The kids keep coming to WDW's Animal Kingdom

And not just the human ones either! Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom celebrated the birth of a gorilla on February 19, 2010. The western lowland gorilla was born to first-time momma Kashata and daddy Gino, and share the family group with two other females, "Aunties" Benga and Hope.The gender of the baby is still unknown but visitors to Animal Kingdom's Paganini Forest Exploration Trail can get a glimpse of the now month-old baby, though Kashata keeps the wee one close, as you can see from the picture. That's the reason Disney's primate team members haven't been able to determine the baby's gender, but it's actually best that way, since it means Kashata is picking up on motherhood very easily! Gorilla moms can have a hard time with first babies, but that hasn't been the case here. Kashata's maternal instincts seem to have been spot-on from the very first. “Kashata has been a model mother from the moment the baby was born," said Matt Hohne, animal operations director for Disney’s Animal Programs. “She immediately knew how to properly hold the baby and her nursing skills have been exemplary.”

Lowland gorilla mothers hold their babies close for the first few months of life, so it might be a while before the primate team can get a close look at the baby. Plan your visit to Animal Kingdom and check out the gorillas at Paganini. If you get a glimpse of the baby, let us know! We'd love to see your pics too.

Bonsu the Giraffe Highlights Disney's Conservation Efforts

Bonsu the giraffe is a year old this week. As the 11th giraffe ever to be born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the cute “toddler” marks another success in Disney’s animal conversation efforts. Bonsu was the fourth male giraffe to be born at the Animal Kingdom. He weighed in at 155 pounds and was 6 feet tall at birth. 2008, the year he was born, saw the arrival of three other giraffes to the Animal Kingdom family. Bonsu isn’t the only big name in the Animal Kingdom playground.

Back in 2006, Nande and Hasani, two African white rhinos, were born at the Animal Kingdom and sent to Africa to help reestablish the population of African white rhinos. Disney helped raise over $800,000 toward helping the rhinos in Africa. They’ve also had three African elephants born in captivity. All of these cute additions to the family highlight Disney’s efforts to help save animals and the environment.

Animal Kingdom’s 500 acres holds 1,700 animals of 250 different species, 33 of them endangered and threatened. But that’s not the only park in the Disney family taking part in the conservation effort. Epcot is also a big player when it comes to helping save the animals. If you’ve ever been to “The Seas,” Epcot’s ocean-themed area, you will get to see beautiful sea creatures including plenty of sea turtles. Epcot has rescued and nursed 200 sick sea turtles and often takes place in animal rescue efforts after hurricanes that affect the Florida area.

Both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Not only do cast members guide guests around these exhibits, Disney also employs veterinary teams, scientists and animal care teams that help take care of these animals. These teams are also the people you see telling you about the very creatures you’re taking pictures of when you visit Animal Kingdom and Epcot. If it weren’t for this great team, Bonsu, Nande and Hasani wouldn’t be where they are today and there would be plenty more animals still in danger. But thanks to the conservation efforts of the Walt Disney Company, we can worry a little less about baby Bonsu and other members of the animal world.

Walt Disney World Cares and Conserves

Florida is environmentally unique thanks to the beautiful Everglades and our Atlantic and Gulf beaches. But because of our position in the United States, we are also affected by tropical storms and hurricanes that can cause damage to homes, locations and our environment. Back in 2004, Hurricane Charley ripped through Central Florida causing $15 billion dollar’s worth of damage to the state and the Orlando theme parks. The Holiday Inn near Downtown Disney had to close completely and many parks closed for safety purposes. But while residents prepared and parks closed, Disney was lending a helping hand to the local wildlife facilities. Manatees, dolphins and turtles were all evacuated from Mote Marine in Sarasota to the Living Seas at EPCOT and to certain areas of SeaWorld. This move was just one of many Disney takes every year to make sure it participates in saving animals and the environment.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the prime example of Disney’s motivation to save the environment. Not only is Animal Kingdom a theme park, but it also serves as a research and conservation center. The park even has a few breeding programs that have been highly successful in breeding animals that are endangered. This July, Nande, a 10-year-old white rhino that used to live at Animal Kingdom, gave birth to her own little baby rhino in Uganda. Disney has been working closely with Ugandan animal groups to help save the endangered species. Over in Australia, Disney provided emergency funding to wildlife conservation groups struggling to save animals hurt this year in the wildfires in Australia back in March and donated $8,000 in emergency funding to two organizations, the Pan African Sanctuaries Alliance (PASA) and Save the Elephants (STE).

