PHOTO REPORT: Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios 9/26/2024 (Hurricane Helene, Low Crowds, and More)

I hope everyone is staying safe out there. Today, I braved Hurricane Helene and spent the morning in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There wasn’t much going on due to the weather, but the soggy morning did lead to low crowds.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Store display featuring accessories and headbands on mannequins, with a variety of themed merchandise including hats, plush toys, and T-shirts arranged on shelves and hangers.

When I got to Disney’s Animal Kingdom this morning the weather was still fairly calm. Hurricane Helene would eventually impact operational schedules for Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort in the afternoon and evening.

My first stop was Discovery Trading Post to put on my rain jacket. Inside Discovery Trading Post, I saw the create-your-own headband collection. Unfortunately the “Inside Out 2” characters still haven’t made their way into the parks, but the “Nightmare Before Christmas” characters are available.

Low Attraction Wait Times

Two views of an outdoor setting with winding vines and signposts. People are walking and standing around the area, surrounded by lush greenery and intricate plant structures.

After putting on my rain jacket, I walked over to Pandora – The World of Avatar to see what the wait times were like for Na’vi River Journey and Flight of Passage. They were VERY low. The weather scared off the normal crowds leaving Na’vi River Journey at only 15 minutes and Flight of Passage at 35 minutes at park opening.

Drums Refurbished

A group of people walks by large, sculpted tree roots and organic structures in a theme park, with lush vegetation in the background.

I also noticed that they finally cleaned and replaced the drums in Pandora. When I visited today, they weren’t turned on so they weren’t interactive. It’s still nice to see Disney cleaning up some of these details that matter to the guest experience. No one wants to play a drum covered in gunk.

Kali River Rapids

A group of people wearing casual clothes and backpacks stand outside a colorful, two-story building with a sign that reads "Maharajah Jungle Trek." Trees and greenery surround the area.

Kali River Rapids doesn’t open until 9 a.m., an hour after the park opens. I was surprised to see so many people waiting in line for a water ride before it even opened on a day like today. I prefer being dry, so I certainly wasn’t riding Kali River Rapids this morning. Would you ride Kali River Rapids on a rainy day? Let me know in the comments.

Dinosaur

There were no major changes in the Dinosaur area. I think this space is aesthetically pleasing, but if Disney sticks to the concept art they showed most recently for the reimagining of this area the changes will make it even nicer.

Marley Morning

A crocodile rests with its mouth open on the ground near a body of water, surrounded by green foliage and rocks.

I said good morning to my favorite Disney Crocodile, Marley. Marley is from Jamaica so he’s pretty used to the tropical weather.

Dug and Russell

A person wearing a yellow outfit and blue backpack holds hands with someone dressed in a large brown dog costume while walking in an outdoor park.

On my way out of DinoLand, I watched Dug run up to a grownup Russell for a morning walk. It was so precious, I almost exploded. These are the moments that remain special to me in the Disney Parks.

Hurricane Preparation

Outdoor seating area with colorful tables and chairs, closed red umbrellas, and lush greenery, near a large artificial tree structure with intricate carvings.

The only real hurricane preparation I saw in Animal Kingdom today was umbrellas being zip-tied down everywhere.

Rainforest Cafe

Entrance to Rainforest Café, surrounded by lush greenery and featuring a colorful animal-themed sign and archway.

I knew that the weather was going to turn soon, and it took everything in me not to dip into the Rainforest Cafe, but I pressed on to explore Hollywood Studios.

To Disney’s Hollywood Studios

A parking lot filled with various cars under a cloudy sky. The area appears spacious with multiple rows of parked vehicles.

I really expected the sky to fall on the drive over to Hollywood Studios this morning, but it managed to hold it together until I arrived. I, unfortunately, did not get very close parking in either park today so it was an anxiety inducing brisk walk to and from the car.

Entrance

People wearing raincoats walk through a park in the rain. Trees and park structures are visible in the background.

BAH HUMBUG. I knew I was gonna get played by one of these random bands of tropical terror. I am not made of sugar, so luckily I did not melt, but I swear the rain waited for me to get far enough away from my car to not turn back. Let me tell you, as a Floridian, there are rainy days, and then there are moments where the sky falls and there’s no escaping.

This is a sky fall moment. Here’s a short clip of the entrance of Hollywood Studios. You can literally see the waves of rain flooding in.

Even prepared in my rainboots and jacket, I still got soaked. My shorts looked more like swim shorts, and my rain boots had tiny puddles on their own. I took off my shoes later and literally dumped water out of them.

Here Comes the Sun

People walk on a wet street lined with palm trees and various buildings on a rainy day. Some are wearing rain ponchos.

In just enough time for me to find shelter, the rain stopped, the sun emerged, and everyone continued about their day like nothing ever happened.

Galaxy’s Edge

A group of people in raincoats walk around a theme park area featuring a large model of a spaceship, rocky structures, and a cylindrical building. The ground is wet, indicating recent rainfall.

Galaxy’s Edge was fairly quiet this morning. I think this land is particularly beautiful when it’s wet and just dark enough for the lights to come on.

People in raincoats walk through a marketplace with rustic architecture and decorative lanterns hanging overhead. The ground is wet from rain, and the atmosphere is lively yet damp.

There was nothing new going on in the market of Galaxy’s Edge, but I do wish they would open a lamp stand. I love the different lamps they use in this space.

Facade Failure

A three-story building with a beige façade and large windows. One close-up shows draped windows and a balcony. The wider shot shows an open plaza with people walking in front of the building.

I noticed that the facade near the entrance of Galaxy’s Edge was a little messed up. The window on the top floor, second from the right, has the blinds drawn just enough to show that the backside is entirely open.

The middle floor window, second from the left, is open. The curtains are torn and wet, whipping in the rain.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! was closed today due to the weather, but Cast Members were kind enough to manage the space as a shelter from the rain.

Good Morning Gertie

People in ponchos walk by a green dinosaur-shaped ice cream stand surrounded by tropical foliage and palm trees.

Since I work for WDWNT, I had to say good morning to our girl Gertie. She seemed totally unbothered by the storms. To be fair, she has seen many before.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid Signs

Collage of the "Voyage of the Little Mermaid" attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios showing the entrance, Ursula mural, and large sign with Ariel on the building. Visitors are gathered outside.

DISNEY, I beg, please refurbish and replace the Voyage of the Little Mermaid signs or remove them entirely. They look horrible. Since my last visit, the scrim behind the main entrance figures has only ripped more. Maybe this storm will be enough to force Disney to do something about it.

Peep the hidden Mickey in the bubble in the top left pic. It’s one of Nana’s favorites.

Hurricane Preparation

Collage of three pictures in a theme park: a food market with outdoor seating, a street scene with buildings and decorations, and a themed area resembling a Star Wars setting with droids and props.

Hollywood Studios also locked down all of their umbrellas with zip ties. This is pretty common practice for Walt Disney World during rough weather. I did not see any other hurricane preparations during my visit this morning.

Bird of Paradise Flowers

I spotted these Bird of Paradise flowers near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster today. They’re making me look forward to the Flower and Garden Festival next year.

Adios!

Image of a wet entrance area with closed metal gates, greenery, palm trees, and cloudy skies in the background.

There really isn’t much to report from the parks today other than Hurricane Helene coverage. I hope all those effected by this storm stay safe. I look forward to dryer days ahead.

Have you ever been to Walt Disney World during a natural disaster? Let me know your story in the comments below.

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