WDW 2024 - Part 2 - Disney Springs & Animal Kingdom
THE PARK DAYS
Our original park day plans were kicked to the curb due to Hurricane Milton’s direct path at Orlando. The first day was awesome, the last 2 were filled with rain. Because of the pending hurricane we ended up not taking our coveted rest day and park hopping all around the parks.
OCT 4 - 1/2 DAY at DISNEY SPRINGS
Disney Springs is a vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment district at Walt Disney World Resort, offering a wide array of experiences for visitors. With over 90 shops and more than 60 dining options, guests can explore everything from unique boutiques to popular restaurants, ensuring there's something for everyone. The area also features live music, street performances, and attractions like the Aerophile balloon ride, providing entertainment throughout the day. Notable dining experiences include themed restaurants such as T-REX and Rainforest Cafe, which immerse guests in their respective environments. Overall, Disney Springs serves as a lively hub for families and friends to enjoy a full day of fun and relaxation.
We arrived on mod-day on Friday Oct 4 and after checking in at the Drury, we headed out to Disney Springs for an afternoon of “shopping” and eating. Shopping is in quotes because, I don’t know who can actually afford to buy anything at the stores at Disney Springs. Amada noted, she had bought a small backpack there in 2021 for about $50 at The Disney Store, we went and checked and that same small sized backpack was now $85. Saw lots of people in the stores, but really no one actually buying stuff.
OCT 5 - ANIMAL KINGDOM
Our first full park day was at the always amazing Animal Kingdom! For this adventure, we actually drove our car to the park, and I’ve never done that before (always taken the Disney’s buses). We had an 8:30 AM breakfast reservation at Tusker House and in order to make things easier on us, we splurged for preferred parking ($55) which got us pretty close to the entrance so that was nice. For our visit, the park hours ended at 6PM which ended up going by pretty fast.
Disney's Animal Kingdom is a unique theme park at Walt Disney World, combining thrilling attractions with a focus on animal conservation and education. Covering 580 acres, it features diverse areas such as Pandora – The World of Avatar, Africa, and DinoLand U.S.A., each offering immersive experiences and encounters with over 1,700 animals.
The park's centerpiece is the iconic Tree of Life, which showcases intricate carvings of various animal species and serves as a hub for attractions and dining. Guests can enjoy popular rides like Avatar Flight of Passage and Kilimanjaro Safaris while exploring lush landscapes designed to mimic natural habitats. Overall, Animal Kingdom stands out as a celebration of wildlife and adventure, providing a distinctive experience unlike any other Disney park.
TUSKER HOUSE BREAKFAST
Tusker House Restaurant, located in Northern corner of Disney's Animal Kingdom (see map below), is a vibrant character dining experience that features a buffet with African-inspired flavors. Guests can enjoy meals with beloved Disney characters like Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, and Daisy Duck, all dressed in safari attire during "Donald's Dining Safari". The restaurant offers a diverse menu that includes both traditional American dishes and unique African cuisine, making it appealing to a wide range of palates. Tusker House is known for its lively atmosphere, reflecting the bustling feel of an African marketplace, which adds to the dining experience. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is considered one of the best character dining options at Disney World due to its quality food and engaging character interactions.
Tusker House at the Animal Kingdom has always been my favorite restaurant in all the parks. In years past, I’ve always done dinner and this was the first time eating breakfast there. No surprise, just like dinner, the breakfast buffet was absolutely delicious. You’ve got your standard fare of pancakes, waffles, bacon, sausage, eggs, omelets, breads, cereal, fruit, and more all with an African twist and it is all super tasty. This is a character dining experience and is something the whole family will enjoy!
FESTIVAL OF THE LION KING
The Festival of the Lion King is a high-energy live show at Disney's Animal Kingdom that celebrates the beloved story of “The Lion King” through vibrant performances. This theatrical experience features a blend of acrobatics, puppetry, and music, showcasing popular songs from the film, making it a visual and auditory spectacle. The show lasts approximately 20 minutes and is designed to engage audiences of all ages with its colorful costumes and lively choreography. Audience participation is encouraged, adding to the interactive nature of the performance, which includes sing-alongs and character interactions. Widely regarded as one of the best live shows at Walt Disney World, it offers an unforgettable experience that captures the spirit of the original story while providing thrilling entertainment for families.
