Take Perfect Pictures On Your Next Disney World Vacation

We have some AMAZING tips on how to take perfect pictures on your next Disney World vacation, or any other vacation. Although we highly recommend a Disney World vacation! LOL!

Best Camera? Your Phone!

Honestly, the best camera you can own now a days is on your phone. Yep, if you have one of the latest and greatest I-Phones or better yet an Android, then you are good to go. Both phones have their advantages when it comes to getting a perfect photo. I personally LOVE the android, but that is just me. You can work with your favorite go to device.

Our phone cameras have lots of cool features that will allow us to set timers, edit photos, retake a photo if needed because we have access to viewing them immediately. If little Billy’s eyes were closed on the first picture you snapped, you will be able to delete it then retake the photo.

If you are not phone savvy or just don’t like to use your phone, you can always bring a digital or disposable camera as well. Most digital cameras give you the ability to view photos just like the phone. Allowing you to retake if needed. If you love the element of surprise and go with a disposal camera, your pictures may or may not be the perfect photo you hoped for. 

Patience

Yes, I know you have places to go, rides to get on, all of the Disney food to eat. But when getting those special once in a life time photos you must have a little bit of patience. If you have a spot you are wanting to take a photo, you may have to wait on other guest to clear out. Maybe the sun is not setting in the right place at the time. This can cause a glare. Since it is Florida, it may even be raining.

You may even have to wait on little Suzy to stop pitching a fit before snapping that picture in front of Cinderella’s Castle. No one wants a red faced puffy eyed photo. It seems silly, but patience will actually help you get a perfect photo. 

Timing

Timing is everything. If you want a perfect picture with little to no other guest in the background it is all about timing. If you want a family picture in front of the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, don’t go straight there as soon as the park opens. Why? Because every one else is going straight there as soon as the park opens which means both a long wait and lots of other people in your photo. 

We have found that mid-day is the best time to get photos in front of the Tree of Life because the crowds are much lower. Every one is out exploring the rest of Animal Kingdom. Which means less of a wait plus you have a better shot at getting just you, your family and the Tree of Life only in the photo.

After the park is closed is another great time to snag those must have photos with little to no one else in them. The Parks close at a specific time and while it is time to start heading out if you hang back just a bit you can snag some really awesome photos.

Group Photos

You may be wondering how you can get everyone in the photo. Well, if you are using your phone you can always set it up on a tripod then set the timer. Using the tips above such as waiting on lower crowd times and along with patience will allow you to take perfect pictures! You can get some pretty awesome group photos in front of the most sought out locations.  

Keep in mind that Disney World does NOT allow selfie sticks. Tripods that can fit inside your backpack that do not extend over 6 feet are OK. Be sure to check out the full list of items allowed and not allowed inside the Disney World theme parks. 

Disney’s Memory Maker

If you do not want to deal with tripods, group pictures or even individual pictures, then Disney’s Memory Maker is the way to go. All of your pictures will be taken by a Disney Photopass Photographer. Disney’s Memory Maker can be added to your Disney World vacation package. The advanced purchase price is $169. If you decide to add on the Memory Maker after you have arrived at the parks, the cost is $199.

A special benefit you will get with the Disney’s Memory Maker that you will not be able to get on your own is photos from the rides. You will get the priceless scared face captured of Dad while riding Tower of Terror after he told everyone he wasn’t afraid. The wide-eyed happy face your kids will have after they score big on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. These special moments can only be captured by Disney’s Memory Maker.

Take Perfect Pictures! 

Whether you choose to take all of your photos on your own using our tips or you use Disney’s Memory Maker, we hope that all of your photos come out perfect. But more importantly, that special life long memories are made on your Disney World vacation.

We would love to hear about any tips you have when taking a perfect photo at Disney World. Come on over to Facebook to talk about it by joining us in Disney Express Lane.

The post 5 Ways To Take Perfect Pictures On Your Next Disney World Vacation appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

5 Things You Didn’t Know You Could do at Animal Kingdom

There is a HUGE misconception when it comes to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park! People tend to think it’s only a “half day” park or “just a zoo”.

