#Rafiki’s Planet Watch

[meekosthemeparkphotos]

Timon

[elijones94]

🐒 There have been times around Christmas where I shave drawn Rafiki from “The Lion King” holding a long candy cane in the place of his walking stick. A while back when I was doing rough studies of King Louie from Disney’s “The Jungle Book”, I also did a rough sketch of Rafiki. I based this drawing and another one on a drawing by animator James Baxter I saw on Google Images. Baxter said in an interview that he had rough Milt Kahl drawings of King Louie next to his animation desk when animating the character. He also said this, “Anyone who worked on “Lion King” went to “Jungle Book” and went, ‘This is how it ought to be’.”

[dampfloks]

Walt Disney - Animal Kingdom - Wildlife Express Train

Die Bahn (mit der nicht mehr dampfgetriebenen Lokomotive) ist Teil der fiktiven Eastern Star Railway, die von Lusaka nach Nairobi und Kisangani führt. Ein 1.2 Mailen Rundkurs zu Rafiki's Planet Watch und zurück.

The railroad (with the no longer steam-powered locomotive) is part of the fictitious Eastern Star Railway, which runs from Lusaka to Nairobi and Kisangani. A 1.2 mile round trip to Rafiki's Planet Watch and back.

[sabistarphotos]

February 6, 2023

Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World

[knitwit1912]

Team Tadpole: Modern AU Disney World Edition

A friend and I started riffing on what would happen if Team Tadpole went to Disney World.

Halsin 100% has a different ear headband for every day of the trip

Astarion tries to pretend he's too cool for everything, but is in fact loving it and gets a little emotional when they go for lunch at Be Our Guest

Minthara is just wondering how in the hell she was talked into this for the first half of the trip but betrays her growing enthusiasm by screaming gleefully on Tron.

Wyll gets blushy and nervous at all the princess meet-and-greets (Astarion does not let him live this down)

They go to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Lae'zel spends the entire time repeatedly riding Space Mountain because it's the one time it's 100% dark and as intense as Disney gets (she whines about going to Universal where they have "real rollercoasters")

Eating around the world: Gale, Halsin Drinking around the world: Astarion, Shadowheart, Karlach

Halsin laughs at all the dad jokes on the Jungle Cruise, Minthara seethes quietly, Astarion mumbles about whether he'd get banned from the park for jumping overboard

Karlach nearly gets the Mad Tea Party ride shut down for decontamination by spinning her teacup so hard the other occupants nearly lose their lunch

Minsc ties helium balloons to Boo until he floats. Otherwise he's carrying stuffies and huge amounts of food ("Gale, my foodie friend! Cheeseburger spring rolls; we must try these!")

Gale organizes the itinerary around dinner reservations (he's still a little sad everyone was like "HELL NO, GALE" when he floated the idea of doing the $425-per-person Chef's Table dinner at Victoria and Albert's)

"Which one would just run off and start causing chaos?" "Oh, Karlach. 100%. Well-meaning chaos, but chaos nonetheless."

Smuggler's Run positions: Pilot: Lae'zel, Shadowheart, Minthara (fistfight narrowly avoided by Jaheira splitting them into two groups) Gunner: Karlach, Wyll, Astarion Engineer: Gale, Halsin, Minsc

After the first 30 seconds of hearing the song on "Journey into Imagination" Astarion, Minthara and Lae'zel start discussing how they would like to kill Figment and settle on disembowelment (we will not discuss how "It's a Small World" goes)

Astarion and Shadowheart are Big Mad that the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is for children only, because they are pretty pretty princesses. Karlach is sad for the same reason but manages to badger everyone (except Minthara) into getting pixie dusted, meaning they're all finding glitter on their clothing (and elsewhere) for weeks.

