Animal Kingdom turns 15!

On Monday, Disney celebrated Disney's Animal Kingdoms 15th birthday with a short ceremony in front of the tree of life. Mickey, Minnie and the gang welcomed guest. A short speech was given by DAK's Vice President. Special maps and pins were handed out for the celebration. Characters rarely seen also joined the finale of the daily parade. Several activities are planned for this whole week. Check parks times guide.

Animal Kingdom finally starting on Avatarland?

Walls have started to appear on one side of the bridge from Discovery Island crossing over to Africa. It looks like a huge chunk of the trees behind the wall have been cleared.
On Sept of 2011, Disney did announce that an Avatar themed land would be coming to Animal Kingdom in the coming years.

Zebra habitat Kilimanjaro safari Animal Kingdom

A few months ago, Disney announced that the poacher scene at the end of the Kilimanjaro safari attraction at Animal Kingdom will be replaced with a zebra habitat. Over the summer the area was cleared and new grassy areas were put in. The past several days the zebras were only in their new habitat in the mornings then transferred them backstage. I counted about a dozen zebras all together.

Remember the old poacher scene? where the poachers truck comes and speeds away with gun fire? the new zebra habitat sits around that area.

Wardens were there for most of the day to make sure the zebras were adjusting to the new environment. Video below only shows the left side of the zebra area, on the right hand side of the safari vehicle there is a small watering hole.

VIDEO:



Ride the Disney bus lately? You might have seen this new purple sticker:

 Cameras are now on board some of the Disney buses. Not sure if they will be on all of them. One mounted inside facing front, one just above the front door (facing driver), and one on each side of the bus (outside)

<!~~~ Check out other post you might have missed 

Constrction Update Universal Studios / IOA

Gaston's Tavern New Fantasyland Magic Kingdom

Pumpkin Carving

Inside Gaston's Tavern

Gaston's Tavern inside the New Fantasyland is a quick service restaurant which serves roasted pork shanks, cinnamon rolls, LeFou's Brew, chocolate croissants, fruit or vegetable cups and other drinks.

The tavern itself  has 2 small eating areas  (outdoor seating is also available)

Pork Shank, LeFou's brew and cinnamon roll.

All three were good. The pork shank was fall of the bone goodness, seasoned just right. It would be nice to have some type of sauce but, that's just me ($8).   My cinnamon roll was not warm at all and could use more of the gooey stuff ($4). The drink was refreshing, pineapple? apple? frozen drink which can also be purchased in a souvenir mug $10 ($4.50 regular cup)

 A look inside Gaston's Tavern




Other Updates:
 At DHS quick look at the progress being made to the Legends of Captain Jack Sparrow. (Opening Fall)

 Osborne Lights Progress:

 Just missing a few more lights, the hanging angels near the globe and the large tree in the middle of the street. Lights turn on next month

Animal Kingdom animal guide. A small guide, similar to the times guide are available on the map carts in the front of the park. Each section of the park along with each animal that are in that area are labeled on the guide. 

At Magic Kingdom: Magic Carpet closed for a quick refurb. Re-opens next week.

Walls

 When Magic Kingdom's turnstiles malfunction.

 
<!~~~ Check out other post you might have missed
Pumpkin Carving
Legoland Florida turns One
New Fantasyland Dress Rehearsal begins 

@ milkdidmybodygood

Food and Wine Festival 2012 / Other Updates 9.28.12

Now till Nov 12th at Epcot, The 17th Annual Epcot FWF is where you can get a taste from more than 25 international marketplaces. This years 2 new kiosks Terra (located near the front end of World Showcase to the left of the Watermelon patch) And Florida local (sandwiched between American Adventure and Japan)

•  Festival Center is open during park hours. Like last year, Epcot extends its hours on Fri and Sat an extra hour for the event. Illuminations also at 10.

• Culinary seminars are offered throughout the day $11 & $14. One hosted by Driscolls and an HGTV home entertaining seminar was free. Limited seats are available first come first serve.

New this year, inside the Festival Center in the back "The Chocolate Expirience" by Ghiradelli. free samples of Ghiradelli  chocolate caramel squares and see some amazing chocolate art.

Have a Chase credit / debit card? during the festival, visit your very own Chase lounge. Inside you can enjoy drinks, ( soda, tea, coffee ) candy, play on ipads, sit, relax, charge your phone and watch tv. (located in the back of the festival center)

This year the cranberry bog returns with free craisins sample. ( samples are on the small booth adjacent from the bog)

Watermelon patch at the start of World Showcase.

 

Tried 3, this visit. Looking forward to tasting more in the coming weeks.
Chick'n curry and basmati rice with weeds sprinkled on top:

Jerk spiced chicken with Mango chutney:

and Dessert trio:

some event merch located around WorldShowcase or in the Event Center

Night Rangers kicked off this years Eat to the Beat concert.

 

• Other things around Epcot...

Cool Station Wash located just outside Test Track is now running again new paint on the cars.

Work still continues on Testtrack

Haven't been to The Land pavilion in a while...  seem to be less plants in the entrance way. If I remember there are huge trees growing in the center. Now replaced with new smaller plants and small rocks. 

• Over to DHS, where The Legend of Captain jack Sparrow will be....

• Over to the Streets of America where about 40% of the lights are up for the Osborne Christmas lights. The large globe that spins currently sit where the large towering tree usually stand. Canopy lights are going up soon.

Other things around the park.

• Jumping over to Animal Kingdom: New lockers over by the Kali River Rapids ride. Lockers are not free they are $7 or $10 (small ) (large) for 120 mins. They are somewhat similar to the lockers system at Universal & IOA. The lockers are past the Fastpass kiosks for KRR on the left.

• This has to be new.... Never seen it before. They get the crowd and kids dancing. Daily shows are around Discovery Island.

Viva Gaia Street Band

• Finally, the Characters of Flight balloon at DtD West side is back home with a new design. The balloon was taken out in July because of an incident with a similar balloon. It was made by the same company that operates the one at DtD.

From the loading platform, Tink, Aladdin, Jasmine and Buzz Light year can be seen.

 Remember the old balloon?

<!~~~Check out other posts you might have missed

- Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights 22

- Preview Enchanted Tales with Belle  

Instagram: @ milkdidmybodygood