There are so many things to see, do and explore at Animal Kingdom – I still haven’t done it all! The trick to this park is that there are so many hidden nooks and crannies that it’s easy to miss them if you’re trying to speed along. Not to mention Animal Kingdom is 3x the size of Magic Kingdom, so you’ve got a lot of ground to cover!

From the Savannah in Africa, to the bioluminescence and fantastic rides of Pandora, the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia, exploring dinosaurs in Dinoland U.S.A., to the Conservation Station and more… there’s so much to do that you will definitely want to take the entire day here.

While a lot of character meetings and the special presentations end early in the evening, the rides are still going and there is some fun live entertainment that only gets started after dark.

1. Drawing lessons straight from Disney animators

In a hidden little area of Animal Kingdom, you’ll find the Conservation Station. It’s easy to miss – or dismiss – this building because it could sound boring to some guests, but there are actually some really fun experiences waiting inside.

One of our favorites is the animation class. Using the animals from Animal Kingdom and from Disney classics as inspiration, you’ll take a lesson from a Disney animator. They’ll show you how to draw your own animated animal character, which makes for a fun free keepsake.

This is an amazing activity if you have a little artist in your family.

2. Wilderness Explorers

If you have kids, this is one activity you don’t want to miss – but, hey, it’s pretty fun for adults, too!

Named for the Wilderness Explorers in the movie UP!, you earn your very own Wilderness Explorer badges by completing a variety of activities throughout the park.

To participate, pick up the map at the bridge by the Oasis and follow the map to find activities to complete. It’s fun, it helps you explore the entire park, and best of all, it’s free!

3. Observe veterinary procedures and operations 

Going back to the Conservation Station, one of the biggest draws is the animal care center. This is where the animals of Animal Kingdom receive veterinary care and check ups. You can view from the windows and may even get to see animal surgeries and procedures. 

Definitely something not to miss if your party is interested in animal care – and it’s a great way to get an even closer look at these magnificent animals.

4. Walk through the Tree of Life

One of my absolute favorite things about Animal Kingdom is the Tree of Life. There are over 300 animals carved within the tree, and I’ve literally spent hours just looking and trying to find them all.

But what you might not know is that there are trails that walk through and around the base of the tree. You can see the tree up close and personal from all angles. Plus, there are tons of hidden animal exhibits within the trails around the tree. Go in the early morning when it’s least crowded, and you’ll have stunning photos all to yourself. And there’s nothing like the early morning sun lighting up the Tree of Life.

5. Soak Your Fellow Guests!

On the bridge over Kali River Rapids, there is a industrial-looking box with two buttons. Pushing the green button will cause the elephant statues to spray water…. And if you wait until a raft is going under the bridge, the elephants will spray water on the raft riders!

It’s a little bit of naughty fun that Disney fully encourages.

One More Bonus Thing You Didn’t Know You Could Do

Did you know that you can walk through the Rainforest Cafe to a “secret entrance” to Animal Kingdom? 

While most people are lining up at the very front, you can walk through Rainforest Cafe and find a much less crowded entrance.

Don’t miss out on all that Animal Kingdom has to offer and plan for an entire day to explore the parks. We believe in this so much, we wrote an entire blog post on why Animal Kingdom is more than a one day park.

There’s so much to do at Animal Kingdom besides just the big name rides like Flights of Passage and Everest. Hopefully this list helps you to think outside the box to find the hidden gems inside the Animal Kingdom! Join our Facebook group over at DISNEY EXPRESS LANE!

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Mistakes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to Avoid

Disney World’s Animal Kingdom is a great place to brush up on looking down and working on your ROAR! You can explore the 8th largest zoo in the country on the same day that you explore Pandora- World of Avatar and ride a banshee!

In today’s blog post you’ll find out how to set yourself apart from other Disney World newbies and you’ll also find out what those of us who have been a considerable amount of times, absolutely love about Disney World’s Animal Kingdom.

Let’s go sightseeing the majestic creatures located within the park and find out what rookie mistakes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to avoid.