Back on the home front, Disney also does conservation efforts over at EPCOT. Just recently they released “Bock," a manatee Disney rescued back in 2001 as part of a manatee rehabilitation program managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. When Disney rescued Bock, he was only 500 pounds. Now at 8 years old, Bock weighs 1,000 pounds and has been successfully released back into the wild.

There are big and little things the Disney family does to help the environment. From recycling at the parks to bigger conservation efforts like the ones in Africa, Disney lets the world know it cares about the Earth. So make sure you do your part next time you’re at the parks and dispose of your garbage properly. Don’t forget the three R’s too: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

FETCH! Comes to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Fans of the PBS Kids Go! show FETCH! should keep an eye out for a very special episode filmed right here in Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. This educational game show has been a hit with kids and families who love to learn and watch kids compete in a variety of game settings lead by their mascot, Ruff Ruffman.

The animated dog sends the tween contestants off on an unknown mission—the kids don’t know what situation they will get into until they arrive at their destination. Then, with various clues and challenges, the contestants participate in a game to accumulate a series of points. The team with the highest points goes on until a winner is determined at the end of the season. FETCH! teaches leadership and teamwork skills to contestants during their scientific adventures. Considering Animal Kingdom is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (which means they’ve exceeded standards in education, conservation and research) it’s the perfect place for the show, which is partially founded by the National Science Foundation, to film its latest episode.

Two Bostonian tweens got the chance to go behind the scenes of this popular animal park during their mission from Ruff Ruffman. Marco and Shreya were able to participate in a number of special events park guests could only watch from the outside. Along with their parents (to keep watch) and a video crew, Marco and Shreya were able to shadow one of Animal Kingdom’s veterinary teams as they gave a 30-year-old Siamang ape its annual health exam. Over at the Kilimanjaro Safari, a ride that simulates an expedition across Africa in an open truck, the kids were able to feed crocodiles.

Other activities included feeding the tigers at the Maharaja Jungle Trek and trying to figure out which piles of feces belonged to which animals. The scientific show was a hit and a great episode for both FETCH! and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You don’t have to be on a game show to get up close and personal with the animals of this Disney theme park. Check out the Affection Section for a petting zoo all kids can enjoy, or the Conservation Station for an in-depth educational look at certain animal exhibits, interviews with animal handlers and a look at the Animal Kingdom’s conservation efforts. Kids Discovery Clubs also offers activity stations throughout the park where kids can look at dinosaur bones, learn about bugs and become a wildlife detective. Animal lovers will love both FETCH! and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, so keep an eye out for that episode!

Eat Up at Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom first opened its doors in 1998 with the popular “Not a Zoo” slogan. It is one of the most popular Orlando theme parks and a favorite with the Disney crowd. Animal Kingdom is always packed, so make sure to get discount Disney tickets to Animal Kingdom before your visit. The $1 Billion dollar park contains the Animal Kingdom Lodge, an African-style lodge located in the Animal Kingdom area. The Animal Kingdom Lodge sits on Disney’s 33-acre wildlife preserve and is one of 8 Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels. Where else in the United States could you open your windows to see zebras and giraffes walking by?

