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“Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” Premiere Day Sees Special Giraffe Delivery

To say we’re excited at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is putting it lightly  – we are over the moon ecstatic about the premiere of “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom”  from National Geographic, streaming today on Disney+. I know you are going to love getting to see the exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at what goes into caring for the 5,000+ animals who call Walt Disney World Resort home.

What better way to celebrate a new show…than with a new addition. 

I’m thrilled to share news that in the wee hours of Tuesday, Sept. 22, a baby female Masai giraffe was born backstage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Weighing in at 156 pounds, she is healthy, actively nursing and was strong and feisty during her neonatal exam. Our girl, yet-to-be-named, is already showing she has a close bond with her mom Mara. The pair will continue to stay backstage until baby meets all her developmental milestones. We expect her to join the herd on the savanna in the coming weeks.

“Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” Premiere Day Sees Special Giraffe Delivery Baby giraffe born at Disney's Animal Kingdom

I’m thrilled to share news that in the wee hours of Tuesday, Sept. 22, a baby female Masai giraffe was born backstage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Weighing in at 156 pounds, she is healthy, actively nursing and was strong and feisty during her neonatal exam. Our girl, yet-to-be-named, is already showing she has a close bond with her mom Mara. The pair will continue to stay backstage until baby meets all her developmental milestones. We expect her to join the herd on the savanna in the coming weeks.

This baby’s spirited personality runs in the family. In Episode 1 of “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” you’ll meet her grandma, Kenya, who bravely participates in a voluntary hoof trimming procedure. And you may recall seeing her mom Mara before. She made headlines in January 2019 when she gave birth to her first calf Jabari on Harambe Wildlife Reserve within the Kilimanjaro Safaris.

This birth marks the second successful pairing of Mara and the calf’s dad George through the Species Survival Plan (SSP), which ensures the responsible breeding of endangered species.

So much to stay tuned for… new episodes of “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” on Disney+ every Friday through mid-November… and more milestone moments with our newest giraffe calf…so follow along here and at @drmarkatdisney on Instagram and @DisneyASE on Facebook.

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, DAK, WDW

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What We’re Talking About: Hong Kong Disneyland, Black Widow, & More

This week, we find out what you need to watch this weekend on Disney+, especially for park fans, see what Gerlyn has to say about the unfortunate news for Hong Kong Disneyland, and what thinks of the news about Black Widow being delayed, once again.

In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors

For more than 60 years, Disney theme parks have held the Four Keys, but soon they will be adding a Fifth Key. Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency have been the guiding principles of guest service and now, they will be adding Inclusion as the Fifth Key.

This is a major blow to Hong Kong Disneyland. According to Bloomberg, the resort lost an option to expand its site after local authorities decided not to renew an agreement to develop a neighboring plot of land. While Disney will still be able to invest in the current property, not having that extra land certainly isn’t a great thing.

Gerelyn shared: Hong Kong Disneyland is not going to be able to renew their land rights to expand. This will restrict their growth but they have committed to expand within the existing park by adding one new attraction almost every year through 2023. This should be interesting to see how they invest their current land.

While I’m trying to avoid most spoilers on this attraction, because someday I’d like to get to Tokyo Disneyland, a video of the new Beauty and the Beast attraction got posted to Twitter and the internet rightfully lost their minds. Um….I don’t know about you, but watching Belle and the Beast waltz is pretty darned amazing.

I am gonna be honest. I miss cruising. And maybe we are one step closer to being able to do so as the Cruise Lines International Association has come up with some mandatory core elements of health protocols that must be implemented and followed. If these things were implemented, would you feel comfortable getting on a cruise ship again yet?

We’ve got this weekend’s activity all planned! I don’t know about you, but I plan on having the new Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom fired up, which is an original National Geographic documentary that is narrated by Josh Gad and as Disney claims, you are welcomed to a place where wonder meets the wild.

Also, if you want to watch a combination of really unique Disney theme park content, here are some fantastic TV theme park specials from the past that are all on YouTube. I don’t know about you, but I’m intrigued. Which are you going to watch first?

The reshuffling of Disney films continues, as a number of films, including Black Widow will be pushed back. Now you won’t be able to see Black Widow until May 2021, a year after it was originally supposed to debut. Take a look at the full slate of what’s moved and what’s staying here.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I certainly wish that Genie would grant me one of these shirts! A t-shirt from 1992 that features the Genie sold for a whopping $6000! (Oh by the way, the individual originally bought the shirt for $500….I should really see what I have in my closets.) Take a look to see what the shirt looks like. (And hey! Maybe you have it in your closet and can make a pretty penny off it!)