7. Thinking It’s a “Half-Day” Park

This is the biggest misconception people have about Animal Kingdom – and I actually fell for this rookie mistake on our first visit years ago.

While it may have less rides and character experiences than the other parks, there is so much to explore that we still haven’t done it all – and we’ve been going to the parks for years!

Also, because of the sheer size of Animal Kingdom (it’s 3x the size of Magic Kingdom), it takes a lot longer to navigate your way between attractions.

6. Ignoring Pandora

It’s so easy to write off the land of Pandora as just a few rides or something that’s only for Avatar fans.

Once you enter this absolute masterwork of imagineering, you’ll understand why so many of us keep going back to Disney World. The second you walk into this foreign land you’re engulfed into a place where you can ride a banshee, or even bring one home with you!

Flight of Passage is like an enhanced version of Soarin’ (my favorite Epcot ride). I also love the Navi River Journey located inside the land of Pandora. It’s a very enthralling dark ride that is just breathtaking.

I recommend going to Pandora as soon as the park opens since Fight of Passage is one of the few rides at Animal Kingdom that has a line that can get out of hand, fairly quickly. However, don’t forget to go back after nightfall to see this land completely transform into a bioluminescent wonderland.

5. Not Planning to Get Wet

While at many of the other parks, you can quickly nip into a store or find shelter during Florida’s sudden downpours, at Animal Kingdom this isn’t as easy to do.

But the rain isn’t all that’s going to get you wet at Animal Kingdom!

If you plan to ride Kali River Rapids, chances are you’re going to get at least a little bit wet – and I’ve seen people emerge from this ride absolutely soaked!

So not only should you bring an umbrella or poncho – you should also wear clothes that dry quickly. That means this is not the park for your favorite wool sweater or jeans. Walking around the parks in wet jeans all day can lead to some serious blisters.

4. Rushing in Between Attractions

Animal Kingdom has so many hidden nooks and crannies that most guests just walk past – there is so much to explore if you take your time. Walk around the base of the Tree of Life, take the boat ride to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, pop into Oasis and don’t ignore all those little detours from the main path.

Not to mention, if you’re rushing you probably will miss one of Animal Kingdom’s “hidden character” – Devine.

3. Thinking Dinosaur is a Kid Ride

If you have a timid child (like mine was), this might not be the best ride for them – even if they love all things dinosaurs.

That said, don’t assume that the adults in your party won’t love this ride! It also features a fun ride photo opportunity.

2. Riding Kilimanjaro Safari at the Wrong Time

Kilimanjaro Safari is a pretty unique experience that brings you up close to real wildlife. You get to see roaming the landscape of the Animal Kingdom.

However, if you go at the wrong time of day, the animals could all be asleep or if it’s a particularly sunny day, they could be hiding within the shade. We made the mistake of riding in the early afternoon once and it was pretty disappointing to not see many of the animals and only get to see others sleeping.

The best times to take your safari is either first thing in the morning or right after sundown, when the animals are usually at their most active. 

Also, plan to sit on the outside of the vehicle if you have little ones. This is both a safety precaution and it’s also the best spot if you want to grab some pictures.

1. Not Having After Plans

You should absolutely stay at Animal Kingdom until nighttime if for nothing else, than to view Pandora at night. It is even better at night than during the day.

That being said, Animal Kingdom closes earlier than the other parks and is the park that gets rented out the most frequently for corporate events. So your day at the park may end at 7pm, or it may end at 5pm.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as I’m usually pretty wiped after a day at this park (again – so much walking) but I always like to make the most of my vacation time so we tend to book a nice sit-down dinner at one of the resorts or Disney Springs to head to after Animal Kingdom. 

(Of course, you can just head back to your resort and enjoy all of its amenities, too!)

BONUS TIPS:

It’s also really important to keep in mind that several Animal Kingdom rides and attractions end hours before the park closes. This is a departure from the other parks where you can enjoy rides or meet characters right up until closing time.