Walt Disney World is making sure to keep their visitors happy by adding great things to their parks year round. Food is always an important part of a theme park visit, especially in larger parks like Animal Kingdom that require tons of walking. Any chance to take a rest and have a snack is appreciated while on your own animal adventure! The latest culinary addition to the Animal Kingdom family is the Sanaa restaurant. Sanaa, pronounced “sah-NAH”, is named after the Swahili word for “artwork.” This sit-down restaurant features African and Indian foods including Tandoori chicken and lamb Kefta, all creatively presented with an artistic touch. Sanaa sits 150 visitors and is located within the Kidani Village resort, which is part of the Disney Vacation Club Family.

If a restaurant setting doesn’t fit your sense of adventure, Animal Kingdom is also offering Picnic in the Park. This feature, which debuted in April, offers visitors to the part a chance to picnic in 16 spots throughout the park. Picnic lunches can be ordered at the Island Mercantile Store on Discovery Island and picked up at the Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery. Picnic lunches can be ordered for groups of 2-6 people at prices ranging from approximately $20-$60 US dollars. Each lunch brings utensils and condiments. Keeping with the nature-friendly theme of Animal Kingdom and the Walt Disney World Resort, the picnic lunches come in reusable green bags with the “Every Tree Has Character” slogan.

Like in all Orlando theme parks, there are various restaurants and snack shops to fulfill your thirst and hunger at the Animal Kingdom. But Sanaa and Picnic in the Park provide two brand new options that will fit the personalities of any Disney-goer. Bon Appétit!

End the Day with Your Favorite Characters at Animal Kingdom

With so many birds and beasts at Animal Kingdom, from the cotton top tamarins to the Komodo dragons, it can be easy to forgo one little mouse - even though he’s the mouse that started it all - in favor of exciting attractions and rides like Everest. Keeping that in mind, Disney has now created a way for guests to get their dose of character fun right before they leave the park for the day, so they won’t have to miss out on a bit of playtime with their two favorite mice.

“When guests come out of the park, they are absolutely determined to see our characters,” said Chris Ambrose, general manager of entertainment at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. That led Disney to launch Adventurers’ Celebration Gathering, a new interactive experience near Animal Kingdom’s entrance each night during park closing.

The Gathering features Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy wearing their khaki best and sending off guests in a music-filled celebration. Cast members shake their pom poms and urge guests to join in a street-party atmosphere by dancing to the music and forming a conga line, while Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy shake a tail feather atop their safari vehicle.

“We’ve created a way for our guests to experience our characters…and it’s a way for us to have a fun, exciting way to end the day at Animal Kingdom,” Ambrose said.

The Adventurers’ Celebration Gathering happens at park close (which varies from day to day but is usually 6, 7, or 8 pm) and lasts about fifteen minutes.

If you want to leave the park before closing, though, the Adventurers’ Celebration Gathering is only one of several character experiences throughout the day at Animal Kingdom. One of the best times to see all your Disney friends is during Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade, which takes place mid-day and features popular characters paying tribute to their animal friends. This fifteen-minute long procession loops through the various areas of Animal Kingdom and is led by Rafiki of The Lion King, who rides a brightly painted Adventure Rover in front of Minnie, Donald Duck, and Goofy, who each ride in customized Jeeps.

Guests can also generally find Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Timon, and other friends along the Camp Minnie-Mickey Greeting Trails, which has a trail for each Disney character. Character greetings also take place at random spots throughout the park – you never know who you’ll find waiting to meet you at Animal Kingdom!

So next time you visit this fun and wild Disney theme park, make sure you stay late for the best part - a little fun with the Disney characters you grew up with. They’re waiting to party with you now, so check out Walt Disney World tickets on DWTickets.com to hang out with the creatures – of all kinds – at Animal Kingdom.

