GREETINGS from the DFB — and a few of our friends — in Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

Our most recent visit may not have started easily (keep reading to learn more), but once we got inside the park to check out what’s new, it was time to find even MORE pumpkin goodies, new menu items, and oodles of merchandise… and we even took a SAFARI while we were at it! We hope you’ll join us on our latest trek around Animal Kingdom!

Are you ready? Then, here we GO!!!

Animal Kingdom Food Updates

Creature Comforts

Everything is still coming up PUMPKIN at Disney World theme parks, and that includes Animal Kingdom!

We grabbed the new Pumpkin Cheesecake at Creature Comforts (the park’s Starbucks location).

There’s a little more than just cheesecake going on here, though… this beautiful dome treat sits atop a rich brownie base.

Read our review of the Pumpkin Cheesecake here!

But that’s not all, when it comes to NEW pumpkin goodness in the park…

Harambe Fruit Market

The Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin sounds like a simple treat at Harambe Fruit Market, but just take a look at the (literal!) twist they’ve given this snack!

That lovely swirl, though, isn’t the only yummy cream cheese you’ll find in this muffin…

Find out exactly why the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin has been a HIT in Animal Kingdom here!

Nomad Lounge

Nomad Lounge, one of our favorite respites in the park, is currently serving up some Fish Tacos… but you won’t find them listed on the regular menu, because they’re something of a secret.

We spotted a teeny little note on a placard menu noting current specials in the Lounge and ordered ’em right up!

The Fish Tacos feature sustainable fish topped with pico de gallo, pickled jalepeño, and radish. Wanna take a closer look?

See our review of the NEW Fish Tacos here!

Yak & Yeti Restaurant

Over in Asia, you’ve got a few more days (until October 12th, to be exact) to try the special Prix Fixe Menu at Yak & Yeti Restaurant!

Guests have a few choices (with options for upgrades) for their appetizer, entrée, and dessert.

Check out all the details of the limited-time Prix Fixe menu at Yak & Yeti here!

Joffrey’s Coffee Kiosk

Donut eclairs are back at the Joffrey’s Coffee Kiosk just outside the park entrance.

This was the first time we noticed them back since the park reopened in July.

And as for returning items back inside the park…

Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks

We also noticed the return of Hitachino Nest White Ale to Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks!

You can read our review of this beer from the very first time we tried it when Thirsty River Bar first opened.

Cheers!

Animal Kingdom Park and Attraction Updates

Park Entrance

Of course, it wasn’t all just pumpkin spice goodness and new eats and sips at Animal Kingdom…

Our day started off a little rocky due to a technical issue at the entrance touch points.

Rather than utilizing the touch point, each guest needed to be manually scanned in at the start of the day.

Things improved as the day went on…

See how the day started — with a glitch — in Animal Kingdom here.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

And, of course, things turned around once we got in the park, and headed to Africa for a SAFARI!!!

On the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction, we couldn’t help but notice a few cloth barriers in the various areas where guests can see lions, warthogs, and cheetahs.

In asking, we learned that the areas have new animals joining the savanna!

The barriers, it turns out, play a role in their adjustment. They help the animals learn where any areas with drops are so they don’t hurt themselves. (Did you know you can learn tons of cool stuff about the behind-the-scenes happenings in Animal Kingdom through a new series on Disney+? That show is pretty sweet!)

Anyhoo, the animals aren’t the only new thing happening on the savanna…

See the construction of a new building on Kilimanjaro Safaris here!

Animal Kingdom Merchandise Updates

A DEAL on Minnie Mouse Ears

DID YOU HEAR about this crazy DEAL on Minnie Ears?! ICYMI, we spotted the same deal we noticed in Magic Kingdom here in Animal Kingdom, too. Not only are the 2020 Sparkle Minnie Ears discounted to $15.00 at Discovery Trading Company, but they’re also BOGO (Buy One, Get One)!

We did the math , which brings these babies down to $7.50 each… AND you can add any discounts you might be eligible for, like the current, limited-time 30% discount for Annual Passholders!

WHAAAAT?! It’s true. (P.S. We noticed the same deal at Chester and Hester’s in Dinoland, USA, too!)

Find out all you need to know about this GREAT deal on the Sparkle Minnie Ears here!

2020 Pin Sale

Are Disney pins more your thing? Several locations are having ANOTHER sale…

Select dated 2020 Walt Disney World pins are marked down to $5.00! We noticed this deal in Magic Kingdom, too, but in Animal Kingdom you’ll want to check locations including Discovery Trading Co, Chester and Hester’s, and the Africa Hub Cart to find yours!

Learn more about this deal on Disney PINS here!

Riverside Depot

WHOA…. Are you a Dooney & Bourke fan? An Animal Kingdom fan? Or a classic MICKEY fan?

Celebrate ALL THREE obsessions with the new Dooney & Bourke collection at Riverside Depot!

This is just a glimpse of this fun, new, and WILD collection. You can see the whole thing here!

Check out this WILD new Dooney & Bourke collection here!

Island Mercantile

Is your little one Ready for an Adventure? If so, we’ve got the children’s shirt for your kiddo!

This green tee (pictured in 3T size) is $17.99 at Riverside Depot.

But if you’re ready to RELAX more than you’re ready to have an adventure… well, we found some goodies for you, too!

There is a TON of new and comfy loungewear for men, including boxers, lounge shorts, and pajama pants!

We’ve spotted items from this collection in Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, too, so keep your eyes peeled in the parks! But in the meantime, you can see the collection — with prices — here!

See the comfy new Disney loungewear here!

Expedition Everest Gift Shop

And finally, we found some new gear for your next trek to Animal Kingdom at the Expedition Everest gift shop.

This new Forbidden Mountain shirt ($36.99) and Base Camp hoodie ($49.99) are specific to the Expedition Everest attraction.

But this shop also carries a unique selection of non-Disney merchandise, too. You never know exactly what you’ll find, but here’s a look at some new clothing from our most recent visit. A Red Panda tank, for instance, is $34.99.

This lovely Butterfly blouse is $32.99.

The Forces of Nature tank by Element Eden is $24.00.

Thanks for trekkin’ with us, friends! And if you’d like to know what else is new around Disney World…

See what’s new at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge by clicking here, and click here to find out what’s new at EPCOT!

We’ll see you SOON for another adventure in Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

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

The post What’s New at Animal Kingdom: New Pumpkin Goodies, A SECRET Menu Item, Deals & Discounts, and MORE! first appeared on the disney food blog.