Image from Disney Parks Blog

Zebras are one of my favorite animals. I just love their stripes. So I was very excited to learn that a zebra has been born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World. If I ever stay at a Delux Resort I would stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. I would love to see wild animals outside my room window. For those who are staying there they can now check out a month old baby zebra grazing with her mom. No two zebras have the same stripe patterns so this lovely girl is one of a kind.

Did you know there are three types of zebra? This baby zebra is a Hartmann zebra. You can tell the difference between a Hartmann zebra and other zebras by their stripes. Hartmann zebra stripes do not go all the way around their bellies. (Look at the picture to see what I mean.) This birth is extra special because Hartmann zebras are vulnerable and there are not many breeding programs for this type of zebra. It is cool that Disney is having success.

If you would like to see more pictures of this cute zebra the Disney Parks Blog has a great post about her. I think I’ll wear stripes today to celebrate. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tips: If you can’t stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge consider eating a meal there. Both Jiko and Boma are fantastic. I love the flavors of Africa that are in every bite.

Three fun things to see under your feet:

In The Oasis. When you first enter the park slow down and look down. There are lots of animal footprints going your way. It shows that you are entering a wild place, a home for animals.

In Africa. Look down at the ground and you’ll see the outline of a building. It shows where the old fort was when Harambe (the village in Africa) was a British colony. I think it is cool that the Imagineers can tell a story without using words.

In Dinoland. If you go play in the Boneyard you’ll find some dinosaur footprints. Don’t just look at them. They make cool noises when you step on them. Grrrr!

One of the things I love most about the Disney parks is the attention to detail. I think the Imagineers spend as much time designing the ground as they do everything else.  Keep your eyes open so you don’t miss a single bit of fun. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: While the main path between the lands is the fastest way to get one area to the next I suggest taking the side paths. It will take you longer to get where you want to go, but you’ll see more animals and less people. You may even find a surprise or two.

But I can see the good in just about anything and I have decided that even though I never plan to visit Avatarland I am glad they are building it. Why? Well, there is the good, the bad (a little) and the Yeti.

The good – They are turning Camp Minnie-Mickey into Avatarland. This was an underused section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The only reason to visit this area was to see the Festival of the Lion King. In order to get to the theatre you had to walk all the way to the far end of the land which was underwhelming. Due to Avatarland coming the Imagineers are building a new theatre in Africa. This is the perfect place for it and the new theatre is designed for this one show so it will be even more amazing.

The bad – Even though I did not like Avatar lots of people did and a lot of them will visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom to play in Pandora. This will bring more people to a park that tends to have low attendance. While that sounds good it will be a big change for those of us who visit the park because it is not crowded. I like not having to look around hundreds of people to see the animals and that might become a thing of the past.

and The Yeti – My favorite attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. I always try to ride it first thing in the morning before the lines get long. When Avatarland opens the lines for Expedition Everest may be shorter for a while. That means I can see the Yeti more often. Awesome.

So bring it on. I have no problem with tall blue people invading Disney’s Animal Kingdom. And who knows, maybe it will be so amazing that I’ll want to visit it, too. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: Do you have a special dinner planned during your trip? If it is an evening reservation plan to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom the same day. The park closes early so you won’t be missing anything in the evening. Also it is not an overly busy park so you won’t be tiring yourself out during your visit.

Image from Disney Parks Blog

Last week I did a post about the first Masai giraffe born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This little fella needed a name so the Disney Parks Blog let its fans vote for one. And the results are in. Okay, so my first choice didn’t win, but that’s okay because my second choice did win. The next time you ride on Kilimanjaro Safaris you can say hello to Mosi, which means first. I guess that is a fitting name.  Welcome to the tower, Mosi! (A tower is a group of giraffes…who knew?!) Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: The next time you ride on Kilimanjaro Safaris you might be wearing a MagicBand and using your smart phone to make your FastPass+ reservation. These are two of the options in MyMagic+.  This new program promises to be awesome and confusing. Touringplans.com completed a test weekend with the MyMagic+ and explained how it works. Even if you don’t read this post now bookmark it so you’ll know about the changes the next time you hit the parks. And knowing is half the battle.

I hope that just because you consider yourself an adult that you still like animals. I think animals are liked by just about everyone. That being said Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a great way to see some animals that you probably don’t see every day, and even better you can see them up close and personal. When you stop and watch many of these animals you will learn things that make them more remarkable than they already are. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is not a large park, nor does it have a ton of rides. This makes it a park that you can relax in. Take time to wander the winding paths without feeling pressured. Surprises are found to those who keep their eyes open.