Halsin makes everyone take the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch just so he can pet the goats

Crying at "Happily Ever After" fireworks: Astarion, Karlach, Minsc Cuddling their crying partner: Halsin, Wyll, Gale Using the fireworks to ride the rides with no lineup: Lae'zel, Jaheira, Shadowheart, Minthara

Most likely to have watched every All Ears/Mammoth Club/Disney Food Blog guide: Gale, Lae'zel

Mostly likely do have done a reasonable amount of research and preparation: Wyll, Minthara, Jaheira, Shadowheart, Halsin

Least likely to have looked at anything that has the faintest whiff of planning prior to the trip, including the weather forecast: Astarion (therefore also most likely to have to spend $$$ for a spirit jersey because he didn't pack warm enough clothing.)

Most likely to figure out on the first day how to game Genie+ and makes it their life's work to get the most lightning lanes possible and the earliest Guardians of the Galaxy/Tron virtual queue boarding group: Lae'zel and Minthara

Halsin seriously suggests staying on a tent/RV campsite at Fort Wilderness; Astarion votes for concierge-level Grand Floridian

Person who always asks to squeeze in one more ride on Pirates of the Caribbean: Wyll Person who somehow always gets wettest on Pirates of the Caribbean: Gale or Astarion

[wen-kexing-apologist]

Bengiyo's Queer Cinema Syllabus

For those of you who don’t know, I decided to run the gauntlet of @bengiyo’s queer cinema syllabus, which is comprised of 9 units. I have completed four of the units (here is my queer cinema syllabus round up post with all the films I’ve watched and written about so far). It is time for me to make my way through Unit 5- Lesbians, which includes the following films: The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love (1995), Bound (1996), Water Lilies (2007) [Skipping for now until I can get access to it], Saving Face (2004), D.E.B.S. (2004), Set It Off (1996), The Handmaiden (2016), Carol (2015), Imagine Me and You (2005), Two of Us (2019), Rafiki (2018), and The Color Purple (1985).

Today I will be talking about

Saving Face (2004) dir. Alice Wu

[Run Time: 1:31, Language: English and Mandarin]

Summary: A gay Chinese-American and her traditionalist mother are reluctant to go public with secret loves that clash against cultural expectations.

Cast:  -Joan Chen as Hwei-Lan Gao -Michelle Krusiec as Wilhelmina ‘Wil’ Pang -Lynn Chen as Vivian Shing

__

I love when people actually have the opportunity to write and direct stories that absolutely ooze their cultures. I am not Asian, but the family dynamics that exist as a result of this story happening to an Asian family are incredibly legible and makes the film very fun to watch as writer and director Alice Wu completely scrambles the relationships between characters/families.

This was a really smart film to include in this syllabus considering the pathway to the end of the syllabus is leading towards BL shows. Saving Face follows a storyline that feels very similar to a lot of what we will see in BL when it comes to parents and their queer children trying to reach some understanding of each other. It also has some of the visual motifs that are very popular in the BL I have watched like the use of vertical walls to signal a barrier between characters (though obviously this is not unique to BL) and honestly with how many workplace BLs we’ve gotten that have made me less than enthusiastic about the actual power dynamics at play, Saving Face does a really good job showing how power dynamics can manifest in the workplace when you just so happen to be dating your bosses daughter. 

gif by @filmreel

My favorite part of this film honestly is the family relationship, how evident it is that behavior is learned and passed down between generations, like when Hewi-Lan tells Wil she worked nights so Wil could eat preceding Hwei-Lan’s father (Wai Gung) telling Hwei-Lan that he endured hardship so she could have a better life. 

It was really fun to watch how Wil and Hwei-Lan’s relationship shifts, and how they both grow as people, that Hwei-Lan starts the film wanting to give Wil’s neighbor Jay a paper plate when he comes to dinner so she can throw it away afterward and not wanting to eat too much soy sauce so her baby doesn’t “become dark”, to Hewi-Lan thinking that Vivian is racist and being mad about it to Jay and Hewi-Lan hanging out, using face masks, eating, and watching dramas together, irrespective of Wil’s presence. 

Or starting the film with Hwei-Lan strategizing with her friends about potential male suitors for her daughter for the Friday night Planet China dances, to Wil running through her own channels to develop a roster of possible Chinese men to send her mother out on dates with towards the middle of the film when they are still trying to find someone that will marry her in order to prevent further shame or disgrace from befalling their family as a result of Hwei-Lan’s pregnancy. I loved Wil helping her mom get ready for the dates and even though it was parentification, I enjoyed that role reversal of getting to see her mom be hesitant, doubtful, and self-conscious, and if nothing else I loved that moment for how genuine Wil is when she tells her mom she’s beautiful.