Double check the times for the attractions and experiences you want to prioritize and have a rough itinerary planned. (You can do this using the Genie in your My Disney Experience app or just the notes section in your phone.)

If you’re a thrill-seeker, don’t skip Expedition Everest! It’s one of the most thrilling rides at the parks and it often has a shorter wait-time compared to other coaster rides at the parks.

Avoid these mistakes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

I hope this article helps you in avoiding these rookie mistakes. Click here for more info on Pandora within Animal Kingdom! Also, join our Facebook group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, here!

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Weekly Roundup: Flower and Garden, Blizzard Beach and the Polynesian Resort

Here’s what you can expect in this Newsletter:

• Celebrating the Release of ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’
• Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival at Disney World
• Blizzard Beach at Disney World is Open
• Polynesian Village Resort, Part of the Disney Resorts Collection
• Disneyland News 

Celebrating the Release of ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’

To celebrate the release of ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’, Disney World will have several fun things for you to enjoy and to introduce you to these great characters. At Animal Kingdom guests can take a photo with a 40-ton sand sculpture at Discovery Island Stage, learn to draw new characters at The Animation Experience at Conservation Station or enjoy several new tasty treats, all inspired by the film. Go check out the making of the sand sculpture that took two artisans three days to carve. Pretty cool, huh? 

Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival at Disney World

Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival at Disney World is back and here until July 5, 2021! After missing this festival in 2020, we are SO excited about its return! We cannot decide what excites us more…. the flowers, the topiaries, the food, the live music, who knows, but whatever it is…. we are here for it! What are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments.

When you go, you may notice a new look for the main entrance, where six flags of the original Epcot icons were raised for the first time, with new lighting and music. Read more about the Flower and Garden Festival, RIGHT HERE. 

Blizzard Beach at Disney World is Open

Yesterday was the big opening of Blizzard Beach! For all of you waterpark and Blizzard Beach fans, get excited! You can make reservations NOW. So who is ready to go and have some water fun with the family? Read more about why you should be excited about Blizzard Beach’s reopening, cause, I mean you should be! 

Polynesian Village Resort, Part of the Disney Resorts Collection

Not a lot of news here, but was definitely notable. As you know, the Poly is undergoing some major construction, but come October 1, 2021 you will see some new accommodations and changes just in time for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration”, in honor of its 50th anniversary. For all of you Poly fans, I know this is what you have been waiting for. 

Disneyland News

Okay, so around here at Walt Express Blog, we do not get wrapped up in rumors…. BUT since everyone has been anticipating the opening of Walt’s first park, I wanted to add. The rumor is simple and IS NOT definite, so do not take it to heart. There is a rumor floating around that Disneyland may open April 1. AGAIN, this is not definite, but for sure worth noting. We are so ready for Disneyland to open, safely of course. How bout you? Tell us below! 

So there ya have it! Things are happening quickly as events and such start opening back up and the world gets back to “normal”. I laugh every time I say or type the word NORMAL, because seriously…. what is normal? See ya right here next week for another weekly roundup! 

A version of this first appeared in our weekly newsletter. You can subscribe to receive it in your inbox here. 

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Weekly Roundup: Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom News

Here’s what you can expect in this post:

• Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
• Festival of the Lion King
• Become a Disney Travel Planner

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

You may already know, but Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom came to a close yesterday, Sunday, January 24, 2020. Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom was an interactive game attraction for the Magic Kingdom that debuted on February 22, 2012 that kids of all ages enjoyed. I know my kids have been enjoying it all eight years. An eight year run is not too bad, so I guess it was time. As we say about anything to do with Disney, we are sad to see it go, but excited for what is to come. I am sure, knowing Disney, they have something fun up their sleeve…. maybe. 😉 What would you like to see in its place? 

Festival of the Lion King

Secondly, Disney World announced last week that more entertainment will be coming back to the Animal Kingdom this summer! The Festival of the Lion King is one of our all time faves, so we are so excited to see it come back to one of our fave parks, Animal Kingdom! Of course, there will be modifications made in order to maintain social distancing for both guests and entertainment to insure everyone stays safe. Safety first, always is the Disney way.

