spring Break crowd.
When I saw “it’s a small world” and Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid was over a thirty-minute wait I knew I had to find my inner peace to conquer the crowds.
Railroad Sights
I deviated to the Walt Disney Railroad for a loop around the park to find my namaste. Instead, I saw a new track at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
This is supposed to be an extended refurbishment, and I can’t help but feel like this team may be working ahead of schedule. It just seems to be happening so quickly.
Liberty Belle Ride Finds
Still not braving the crowd and out of an act of avoiding the parade chaos altogether, I bolted for the Liberty Belle for a peaceful float by the marsh.
From the riverboat, I saw a few more boxes left above the DVC Lounge set to open where the Shooting Arcade was. The boxes are labeled with painter’s tape that reads, “take out” and “take,” suggesting they aren’t going to be there when it opens.
From the opposite side of Big Thunder Mountain than I saw from the train earlier crews were still working on the wood-looking steel beams near the base of the mountain.
Br’er Rabbit Phased Out of the Bayou
In Critter Co-Op, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure gift shop, I noticed that the Br’er Rabbit at the front of the log was being phased out of both the pullback toys and the picture frames. I couldn’t find but the singular frame with Br’er Rabbit and only a handful of the pullback toys.
I wonder if the Br’er Rabbit toys were sent to Cast Connection, the property control for Disney Cast Members.
Pirates Construction Updates
At Pirates of the Caribbean, there was some shuffling of props and steel frames, but the rotting at the base of the pillar that was blocked Friday is still rotting, just with fresh paint. The Adventureland sign is still missing, but I assume that will remain missing until the tavern is completed. It’s probably a clearance thing for construction vehicles overnight.
Have A Magical Monday!
The crowds were no joke later in the afternoon, it’s still early during the break but it’s the season for unsupervised youth and lost tourists.
I hope you enjoyed our day of park hopping. There was a lot of construction in the parks today, but with that comes the possibility of fun new experiences to come, or maybe something like CommuniCore Hall, only time will tell. Let me know in the comments below which project you are most looking forward to seeing completed.
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