A Day in the Animal Kingdom

A Day in the Animal Kingdom

My wife and I went over to Animal Kingdom Friday since we hadn’t been there in a while. It was another beautiful, sunny, warm and not too hot Florida day. We got there around 9:30 and the crowds at that time were fairly light. However, I must say that as time went on the Animal Kingdom got very crowded.

I’ve always felt that the narrow walkways give the Animal Kingdom a very congested and crowded feel; more so than it actually is. At times it’s difficult to walk in that park without bumping into people. I know that Disney was trying to create a certain feel in the Animal Kingdom that was different from the other parks, however, much wider walkways would be, in my opinion, a great improvement.

Amimal Kingdom Entrance

Just after we passed through the turn styles, and right in front of Guest Services, they have a stand set up with information about the Picnic in the Park program. A Cast Member is there to answer any questions guests may have. If you wanted to purchase a lunch you were directed inside to speak with a Guest Services Cast Member.

Picnic in the Park stand

Picnic in the Park pictures

Our first stop was to get a FastPass for Kilimanjaro Safari. On the way there I did take on picture of the Tree of Life.

Tree of Life

Once we got our FastPasses we headed to Camp Minnie-Mickey to see the Festival of the Lion King. Here are a few pictures of Mickey and the gang that we saw along the way:

Daisy and the boys

Mickey and Goofy fishing

Donald fishing

Pocahontas was there signing autographs.

Pocahontas

The Festival of the Lion King is a real favorite of ours. In case you haven’t seen it, the show is colorful, high energy, and fast paced with very talented performers.

Festival of the Lion King finale

After the Festival of the Lion King we got in line for Finding Nemo – The Musical. This has to be my favorite show of all the Disney shows. The cast is so very talented and the production extremely well done. And I just love Dory!!!

Theater in the Wind -- Finding Nemo - The Musical

From Finding Nemo – The Musical we headed over to Africa to the Kilimanjaro Safari.

The Village Beatniks were playing and really had the crowd going.

Village Beatniks in action

Walking towards Kilimanjaro Safari

Kilimanjaro Safari entrance

I learned something while on the ride, and that was that I don’t take good pictures in a moving vehicle. When I got home I was surprised to see that I had more pictures of the backsides of the animals than I thought possible. Anyway, here are a few that came out fairly good:

View of the savanah

A couple lazy giraffes

Standing giraffes

Elephants

Sleeping lions

Shortly after we decided to call it a day and head home. On the way out I took the following pictures:

DiVine in action

More of DiVine

Beautiful birds

Going up - Expedition Everest

Epedition Everest from a distance

Well, that’s all for now. As my good friend says “see ya real soon”…DizneyMike

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5 Replies to “A Day in the Animal Kingdom”

  1. I hope my 1 year old and 5 year old get the opportunity to obtain an autograph from Pocahontas. They do not have this one. I am so sorry that the Pocahontas show is no longer at Animal Kingdom, but I am glad to see that she is signing autographs. We look forward to visiting Animal Kingdom and seeing Finding Nemo – the Musical for the first time in June, too.

  2. I recently visited the Animal Kingdom for the first time and your pics totally brought back the memories. It was my favorite park of the 4, since I adored all of the animals. Just an amazing site, the whole place. I too had the same problem with the Kilimanjaro safari – a very bumpy ride, but I put my camera on the sports setting to avoid getting blurry pics. You didn’t mention what you thought of Expedition Everest – did you ride it? I was too chicken, but now wish I had gone on it. Thanks for your pics! 🙂

    Jill,

    Glad you liked the pictures! No, I didn’t go on Expedition Everest; like you I’m a chicken. -:) I hope you get to come back and visit soon….Mike

  3. We are two weeks away from our annual trip to Disneyworld (from Mexico City). Looking at your nice pictures made me remember the wonderful things we are about to see again soon. Thank you for sharing !

  4. Mike,

    Did the tumble Monkeys do their routine in the Lion King show? I had heard of one show without the tumble routine and was afraid it was gone.

    Thank you.

    Tricia,

    Yes, the Tumble Monkeys were there and doing their routine. They were as good as ever! So, have no fear, those fun loving, bug eating monkeys haven’t left the show…Mike