Or getting the lines about how everyone in the Chinese community is two degrees of separation from anyone else, and how that one off-handed line truly feels like the biggest non-family explanations for why Wil is so hesitant to be physical intimate or queer in public. As an example, you can tell she’s a little worried that Vivian told her mom that they were dating. And I liked the reveal towards the end that Hwei-Lan has known this whole time that Wil is queer but is willfully ignoring it, and that the set ups she has been trying to do for Wil at the beginning of the film are because Hwei-Lan caught her being queer and not because Hwei-Lan doesn’t know she’s queer. So you get the added layer of hesitancy around Wil’s engagement in her romantic relationship with Vivian, especially because Vivian’s parents are a part of their social circle and that puts Wil at very high risk of her mother finding out. 

gifs by @mrgaretcarter

And she has very good reason to be because Vivian is out to both of her parents and the second that Vivian’s father sees Wil and Viv in a room together he immediately clocks their relationship and exerts his power as Wil’s boss to basically force Wil to break up with Vivian.

I’ll talk about this more in the Favorite Moment portion but I absolutely loved the scene where Hwei-Lan expresses her concerns about her impending motherhood (“I am going to be a terrible mother”) and how it pairs with Hwei-Lan’s response to Wil coming out (“I am not a bad mother. My daughter is not gay.”) How the saving face cycles and Hwei-Lan has been willfully ignoring Wil’s queerness and how Hwei-Lan was going to marry a man she did not love, for the second time to save face for her father, and how it took Wil barging in and essentially giving her permission to be happy to finally abandon that and follow her own heart. 

gif by @lonesomedotmp3

And how in doing so, she is finally able to accept Wil’s sexuality, support her mad dash to the airport to try to save her relationship, comfort her child in heartbreak, and play an active role in getting Wil and Vivian back together. 

Favorite Moment 

My favorite moment is when Hwei-Lan and Wil are talking about Hwei-Lan’s pregnancy and Hwei-Lan actually voices some of her fears about becoming a mother, the first time she’s really talked at length about her pregnancy, and it is doubly important to me because Hwei-Lan is saying all of this to her daughter. Like, just read this part of the script: 

Hwei-Lan: I'm going to be a terrible mother.             Wil: What? Hwei-Lan: I don't even like babies. Stephen's always bringing his kid to the shop. All that drooling. Gross. You were different. You sprung from the womb already grown-up. And I had your father during your early years. He was really patient.                    Wil: You have me.

It is very important to me because the transition in to Hwei-Lan and Wil living together has not been the smoothest, and because Hwei-Lan has been thrown out of her parent’s house by her father because of her pregnancy and so the only person she really does have to rely on in that moment is her daughter. And it is nice to know that despite all of the things they maybe don’t understand or refuse to acknowledge about each other, that at the end of the day they are there to support.

gif by @lonesomedotmp3

We even see it with Wai Gung, who says at the end of the film that when the baby girl is born he will be over at Hwei-Lan’s apartment every day to take care of his grandchild. Sure he covers that with the excuse of not trusting what will happen if her parents are in charge of raising her, but that’s an excuse, you just know that Wai Gung is going to absolutely adore his granddaughter. 

Favorite Quote

“Are you lonely?” // “No, I have you,”

Score

9.5/10

I absolutely adored this film.

[hamilvette]

Now, because I don't want y'all to think I see Magnífico as some kind of awful parent-monster

Reasons I think Magnífico would be thrilled of having a child

I'll try to make this less of a ramble and more organised this time around. So I'll go by stages.

Before the arrival of the child

Pregnancy; if his significant other and himself can have a child this way:

Even if at first he can be joyful of the idea or having an heir if their partner also wants that too, it would probably be such a far away concept, but the moment he sees the bump he'll be amazed.