Debuting this weekend during the Emmy Awards was the first trailer for WandaVision which will be airing on Disney+ later this year. It certainly looks like it will be interesting. The show stars Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, and it will officially be the first series from Marvel Studios that streams exclusively on Disney+. The series is a blend of classic television and the Marvel Cinematic Universe in which Wanda Maximoff and Vision—two super-powered beings living idealized suburban lives—begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.

Julia let us know her thoughts about the trailer: I’m probably on the planet farthest removed from superhero movies. I don’t think I’ve seen any in. . . . more than 10 years? But I’m so excited for WandaVision because it doesn’t look like a superhero thing where guys with crazy powers save the world. It looks quirky, and I’m all aboard for that!

In Case We Missed It

What did we miss? Attach your ideas to this awesome Pixar Popcorn Popper and send it to blog@touringplans.com with the words “In Case You Missed It” in the subject line.

The post What We’re Talking About: Hong Kong Disneyland, Black Widow, & More appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: In Case You Missed It, What We’re Talking About

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Get Ready to Say Aloha Once Again to Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa

Great news for fans of Aulani! (Of which I count myself!) Guests will once again soon be able to visit Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina on the island of O’ahu in Hawaii beginning on November 1! This is due to Hawaii’s recent announcement of a pre-arrival testing program for those traveling from out-of-state.

The reopening will be a phased reopening and Disney will of course be focusing on the health and safety of their Guests, Cast and community. This gradual, phased reopening considers the guidance of local and national government and health authorities, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the U.S. Travel Association and Disney’s team of health and safety experts.

During the reopening process, Disney will be able to evaluate and adjust along the way, as circumstances and the recommendations of authorities change.

For those looking to travel to this island paradise, you can currently book reservations for 2021. So, get ready to once again say Aloha to this fantastic resort!

The post Get Ready to Say Aloha Once Again to Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Aulani, News, aulani, COVID-19

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Aulani Resort Will Plan to Begin a Phased Reopening on November 1

Over the past several months we have enjoyed sharing some Aulani Resort magic with you at home. We shared peaceful scenes from the resort to help you find your Zen, an inside look at Aulani Resort, Cast Member performances of hula at homeand celebrated national Lū‘au Month. Through it all, we have looked forward to welcoming families back to our vacation paradise when the time was right, and today we’d like to share our plans with you.

Given Hawaii’s recent announcement of a pre-arrival testing program for those traveling from out-of-state, we are working toward a phased reopening of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa beginning on Sunday, November 1. And just like our other Disney destinations that have re-opened, we are using a measured approach that focuses on the health and safety of our guests, cast and community.

Our gradual, phased approach to reopening considers the guidance of local and national government and health authorities, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the U.S. Travel Association and Disney’s team of health and safety experts. This deliberate approach allows us to evaluate and adjust along the way, as circumstances and the recommendations of health authorities evolve.

Because each of us shares a responsibility for the health of our community, we will be making resources available to help make guests aware of our new policies, so they, too, can do their part.

We look forward to helping you make new memories with your family, friends and loved ones at Aulani Resort in the near future. Please continue to visit Aulani.com for updates.

View on the Disney Parks Blog.

The post Aulani Resort Will Plan to Begin a Phased Reopening on November 1 appeared first on Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

From our friends at dpep.disney.com
Filed Under: Aulani, Parks and Experiences, Walt Disney Imagineering

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Disney Parks Other

Aulani Resort Will Plan to Begin a Phased Reopening on November 1

Aloha!

Over the past several months we have enjoyed sharing some Aulani Resort magic with you at home. We shared peaceful scenes from the resort to help you find your Zen, an inside look at Aulani Resort, Cast Member performances of hula at home and celebrated national Lū‘au Month. Through it all, we have looked forward to welcoming families back to our vacation paradise when the time was right, and today we’d like to share our plans with you. 

Given Hawaii’s recent announcement of a pre-arrival testing program for those traveling from out-of-state, we are working toward a phased reopening of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa beginning on Sunday, November 1. And just like our other Disney destinations that have re-opened, we are using a measured approach that focuses on the health and safety of our guests, cast and community. 

Our gradual, phased approach to reopening considers the guidance of local and national government and health authorities, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the U.S. Travel Association and Disney’s team of health and safety experts. This deliberate approach allows us to evaluate and adjust along the way, as circumstances and the recommendations of health authorities evolve. 

Because each of us shares a responsibility for the health of our community, we will be making resources available to help make guests aware of our new policies, so they, too, can do their part. 

We look forward to helping you make new memories with your family, friends and loved ones at Aulani Resort in the near future. Please continue to visit Aulani.com for updates. 

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Aulani, Disney Vacation Club, Hotels & Resorts, Vacation Planning