Howdy! Today was an early and beautiful day in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs. I started my morning in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where the animals and entertainment were on point, even with the earlier opening. Later in the morning, I went to Disney Springs, where I found a new princess mug collection.
Good Morning from Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Good morning from a very early morning here at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom is notorious for being the earliest park to open and close, but now they are opening half an hour earlier on select days. That means early entry for resort guests this morning was at 7 a.m. – that would be rough if you closed a park last night.
Life Is the Bubbles
On the walk in, I was greeted by the bubble-blowing trashcan. I love this silly little thing. The early 2000s kid in me wishes Push the Talking Trashcan burped bubbles, or would freak out and blast bubbles at unsuspecting guests. It would be funny, but Push was funny on its own.
BRING BACK PUSH!
The Other Back Side of Water
If you are a Disney World expert, you know the iconic joke from the Jungle Cruise. When you are traveling through the attraction, you sail under a waterfall revealing “the eighth wonder of the world, the backside of water.”
Did you know that you can experience that same wonder and get a nice mist in Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Let me know in the comments below if you know my super secret, cool-down hiding spot.
Cotton-Top Tamarin Returning?
I have mostly good news. The Cast Member from a few weeks ago wasn’t lying when they said the Cotton-Top Tamarins would be returning to their enclosure soon. Their sign was removed, and I got nervous that they might be gone forever, or maybe even relocated to a different area of the park.
Luckily, their sign has now returned, but it was too early in the morning to catch the tiny primates. I love watching them bounce around.
Abdim’s Stork Nest Relocation
The Abdim’s Storks seemed a bit upset this morning. It does appear that the nest has been removed from the corner and replaced with rocks. Rude. I am sure Disney has a reason for removing the nest the birds worked so hard on, and this isn’t the first time a nest has been removed.
I do hope that maybe she takes this opportunity to nest under the small cave. Especially with hurricane season coming up. Not that they would be out there during such an event, but the nest might be left behind.
BBQ Flavored Puffs – $3.79
I was tempted to try more new snacks this morning. In Island Mercantile, I found new BBQ Flavored Puffs available for $3.79. I’m suspicious of the flavored puffs being released. Eventually, I will have to try at least one of them.
Let me know in the comments below if you would try the BBQ Flavored Puffs.
Pumbaa Appreciation
When I left the Island Mercantile, I stopped to admire the famous Lion King photo op located just outside the shop. I don’t know why, maybe it was the earlier start this morning, but Pumbaa looks relatable. Usually you’ll find me walking around the parks, sweating but happy like Simba. Today, I relate to Pumbaa. Maybe it’s the overdose of caffeine.
ACE Avatar Maker Figurine Sale – Now $50.00 each
In Windtraders, there is a fresh sale for the ACE Avatar Maker Figurine. This is a personalized figurine, similar to the Tron Identity Program Figurine. Interesting that both are on sale right now. I was gonna try to get one made of my Dad, but you need the human here in person to have it personalized.
Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
This is just the positivity I needed to get me going this morning. I love these performers. They genuinely look like they enjoy what they do. How could you not love live entertainment spreading nothing but positive vibes?
Please enjoy the quick clip from this morning. Again, I love them. If I had unlimited funds, I would throw a party just to have them perform. You can catch their performances daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, weather permitting.
Gorilla Falls Friends
The animal walks never get old. It doesn’t matter how many times I have seen these guys; they are just as fascinating and cute as the first time. I especially loved the four species today from Gorilla Falls. The monkey is hilarious, dude looks incredibly upset to be awake. Like me on an early weekend day.
The meerkats were all over the place this morning, but watching the little man watch the sunrise was priceless. The gorillas were funny while eating their breakfast. They each have their favorite spots to eat, and it’s been fun getting to know which ones are which.
As a Kim Possible fan for life, the naked mole-rats live rent-free in my head. Rufus has made me a forever fan. I loved watching these workers find the green pea pod and popcorn.
Maharajah Jungle Trek Treasures
The Jungle Trek was equally entertaining. The baby tiger, Bakso, was running around with his mother this morning. Sorry there isn’t any content from that, but they were moving so fast and would hide and then pop back up again. I gave up, but know that little man isn’t so little these days. He looks more like his father, pictured above, every day.
Asia Appreciation
I was tickled at the idea of taking a nap outdoors without any wind or shade. The sign above says, “Please don’t try to sleep here, be advised,” and like, yeah, I know it’s just decor. But still, not bad advice.
In the Serka Zong Bazaar, the Yeti display still stands proudly in the center of the shop. I feel like a lot of people miss this detail, even though it is so gigantic. Have you ever noticed the Yeti when exiting Expedition Everest? Let me know in the comments below.
Pin Trading
On my way out of the park, I was tempted by a few ocean-loving Cast Members for some pin trading. I love when areas theme their pin boards. These Cast Members were standing in front of “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!”
Let me know in the comments below if you would have made any trades. I passed this time.
Good Mid Morning from Disney Springs
Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened so early that I was done checking the park after two hours, so I made it to Disney Springs before the big lunch rush, which was very nice. Honestly, I was spoiled by the lack of crowds today in Disney Springs.
AMC Updates
The AMC sign is no longer covered in scrim, but wires are still popping out from both sides. There are also some rolling planters at the base of the sign. More exciting, though, is the blue carpet decal added to the entrance of the AMC celebrating the new Pixar movie, “Elio.”
Pin Trading Appreciation
I love that Pin Traders still has the statues of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy. It reminds me of how the shops growing up were bright and chaotic. I feel like they have a little less character these days. What I wouldn’t do for that American Mickey pin Mickey Mouse has on his tie.
New Mugs – $19.99 each
In the World of Disney, there are tons of new mugs. This is one of my favorite collections I have seen in a while. I love the simplicity. I wish the back of the mugs were blank, but there are some odd sayings. For instance, Goofy’s mug says, “Means Well.” Well, like sure, but couldn’t it be something more playful?
Mickey’s mug says, “True Original” – perfect. Minnie’s mug says, “Super Sweet” – okay. Donald’s mug says, “Even Tempered” – inaccurate, but the sarcasm is appreciated. So why does Goofy’s mug say what it does? I don’t get it. He’s funny, and well, GOOFY
New Princess Mugs – $16.99 each
I love the new Princess mug collection. I will note that I heard two different guests pick up the Ariel mug, thinking it would be Rapunzel, then realizing that there is no Rapunzel mug. There is something about the shiny exterior of these that I really like a lot. Each mug also has a Princess-inspired saying inside the mug.
- Tiana Mug – “Dreams Are the Spice of Life”
- Ariel Mug – “Follow Your Voice”
- Aurora Mug – “Dreams do Come True”
- Belle Mug – “Beauty is Found Within”
Let me know which one you like the most in the comments below. I like Belle’s mug the most this time.
Aurora Returns, But THOSE HANDS
When I left World of Disney, I noticed that Aurora had returned, and her paint certainly has been redone. I just don’t remember her fingers being so swollen. The weirdly-shaped fingernails are a choice, but it’s still fun to have her back.
I hope you enjoyed our morning at Walt Disney World. I most enjoyed being in Animal Kingdom. It is one of my favorite parks, and seeing all the animals never gets old. It really does feel like a privilege to visit such exotic, well well-cared-for animals so often.
Which animal is your favorite to see in the Animal Kingdom? Let me know in the comments below. Mine is forever changing, but the Meerkats are very funny.
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