Meet the Ferocious Yeti on Expedition Everest

You have ignored the museum curator’s warnings and decided to venture on with your expedition to Everest via a railway car – or at least, that’s the back story that Disney has set up while you’re waiting on line for Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom. But as you’ve begun your ascent of the towering Forbidden Mountain, your heart begins to pound as the ride comes to a dead end, then ascends into darkness! Things take a turn for the thrilling as you’re shot through narrow caves only to come face to face with the master of the mountain – the ferocious and mysterious yeti. And suddenly, you don’t quite feel like you’re on a ride anymore as you scream out of genuine excitement.

The pièce de résistance of Animal Kingdom’s Expedition Everest is most certainly the beastly yeti, and this masterpiece of Disney Imagineering is surely one of Walt Disney World’s best products of technology and storytelling yet. And though guests certainly aren’t thinking about what it took to create the yeti when he’s swiping at them on Expedition Everest, it took four years for Disney Imagineers to bring the creature to life.

The process started with a little help from Disney animators, who sketched more than a hundred unique designs of what the Himalayan legend might look like. Meanwhile, Imagineers consulted Dr. Stuart Sumida, professor of biology, for a realistic idea of how the yeti would move and stand. The team of Imagineers also sorted through legendary sources and current descriptions of the yeti from local people in Nepal and the Himalayas. Of the course of several months, a clear concept of the yeti emerged: it would be similar in size to a giant ape from prehistoric times with a skull modified from the Asian langur monkey, facial features and fangs of the golden monkey, and brownish fur and hair.

The next step was actually crafting the yeti, and that began with a rough sculpture molded by principal designer Doug Griffith. He also developed a computer model with engineers and programmers to determine how the yeti would move inside Expedition Everest. Once a final design was decided on, sculptor Scott Goddard worked on a detailed miniature sculpture of the yeti.

After getting the approval of Creative Executives, the miniature yeti was tagged with laser markers and scanned into the computer. From this file, a life-size foam version of the yeti was milled, which was then coated with a sealer to create a mold. Out of that mold, a final fiberglass cast of the creature was created and fitted with joints, pneumatics, and access panels. After days of work, a massive figure surrounding a skeleton of steel was complete and ready for programming and wardrobe.

Before the figure was created, specialists had spent over two years creating more than 100 computer animation tests. They finally got to work with the actual yeti in a full size production facility testing out subtle head turns, arm tilts, and blinking eyes. Once the mechanics were set, the yeti was put through his paces for hours on end. Meanwhile, costume designers worked to carefully craft his coat – a blend of yak, horse hair, and synthetics. Teeth and nails made from acrylic were molded and stained to look aged and yellow, and the yeti was given a nice coat of paint, mud, and even dirt between his toes to make him look authentic.

Though most riding Expedition Everest won’t notice all the detail, the Imagineers’ efforts are clearly worth it with every realistic move the yeti makes. So next time you ride this great attraction, be sure to marvel at the Himalayan legend – when you’re not screaming, that is. Check out Walt Disney World tickets from DWTickets.com to begin your trek to Everest and meet one of Disney’s greatest creations.

Eat in the Wild at Animal Kingdom

Only at Walt Disney World can you get up close and personal with animals like zebras and lions at Animal Kingdom through attractions like the Kilimanjaro Safari and Habitat Habit! and the savannah at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. And soon, through a new dining option offered at the park, guests will have the opportunity to eat among the animals for a wild dining experience with an ambience no other restaurant can provide.

With Picnic in the Park, guests can turn any meal at Animal Kingdom into an adventure – and there’s no planning or sandwich-making required. All guests have to do is pre-order their picnic at a guest relations office or the Tusker House Restaurant in the Harambe Village in the Africa area. Guests can then come back to pick up their picnic at a time of their choosing (so long as it’s no earlier than two hours after the order is placed) at the Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery next to the Tusker House. Once they do, it’s time to chow down as guests can take their picnic to one of 14 designated picnic spots around the park.