We can’t wait to see what other entertainment and attractions will be coming back next. Disney World is slowly, very slowly, getting back to normal….. whatever normal is. Let me know if you find out what normal is. I need to know! What would you like to see come back next? I think I would really love to see Finding Nemo come back to Animal Kingdom next. It is such a colorful and beautiful show, I would not mind seeing it come back at all.

Become a Disney Travel Planner

Lastly, as we mentioned last week, if you or anyone you know would like to become a Disney Travel Planner, our sister travel agency, Walt Express Travel, is hiring until January 31, 2021. Want to know more about becoming a travel planner? Go HERE for details and HERE to apply. It is that easy! 

Thank you for making us apart of your Disney adventures! 2021 is going to be a great year for Disney adventures. It has not started out too bad so far. We are ready to see what else 2021 has in store, since it is shaping up pretty nicely so far. It is beginning to look like an exciting year at the mouse’s house. ????

A version of this first appeared in our weekly newsletter. You can subscribe to receive it in your inbox here. 

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Copycat Recipes: Butter Chicken

In one of my previous blogs I told you all about one of the restaurants at Disney World that I consider a Hidden Gem: Sanaa! In the blog I told you all about the ambiance, as well as the food. Sanaa is a table-service restaurant located at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in the Kidani Village. The cuisine there is an African/Indian inspired, and it is sooo tasty! I also talked about how this restaurant is sitting on the Sunset Savanna, so that you can enjoy the amazing views while you dine. One of the tips I shared was to consider a lunch or an earlier dinner reservation so that you’ll have enough light to be able to see some of the animals while you eat! Oh, and you’ll want to request a Savanna view when you check in. But enough about that. Here’s the real reason of this blog. I enjoyed my meal so much that I came home and found a recipe to recreate their famous Butter Chicken.

Butter Chicken from Animal Kingdom’s Sanaa

This Butter Chicken recipe has become one of my favorites to make at home! It’s very simple and easy to follow. I would say the most difficult aspect would be buying all of the ingredients, but once that’s done it’s a piece of cake! In my opinion, if you don’t have a lot of experience with African inspired food then this is a good recipe to start with. It’s a great introduction to the African/Indian spices. And like I mentioned earlier, it’s very simple to prepare and cook.

Ingredients

• Chicken (boneless cut into cubes) – 2 pounds

• Butter – 2 tbsp

• Medium sized onion – thinly sliced

• Fresh Breakfast Cream

• Boiling Water – 1 cup

• Chili – 2, split lengthwise

• Marinade Peppercorn – 1 tsp

• Black Cumin – 1 tsp

• Yogurt – 1/4 cup

• Chili Powder – 1 tsp

• Coriander Powder – 1 tsp

• Garam Masala – 1 tsp

• Clove – 3 whole

• Tomato Paste – 2 tbsp

• Salt – to taste

Instructions

1. Grind peppercorn and black cumin till powder.

2. Add remaining dry ingredients of the marinade, including cloves, and grind again.

3. In a bowl, add the yogurt,tomato paste and ground powders and mix well.

4. Add boneless chicken and salt, making sure the marinade coats the chicken completely. Keep in the refrigerator overnight.

5. An hour before making the curry base, take the bowl outside from the refrigerator to bring to room temperature.

6. Heat a saucepan and add butter when it is hot.

7. Once the butter melts completely, add the sliced onions.

8. Ensure the flame is not too high which would then burn the onions.

9. Fry the onions till they are reduced to a dark brown color.

10. Add the chicken and the remaining marination sauce.

11. Cook the chicken till the sauce reduces and the oil clears (5-10 minutes).

12. Add boiling water, stirring it well.

13. Cover the saucepan and allow the chicken to cook completely until it is tender (15-20 minutes).

14. When chicken is cooked through, stir in the fresh cream and stir gently till it dissolves.

15. Add slit chili or extra cream on top to garnish.

Once you complete these steps and finish your dish, you can serve it over basmati rice, and sometimes I serve it over white sticky rice. I also serve a small side salad with mine to incorporate some greens into the meal. If you’re not at Disney World enjoying one of your favorite meals, then do the next best thing and recreate the dish at home!