I can imagine him being with his partner like: wow, you're actually creating something magic can't ever compete with: a life. That's amazing, and your body does it by itself!

And the first time he gets to talk to the bump and the baby responds with movement, Magnífico would be absolutely ecstatic. He wouldn't cease to talk or sing to his partner's belly just to feel or see movement, much to his partner's amusement or tiredness. But he can't help but get a heavy sense of pride in watching their baby react to his voice more than to anyone else's.

He would spend days and nights coming to his partner with suggestions for names until they settle in one they like. I'm thinking he wouldn't want to call a son "Magnífico II" cuz he likes being special, and would want his son to be special too, haha.

If his partner and himself decide to adopt a child:

Magnífico would probably just do it if he feels like it's right. Maybe he gets to know a child that has lost its parents and can't help himself but empathize with them, so he would want to help them to have a better life and decide to take them under his wing and guidance. Depending on their age, the bond would develop either slowly or quickly.

Now, when a baby arrives:

The first time he holds the baby into his arms, he will probably cry. He'll be amazed at how tiny a baby is, and would swear to protect them at all costs 🩵.

He will always be proud of having a baby. Like: this is my child, and everyone must adore him as much as I do, but no one will ever love him as much as I and my partner do. I can picture him holding the baby to introduce them to his kingdom like Rafiki held Simba in the Lion King, LOL.

Magnífico may feel like this is his second chance at having a family like the one he lost, and even if it's not the same, he'd still cherish the opportunity of having a new family.

As much as he and his partner might be stressed about constant crying and both terrified of hurting their baby, they would like whenever the baby cuddles with them, or when the baby gives soft cooes of happiness. Those memories Magnífico will forever cherish.

He would probably try to make a baby mobile for their crib by himself. Not with his bare hands, but with the aid of magic. He'll do something like a modern mobile, but in those years? Absolute magic: maybe a stars and roses themed, or a planet and stars themed, with music and faint lights.

Having a toddler:

Magnífico will absolutely adore seeing a big eyed toddler looking up at him like he's the center of the world. His ego and love will grow so big it might hurt, but he adores talking to an attentive toddler that babbles back in interest of what he's rambling about.

He would feel so good of hearing laughter from his child, so he would be willing to amuse them with magic tricks, feeling prideful like a peacock whenever the child claps at anything they find amusing

Even if he's occupied being king of Rosas, whenever he has time, he'll like to take his child with him and teach him how "important daddy is."

Magnífico would probably read a lot of books to the child. I consider Magnífico to be a bookworm himself, so he would like to teach his kid the same passion for knowledge. Probably would start with fairytales and things to explore and expand the baby's imagination, but then it won't be such a surprise to find him reading out loud books of alchemy, of basic magic or astrology.

Magnífico would find amusing whenever the child is trying to say a complicated word. Like, he knows and can see the baby is trying, but it's just a baby and finds it hilarious to try to replicate a long word only to come up with gibberish.

He would also find it amusing when the child learns to walk. Seeing such a little thing trying to follow his steps as he walks around in his studio will always make him chuckle.

Magnífico loves his child's laughter, and dreads their cries. Whenever he hears them cry, his heart breaks a little and comes in overprotective mode. He would have such a hard time accepting that he can't just protect his child from everything they find scary.

However, I don't think he's good at consolations/reassurance. He would rather distract the attention of the child than just hold them while they cry.

With a child:

Magnífico will like playing around. Like: magic tricks everywhere, playing hide and seek in the gardens. A lot of joyful shrieks and laughter might be heard as Magnífico decides to "terrorise" his child with a wild chase around the castle.

Magnífico will be THRILLED when his child asks him to teach them how to do magic. He wants to have the attention and as well teach his child how to wield magic.

He'll bond a lot with his child by teaching them magic. However, he might be a little impatient if his child doesn't take it seriously. He needs them to understand that magic is both a blessing and a curse, not only to do fairy lights.

His patience might wear too thin in magic related things, but will always try to make amends if he ever crosses a line. Magnífico might not apologise per se cuz he's narcissistic and prideful, but would try to make things right.

