This past week, we decided to visit one of our favorite Central Florida theme parks – Disney’s Animal Kingdom – to check out what’s new and enjoy a few amazing attractions. Follow along as we stroll around the park and talk about five new things to experience here!
1. 50TH ANNIVERSARY STATUES
To celebrate 50 years of Walt Disney World magic, each park received various new additions and special touches – one being these beautiful golden statues. At Animal Kingdom, we stumbled upon a few statues that represented the wild (and adorable) creatures featured in some beloved Disney films. We spotted Dory and Nemo, Timon and Pumba, Simba, and Bambi and Thumper.
2. MISTING PLANT IN PANDORA
Towards the front of Pandora stands an enormous, alien-looking plant with a gaping opening towards the bottom. If you rub on the inside of it, it will then send “spores” out in the form of cool mist! This fun, interactive feature was closed for quite some time due to the pandemic, but is finally open again!
3. DISNEY GENIE+ AND LIGHTNING LANES
Disney’s newest park day planning service, Disney Genie+, launched last week, and is now available to use on the Disney app. We were able to check out the Lightning Lanes for the two attractions that are not included in the regular Disney Genie+ service, but are available for individual purchase: Avatar Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest.
4. 50TH ANNIVERSARY TREATS
Another awesome aspect of the 50th anniversary celebrations at Disney World are the additional of several delicious, commemorative treats. On our visit to Animal Kingdom, one in particular caught our eye: the Hand-Dipped 50th Celebration Mickey’s Premium Bar. This Instagram-worthy dessert is composed of a Nestle Mickey Ice Cream Bar dipped in blue raspberry coating with celebration sprinkles and “a little bit of pixie dust.”
5. DISNEY KITETAILS
Animal Kingdom recently received a new show as part of the anniversary celebrations – Disney KiteTails – which features several Disney characters in the form of giant kites and balloons being flown around the lagoon. One of the most interesting parts of this presentation is the landing of the kites, which we had to see for ourselves. A Baloo kite landed on the steps near us, which looked somewhat like a graceful crash.
Overall, we enjoyed yet another wild and fun day at Animal Kingdom, and, as always, we can’t wait to return!