We would love to see your finished dish! Join our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, and let us know how it turned out!

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Have you visited a Disney Destination and been asked to donate to the Disney Conservation Fund? Did you know what it was? I am going to explain what the Disney Conservation Fund is and how you can HELP!

Disney Conservation Fund

On our last visit to Walt Disney World we visited Animal Kingdom. We made some souvenir purchases and at this time we were asked if we wanted to donate to the Disney Conservation Fund. My husband said sure and made a donation. We received a pin that said Disney Conservation Fund HERO on it. It is super cute! We donated twice at different locations so we could get a second pin for our other child. It had me wondering what the fund was for, so I decided to look into it.

Support Wildlife

The fund was established in 1995 and it’s goal is to help the environment by reducing waste, water conservation and supporting wildlife. In October of 2019, this Fund awarded six million dollars in grants to support the wildlife and environment. Disney has been working to reduce emissions, waste and water consumption by up to 60% by the year 2020. The Disney Conservation Fund also supports over two thousand conservation projects. 

The Conservation Fund also works with non-profit agencies to protect and help different species and their habitats, including animals at-risk such as apes, butterflies and even tigers. The Conservation Fund is geared towards protecting our planet for us now and also for our future.

This fund prides itself in not only donating grants towards groups who are working to protect our environment and wildlife but they also pride themselves in inspiring people and families to take the time to care for our planet and wildlife.

Disney World’s Animal Kingdom

Taking a trip to Disney World can be a great way to learn about many of the animals that are being cared for in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and a great way to start a discussion with your family on how important it is to care for animals that are endangered, or at-risk. Donating to the Conservation Fund is a wonderful way to do your part while on vacation!

How You Can Help The Disney Conservation Fund

Your donation is 100% matched by the Walt Disney Company! Now as for donating while visiting Disney World parks, you can donate at these merchant locations:

• Animal Kingdom: various merchant locations
• Epcot: Nemo and Friends and The Land Pavilion

Disney Resorts that accept donations are:

• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Old Key West Resort
• Wilderness Lodge

Are looking to donate and you aren’t currently visiting Disney World? I have some good news for you! There are several ways you can donate.

Other Disney Destinations accepting donations:

• Aulani Resort and Spa in Hawa’ii
• Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort
• Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
• You can donate at the merchant locations and guest services on Disney Cruise Lines.

Donations via check can also be mailed to: “The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund” and mailed to:  DWCF, c/o Disney Corporate Citizenship, Conservation Programs PO Box 10000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

If you are looking for more information on how to help, just click the link.

Have you donated to the Disney Conservation Fund? Did you receive a pin when you donated? We would love to see it! Head on over to our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE!

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Your Animal Kingdom Questions

Magic Kingdom usually gets all the glory of being the must-do park for families, but I think Animal Kingdom comes in a very close second! While Animal Kingdom has so much to offer people of all ages, it does an especially incredible job of catering to those with little ones. It is no longer considered a half-day park with the additions of new lands and night time entertainment. The following are the questions I get often concerning if Animal Kingdom is worth investing a great deal of time and why you need to make sure Animal Kingdom is at the top of your list for your next vacation.

Isn’t Animal Kingdom just a zoo?

I get this question a lot. The only semblance to any zoos I have been to is that there are animals. Apart from that Animal Kingdom is SO MUCH MORE. Disney imagineering really put a great deal of thought into making the guest experience completely immersive while simultaneously making sure they keep the best interest of the animals in mind. There are some stand alone animal exhibits but they try lead guests organically from one experience to another.