Guests can choose from various picnic options, including rotisserie chicken or ham and sandwiches like Turkey Focaccia, Chicken Wrap, Ham Grinder, or Tuna Pita. The feast also comes complete with various side options, like chips, coleslaw, corn, green beans, mac & cheese, orza pasta, and various kinds of potatoes and salad dishes. Rounding off the wild meal are desserts like brownies, cookies, cornbread, crisped rice treats, and fruits.

Each picnic comes in a reusable bag with plates, utensils, and a map marked with the picnic locations, and guests can order their picnics for a minimum of three people and a maximum of six. Picnic orders have to be placed between the hours of the park opening and 1:30 pm; if you’re on a Disney dining plan, a Picnic in the Park can be used as a Quick Service Meal.

Since Animal Kingdom doesn’t have as many eateries as other parks in Walt Disney World, picnicking is a much needed and unique new option, in addition to being affordable – a picnic for three costs between $24.99 and $29.99, and a picnic for six costs between $48.99 and $56.99. And afterwards, guests can digest at a comfortable and fun indoor Animal Kingdom show like It’s Tough to Be a Bug! or Finding Nemo The Musical.

To go on an animal adventure and dine within the exotic environments of Animal Kingdom, check out Walt Disney World tickets today at DWTickets.com. Picnicking in the Park will definitely add a whole new level of fun to your Animal Kingdom visit, not to mention give you an extra burst of energy for seeing and experiencing the park.

Escape to Africa at Disney's Kidani Village

One of the great things about Walt Disney World is the way it can transport you to exotic and international destinations. And soon, guests will be able to experience a whole new world of international fun at Animal Kingdom. Select rooms at Jambo House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge have been converted into vacation villas, and by the end of spring, those villas will make their debut as Kidani Village – a fresh and unique new option for lodging that will make guests feel as though they’ve been whisked away to Africa.

Kidani Village is the first of four new Disney Vacation Club properties opening in 2009, and these villas are sure to stand out with their intricate African-inspired details. Kidani means necklace, and this Animal Kingdom villa-village is appropriately shaped like a piece of native African jewelry with villas forming the beads, garden-like walkways creating the knots in between, and the lobby representing the jewel at its center.

With Disney’s penchant for storytelling, Kidani Village will make guests feel like intrepid 19th century explorers on an African expedition. The Disney Imagineers designed the new Kidani Village to feel at home in its wild savannah surroundings; each villa features a thatched-roof, hewn-timber structure that seems to emerge organically from the land beneath it, and most villas offer sweeping views of the savannah, inhabited by a variety of African animals.

In fact, the Village will offer views of two savannahs – the Sunset Savannah and the new Pember Savannah – with up-close glimpses of exotic creatures. Guests can see them from special viewing areas throughout the resort, but select room balconies will also yield views of zebras, giraffes, elands, impalas, gazelles, wildebeests, storks, flamingos, waterbucks, and much more.

And though the exterior of the villas are authentically wild and African, guests will find no shortage of comfort in the interior with plenty of home-like amenities like a kitchenette/kitchen. Scheduled for opening on May 1, Kidani Village will offer 340 two-bedroom equivalent vacation villas.

Kidani Village is set to open in phases through the spring and fall, but first to open will be a brand new table-service eatery called Sanaa. Perfect for families, Sanaa will serve up savannah views and tasty foods from tandoor ovens, along with slow-cooked African specialties. The Village will also eventually include Samawati Springs, a themed pool area; Uwanja Camp, a themed water-play area; Survival of the Fittest, a fitness center; Johari Treasures, a merchandise shop, and more.

So if you’ve been toying with the idea of an exotic vacation adventure but wasn’t sure where to go, head to Walt Disney World this spring and check out the new Kidani Village. These timeshare villas are definitely a step above and beyond your average hotel room, and they’re more affordable than you think when you consider the savings you’ll get with Walt Disney World tickets from DWTickets.com. And they’re definitely much more affordable than a trip to Africa!

