Learn the Thai Tradition of Palm Leaf Weaving at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
posted on April 12th, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
After working at Walt Disney World Resort for more than a decade, I’m always surprised to find out about unique guest offerings that I never knew existed.
Earlier this week, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that guests can learn the art (and Thai cultural tradition) of palm leaf weaving in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
Here’s a look inside this fun art form, courtesy of our friends at Disney Parks InsidEARS. (Offering is subject to change without notice.)
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Wildlife Wednesdays: Central Florida Kids Connect with Nature During a Special Day Camp at the Walt Disney World Resort
posted on April 11th, 2012 by Allyson Atkins, Curator of Education, Disney's Animals, Science and Environment
Connecting kids with nature for the benefit of kids and the planet — I can’t think of a better topic for my first post on the Disney Parks Blog.
Last month, Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment cast members teamed up with Walt Disney World Community Relations to offer a special spring conservation day camp to 120 Central Florida children.
The first through eighth grade campers got a chance to connect with nature and meet animals from five continents, including those in our own backyard here in North America, during the camp at the Walt Disney World Resort. The children, who were selected from Central Florida neighborhood centers, attended camp during their week-long school vacations.
In addition to activities and adventures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, campers took field trips to The Seas with Nemo & Friends and the Tri-Circle-D Ranch. Highlights included making special treats for some of the animals, including preparing cantaloupe slices, corn on the cob and other special food treats to be hung as enrichment in the bat habitat at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. After making the enrichment, campers headed to the Maharajah Jungle Trek and watched as the fruits and vegetables were hung by an animal keeper. The campers were delighted to watch the bats enjoy the treats — the campers knew exactly which ones they had made!
“With a philanthropic focus on children and conservation, we believe this kind of exposure could spark a life-long passion, or even career aspiration, for conservation,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of community relations for Walt Disney World Resort. “Through this experience, we hope these day campers will feel empowered to become champions for wildlife and nature and affect change to make the world a better place for all of us.”
At the end of the week, we asked the campers what they will do to help wildlife and nature — and their responses were inspiring! They ranged from walking and riding bikes instead of driving, to saving water, energy and other natural resources, to protecting wildlife habitats so animals can not only survive but thrive. By helping these kids develop life-long conservation values through nature exploration and discovery, we hope to stimulate creativity and inspire life-long learning in these kids, as well as create a vision for a future filled with nature.
In the words of Richard Louv, author of “Last Child in the Woods,” “Passion is lifted from the earth itself by the muddy hands of the young, it travels along grass-stained sleeves to the heart. If we are going to save environmentalism and the environment, we must also save an endangered indicator species: the child in nature.”
Take a look at the video and see how much fun connecting with nature can be, muddy hands, grass-stained sleeves and all!
Wildlife Wednesdays: Party for the Planet – Including Chimpanzees – in Celebration of Earth Day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
posted on April 4th, 2012 by Jackie Ogden, Ph.D., Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment, Disney Parks
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is hosting a Party for the Planet in celebration of Earth Day. Guests can find out what they can do to make their backyards wildlife-friendly and discover other ways to conserve wildlife and protect nature, including chimpanzees, in celebration of the release of “Chimpanzee,” Disneynature’s newest True Life Adventure.
Full-park festivities will take place on the first and last days of the celebration, April 13 and 22 (Earth Day). As guests enter the park, they can get the party started at two table displays in the main entrance area: one featuring wildlife-friendly backyard habitats and the other “Chimpanzee.”
Activities in the park include:
- Asia (Maharajah Jungle Trek)—Families can play a supermarket game and learn how their purchases can make a big difference for wildlife and wild places.
- Africa (Pangani Forest Exploration Trail)—Children can observe and identify chimpanzee tracks and clues left behind along trails as they move through the forest.
- Rafiki’s Planet Watch, courtyard—Outside Conservation Station, guests will discover fun ways to spend time in nature with their families and find “Chimpanzee”-related merchandise, as well as face painters and caricature artists.
- Rafiki’s Planet Watch, inside Conservation Station—Families can visit the Chimpanzee Research Station and participate in a variety of activities based on real conservation work. Guests also can talk with cast members who work on conservation projects around the world and learn about the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.
Although the full-park festivities take place April 13 and 22, there will be lots for guests visiting April 13 through April 22 to see and do:
- Outside the theme park’s main entrance, a sand sculpture and display will celebrate the “Chimpanzee’ film.
- Families can visit the Chimpanzee Research Station inside Conservation Station.
- Guests can visit with special artisans in Discovery Island.
Fun Facts:
- Although we don’t have chimpanzees at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we do have many other fascinating primates, including gorillas, siamangs, white-cheeked gibbons, colobus monkeys, cotton-top tamarins and lemurs.
- Disneynature joined forces with the Jane Goodall Institute for a special “See ‘Chimpanzee,’ Save Chimpanzees” program. For every moviegoer who sees “Chimpanzee” during the film’s opening week (April 20-26, 2012), Disneynature will make a donation to the Jane Goodall Institute through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund in order to protect chimpanzees and their habitats.