He would probably grow fond of pillow fights and tea parties, even if with his partner he tries to act as he's just obliged to comply.

Magnífico doesn't like being questioned, however, understanding that a child doesn't know everything beforehand, he'll do his best to satiate curiosity without ever giving away too many details.

And I'm not going to put how it'll be with a teenager cuz in that stage his relationship with his child would probably become weary.

So that's it. I might come around with some other nonsense, but this is my hot take on Magnífico as a parent.

[johnsdcp2024]

A short day 4 at Animal Kingdom

firstly. I had written an entire post and the app crashed so this won’t be as detailed. I spent the morning at Pandora riding Flight of Passage. The ride stopped after 10 seconds because someone threw up. We had to reboard and start the preahow all over again. Next I headed over to Expedition Everest and it was just a great as I remembered it as a kid. The ride I was most looking forward to riding was Dinosaur which up until now was my favorite ride. I enjoyed it but it felt subdued and almost like it wasn’t working to its full capacity. Definitely not as terrifying as I remember it being. Lastly, I went to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. A new experience for me. Guests board a train and it takes you to a remote location with an informational building and a petting zoo. I was able to attend an animation drawing lesson where I learned how to draw Mickey! That was the highlight of my day. One thing I wasn’t realizing until after this session was how tired I was! 3 days in a row of very early mornings, late nights, and 10 miles of walking and I was about ready to crash. I made a beeline to my car and when I made it home I napped for 4 hours. And that’s it! I have relaxed ever since and about to head to bed. I have my first day of work tomorrow and my Disney Traditions which is a coveted experience as I’m told.

[halloweenism]

what is your favorite disney fact or facts?

hi anon tysm i am going to infodump!!!

sooo disney (in all forms, history, parks, movies etc)

has been my lifelong special interest... like literally no other spinterest has succeded my disney spinterest.

so naturally, i am vv autistic abt it and have many autistic thoughts on it..

below the cut i have listen only a very small fraction of them. enjoy 💖💖 ^._.^

(it deleted so i have to retype everything... :( )

☆ GOATS !!!

i love the disney goats a normal amount!!!

five legged goat 🐐 is vv cute....

look at him i wuv him... he's just a little guy....

he has five legs!!! i do not know why... he is the only goat with 5 legs.. all his siblings have 4...

DYNAGOAT!!!???!!??!?!!!!

LOOK AT HIM HES SO!!!

no, silly billy, don't eat the dynamite

when i went to disneyland last summer and i rode big thunder and i saw him i screamed so loud ( loud indoor voice level, i am vv quiet)

KILIMANJARO SFARI 🐐 <- WOAG IS A TINY GOAT!!

ANYWAY LOOKieeee look at themmm

there are sooo many.... i once counted 20.. they jump around and are sk cute i think they are 7 inches tall v cute u wuv them they make cute noises

i refuse to talk abt rafikis planet watch goat rubbing i dont wike it..

☆ HAUNTED MANSION !!!

out of all things disney, this is probably the thing i have been most autistic about the longest

it was a spinterest all on it's own..

anywya CONSTANCE MOTHERFUCKING HATACHAWAY???

okay i could tqlk abt her alone for hours

constance is what you would call a classic instance of a balck widow bride. she marries rich guys and them kills them after the wedding and inherits all their money. yk with a hatchet.. like in her name. she is vv cool i strive to be like her (<- kidding).

leottaaaa is cool sure i prefer little leota

HURRY BAAACK HURRRRY BAAAACKKK!! BE SURE, TO BRING YOUR.. DEATH! .... CERTIFICATE.... IF YOU DE-CIDE TO JOIN !US! . MAKE !! FINAL !! ARRANGEMENTS NOW ,,, WE'VE BEEN... DYING (GIGGLE) TO HAVE YOU HAHAHAAAAGAAA GIGGLE GIGGLE

I CAN QUOTE ALMOST THE ENTIRE RIDE. ...

THE MUSIC IN THIS RIDE (INSTRUMENETALS) GO HARD

☆ TOWER OF TERROR !!!

