Hello, friends, from Disney’s Animal Kingdom! ROAR!
We took some time to make our way around this WILD park to see what’s new since the last time we were here. So here are all the latest updates!
Animal Kingdom Food Updates
Anandapur Ice Cream Truck
We discovered an ice cream hack at Anandapur Ice Cream Truck. One of the things we really wanted when we last tried the Peppermint Soft-Serve Ice Cream there was to swirl it with chocolate. Cast Members can’t swirl it — however, you can ask them for half peppermint and half chocolate in a cup and they’ll layer each flavor. SUCCESS!
The combination of peppermint and chocolate is DELICIOUS. And we paid the same price as we paid for just the peppermint alone, $4.99. Food hacks, for the win!
Here’s our review of the Peppermint Soft-Serve Ice Cream
Joffrey’s
Although there are several Joffrey’s locations throughout the park, the only one at Animal Kingdom with the holiday donuts was the one at the front gate. This includes the HUGE Candy Cane Donut we’ve already tried. It’s a donut with white vanilla icing and crushed bits of candy cane, plus a drizzle of red icing. SO MUCH fun, and YUMMY.
Several other holiday donuts were hanging out in the case with the big ‘ole Candy Cane one, too, including the Mint Chocolate Donut…
And a very festive Holiday Donut!
The donuts are all $4.99 each.
Read our full review of the Candy Cane Donut
Animal Kingdom Merchandise Updates
Discovery Trading Co.
Who doesn’t love a sale? And now that it’s the end of 2020 (YAY!), we discovered a Last Chance Sale on Disney holiday items, but quantities are limited. Select holiday headwear, apparel, tabletop, plush, and toys are 30% off.
That includes the Gingerbread Mickey Baseball Caps and a few Holiday T-Shirts.
We spotted the Mickey and Minnie Disney Parks Food Loungefly Mini Backpack at Discovery Trading Co. We previously saw this one online and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, too!
The aqua bag is covered with a print of Disney Parks foods and snacks, like churros, Mickey pretzels, and Dole Whips. Obviously, WE LOVE IT. You can nab it for $75.
See more photos of the Mickey and Minnie Disney Parks Food Loungefly Mini Backpack
Island Mercantile
Island Mercantile was actually open when the park opened! A Cast Member told us that from Monday through Thursday, the store opens at noon, and Friday through Sunday, if there are enough Cast Members, will open when the park does.
While there are other places to grab merchandise, it’s nice to have several options!
Check out the three NEW Pandora Masks we found at Animal Kingdom
Miscellaneous
It’s been a little chilly recently in Florida, so we noticed that some cold weather merch was being put out around the park to prepare for chilly weather.
These blankets look pretty cozy, don’t they?
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Animal Kingdom Construction Updates
Kali River Rapids
Kali River Rapids will go under refurbishment in January, and we noticed that Disney seems to be getting ready for that. There are already a few spots in the queue that are boarded up.
It’s scheduled to go down on January 3rd and reopen on April 1st.
Read more about the Kali River Rapids refurb
Finding Nemo the Musical
Right now, Finding Nemo the Musical is closed, but we just noticed that the signs there were covered up.
We’ve never noticed this before, but we’ll let you know when there are any updates with the show.
What Do Disney World Entertainment Layoffs Mean for 2021?
Animal Kingdom Miscellaneous Updates
Fossil Fun Games
Fossil Fun Games has some cute new tickets! They have a carnival-like design with dinosaurs (of course) on them!
And yes, we still enjoy playing games here from time to time!
See photos of Fossil Fun Games Reopening
Fossil Fuelers
Speaking of Fossil Fun Games, Fossil Fuelers was open when we went. It’s not always open, but we lucked out!
As you can see, seats are set apart to allow for social distancing, as it’s been since the booth’s reopening.
See photos of Fossil Fueler’s reopening
We enjoyed our time at Animal Kingdom, as we always do, and we’ll be back soon with even more updates. So stay tuned!
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