Wildlife Express Train Archives - Chip and Co

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The Top 5 Nap Spots for Little Ones in Animal Kingdom

Monday, November 12, 2012 MickeyMom No comments

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.

Fun Facts about Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Wednesday, September 12, 2012 Sunshine 2 Comments

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Here are a few interesting facts about the Animal Kingdom.

Animal Kingdom was the fourth park built at Disney world. It opened on April 22, 1998
The park has 7 themed areas taking up more than 400 acres
There are more than 4,500 cast members to help maintain the Disney Magic.
There is about 1,500 animals representing 250 species — most acquired from zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.
More than 4 million (3,000 species) trees, plants, shrubs, vines, grasses, ferns, etc can be found at DAK.
The Oasis is lush botanical garden designed for guests to explore habitats of fascinating creatures including iguanas, a giant anteater, several species of colorful birds and other animals.

Cotton-top Tamarins celebrated throughout the month of August

Sunday, August 12, 2012 Chip 1 Comment

While lions may be known as the king of the jungle, a tiny, one-pound monkey will have top billing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Throughout the month of August, guests will be invited to join in activities centered around the cotton-top tamarin, a critically endangered primate from northern Colombia.

August 15^th, is the official Day of the Cotton-top Tamarin in Colombia so we’ve created a celebration for our guests to enjoy. Get ready to participate in a variety of activities from learning how scientists track tamarins in the forest, what cotton-tops like to eat, and how people in Colombia are helping to recycling plastic bags into amazing tote bags called eco-mochilas. But a cotton-top tamarin celebration wouldn’t be complete unless you learned the cotton-top tamarin dance and enjoyed a tasty cotton-top tamarin cupcake

Sometimes called the “punk rock primates” because of their wild manes of white hair that outline their black faces, their numbers are dwindling because of habitat loss and the pet trade. Because of efforts by Dr. Anne Savage, Conservation Director for Disney’s Animal Programs and other conservationists, the cotton-top tamarin has been added to the critically endangered species list, giving them international protection from the federal government to prohibit them from being hunted or captured.

“We created this celebration as a way to highlight the effects that humans have on natural habitats,” said Anne. “Conservation celebrations are important because it helps people of all ages understand and appreciate these amazing animals and learn what it takes to protect them for future generations.”

Guests can see cotton-tops in Discovery Island in a habitat in front of the Tree of Life and also at Rafiki’s Planet Watch in Habitat Habit!, a fun and educational wildlife trail between the Wildlife Express Train and Conservation Station. Cotton-tops have been on exhibit at Disney’s Animal Kingdom since 1998 and serve as ambassadors for the species so that guests can better understand the importance of conservation efforts to help protect them.

Baby Okapi Welcomed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (chipandco.com)
Cool Treats at Walt Disney World – Disney’s Animal Kingdom (disneyonwheelsblog.com)

Cotton top Tamarins celebrated throughout the month of August

Top 5 Trains at Walt Disney World Resort

Thursday, August 9, 2012 Jodi No comments

All aboard for the final article in this series: the Top 5 Trains at Walt Disney World Resort. Walt Disney was a train fanatic, so it’s only logical they would be prominent features in his theme parks. You know, he built his first thrill ride, the 1/8 scale Carolwood Pacific Railroad, in his own backyard years before opening Disneyland Resort. Proof positive that Walt, like Peter Pan, never wanted to grow up!

Walt’s favorite tops today’s Top 5:

1.) The Walt Disney World Railroad – Like its Disneyland counterpart, the Walt Disney World Railroad encircles Magic Kingdom Park, delivering Guests to convenient locations in the different lands and stopping every four to ten minutes on its 1.5-mile track. Its four antique, steam-powered engines, the Walter E. Disney, the Lilly Belle, the Roy O. Disney, and the Roger E. Broggie, were built in the United States around the turn of the 20th century and serviced the United Railways of Yucatan in Mexico until Disney purchased them in 1969.

Disney hopes to automate Character Meet and Greets

Monday, May 7, 2012 Chip 5 Comments

I for one love the Disney Photo Pass Photographers. They are very helpful, creative, and most have great personalities that really love what they do. When I read this article today it felt very unpersonal and cold which to me is not what the Disney Magic is about.

According to Stitch Kingdom and several sources online Disney is working on a automated imaging system that will track guests via fully automated cameras and gps systems. The computer system will center, crop, edit photos and video and send those images to your cell phone or other personal devices all without a single person having to do a thing.

While meeting your favorite characters for the first time is very magical not to mention having photos and videos from various angles is cool I think we lose some of that magic when we take that person to person interaction we get from photographers and other attendants. I am fine with the editing and sending of photos and video but would hate to see the whole system be fully automated.

You can read up on the full report here.

What do you think about this new Patent? Will it take the magic out of the hands out of the Cast Members or is this something we need to upgrade?