Many of the attractions are great for adults with only a few exceptions. I explain both below.

5 fun activities that adults can enjoy at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

1) Watch the Festival of the Lion King. Walt Disney World has tons of great shows, but this one might be the best. The singing is amazing, the acrobatics are thrilling, and costumes are stunning. This show is a must-see and a great reason to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It is moving into a new theatre that was designs specifically for this show. I can’t wait to see it again once it has moved.

2) Stay out of Dinoland. I love dinosaurs but I stay out of Dinoland. I know what the idea was behind Dinoland, but it is just a big playground for kids filled with carnival rides and doesn’t have a lot of appeal, even for adults who love dinosaurs. The kids love this area though, and it is a great way for them to blow off steam. However, I recommend that adults stay away.

3) Stroll through The Maharajah Jungle Trek and The Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Taking  a ride on the Kilimanjaro Safaris is fun and you’ll see a lot of animals off in the distance, but if you want to get up close to hippos and tigers and gorillas then you need to walk. These two trails, one in Africa and one in Asia, are the best way to see some remarkable animals. The theming is so good that you’ll think you’ve left Florida and entered a new continent.

4) Enjoy a meal at Tusker House or Yak and Yeti. There are not a lot of grown-up choices for food at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Many of the restaurants are counter service with typical park fare. For a more interesting meal try out the Tusker House in Africa or Yak and Yeti in Asia. There you can get food filled with all the flavors of the land you are visiting.

So, Hakuna Matata! Disney’s Animal Kingdom is sure to delight even the most grown up grown-up. This park was designed to be immersive so keep your eyes open and these lands will enchant you with their story. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: Some of the best restaurants not in the parks, but at the resorts. One way to enjoy an adult experience at the parks is to wander around the resorts and enjoy a fine meal there. I especially like the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The architecture is interesting and there are animals like giraffes roaming around outside. While there enjoy dinner at Jiko – the Cooking Place. You will have a meal that is unforgettable.

Image from Disney Parks Blog

As part of my Safari Stars series I like to update you whenever something important happens to one of the animals found on Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Today I get to talk about giraffes.

Everyone is talking about Prince George, the newest royal baby. I am more excited about a baby born recently at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The first Masai giraffe calf was born at the park and it’s a boy! Disney Parks Blog has a great article about the two types of giraffes at the park and unlike Prince George you can help name this baby giraffe. Click here to see the post and vote for your favorite name. I like two or three of the names so it will be a hard choice for me. They’ll announce the winning name on July 31. He’ll be spending time at Kilimanjaro Safaris soon and I’m sure he’ll be treated like royalty by Guests and Cast Members alike. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: Disney’s Animal Kingdom does more than just raise animals in captivity for Guests to see. Through the The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund endangered animals are reintroduced into the wild and ongoing education programs help promote animal welfare. You can support this important work while you are visiting the park. Simply make a donation of a dollar or more when you make a purchase. Along with the satisfaction of helping the amazing animals that inhabit this world with us you get a cool button. There are several different colors of buttons so you could start a collection by making lots of donations. A royal baby giraffe thanks you.

Image from Disney Parks Blog

Happy Father’s Day to every guy who is important to a child. I found a wonderful example of a good dad on the Disney Parks Blog. It has to do with my favorite primate, the siamang.

You can see siamangs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They live in the enclosure that looks like a ruined tower with lots of ropes just as you enter Asia. I could stand there all day and watch them swing around. They also make an incredibly loud noise that I like to imitate. (Usually people beg me not to.)

Check out this post to learn about Kenny, a male siamang, who cares for his two twin daughters, Violet and Veruca. The picture is very charming. You can also learn some fun facts about siamangs.

So to all the dads out there of any species, I say thanks for all you do for your kids. Happiness squared.

Disney Craft: Do you need a last-minute Father’s Day card? Do not go running out to Hallmark. Instead make one of these awesome cards that are sure to make Dad smile.

Image from Disney Parks Blog

One of my favorite memories from my last trip to Disneyland was meeting Mickey Mouse at his house in Mickey’s Toontown. We had entered the park early and were in Mickey’s Toontown just as the park opened for the general public. Mickey was standing on his porch waving at Guests. There was no line and we got a lot of great pictures. It was a magical way to start the day.

I had not had my picture taken with Mickey Mouse for many years because I didn’t want to stand in line. I mean there are other characters around, right? Well, yes and no. There are other characters who might have a shorter line, but here is only one Mickey Mouse. I look forward to visiting him again.