I LOVE OT SO MUCH unfortunately you get no facts for this one... they're for me only....

did u know hotels with dark secrets r my favourite trope ever....

☆ MISC !!!

I LOVE VERY MUCH -> NEWSIES, FROZEN BROADWAY, TANGLED THE SERIES DUCKTALES BIG HERO 6 THE SERIES ELENA OF AVALOR MUPPET BABIES DARK!WING! DUCK! ETC ETC

☆ MUPPETVISION-3D !!!

i can also quote the entirety of thjs

STOP THIS FOOLISHNESS AT ONCE!! WELL WHAT KIND OF FOOLISHNESS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE SIR?

WHAT A MOVING MOMENT-- YEAH I WISH THEY'D MOVE IT TO PITTSBURGH

PIGGYS RENDITION OF DREAM A LITTLE DREAM

BEAN BUNNY !!!!

I HATE WALDO!! THOUGH!!! I HATE THAT STUPID THING SO MUCH!!!

AND AT NO POINT WILL WE BE STOOPING TO ANY CHEAP 3D TRICKS! (THEY DO JUST THAT)

ANYWAY!!! THAT IS ALL FOR NOW!!! I HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY GOING CRAZY WITH IT AND I HOPE THIS IS UNDERSTANDABLE

anyeay again tysm for asking!!! have a great week!!!

[parksaversnews]

4 NEW Experiences to Enjoy This Summer at Disney World

Summer is a magical time to visit Walt Disney World Resort, and this year promises to be even more enchanting with the debut of four new experiences that will immerse guests in beloved Disney stories and characters. From dazzling nighttime spectaculars to interactive trails and character encounters, these additions are sure to create lasting memories for visitors of all ages.

Soar into the Night with "Disney Dreams That Soar"

As the sun sets over Disney Springs, the night sky will come alive with a mesmerizing display of light and storytelling. "Disney Dreams That Soar" is a brand-new nighttime drone show that will take guests on a journey through beloved Disney tales, celebrating the joy of flight. Utilizing cutting-edge drone technology, this state-of-the-art experience will feature hundreds of drones choreographed to create stunning three-dimensional animations and effects. The drones will dance across the sky, accompanied by an original musical score and iconic Disney songs, transporting viewers into the worlds of classic films like "Peter Pan" and "Aladdin." The show will pay homage to the magic of flight, from the whimsical adventures of Tinker Bell and her fairy friends to the soaring heroics of Aladdin and Jasmine aboard the iconic magic carpet. Guests can expect to be dazzled by breathtaking visuals and heartwarming storytelling that only Disney can deliver.

Roar into Summer with The Lion King 30th Anniversary Celebration

Disney's Animal Kingdom Park will be the place to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the beloved Disney animated classic, "The Lion King," from June 10 through September 6. This limited-time event promises to immerse guests in the iconic Pride Lands with a variety of special offerings and experiences. To commemorate this milestone, the park will debut a brand-new merchandise collection featuring apparel, accessories, and souvenirs inspired by the film's unforgettable characters and scenes.

Fans can show their pride by sporting stylish "Lion King"-themed attire or adding an adorable Pumbaa popcorn bucket to their collection. Guests can also indulge in special menu items and delectable snacks themed around the movie's beloved characters and settings. Disney has promised to share more details on these mouthwatering treats through the Disney Eats blog, so be sure to stay tuned for updates. One of the highlights of the celebration will be the opportunity to meet and interact with Timon and Rafiki at Rafiki's Planet Watch.

These beloved characters will be available for hugs, photos, and perhaps even some advice on finding the most delicious bugs, embracing the "Hakuna Matata" lifestyle. Additionally, guests can visit the Animation Experience at Rafiki's Planet Watch and learn how to draw their favorite characters from "The Lion King," creating lasting memories and souvenirs from their visit. With these immersive experiences, special merchandise, and themed culinary offerings, Disney's Animal Kingdom Park will transport visitors to the iconic Pride Lands, allowing them to celebrate the enduring legacy of "The Lion King" in truly magical ways.

