Disney's Animal Kingdom Archives

BREAKING: Entertainment Will Return to Animal Kingdom with Celebration of ‘Festival of the Lion King’

January 21, 2021January 21, 2021

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Disney is starting the process of bringing back to work more singers, dancers, technicians and other cast members, from  one of the most popular shows at Walt Disney World Resort. Expected this summer, the Harambe Theatre at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will host that fan-favorite troupe of musical storytellers, along with Simba and his friends, in  a “celebration” of … Read more

Harambe Market Now Open Thursday Through Monday at Disney's Animal Kingdom

January 17, 2021

Harambe Market reopened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom back in November. For the busy holidays, the quick-service location was opening daily. Once crowds died down however, Harambe Market switched to opening on the weekends only. Now it has changed its days of operations once again. According to the Walt Disney World website, Harambe Market will be … Read more

Theme Park Hours Extended at Walt Disney World for First Week of February

January 15, 2021

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Hours at all four Walt Disney World theme parks have been extended from January 31 through February 6, 2021. Magic Kingdom was previously operating 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. It will still be opening at 9:00 AM, but it will stay open until 7:00 PM February 1 through 4. On January 31, February 5, … Read more

Vice President of Disney's Animal Kingdom Djuan Rivers Announces Retirement

January 13, 2021

Djuan Rivers’ journey as Vice President of Disney’s Animal Kingdom has come to an end, as he has announced his retirement. The news broke from fellow recent retiree, Imagineer Joe Rohde, on his Instagram account, praising Rivers as “a people person, warm, outgoing, plain-spoken and ready to laugh.” Rivers became Vice President of Disney’s Animal … Read more

PHOTOS: New "Up"-Themed Photo Op Now Available at Disney's Animal Kingdom

January 12, 2021

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Getting just the right photo doesn’t have to be difficult. A new photo opportunity at Disney’s Animal Kingdom allows guests to pose with characters from Disney and Pixar’s Up. Let’s take a look. Physical distancing markers are in place to keep parties separated as they wait. A Disney PhotoPass photographer is available. Guests are free … Read more

VIDEO: Baby White Rhino Receives Name at Disney's Animal Kingdom

January 12, 2021

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Back in October, we reported that Disney’s Animal Kingdom rhino Kendi had given birth to a baby boy. Kendi’s pregnancy was featured on the Disney+ National Geographic series “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.” Since then, the baby has been learning and growing. We even caught a glimpse of him in the Disney’s Animal Kingdom new … Read more

Theme Park Hours Extended at Walt Disney World for Final Week of January

January 9, 2021

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Hours at all four Walt Disney World theme parks have been extended January 24 through January 30, 2021. Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are staying open one hour later each day. Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will open one hour earlier. In addition, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has extended two days — January 24 and … Read more

New Guest Survey For Disney's Animal Kingdom Focuses on Limited Offerings, Just Three Areas of the Park

January 8, 2021

After our recent visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom we got a surprise in our inbox, a brand new Guest Satisfaction Survey. Typically this isn’t anything out of the ordinary, but some of the questions raised in the survey have piqued our interest. The survey started out asking a multitude of questions regarding COVID safety measures … Read more

PHOTOS: Joe Rohde Marks Final Day as a Disney Imagineer; Donates Work Boots to Walt Disney Archives

January 4, 2021

After four decades of creating memorable Disney Parks experiences, Joe Rohde, one of the most prolific Imagineers is marking his last day at Disney. But on his way out, he left the company a gift. Joe Rohde shared this picture on his Instagram account, sharing a toast with his family to commemorate the day. He … Read more

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

December 31, 2020

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: Expedition Everest Now Seating Every Row at Disney's Animal Kingdom

December 30, 2020

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Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has become the latest attraction to resume seating every row. This change allows for greater guest capacity and shorter wait times. Guests (some without masks, as these tend to fly off on the attraction) now occupy every row of this Expedition Everest train. Since Walt Disney World reopened back … Read more

All Four Walt Disney World Theme Parks Fully Booked on New Year's Eve for All Pass Types

December 30, 2020

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If you’re looking to spend New Year’s Eve somewhere special, it’s likely not going to be at a Walt Disney World theme park. All four parks are fully booked for Park Pass reservations on December 31st. As of yesterday, no reservations were available for Annual Passholders, while only EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom remained open … Read more

Avatar Flight of Passage Now Seating Every Link Chair at Disney's Animal Kingdom

December 29, 2020

When it comes time to “rise to the challenge” on Avatar Flight of Passage, be ready to also face new social distancing measures, or lack thereof. The popular attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom initially opened with strict social distancing measures, and while many of those are still in place throughout the queue, riders are now … Read more

Harambe Market at Disney's Animal Kingdom Opening Weekends Only Beginning January 4, 2021

December 26, 2020

Harambe Market reopened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in mid-November and has been operating daily. Beginning January 4, 2021, it will only be open on weekends. According to the Walt Disney World website, Harambe Market will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It is currently open 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM. … Read more

Hours Released at Walt Disney World Parks and Disney Springs Through March 13

December 24, 2020

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Even though it’s Christmas Eve, spring is springing up at Walt Disney World, as more park hours have been added the week of March 7th-13th! The Magic Kingdom will be open from 9 AM to 6 PM all that week, with park hopping allowed beginning at 2 PM. At EPCOT, the park will be open … Read more

Hours Extended at the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom January 10-16

December 24, 2020

Guests at the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will have a little more time to enjoy all the fun, as hours have been extended at both parks from January 10th-16th. The news comes just days after hours were also changed for the first week of the month. At the Magic Kingdom, the park will … Read more