Welcome back, DFB friends! We’re here with another What’s New at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge.

And, we’ve got plenty of food, merchandise, entertainment, and transportation updates to share with you! So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive right on in!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Food Update

Harambe Market

Guests heading to Disney’s Animal Kingdom will want to keep up with their favorite restaurants as multiple spots will see changing operation hours after the holidays. At this time, Harambe Market will be one of the restaurants to change to weekends only soon!

Although we aren’t sure if other places around Disney’s Animal Kingdom or other Disney World parks will experience similar updates, we’ll be sure to let you know more information!

Find out more details about the Harambe Market’s changes here!

Isle of Java

If you’re looking for some great sips this holiday season, you’re going to want to hop over to the Isle of Java for some of Joffrey’s seasonal offerings!

While these aren’t new, we wanted to remind you before they go away for the season! Drinks on the menu include Irish Coffee, Gingerbread Latte, Peppermint Hot Cocoa, Sea Salt Caramel Hot Cocoa, and S’mores Hot Cocoa.

Here’s our review of the Irish Coffee

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Merchandise Update

Overall

Merchandise locations like Island Mercantile, Discovery Trading Post, and more were putting dated 2020 items on sale for up to 70% off as new 2021 merchandise was stocked onto the shelves instead.

We’ve seen lots of 2021 stuff coming in to replace it, so grab the 2020 items while you can!

Look at some of the new 2021 Disney merch

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Miscellaneous Update

Although we’ve seen large crowds in the parks recently for the holidays, Disney’s Animal Kingdom was a bit more quiet than usual.

Multiple parts of the park had fewer people exploring the area…

…as guests were more dispersed between attractions, restaurants, and other experiences.

Meanwhile, Creature Comforts that usually has a line out the door for Starbucks drinks had little to no line inside the bakery.

Kilimanjaro Safaris also only had a 10 minute wait for guests wanting to visit with their favorite animals and go on a trek through the safari.

Across from Creature Comforts in Discovery Island, a Cast Member was feeding a Tamarin at the exhibit (and he seemed to be VERY excited for a snack).

The Cast Member also had him walk across vines and stand on a pedestal to make sure that he is moving well and looking healthy.

After our visit to the park, we were on our way over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge close by to check out everything new happening at the resort.

Check out the NEW animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Food Update

Mara

When we hopped over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, we stopped at the front desk to as a Cast Member about when the Mara would be opening. While we noticed online that the quick-service location would be opening for a limited time from December 23rd to January 2nd, the Cast Members didn’t have any details about the restaurant welcoming guests back again.

However, we’ll have to check back to find out any more information about when the restaurant would be re-opening to guests.

Get more information on the Mara reopening

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Miscellaneous Update

Over at the Jambo House pool, Cast Members were feeding the flamingoes as they explored around the area.

The Kidani Pool was hosting a tie-dye activity for guests to participate in after swimming…

…the Uzima Pool was showing the details of other activities happening around the resort, like the Movie Under the Stars showing for that evening.

It’s always nice to have fun activities at the resort!

Check out the scavenger hunt at Old Key West

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Transportation Update

The Resort Shuttle leading from the Kidani Village to the Jambo House section of the resorts had received a few updates to the inside as health and safety measures for guests.

The backs of the seats had plexiglass barriers…

…along with distancing stickers and numbers to note where people can sit or not.

Plexiglass has been popping up everywhere in Disney World!

Does Plexiglass Help Wait Times in Disney World?

Well, that’s all for this What’s New at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge. We’ll catch you next time for more merchandise, transportation, food, and entertainment updates. And, if you have any questions about how your Disney vacation may change, let us know so we can help you find the answers!

Here’s What’s New at Magic Kingdom

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What are you looking forward to seeing in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge the most? Let us know in the comments below!

The post What’s New at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge: Surprisingly Small Crowds and 2020 Merchandise Sales! first appeared on the disney food blog.