Celebrating the evolution of EPCOT

While Disney has yet to reveal all the details, there are strong indications that EPCOT will debut an all-new summer festival this year, coinciding with the grand opening of CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza on June 10th. Rumors and speculation suggest that this festival could be a vibrant celebration of summer, encompassing various cultural events and traditions from around the world. With the newly opened CommuniCore Plaza serving as the perfect stage, guests may be treated to a delightful array of live entertainment, music, dance, and culinary offerings that capture the spirit of summer festivities. One potential highlight could be a carnival-inspired celebration, drawing inspiration from the iconic Bogotá Carnival in Colombia. Imagine vibrant street dancing, masquerade parades, and a lively atmosphere that evokes the joy and energy of summer carnivals worldwide. The festival could also incorporate other beloved summer traditions from different countries, such as Bastille Day in France, the Dragon Boat Festival in China, the Summer Solstice in Norway, and Independence Day in America. Each pavilion in World Showcase could showcase its unique summer customs, creating a truly global experience. Of course, no EPCOT festival would be complete without an array of delectable food and beverage offerings. Guests can expect to indulge in a diverse selection of seasonal dishes, refreshing cocktails, and summertime treats that complement the festival's vibrant atmosphere. While Disney has yet to confirm the details, the opening of CommuniCore Hall and Plaza presents the perfect opportunity to unveil a brand-new summer celebration at EPCOT. With the park's ongoing transformation and the desire to create fresh experiences, a summer festival could be the ideal way to commemorate this milestone and keep guests engaged throughout the warmer months. https://youtu.be/gD7x_MZ-okw?si=X8hqhWr7YO8Omr1n

Embark on a Playful Water Trail with Moana

Fans of the beloved Disney animated film "Moana" will have the opportunity to embark on an interactive adventure inspired by the movie's themes of water and exploration. The all-new "Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana" trail will open in EPCOT's World Nature neighborhood, inviting guests to play and interact with water as it travels from the sky to the oceans and back. Along this outdoor trail, visitors will learn about the importance of water and its playful personality, just as Moana did on her heroic voyage. Through interactive exhibits and immersive experiences, guests will gain a deeper appreciation for this precious resource while having fun splashing and exploring. One of the highlights of the trail will be the opportunity to interact with magical living water sculptures that come to life through Disney's innovative technology. These captivating displays will showcase the beauty and power of water in a way that is both educational and entertaining. While not a new experience, we've included it in our list because it's a nice cool down spot during the hot summer months!

Celebrate Encanto with a Sing-Along Spectacular

The vibrant world of "Encanto" will come to life at EPCOT this summer (Jun 10th - Sept 6th) with the debut of an all-new sing-along experience, "¡Celebración Encanto!". Guests will be invited to join the Madrigal family in a lively celebration filled with music, dancing, and unforgettable moments from the Academy Award-winning animated film. Held in the newly opened CommuniCore Plaza stage, this immersive show will transport visitors to the enchanting town of Encanto, where they can sing along to beloved songs like "The Family Madrigal" and "We Don't Talk About Bruno." The theater's state-of-the-art projection technology will create a truly magical atmosphere, with vibrant visuals and special effects that bring the film's colorful characters and settings to life. Throughout the show, guests will have the opportunity to interact with beloved characters like Mirabel, Abuela, and the lovable Madrigal family members. This engaging experience promises to be a delightful celebration of family, community, and the power of music to bring people together.

Create Core Memories with Pixar Pals

Fans of Pixar's beloved films will have the chance to create lasting "core memories" with their favorite characters this summer at Disney's Hollywood Studios' Pixar Plaza. This newly re-imagined area will feature a variety of interactive experiences, character greetings, and themed merchandise and snacks inspired by the iconic Pixar universe. One of the highlights will be a brand-new selfie spot where guests can pose with larger-than-life sculptures of Joy and Sadness from "Inside Out." This whimsical photo opportunity will allow visitors to capture cherished moments with these beloved characters, creating memories that will last a lifetime. In addition to the selfie spot, Pixar Plaza will offer character greetings with beloved Pixar pals like Woody and Buzz Lightyear from "Toy Story," as well as themed snacks and merchandise that celebrate the creativity and imagination of Pixar's iconic films.