KILIMINJARO SAFARI
The Kilimanjaro Safari ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom offers guests an immersive journey through an African savanna, showcasing free-roaming wildlife in their natural habitats. Lasting approximately 30 minutes, the ride features a guided tour in rugged safari vehicles, allowing visitors to see animals like giraffes, lions, and elephants up close. The experience is enhanced by a storyline involving poachers, adding an element of adventure and excitement to the tour. Each safari is unique, as the animals roam freely, ensuring that no two rides are exactly the same. With its realistic theming and educational narration, Kilimanjaro Safaris is considered one of the must-see attractions at the park.
FINDING NEMO: THE BIG BLUE AND BEYOND
This was my first time at this show and we all loved it! Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond is a live puppet and musical stage show at Disney's Animal Kingdom, reimagined from the original Finding Nemo—The Musical. Premiering on June 13, 2022, the 25-minute performance features vibrant puppetry, live vocals, and stunning animated backdrops that bring the underwater world to life. The storyline follows Marlin's quest to find his son Nemo, told from the perspective of characters in Dr. P. Sherman's aquarium, incorporating beloved songs from the film. The show is housed in the Theater in the Wild, which accommodates 1,500 guests and provides an engaging atmosphere for families. With its combination of humor, music, and impressive visuals, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond is a great show to enjoy a midday break from the blistering Florida sun!
THE BONEYARD at DINOLAND USA
This has been another midday break favorite for our family for years. The kids will have a blast running around, climbing, and sliding! The Boneyard is an interactive playground located in DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney's Animal Kingdom, designed for children aged 10 and under. This dinosaur-themed area features climbing structures, slides, and a sandpit where kids can dig for fossils and bones, mimicking a prehistoric dig site. The playground is equipped with a soft, spongy floor to ensure safety as children explore the various play elements. With no height restrictions and no time limits, families can enjoy a leisurely visit while kids expend energy in a fun environment. The Boneyard serves as a perfect spot for younger guests to play while parents enjoy sitting at picnic tables in the shade.
DINOLAND USA
DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney's Animal Kingdom is a dinosaur-themed area that combines educational exhibits with fun attractions, making it ideal for families. It features the thrilling DINOSAUR ride, the interactive Boneyard playground, and Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama, which includes carnival-style games. The land is designed to resemble a quirky roadside attraction, complete with a backstory involving the Dino Institute and its mischievous students. Guests can explore various dinosaur replicas and enjoy immersive experiences that celebrate prehistoric life. However, DinoLand U.S.A. is set to close in phases starting in January 2025 to make way for new attractions with a “Tropical America’s” theme.
There is no shortage of places to eat and we enjoyed some tasty treats throughout the day.
We made a run over to the Pandora area as the day was winding down, but most of the rides had really long waits (1 hour) and we were getting pretty tired. I only got one image in that area. Depending on when you go, sometimes AK has extended evening hours, and seeing Pandora at night is really out of this world.
We wrapped up our day at 5:30 PM by sitting through “A bug’s life” 3D experience. I’ve always enjoyed it, but Amelia thought it was a little scary, so something to be aware of. We ended the night enjoying a complimentary dinner at the Drury and swimming at the pool until 9:00 PM.
COMING UP NEXT - DAY 3! - HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS, EPCOT, and MNSSHP!
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Kyle Root is a published and award winning photographer based out of Decatur Alabama. Working in the area since 1999 has helped him become one of the most recognized photographers and videographers in North Alabama. His work has been featured both locally and on the national stage. Honesty, Integrity, Quality Products, Amazing Customer Service, and just being a nice guy have helped propel him to the spotlight in the North Alabama area as a photographer. If you're looking for professional photography, you're in the right spot.
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