Events and Tours you don’t want to miss at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Events and Tours you dont want to miss at Disneys Animal Kingdom

There is so much more to see and do at Walt Disney World than just four theme parks and the downtown area. We will be exploring all the “extra perks” that they have offer including tours, behinds the scenes and special little events throughout the year. Join us as we start with Animal Kingdom.

Are you Wild About Wildlife? 

Have you spent time in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park and seen the staggering amount of animals that call it home? It’s home to more than 1,500 animals that represent 250 species to be exact, and it quite a feat to make sure they are all happy, healthy and thriving.  Did you know there is a behind the scenes tour that gives an all new perspectives to the unique challenges involved with keeping that many animals?

The Backstage Safari

You start with an eye-opening tour of the facilities where the animals are cared for, then end with an exhilarating safari.

  • Visit the Animal Nutrition Center and see how over 3 tons of food are prepared and distributed each day.
  • Explore various backstage animal-housing areas, which may include elephant, giraffe and white rhino enclosures.
  • Meet the animal keepers and get the backstory on the animals.
  • Tour the state-of-the-art veterinary hospital, where you may even witness animals being treated.
  • Stop by the Animal Programs Administration and learn how Disney promotes global wildlife conservation and animal well-being.

At the end of your tour, enjoy light refreshments and a keepsake.

A portion of the tour proceeds is donated to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.

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Disney World Challenge – Visiting all 4 parks in one day!

Disney World Challenge   Visiting all 4 parks in one day!

When it comes to visiting Walt Disney World, there are so many things to see and do that it almost seems impossible to see it all!  When we visit, we take about a week to see as many of the sites and sounds of all four parks, but what if you only have one day?  Is it worth it to attempt to see all four parks in one day?

This challenge is known as the Disney World Challenge — and I’ll tell you, it probably isn’t easy, but I certainly think it is possible!

Pre-requisites

Before you start, you do need to do a little pre-DWC (Disney World Challenge) planning.  To make the most out of your time, here are some questions you’ll want to get answers too.

  • Pick a day that has either the Magic Kingdom or Epcot with evening Extra Magic Hours.
  • Decide what attractions you’re going to absolutely need to ride at each of the parks.
  • Are you driving to each of the parks or utilizing Disney Transportation?
  • I recommend starting your day with Disney’s Animal Kingdom park.
  • Lastly, make sure that you have park hopper tickets or annual passes — standard Magic Your Way tickets without Park Hopper will not allow you to get in to all the parks on the same day.

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Taking in the Walt Disney World Parades

Taking in the Walt Disney World Parades

“What time is the three o’clock parade?”  ”Where does the Main Street Electrical Parade begin?”  Now that I have your attention, let’s talk Walt Disney World Parades.  People waver back and forth about the best viewing spots, time to grab a spot, and even etiquette when it comes to parades at the most magical place on earth.  Today, I want to share with you some of the best spots to view the parades at each park.

Magic Kingdom Park:

  • Just in front of the Liberty Boat is a great location.  There is an outdoor food cart, that usually sells fresh fruits and other snack items.  This is a GREAT place to catch each parade at Magic Kingdom.  The people here are rarely three deep, and it is also a spot where cast members put up the “entrance/exit” poles with the ropes.
  • As you enter Magic Kingdom, stay to the right of Main Street USA.  As you pass the bakery and ice cream shoppe, there are some tables just at the end, before it leads off to Tomorrowland.  These tables are a great spot for the Celebrate a Dream Come True, Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It! especially.  Also, think about the photos you’ll be taking-if you venture down Main Street, toward the “hub”, you’ll likely get Cinderella’s Castle in the background.
  • Frontierland-The platform, in front of the Shooting Arcade is a great viewing spot, too.  Plus, if you are here for the MSEP, you’ll have a decent view of Wishes.  OR, you can hit Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain with little wait after the parade passes.

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Dealing with Grief – The Christmas We Escaped to Disney World

Dealing with Grief   The Christmas We Escaped to Disney World

After finishing several articles featuring Disney Holiday Planning, I got to thinking about our own Christmas Trip in 2010.  We stayed the week before Christmas and left the day after.  This was my families first time to Disney during the holidays, in fact the first time we had travelled somewhere during Christmas Day.  But for us it was an escape from the real world.  We just couldn’t face a “normal” Christmas after the year we had.  The trip was bittersweet but I would like to share it with all our readers in the hopes that someone else can gain from our experience.

In 2009, My son Andrew had turned 2 and just returned from his first trip to Disney.  We were glowing in the post-Disney euphoria of a perfect trip.  Then we receive the news that my Father-in-Law had been diagnosed with lung cancer.  A year followed with ups and downs, forgotten holidays, illness and fear of the unknown.  To give us a break, we decided to take another trip to Disney for our sons 3rd birthday.  My father-in-law was doing better and although prognosis wasn’t great, we felt he was in better spirits after a tough year.  Within a couple of months of that trip we said good-bye to the person I affectionately called FIL.

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Disney Food Confession – Wild Africa Trek Meal

Disney Food Confession   Wild Africa Trek Meal

Disney Food Confession   Wild Africa Trek Meal

Where can you find it?
Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

What is it?
Tin 1-Pita bread, prosciutto,dried beef, salmon roll with cream cheese on top of a jicama and cucumber salad. Topped off with a slice of fig almond bread.
Tin 2-Yogurt with granola,edible orchid, brie cheese and melon.

Why you want it-

This meal is included in your Wild Africa Trek package at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
You can find more information here about the rates and how to book your fun filled trip
through the African Savannah where the Kilimanjaro Safari drivers do not dare to travel.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Sorrentino.
Thank you Jennifer for the wonderful photos!

If you have a Disney Food Confession email me at dulcie@chipandco.com. Let me know the What, Where, and Why you love it so much. We would love to feature your picture and link to your website or blog if you have one.

Disney Food Confession   Wild Africa Trek Meal

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