Conclusion

With these four new experiences, Walt Disney World Resort is set to deliver an unforgettable summer filled with magic, wonder, and cherished Disney moments. From soaring through the night sky with "Disney Dreams That Soar" to embarking on an interactive water trail inspired by "Moana," guests will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the stories and characters they love. The "Encanto" sing-along spectacular and the re-imagined Pixar Plaza will further enhance the summer experience, offering opportunities for guests to sing, dance, and create lasting memories with their favorite Disney and Pixar characters. Also, don't forget to cool down at H20 Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon! Whether you're a lifelong Disney fan or a first-time visitor, these new additions promise to make your summer at Walt Disney World Resort truly magical. So, pack your bags, gather your loved ones, and get ready to celebrate the joy, imagination, and storytelling that only Disney can deliver. Read the full article

[samsdisneydiary]

Wildlife Express to Conservation Station, Rafiki's Planet Watch at Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom

[meekosthemeparkphotos]

The Animation Experience

[elijones94]

🐒 My recent drawings have consistently been in relation to “The Jungle Book”, “The Lion King”, and “Tarzan”, all animal-based movies from Disney. Interestingly, earlier drafts for “The Lion King” initially envisioned Rafiki as a cheetah instead of a mandrill. Back when the movie was in development, it started off entitled “King of the Jungle”. Months ago, I came across some early concept artwork for “Lion King” online and of course, did some sketches based on the artwork that intrigued me. This drawing is my interpretation of an early version of Rafiki within the leaves and branches of his tree. 🌴🌳🐾

[notheroic]

Day 12 and we rope-dropped Flight of the Passage to start our day at Animal Kingdom followed by an early morning safari. We ventured out to Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Conservation Station where we learned to draw Maleficent and petted some goats and pigs. Watched the new Finding Nemo show which was brilliant and saw lots of characters today! Got lucky as we got off Triceratop Spin just as a rain shower passed and met Chip and Dale in their dino costumes as they crashed Donald’s Dino Bash. Dinoland USA has some highlights after all! Rode some more rides then came back to the hotel a little early to chill and do the washing and packing (😞) before a few more busy days ahead! (at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiysMMpLtOh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[katiechristiansen7916]

Some not-so-hidden Mickeys at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

[magicaltrash]

Older Disney theme park recycling cans used images of Jiminy Cricket as their environmental ambassador. This branding was especially prevalent at Disneyland with heavy use of the Jiminy Cricket Recycling Icon. Over time Disneyland has been phasing out Jimmy in favor of their Environmentality Tree Recycling Icon. On the East Coast, Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom also leveraged Jiminy Cricket in its earlier years, as can be seen with these Conservation Station cans (circa 2006) that sport the Tree of Life in the center of the Recycling icon, while our beloved character can be found in the lower right corder with a "Please Recycle" callout surrounding him (i.e. the "Jiminy Cricket/Tree of Life Recycling Icon"). Across WDW, the recycling icon has shifted from the unfortunate "Butt Bottle" design, to the newer triple-threat "Can/Cup/Bottle Recycling Icon. Needless to say, it's rare to find Jiminy Cricket branding on WDW recycling cans these days. This older Jiminy Cricket/Tree of Life Recycling Icon can be found on a pair of decals that went up for auction with Van Eaton Galleries in May 2021. As they are white in color, you can see a darkened version of their design above for clarity. Per the auction listing:

"(Animal Kingdom, c.1998) A pair of recycling can decals for the Conservation Station area of Disney's Animal Kingdom. This design varies from the version seen throughout much of the park and features the Tree of Life inside a recycling symbol, with a small image of Jiminy Cricket to the right with the message "Please Recycle." Measuring 7.25"x9.25" each on their 9"x13.5" backing sheets, the decals are in very good condition with minimal wear."

Minimum starting bid was $100. // Auction Listing, Walt Disney World, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Rafiki's Planet Watch, Conservation Station, 1998 [Source: Van Eaton Galleries.]