- Walt Disney was a pioneer in wildlife documentary filmmaking, producing 13 True Life Adventure motion pictures between 1948 and 1960, including “Seal Island” (1948), “Beaver Valley” (1950), “The Living Desert” (1953) and “Jungle Cat” (1958). The films earned eight Academy Awards®.
Upcoming 2012 wildlife conservation events at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (as always, dates subject to change):
- May 12: International Migratory Bird Day
- May 23: World Turtle Day
- June 6: Pollinator Day
- August: Cotton-Top Tamarin Month
- Sept. 5: International Vulture Awareness Day
- Sept. 26: Elephant Awareness Day
- Oct. 31: Bat Day
Yummy New Tastes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on March 29th, 2012 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
While we’ll always have our favorites, oh, how we love delicious new food finds when we wander through Disney Parks. On a recent trek through Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, we were tempted to stop for our usual favorite – the rib and chicken combo at Flame Tree Barbecue, where the ribs are worth getting messy for while sitting at the outdoor picnic tables on a glorious spring day. (And where else can you find a basket of onion rings?)
But food lovers can be a fickle bunch, so we headed for Tamu Tamu, where they’ve replaced the burger with a slow-roasted pulled beef sandwich, spicy beef piled on a warm pita with mint-yogurt cucumber sauce. On the side are housemade potato chips (yes, housemade). You can opt for apple slices, but we just couldn’t.
Some days we prefer to sip our lunch, especially on hot days. We recently discovered three cooling cocktails at the outdoor Dawa Bar in Harambe Village: the Dawa Colada with Bacardi Razz Rum, pina colada mix and raspberry puree; the Harambe Cooler with African rum, Myer’s Original Dark Rum Pangani Punch (We’re not sure what Pangani Punch is, but we like it!); and the African Margarita with Sauza Gold Tequila, Van der Hum Tangerine Liquer, sweet-and-sour mix and lime juice.
Or check out the new Triple Yeti Blast, a frozen, layered margarita with lime, mango and strawberry at the Upcountry kiosk across from Kamal’s in Asia. Order your Triple Yeti Blast and head for the waterfront seating overlooking the Discovery River – an easy way to while away the afternoon.
Do you have any favorite new park dining finds to share?
Kunekune Pigs Ham it Up and an Artful Pig Paints, All at Affection Section at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
posted on March 29th, 2012 by Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor
Some rare pigs made their debut late last year at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. And these are some pretty smart swine.
In a previous post, Disney Parks Blog author Jackie Ogden told us about the arrival of the intelligent (and surprisingly agile) kunekune pigs. The pigs, found in New Zealand but believed to have originated in China, once faced extinction. Thanks to breeding and conservation efforts, they have since come back in a big way.
When I heard about these plump pigs in our park (“kunekune” means “plump” in the Mãori language), I knew I just had to meet them.
The Animal Care cast members at Conservation Station work with the three little pigs regularly on a variety of behaviors. This work helps the pigs stay fit, intellectually stimulated and comfortable around guests. They also help teach park guests about the real dangers of extinction.
“Most people have heard about endangered species in reference to wild animals, but many domestic animals are at risk of extinction as well,” Jackie said. “By showcasing rare domestic breeds, like babydoll sheep, Nigerian dwarf goats and kunekune pigs at Affection Section, we are helping our guests learn more about them and how they can help.”
Join me as I experience some of the great work the Animal Care team does with the kunekune pigs. Also, keep an eye out at the end the video for another rare and intelligent pig, an African Guinea hog named Mindy. She loves to paint.
All of the pigs are quite a hit with guests at Affection Section, so be sure to stop in and say hi next time you’re at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
Vintage Walt Disney World: Students Celebrate the Opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
posted on March 29th, 2012 by Nate Rasmussen, Archivist, Marketing Resource Center
On March 29, 1998, 1,300 performers (high school students) representing more than 15 different countries converged in Central Park to pull off one spectacular stunt to celebrate the upcoming opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
Using “human animation” these performers brought a lion, dinosaur and fire-breathing dragon to life, each spanning approximately half a football field in length at Sheep Meadow inside Central Park. Taking months to choreograph, the stunt aired on “Good Morning America” and the Walt Disney World Easter Parade.
Many props were used to help bring these animals to life including three hundred pom-poms to create the lion’s mane and sixteen spikey flags for the dragon’s back.
And while that lion in Central Park is quite impressive, it doesn’t even hold a candle to the real lion I’ve seen while on my two-week adventure over at Kilimanjaro Safaris.
For more Vintage Walt Disney World posts, see below:
- Vintage Walt Disney World: It’s National Goof-Off Day
- Vintage Walt Disney World: Newsies ‘Carry The Banner’ On Sunset Blvd. at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Vintage Walt Disney World: Disney’s Doug Live! Debuts
Moms Panel Monday: Meet Scott Houston, a Dad Who Loves Learning and Makes Walt Disney World Resort His Classroom
posted on March 26th, 2012 by Laura Spencer, Social Media Manager, Walt Disney World Resort
Spring has sprung here at Walt Disney World Resort! With the 19th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival in full bloom and warm weather all around, it’s the perfect time to take a spring break trip to come and enjoy the sunshine. The flower creations at Epcot literally blow up like a colorful fireworks display of horticulture! For Scott Houston, one of our newest dads on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, spring vacations are an opportunity for learning.