• Kilimanjaro Safari is the premiere attraction for viewing animals in as natural a habitat as possible. Guests ride in open air trucks with a driver and guide. Overhead you can see pictorials of all the animals you may see on the journey. As you go through the safari you will see everything from flamingos to elephants to rhinos and lions. Giraffes may graze your vehicle as you drive through the Savannah and the best part is, no matter how many times you ride it, every experience will be different.
• Maharajah Jungle Trek is self-guided trail where you can see Asian Tigers, Komodo Dragons, Water buffalo, Gibbon primates and more. You can go at your own speed and really dive deep into different animal species of Asia.
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch recently reopened and is an excellent way to get up close to see how the animals are cared for by Disney’s experts. Board the Wildlife Express Train in Africa and then you can see the animals receiving veterinary care and having their food prepared at Conservation Station. The Affection Section allows guests to brush, pet and feed goats, sheep, cows, pigs and donkeys in a giant enclosure! They recently added an animation class where guests can learn how to draw their favorite Lion King characters just like the pros!

In addition to these there are stand alone exhibits spread throughout the park with highly knowledgeable cast members scattered amongst them to give more information!

I heard Animal Kingdom is a half-day park.

Time allowing, I think Animal Kingdom warrants a full day or a couple half-days to really take it all in. They have some of the best thrill attractions on property with Expedition Everest and Flight of Passage. Add in the shows, safari, dining and other animal experiences and you will not be able to fit it all in. I think the animals are more lively in the morning so I like to go early but I also think a late afternoon/evening visit should be in the plan as well to see how the park comes alive at night, especially with Pandora and Rivers of Light, their night time show on the water.

There is not a lot for little kids to do.

Animal Kingdom, I think, is a very close second to Magic Kingdom in being the best park for toting around little humans. Apart from all the animals they can see and learn about there are so many opportunities that they will truly enjoy. They have excellent character meet and greets and fantastic live shows like Festival of the Lion King and Nemo The Musical. There are rides and attractions for the entire family like Na’vi River Journey in Pandora, and It’s Tough To Be a Bug! Rafiki’s Planet Watch as mentioned earlier, caters to little ones having a hands on experience where they can really engage with the animals and The Boneyard play area is the perfect place for dinosaur loving kiddos to harness their paleontology skills and let out some energy!

We love Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom has so much to see and do and really needs to be at the top (if not, make it close!) of your to-do list for your next trip to Disney World. Your Disney travel planner can help you plan the perfect day at Animal Kingdom and incorporate some of these experiences! Animal Kingdom is not just a half day park anymore!

Did you know we have a Facebook Group dedicated to all things Disney? We sure do and would love to have you join us! DISNEY EXPRESS LANE.

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Satu’li Canteen Dining Review

In Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Satu’li Canteen offers some of the most unique offerings of any restaurant in the Disney World Parks. From Cheeseburger Pods to the customizable bowls to the unique and beautiful desserts, Satu’li is a feast for the senses and not just your tastebuds! Satu’li Canteen is one quick service credit on the Disney Dining Plans!

Satu’li Canteen is themed to match Pandora and really is beautiful. It reflects Na’vi culture with a little bit of human contrast thrown in. When you go in, you will either be given a menu or can grab one to take a look at while you wait. There is also a large menu board in the ordering area that lists all of the choices for meals.

Picky Eaters And Satu’li Canteen

My kids like to eat, but they are sometimes a little bit picky. When at Disney World we tend to stick to things like chicken strips, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs. So I was a little bit nervous about taking them to Satu’li Canteen. However, we discovered that there was something that each of them loved and I would be ready to take them again in a heartbeat.

Satu’li Canteen Offerings

At the Canteen, our favorite offering was the “Create Your Own Bowl.” These bowls offer you a choice of a base, a protein, and a sauce of your choice. When ordering we always like to ask Cast Members for recommendations because I am such a wimp and don’t like spicy food. (Don’t be afraid to ask Cast Members for advice when ordering!) The bowls also come in Kid sizes and are still customizable.

We decided to try a little bit of everything, so we ended up getting a Chili-Garlic Shrimp bowl, a Combination Beef & Wood Grilled Chicken bowl, a Beef only bowl, a chicken only bowl, and a Chili-Spiced Crispy Fried Tofu Bowl. We chose a variety of bases including noodles, rice and black beams, red and sweet potato hash, and hearty salad. The sauce choices included cream herb, charred green onion vinaigrette, and black bean vinaigrette (just a heads up…this one was a little bit spicy but very tasty).

