JAMBO — and Happy Holidays! — from Disney’s Animal Kingdom AND Animal Kingdom Lodge!

We’re bringing you all of our latest finds from our most recent visit, which just so happens to include OODLES of snacks… from festive finds for the season to some new not-so-sour gummies and MUCH more. We’re also checking in on the goings-on at Kilimanjaro Safaris and paying a visit to a certain returning AVATAR. There’s no time to waste, so let’s dive right in!

Animal Kingdom Food Updates

Creature Comforts

Are you starting your Animal Kingdom day early? Well, then… you’ve got to fuel up first! What better place to start than Creature Comforts, the park’s Starbucks location?

That’s where we got to try this year’s version of the returning Santa Mickey Mousse.

This year’s mousse is a white chocolate peppermint mousse dome on a brownie base, topped with snowflake sprinkles, and garnished with chocolate Mickey ears.

And what did we think of it compared to last year? Well…

Check out our Santa Mickey Mousse review right here!

Gingerbread Cream Cheese Muffin

And there’s also a new option for you with the Gingerbread Cream Cheese Muffin at snack carts around the park!

Actually, though… this one’s not exactly new. The hit Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin basically got a makeover. You can see our thoughts on this festive version for the season here!

Is the Gingerbread Muffin as good as the Pumpkin version? Find our thoughts here!

Dino-Bite Snacks

WOO HOO!!! One of our favorite seasonal snacks from last year has hit the DinoLand scene once again: it’s the Double-Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream Sandwich at Dino-Bite Snacks!

But while we were pumped, we were surprised to find that it didn’t exactly live up to its rep from last year. We have high hopes for future visits, though, and you can find out why…

See our review of this returning ice cream sammie here!

Anandapur Ice Cream Truck

Peppermint Soft-Serve Ice Cream is also BACK for the holiday season at the Anandapur Ice Cream Truck!

The red swirl is new this year in this seasonal snack, and you can find out more about the treat’s new look and its peppermint flavor punch here!

Click here to see our Peppermint Soft-Serve review!

Pandoran Dried Helicoradian Gummies

While these may not match the visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads this time of year, we were still excited to find — and try! — the new Dried Helicoradian Gummies at Windtraders, the merchandise location in Pandora.

The packaging notes these as a “Sour Gummy Candy,” but our taste buds told us a little something different…

Check out our review of the NEW gummy candy in Pandora here!

Hot Cocoa

BRRR… yep, even in Central Florida, you’ve got to have access to a nice warm cup of Hot Cocoa sometimes!

Fortunately, snack carts around the park were ready for the cooler weather, and guests can purchase a cup on its own, or with a souvenir Animal Kingdom Menagerie mug.

See all the details on the Animal Kingdom Menagerie Mug here!

Drinkwallah

And when it comes to souvenir mugs, we’ve got another option for you.

Asia’s Drinkwallah has officially added the Lion King Novelty Cup to the menu, served with your choice of frozen beverage (even though it’s been around for a little while).

At $9.99 with your drink included, this is a little less than the $10.99 price tag we’ve seen previously at various carts in the park.

See the Lion King Stacking Cup right here!

The Feeding Ground

And, just a note that a certain Discovery Island popcorn spot has really been poppin’ since it reopened recently.

The Feeding Ground, cast members have informed us, has stayed open regularly recently (as opposed to limited operating days) since it’s been such a POPular spot!

Animal Kingdom Attraction Updates

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Have you heard the news :)? TWO baby giraffes — by the names of Maple and Zella — have taken their first steps onto the savanna of Kilimanjaro Safaris!

We learned that a mandrill is being introduced to the safari, as well. We didn’t have too much luck spotting them on our most recent visit (a Cast Member told us babies can be a little shy here in the beginning), though we did spot lots of other animals!

And, while we wait for our next safari adventure, you can learn more about the new additions here!

Find out more about the latest arrivals to the savanna here!

And, hey, while we’re here… let’s check in on construction of the structure that guests can see towards the end of their safari!

Cast members are referring to it as a warden headquarters…

… and, by the looks of things, someone is settling in, indeed!

Avatar Flight of Passage

Look who’s baaaaaack….

The floating Avatar, who was missing from the tank in the queue for the MEGA-popular Avatar Flight of Passage attraction, was — according to cast members — “out for a walk” for awhile. But now the Avatar is safe and sound back in the queue!

See our most recent trip through the Flight of Passage queue here!

Let’s make one more stop. Don’t worry, the trek isn’t too far…

Animal Kingdom Lodge

We’ve got just a quick update from the lovely Animal Kingdom Lodge before we say, “So long!”

At Maji Pool Bar, we were introduced to a new Mickey Cookie!

Cute, right? But does this Mickey measure up to other Mickey treats around Disney World?

Find our review of the new Mickey Cookie here!

We hope you’ve had fun joining us AND a few of our friends!

We can’t wait to bring you more from Disney’s Animal Kingdom soon! And if you’re curious about what else is new around Walt Disney World this week…

Click here to see what’s new at TWO Disney World Resort hotels this week!

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What is your favorite thing about Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Please let us know with a comment!

 

The post What’s New at Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge: Tons of SNACKS, Safari Updates, and MORE! first appeared on the disney food blog.