As an assistant principal, former math teacher, and dad to an adorable 3-year-old prince named Evan (who calls Spaceship Earth a geodesic sphere!), Scott knows how important it is to keep kids’ brains engaged even when you’re on vacation. “I want my students and my son to be lifelong learners, always growing and experiencing the world around them in new ways,” Scott says. “I think it’s important for parents and children to know that you can still have fun while you’re learning.”
On a recent trip to Epcot, Scott and his wife Christy took Evan to Innoventions to experience the Storm Struck exhibit for the first time. “After a tornado touched down near our home last year, the storm was all my son could talk about. When we took him to the exhibit, he just lit up with excitement and we realized he wouldn’t have an experience on that scale in a classroom setting.”
For more edutainment, Scott recommends Conservation Station, which is part of Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. He says the hands-on nature of the exhibit allows kids to get close up with unusual animals and teaches them about what it takes to care for the wildlife they see during their visit.
“When I’m helping people plan their vacations, I think it’s important to let them know about the amount of real-life learning that can happen at Disney. While it’s not necessarily math and reading in the traditional sense, the educational value is unmatched; it’s the practical, real-life experiences that will stick with kids.”
Need more of Scott’s ideas for sparking your child’s thirst to learn while on vacation at Disney Parks? Visit DisneyWorldMoms.com.
First Look: Park-Inspired Disney Animal Kingdom Explorers Game
posted on March 26th, 2012 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Have you heard? Disney Animal Kingdom Explorers is coming soon and it’s the first social game inspired by our very own Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Yes, it includes “The Tree of Life,” and during game play, you’ll have a chance to create and nurture your own wildlife nature preserve around it – with exotic animals. A few of the game’s locations will be familiar to Disney Parks Blog readers.
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When it launches on Facebook, players will also be able to search for hidden objects in some spectacular natural settings, from the Rocky Mountains to the Amazon rainforest to the Australian outback. We can’t wait to experience it. Take a first look at the new trailer for Disney Animal Kingdom Explorers and let’s us know what you think.
Wildlife Wednesdays: Real-Life Pumbaas (Baby Warthogs) Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
posted on March 21st, 2012 by Matt Hohne, Animal Operations Director, Disney’s Animal Programs
Last month, we welcomed five baby warthogs, three males and two females, to the Disney’s Animal Kingdom family. A few days ago, Gene Duncan stopped by to take some photos and we couldn’t resist sharing this photo of one piglets with a Pumbaa plush. Toys are among the items provided to the animals for enrichment as part of our commitment to excellence in animal care.
The piglets, which are still backstage, weighed 1 ½ to just over 2 pounds at birth. Adult females weigh 110-165 pounds and adult males are larger, ranging from 130-330 pounds. We expect the piglets to be out on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna with their mom by late April.
With the new additions, we now have four male and three female warthogs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In the wild, warthogs are designated as vulnerable due to habitat destruction and being hunted for meat.
Warthog Fun Facts:
- Although the upper tusks are more impressive, it is the sharper lower tusks that are the warthog’s principal weapons.
- Warts, which are prominent only on males, are skin growths and have no bony support. The warts are located on the side of the head and in front of the eyes. They serve to cushion blows sustained during battles over females.
- Warthogs usually take over the abandoned burrows of other animals instead of making their own dens.
- In the wild, warthogs’ habitat is widespread—they live in all African countries south of the Sahara Desert.
For more on the wildlife at Walt Disney World Resort, take a look at the posts below:
- Wildlife Wednesdays: Okapi Calf Ventures Out on Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna
- Wildlife Wednesdays: How Do You Get a Giraffe Into the Veterinary Hospital at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
- Wildlife Wednesdays: Leap to Help Frogs on Leap Day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Wildlife Wednesdays: Okapi Calf Ventures Out on Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna
posted on March 14th, 2012 by Matt Hohne, Animal Operations Director, Disney’s Animal Programs
Last November, we were proud to announce on Disney Parks Blog the arrival of our female okapi calf, which was born October 1 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Now, the resort’s animal care team reports that the baby has begun venturing out with her mom on the Pembe savanna, which is adjacent to the Kidani Village section of the resort. Gene Duncan captured these photos of the pair roaming the savanna earlier this month. Mom and baby are spending part of the day on the savanna on most days. The team says that the calf is growing like a weed and now weighs 187 pounds!
It’s unusual to see an okapi in a mixed-species savanna habitat, and guests are enjoying this special opportunity to observe, and snap photos of mom, Zoe, and her 5-month-old calf, whom the team named “Makemba” (an African name that means “goddess”). The Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge animal care team and savanna guides are having a great time sharing okapi fun facts with the resort guests: Did you know that the okapi, despite its stripes, is a relative of the giraffe and not the zebra?
