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Tag Archives: Africa
Disney Confidential – Festival of the Lion King Planned to Relocate
Hello ladies and gentlemen! It’s me, Anonymouse, again and I have even more new gossip for you this week! Chip won’t know what to do with two new rumors in one week!
Back last fall, I confirmed Disney’s plan to create a new Avatarland in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We even shared the blue prints for Avatarland with you! In case you missed it or need a refresher, you can read the article here. Today, I have an update for you on the changes coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom to accommodate the new Avatarland. Some originally wondered if The Festival of the Lion King would come to an end with the addition of Avatarland, but don’t worry Lion King fans, it’s just getting a new home!
Quick Service Dining at Disney’s Animal Kingdom… Does it exist?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom may not be open as long as many of the other parks but they do pack in as much as they can in the hours that is available. While walking around I know I get hungry. We often get asked from fans, Are there many Quick Service choices for Dining in Disney’s Animal Kingdom? My answer would be, most definitely, and it’s some of the best food I’ve found in the Walt Disney World Parks.
Here is a rundown of what you can find throughout the park for snacks, a quick bite or a full meal. There are carts scattered all over the park, with often one item and beverages being the only options. Also a great choice are kiosks with no seating provided, but with plenty available nearby, usually 3 or more choices with beverages. Lastly there are full Quick Service plazas with dining, restroom facilities and plenty of indoor/outdoor seating.
Why include the carts and kiosks? Well, sometimes snacking around the Animal Kingdom is the best way. There are tons of nooks to grab a table and enjoy your surroundings.
- The Beastly Kiosk-Offers corn dogs, chips and beverage choices. Perfect if you are looking for quick eats as you enter the park.
- Safari Coffee-One of several kiosks near the tree of life. Perfect for an early morning stop, Safari Coffee offers coffee, espresso beverages, breakfast pastry and cupcakes. Seating is available nearby.
- Safari Ice Cream, Popcorn and Pretzels-Three kiosks located right before the entrance to Africa. Here you will find hand scooped ice cream, popcorn and stuffed pretzels. All serve water and soft drinks. The popcorn kiosk also serves beer.
- Flame Tree Barbecue- A Full Quick Service option near the road towards Dinoland, USA. The menu consists of house-smoked specialties; including ribs, pork and chicken. Salads and beverages are available. Seating is an outdoor, partially covered pavillion with amazing views of Everest.
- Pizzafari-Also a Full Quick Service option on the path towards Camp Mickey and Minnie. Both breakfast aand lunch are served here. Another benefit is indoor (aka air-conditioned) and outdoor seating. Breakfast options include Eggs, French Toast, Frittatas and Fresh Fruit. Lunch offers Pizza, Sandwiches and Salads.
The Top 5 Nap Spots for Little Ones in Animal Kingdom
Where to Go?
Back to my series on napping in Disney World. Sometimes those little legs just need a rest, so here are my top 5 Nap Spots in Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom is a great park to find napping nooks, so keep an eye out. Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order:
- The Tree of Life-In and around the Tree of Life there are tons of benches, many covered by tree canopy. Find a shady spot and cross those fingers. Usually you will have no problem finding an empty bench, unfortunately you aren’t near any amenities like bathrooms or food.
- Rafiki’s Planet Watch-Hopefully taking the Wildlife Express Train will put your little one in the mood to nap. From then on, find a spot. Inside the Conservation Station can be a little noisy, but lighting is dim and there is air conditioning. Older children can explore with another adult in the Affection Station (aka Petting Area). While bathroom facilities are great, no food options are available except for a snack cart so plan ahead.
- Pangani Forest Exploration Trail-You will need to get through the more congested areas, but I find the Gorilla Trail to be a great nap spot. People are encouraged to speak quietly so as not to scare the Gorillas, so it can be a peaceful place to relax. Once in there you are cut off from amenities, but there are plenty of exciting sights.
- Walkway from Africa to Asia-You should be able to find a quiet corner along this walk. Look along the river for great benches and a beautiful view. Check the Flights of Wonder schedule and go in-between shows. It can be a tad noisy if the crowds are large, but you are centrally located and can walk off the main drag down the smaller paths. Warning, check the parade schedule as well!
- The Boneyard in DinoLand U.S.A.-This one is hit or miss depending on your child’s age. The Dino Dig area is covered and shaded, if you can get your baby to ignore everything else going on around them. Any older kids can explore the rest of the Boneyard. Bathrooms and food opportunities are available right outside, although you are not allowed to bring food into the Boneyard.
Disney Animal Keeper Combines Art and Care to Help Endangered Rhinos
As a rhinoceros keeper at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Chad Harmon tends to some of the toughest, strongest animals on the planet. He recently channeled that passion into an arts auction that raised approximately $6000 for the endangered animals.
For the Horns to Heroes project, Harmon used one of the rhinos he cares for as a model to make 40 horns by hand using a process known as rotational casting. The pieces are made of foam-filled resin and stand 16 inches tall and 7 inches wide.
He then recruited Central Florida painters, tattoo artists, sculptors, graffiti artists, illustrators, photographers and special-effects artists to create original and unique works of art. Each one was auctioned off with proceeds benefitting the International Rhino Foundation which funds research programs and helps protect threatened rhino populations in Africa and Asia.
“By supporting the International Rhino Foundation, The Horns and Heroes Project will help fund programs that support the courageous and dedicated rangers who risk their lives to stop poaching and give rhinos a chance at survival,” said Harmon. “We’re hoping that these works of art will help spark more conversation about how to protect these species.”
Though at one time there were 30 living species of rhino, only five species remain today, and those populations are facing the severe threat of extinction. Without immediate action, some rhinos could be extinct within the next 20 years, due to poaching, forest loss, habitat conversion and encroaching human settlements.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom currently includes a herd of white rhinos. Since the park opened in 1998, nine rhinos have been born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as part of a white rhino breeding program coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The program focuses on sustaining the white rhino population in North America.
Manatee Day at Epcot Helps Educate Guests
In ancient days, sailors may have mistaken manatees for mermaids, but many Epcot guests won’t be making that same mistake after visiting The Seas with Nemo and Friends during International Manatee Day on Sept. 7.
The one day event is designed to help dispel myths about these endangered marine mammals and offer ways to better protect them. Belonging to a group of aquatic, plant-eating mammals called sirenians, manatees can only be found in a few places, including Florida, South America, Africa, and Australia. With only 5,000 manatees located around the state, they are considered an endangered species in Florida.
As a designated rehabilitation site for rescued manatees and sea turtles, the Seas with Nemo and Friends serves as a “halfway house” working with the manatees after they are out of “intensive care” to ensure they resume a normal diet and are ready to return to the wild.
A team of marine mammal experts at The Seas is currently caring for two manatees — Lou and Vail. Both were injured during separate watercraft strikes and will remain in the facility until they are well enough to be returned to their habitats.
Simple actions can help protect them. For example, recycling used fishing line and plastic bottles will help keep waterways where manatees live, clean and healthy.
Related articles
- There’s More to “Sea” Than Just Nemo! (chipandco.com)
