animals Archives - WDW News Today

Imagineers Use 3D Printing, Recycled Items, and Presents to Create Enrichment Activities for Animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

December 23, 2023

Walt Disney Imagineering has teamed up with the animal care team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to provide enrichment activities to the park’s animal residents using various technology. Imagineers Using 3D Printing and More for Animal Enrichment at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lions received a warthog ice sculpture covered in mud that is designed to stimulate their … Read more

PHOTOS: Merry Menagerie-Themed Holiday Décor Starting to Return to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

October 24, 2023

by Brit Tuttle

Disneys Animal Kingdom Merry Menagerie Holiday Decor 2023 18

It’s not even Halloween yet, and still, the holidays are rapidly approaching at Walt Disney World Resort. While visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we saw that the Merry Menagerie-themed decorations have begun to appear in the park. Merry Menagerie Décor Island Mercantile Holiday décor has arrived at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, with mostly rooftop additions and a … Read more

BREAKING: Br’er Fox, Br’er Bear, and Br’er Rabbit Art in Briar Patch Shop Replaced with Generic Forest Creatures

August 28, 2023August 28, 2023

by Brit Tuttle

The Briar Patch Art Replaced Featured Photo

The art of Br’er Fox, Br’er Bear, and Br’er Rabbit in The Briar Patch gift shop over by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, formerly Splash Mountain, has all been replaced by art depicting generic forest creatures. Br’er Rabbit & Company Replaced in The Briar Patch Where a portrait of Br’er Rabbit once hung over the fireplace, a … Read more

VIDEO: Squirrel Invades Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom AGAIN

July 22, 2023July 22, 2023

by Jonathan D

For the second time this month, a squirrel made an unannounced appearance in Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. In a set of videos from the occasion, sent to us by Instagram user @xx_djkitty_xx, the squirrel dashed across the stage in the pre-show scene, before the curtains opened. This happened before the show had actually begun, … Read more

VIDEO: Squirrel Crashes Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom

July 13, 2023

by Shannen Michaelsen

Wednesday was a nutty day at Magic Kingdom as a squirrel snuck itself onto Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress and crashed the 1940s Halloween show scene. Watch our video of the squirrel in our embedded Tweet below or by clicking here. The squirrel got on stage and seemed to be enjoying the show, watching Sarah … Read more

Baby Shetland Pony Born at Walt Disney World

July 13, 2023July 11, 2023

by Brit Tuttle

Walt Disney World has welcomed a new Shetland pony to Tri-Circle-D Ranch, who was just born yesterday. Dr. Mark Penning, the Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment division, announced the birth on Instagram, followed by another announcement on Twitter. Shetland Pony Born at Walt Disney World This sweet Shetland pony, seen on the left … Read more

PHOTOS: Baby Cotton-Top Tamarins Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

June 15, 2023

by Shannen Michaelsen

A pair of cotton-top tamarins were born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Sunday night and can now be seen on stage in their enclosure near Creature Comforts. Baby Cotton-Top Tamarins Cotton-top tamarins are a type of monkey from South America. The two tamarins that are frequently seen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom just had these babies, … Read more

Yellow-Backed Duiker Calf Born for First Time in 20 Years at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

May 25, 2023

by Jonathan D

In an Instagram post made by Dr. Mark Penning today, Disney’s Animal Kingdom welcomed the birth of a yellow-backed duiker calf for the first time in over two decades. Dr. Penning serves as Disney’s Vice-President of Animals, Science & Environment. Animal Kingdom Welcomes Newest Family Member View this post on Instagram A post shared by … Read more

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Welcomes ‘a-boar-able’ Baby Red River Hog

May 12, 2023

by Jonathan D

instagram screenshot boar birth animal kingdom lodge

Mother’s Day arrived a little early at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, where mom Daisy gave birth to a healthy baby red river hog. Mother & Son Bonding at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr. Mark Penning (@drmarkatdisney) Dr. Mark Penning, Disney’s Vice-President of Animals, Science & Environment, … Read more

Cast Members Attempt to Wrangle Snake Outside Magic Kingdom Entrance

May 10, 2022

by Shannen Michaelsen

In a TikTok video shared by user @disney_with_bren, a guest services Cast Member attempts to wrangle a snake outside the Magic Kingdom entrance. The calm Cast Member is using a trash picker to move the snake, though it often slithers away from her. The Cast Member appears to just be directing the snake towards the … Read more

PHOTOS: Walt Disney World Animals Celebrate Halloween With Special Treats and Enrichment

October 30, 2021

by Katie Francis

The animals around Walt Disney World are getting in on the spookiest time of the year with special pumpkin enrichment. Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President of the Animals, Science, and Environment department, shared some images on Instagram this morning. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT, animals enjoyed Halloween-themed … Read more

PHOTOS: EPCOT Sea Creatures Celebrate 50 Years of Walt Disney World With 3D-Printed Ear Hats

October 15, 2021

by Shannen Michaelsen

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Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney Parks’ Animals, Science & Environment, has shared some new photos of urchins and a shark celebrating the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World at The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Dr. Penning writes: “Hats off” to our aquarists at The Seas with Nemo & Friends, who created 3D-printed … Read more

VIDEO: Animals Smash 2020 Pumpkins on New Year’s Eve at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

December 31, 2020

by Shannen Michaelsen

In a new video from Disney, the residents of Disney’s Animal Kingdom are smashing 2020-branded pumpkins, watermelons, and more in celebration of new year’s eve! As Scott Terrell, Director of Animal & Science Operations at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, says on Disney Parks Blog, the destruction is a great enrichment activity for the animals. … Read more

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Baby Mandrill Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

July 29, 2020

by Shannen Michaelsen

If you’re planning on riding Kilimanjaro Safaris on your next trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, then you’ll want to keep an eye out for a new member of the animal family. For Wildlife Wednesday, Disney Parks Blog introduced us to this newborn mandrill! This baby was born on Saturday, July 25 to mandrills Joshua and … Read more

PHOTOS: New “Pocahontas” Meeko and Flit Socks Sneak Into Disney Springs

May 31, 2020

by Jilly Hite

Every princess (or prince) needs a furry friend to help them through the hard times, and now you can sport socks not only featuring 1, but 2 iconic Disney pet sidekicks. Meeko, the always hungry pet raccoon from the animated film Pocahontas is featured happily peeking out of these new, grey-striped tube socks accompanied by … Read more

PHOTOS: Walt Disney World President Josh D’Amaro Shares Recent Visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge During Extended Closure

April 30, 2020

by Matthew Soberman

While Walt Disney World’s resort hotels remain closed due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this week, Walt Disney World President Josh D’Amaro made a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to speak with some essential Cast Members on site. D’Amaro shared some pictures of his visit on Instagram, where he also discussed the symbolism of … Read more