Monkey Business at Disney's Animal Kingdom

If primates are your favorite animals in the whole world, you might have a new reason to visit Walt Disney World this season. Disney’s Animal Kingdom recently welcomed a black and white colobus monkey – the first of its species born at the park – among its animal ranks. This cute little fella was born February 17 after a six-month gestation and can be now seen along the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail with a group of five other colobus monkeys.
Though the weight, size, and gender of the monkey are still unknown, the baby monkey is being well-cared-for by first-time mother Kabibi.

“The baby was born looking healthy and vigorous,” said Rebecca Phillips, a primate manager at Animal Kingdom. “We’re encouraged that the mother and baby seem to be adapting well.”

As we’ve mentioned before, in addition to being a great Orlando theme park, Animal Kingdom is dedicated to animal conservation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The baby colobus monkey’s mother came to Animal Kingdom in 2008 as part of the AZA Species Survival Plan, which manages genetic diversity among species through detailed records of individual animals. Disney’s Animal Kingdom also participates in AZA Species Survival Plans for several other animals, including elephants, cotton-top tamarins, and okapi.

Here are some more fun colobus monkey facts: at birth, the monkeys are covered in white fur that’s gradually replaced with black hair as they grow older. The monkeys are distinguished by their black body and white shoulders, backs, and beards, and they stand 18 to 27 inches tall, weighing between 12 to 32 pounds. Unlike most primates, the colobus monkey doesn’t have thumbs, but they do have long tails that help them navigate the forest quickly. Currently, about 65 colobus monkeys exist in AZA-accredited facilities around the US.

In addition to the colobus monkeys, the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail is also home to a group of Lowland gorillas, whose DNA is 98% identical to that of humans. There’s also a majestic silverback gorilla and his family, in addition to other animals like hippos, okapi, naked mole rats, meerkats, and many species of exotic birds. And if you didn’t get enough primate sightings there, the Habitat Habit! Trail in Rafiki’s Planet Watch area features some of the most endangered primates in the world, the cotton-top tamarins. Native to South America, these small animals are named for their long, flowing white hair.

With so many animal encounters that you’d have to travel the world to experience otherwise, Animal Kingdom is a must-see theme park in Orlando. So go pay a visit to the adorable baby colobus monkey and check out all the wonders of the animal world; no passport is needed, just a Walt Disney World ticket from DWTickets.com.

Disney and Verizon Team Up to Create Cool Cell Phone Park Services

Gone are the days of walking around Walt Disney World with a park map stretched out; gone are the days of anxiously waiting in line to ask a guest services person where the nearest bathroom is. And no more Googling online to find out what the newest attractions or on-goings are at Disney. Instead, guests will soon be able to consult something that’s already attached to their heads or hands for a good portion of the day – their cell phone.

Verizon and Disney have teamed up to make enjoying the parks easier and even more fun. As part of a multi-year deal, the partnership allows guests to access a personal tour guide right in their wireless phone. Beginning early 2009, guests will be able to use Verizon wireless technology to find a wide variety of real-time information about the park. They’ll be able to locate shows, restaurants, and Disney characters anywhere inside the parks; get availability information for attractions; access mobile games; receive messages from characters and more.

Verizon wireless phones will also be integrated into new services and attractions at the park, such as the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an ultra-interactive attraction coming to Epcot in early 2009. In this new attraction based on the Disney animated hit, guests will team up with members of Team Possible to save the world from evil villains and their crazy inventions; using an official Verizon Wireless “Kimmunicator” (provided at kiosks throughout the park), they’ll maneuver through the various World Showcase pavilions, go on unique missions, and save the day. And because of the Disney-Verizon partnership, Verizon users can also expect to enjoy a better, stronger network from within the Walt Disney World theme parks.

