Put the past behind you, put the future on hold and take our mini quiz about what’s going on at Disney’s Animal Kingdom these days. I hadn’t been to this theme park since I waved at the closed Dinosaur attraction, so it was time for a walk.
Please answer as follows if you would like.
1. What are the newest animatronics in the park?
2. What is the hottest new dessert?
3. What is happening behind the walls of Dinoland Construction?
4. What time does this place close?
answer
1. The stocky cheetah character Benjamin Clawhauser is seen in animatronic form in the 3D show Zootopia: Better Zoogather inside the Tree of Life Theater.
I’ve seen this production several times since its premiere in November. This was the first time I sat on Clawhauser’s side of the room, and now I have a better understanding of the figure’s subtle movements, especially as Clawhauser recoils from the walrus drool 4D effect or reacts to other actions on screen. He also spins around on his office chair, which I never noticed before.
Additionally, as Benjamin reads from a teleprompter, the words scroll on the monitor. When he is talking to other characters, the screen is blank. This is a detail that maybe 20 people in a theater can see from the right angle.
“Zootopia 2” replaced the “It’s Tough Being a Bug” show, prompting this comparison. “Zootopia 2,” also released in November, grossed more than $1.8 billion. A Bug’s Life (1998) made $363 million.
2. Internet enthusiasm led me to a new dessert. It’s a cookie dough brownie ice cream sandwich sold at Terra Treats.
You can guess from the title that it’s sweet. Vanilla ice cream is topped on top of the brownie, and sprinkles are added to the batter to make it colorful. It was hard, but I ate it like a sandwich without using any utensils. It’s about as long as a $1 bill, and all of these factors make it a powerful shareable option. It sells for $8.29.
It’s very delicious, as it’s said to be on the internet. It’s not purple walls or Figment popcorn buckets, but there was a line every time I passed by. Terra Treats near the Starbucks store in the park also sells carrot cake sundaes for $8.99.
3. There’s a lot going on in DAK, especially in the former Dinoland region that will someday become Tropical America. Currently, despite benefiting from a viaduct from Discovery Island, pedestrians mainly see cranes and other machinery. A large building can be seen in the back half of the site.
Construction walls attract considerable attention from visitors because they make a large representation of space. The reactions of people passing by slowly were of the opinion that it was “beautiful” and “amazing.” Many seemed to know what was going on, but gave a gold star to the woman who identified Madrigal’s house from the “Encanto” area. One young man mistakenly exclaimed that “Nemo” was going there (forgivable) and that “Emperor’s New Groove” (fantastic) was getting the attraction, but what he was looking at was an “Indiana Jones” temple that would become an overhauled dinosaur.
On the other side of the park, from Harambe Station to Conservation Station, the area is currently hosting Wilderness Explorers activities for kids and character meet-and-greets, and the area is getting a “Bluey” touch when it opens this summer.
4. Closing times vary by day, but Animal Kingdom closes earlier than other Walt Disney World parks at 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, or 8:00 PM. This isn’t a deal breaker, but it may affect your visitor’s start time. Closing at 6pm is a good option if you have dinner plans elsewhere or want to park at Epcot or Magic Kingdom to watch the fireworks. You might think DAK would be open later in the summer, but the hours posted for June so far are only for the first 13 days, all of which close at 6 p.m. Of course, these are subject to change, so it’s worth checking a day in advance.
News, notes and nuggets
• The addition of a “flying” Peter Pan and Wendy atop the float during the Magic Kingdom’s “Disney Starlight” parade was a spectacular sight, eliciting “oohs” and “aahs” from onlookers on land. The character stays in the air for about 15 seconds at a time, makes a short landing, and then starts over. There has clearly been training and rehearsal for these parts, and the performers manage to establish eye contact with the audience below. Downside: You’re even less likely to notice Tinker Bell walking in front of your unit. More information: disneyworld.com
• Universal Orlando has introduced Universal Express Now to its pass lineup. What you need to know: Individual rides may be available during certain time slots based on capacity and wait times. This is on the official app, but can only be activated if the user is in a theme park. For Express, prices vary. More information: universalorlando.com
• Gatorland will once again host Gatorpalooza Weekend on May 30th and 31st. The event will feature artisans, vendors, live music, giveaways, appearances by the Gatorland Vlog team, and the 6th Annual Florida Man Challenge. More information: gatorland.com
• Amazing Animals Wild Nights, an after-hours event at the Kissimmee attraction, will be held Saturday. The $100 admission fee includes food, drinks, live music, animal encounters like sloths and capybaras, and a silent auction. More information: Amazinganimalsinc.org
Best Theme Park Restaurant: 2026 Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards
• Orlando Science Center’s $15 Day is this Sunday. Discounted admission includes all exhibits, including Mission: Astronaut, which is scheduled to leave on May 3rd. More information: OSC.org
• The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Garden is offering half-price admission to people 55 and older on weekdays through May 22. Tickets must be purchased at Sanford Attractions. More information: centralfloridazoo.org
• Fun Spot is selling one-day passes for $39.95 for weekday use to Florida residents. Regular price is $69.95. More information: fun-spot.com
• Legoland Florida is introducing Gold Annual Passes for guests staying at resort hotels in Winter Haven. The Rebel Pass includes Legoland Theme Park and its water park, Peppa Pig Theme Park, and Sea Life Florida Aquarium, which opened last year. More information: Legolandforida.com
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