Mickey and Minnie have a fun new spot to greet Guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. At the Adventurers Outpost you can get your picture with both of them against a postcard backdrop. This sounds like a great memory making opportunity. The line and the meet and greet are all inside so you can be cool while you wait. There are fun items to look at in line, plus there is a Fastpass option if you want to skip the line. And last it sounds like you get to spend time with the famous duo before your picture is taken. That is how great memories are made.

My favorite part of this new meet and greet is that Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a slower park so I won’t mind taking the time to see Mickey and Minnie. I can’t wait to visit and add more great pictures to my scrapbook. Happiness squared.

Goofy Joke:

Q: How did Mickey feel when he first saw Minnie?

A: It was glove at first sight.

The first time I visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom I was not impressed. There was not much to see, the lines were long, and the park seemed rather boring. I have since changed my mind. This is a park that has grown and improved over the last 15 years and now I never miss it.

5 reasons I always visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

1) Expedition Everest. I like roller coasters, but Expedition Everest is something special. Besides the fact that it is a fast thrilling ride it takes you to such heights that you feel like you are climbing Mt. Everest. The theming in the queue helps bring you into the adventure. And this ride goes backwards, which is just another reason that it is always my first stop.

2) Kilimanjaro Safaris. I’ve been on lots of safari rides throughout the United States but this is the only one that tells a story. I like the adventure that the story provides and I also like the effects that have been added to make you feel like you really are on an African safari. But my favorite part is the animals. It seems that every time I go on this ride I see more and more variety. It is an amazing attraction.

3) Festival of the Lion King. Disney creates great shows, but this one is Broadway worthy and I never miss it. The music is powerful, the stunts are thrilling, and I love the fact that the audience is included in the show. Oh, and did I mention the costumes. Incredible! This show is moving to a new location in the park to make room for Pandora (the world of James Cameron’s Avatar) and I am sure it will be more amazing in a new theater designed especially for this show.

4) Asia and Africa. Disney is an expert at theming an area so you feel like you are in a different place and time. The best example of this is Asia and Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. When you enter Asia on your way to Expedition Everest you feel like you have entered another world filled with exotic smells and unusual items.  I always think this is what explorers must encounter as they head out to climb Mt. Everest. It even feels cooler.

Africa may be next door, but you will feel like you have left one continent and landed on another. This land always has a busy feel about it and you can sense the unrest as cultures are changing. It is much warmer and noisier. I like to grab a snack and absorb the energy as I take a break.

5) Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek. It’s fun to see animals from a vehicle, but when you take these two animal walks you get to see the animals up close and learn more about them. I never miss Pangani Forest because I love to see the swimming hippos. And I love getting close to the tigers on the Maharajah Jungle Trek. They live among the ruins of a palace and I always feel like I have entered the Jungle Book. Awesome.

To celebrate 15 years Disney’s Animal Kingdom is having a week long celebration. There will be special ceremonies and parades along with lots of educational booths to explore. A commemorative map will be passed out and special merchandise will be for sale (I really want the safari hat.) For all the details check out touringplans.com. When I was a kid I used to go to Disneyland anniversary events and I really wish I could be at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this week. I look forward to visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the next 15 years. I’m sure it will only get better and better.

Goofy Tip: I always encourage everyone to try every attraction at least once and that includes Expedition Everest. This is an amazing roller coaster but I know a lot of people who close their eyes and wait for it to end. If you do than you’ll miss an amazing sight. As you climb the mountain at the beginning of the ride keep your eyes open. The view from the top is spectacular! You can see much of Walt Disney World and all of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Okay, now close your eyes.

It’s April Fool’s Day! Lot’s of people will be playing practical jokes throughout the day. Since I am usually the foolee, not the fooler, I have made it a tradition to stay home.

Have you ever seen Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame? This animated movie is very different from most Disney kid’s movies. It is dark, moody, and the hero doesn’t get the girl at the end of the film. I saw it in the theater and have not seen it since. I admit that I like happy movies. However, it is a perfect April Fool’s movie. The Feast of Fools is an important part of the story because it gives Quasimodo the idea that even he can be king.  I find it interesting that we still have a day for fools in the 21st Century.

Even though it is not my favorite movie it has one of my favorite soundtracks. The music is uplifting and I love to turn it up and let it soar through the house. I always cry when I hear Bette Middler sing “God Help the Outcasts”. It is a moving soundtrack.

So, whether you are the foolee or the fooler why not take a step back in time and celebrate the Feast of Fools with Quasimodo and his gypsy friends. Whether you watch the movie or listen to the music you won’t be a fool. Happiness squared.

Goofy Joke: (In honor of April Fool’s Day I am going to tell you my favorite joke. It is not a Disney joke, but would work well in DinoLand at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or the Canada Pavilion.)