“With more than 90 percent of families bringing a mobile phone into our Parks, our objective was to enhance the magical Disney experience through innovative wireless technology. Imagine receiving up to the minute tips on special Park activities with just the touch of a button or receiving a call from Buzz Lightyear welcoming you to the Magic Kingdom,” said Jay Rasulo, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

This latest Disney deal is part of a company initiative to enhance park guest’s experiences using the latest technologies. For example, Disney partnered with Google in June to create a 3-D tour of Walt Disney World resort complete with direct links to Disney’s online travel-planning tours. And last year, Disney launched an all-new interactive cable network, Disney Travel on Demand, in which viewers can press a button on their remote control and receive a phone call from a travel agent.

There’s no doubt that Disney keeps getting better and better, and though guests will have to wait until the New Year to start enjoying fun features on their Verizon phone, there’s no time like the present to book your Disney World Vacation! You can start by getting discount Disney tickets right here at DWTickets.com. Then be sure to pack your Verizon cell phone and get ready for some high-tech fun.

Animal Kingdom Adding New Character Breakfast!

Hello everyone, this is the DW Blog Man hoping everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day Weekend! Orlando is extremely beautiful this time of year, and the weather could not have been any more perfect. The Disney Water Parks : Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon were rockin' and the Magic Kingdom had an amazing fireworks display every night. Now that it's Tuesday and we're starting to get back to reality, I too did some research and wanted to let you in on a little secret. Disney's Animal Kingdom is creating a brand new Character Breakfast buffet inside the theme park and it should be nothing short of spectacular!

Right now there is a place at Animal Kingdom called Tusker House, and it will soon be converted into a buffet style restaurant where a daily Disney Character breakfast will take place in the mornings. If there is one thing Walt Disney World schools the competition in, it is the Character Breakfast Buffets! From omelet stations to Mickey Mouse waffles to fresh fruit, there is no better way to start your day at the theme park than chowing down with your family while Disney characters pose for pictures at your table and sign autographs for the kids. This new restaurant is slated to open in November of 2007, right around Thanksgiving time. Only 4 1/2 months away, there will be a new reason to Start your Day at Disney's Animal Kingdom for a delicious and fun-filled Disney Character Breakfast. Hope everyone had a healthy, happy, and safe Memorial Day, and stay tuned for more news later this week. This is the DW Tickets Blog Man telling you to enjoy the Summer and come down to Orlando for the most magical experience on Earth!

Water Park Fun .... AND MORE !

It looks like Florida's one month season known as "Winter" is wrapping up, and the temperatures are climbing back to the 70's and 80's. Spring Break is around the corner, the skies are blue and sunny, and there is a buzz in the air all over Central Florida! Sweaters and jackets are being swapped for tank tops and board shorts, and the water parks around town are cranking up into high gear.

For the next 6 months, your visit to Walt Disney World cannot just be about theme parks - it's time to take advantage of this beautiful weather and cool off in the H2O. There is nothing that gets me more excited than knowing I have the option to leave my Walt Disney Resort theme park in the afternoon, cruise over to Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, or my hotel pool - and get in the water ! Obviously the hotel pool is a nice place to kick back and relax, but this is Walt Disney World, and I want some action. The Disney Water Park Fun & More ticket is truly a stoke of genius. Water Park Fun & More passes allow me to start my day at any one of my favorite Disney theme parks such as : Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM Studios, or Animal Kingdom.... and then go to Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, DisneyQuest, Pleasure Island (at night) or the Wide World of Sports Complex. I can add more attractions, days, and value to my ticket for just a tiny increase in price. The flexibility makes me feel like I own the place, and I can see pretty much everything I want.
To buy Water Park Fun & More tickets, click here!

Last night, after coming back from dinner at Epcot, I used my Water Park Fun & More ticket to get into Pleasure Island, and the nightclub scene was pretty intense. I felt like I was in South Beach or L.A. and the variety of music inside the clubs was fantastic. I'm going to save some energy though, because next weekend I'll be at Disney's ESPN : The Weekend at MGM Studios, and if you read my last blog -you'll know just how amazing of a time it will be. Until next time, this is the Official DW Tickets Blog man signing off. Have a great weekend!