We shared between ourselves and the portion sizes were very generous! The kids size really was a decent sized meal that I could have eaten and been very happy with.

Kids Menu

There are some cool kids menu options too. The cheeseburger stuffed pod was interesting and actually incorporated cheeseburger flavors including cheese and pickles. The “Teylu” hotdog was also pretty tasty and was basically a regular hot dog wrapped in bread dough. There is also a quesadilla option, but we didn’t get to sample it this trip. All of the kids meals are served with vegetable chips which I personally really loved!

Satu’li Canteen Desserts

After our meal, we decided to order both of the featured desserts – or Ber’ri in the Na’vi language: the blueberry cream cheese mousse and the chocolate cake. While the chocolate cake incorporated some neat dessert techniques and had a good flavor, the runaway favorite was the blueberry cream cheese mousse was definitely the winner. We actually went back and got another to share so that we could have some more!

Mobile Order

One of the best parts about Satu’li Canteen is the ability to Mobile Order in the park! We didn’t Mobile Order on our first trip through since we wanted to sample a little bit of everything and get Cast Member recommendations. when we wanted more dessert I used the Mobile Order so I could skip the line! Never miss an opportunity to Mobile Order when you can; it’s such a life-saver!

A Must Do For Our Family

Overall, Satu’li Canteen is a must-do for us on future Animal Kingdom visits. We were all super satisfied with our meals and agreed that we probably should have gone back again before the end of our last Disney World visit. From our family to yours: make sure and make time for Satu’li Canteen!

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The post Pandora’s Satu’li Canteen: A Disney World Quick Service Dining Review appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

Disney After Hours Events may be my new favorite offering at Disney World. I recently had the opportunity to attend two Disney After Hours Events at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. I know what everyone really wants to know: is it worth it? Keep reading Disney After Hours Events to see if it will be worth it to your family!

Disney After Hours Events

Disney After Hours is a special, ticketed event offers you the chance to explore the Disney World parks after closing. This means low-crowds (and seriously, I mean LOW crowds), a chance to see parks like Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom after normal park hours, and as a bonus you get free snacks and drinks during the event. Free ice cream, popcorn, and drinks? Count me in!

What to Expect

With the low crowds you should be able to take your time and really take in the sights and theming around you. Normally during a park day I feel like I have to rush around but the After Hours event allowed me to seriously relax, take my time and get some great pictures while I was at it. I probably have some of the most amazing shots of the Tree of Life ever because I was able to make a full cycle around the park to take pictures up close, far away, and from all angles.

During these events only select attractions are open but some of the most popular rides in all of the Disney parks were included like Avatar Flight of Passage and Slinky Dog Dash. I will say that with the low crowds and super short wait times this opens up the opportunity for you to get to ride these rides multiple times in one night which isn’t always possible during a regular park day. As a side note, Animal Kingdom’s Avatar Flight of Passage is possibly the coolest ride I’ve ever ridden. Slinky Dog Dash is also by far my favorite roller coaster at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. If you haven’t ridden them you should!! I’m not normally a person who will hang in tough for long wait times, so having the chance to ride these rides with little to no wait time at the After Hours event was perfect for me!

Dining Options

There are limited restaurant options that are open for the After Hours events with food available for purchase. There are also popcorn, ice cream bars (Mickey and fruit bars), and drinks included with your admission. Between the options available and the included snacks, you should be good to go to enjoy your night without going hungry!

What Attractions Are Open?

The main advantage to attending a Disney After Hours Event is having extra time in the parks once everyone has left, but I enjoyed having the opportunity to be in-park a few hours early so that I could still check out some of the things that weren’t going to be available during the After Hours event. Attractions like Kilimanjaro Safaris or Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy were not available for the After Hours events, so it’s important to know that the list of attractions and rides were limited for both Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

What’s Open During Disney After Hours at Hollywood Studios

• Slinky Dog Dash
• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Toy Story Mania!
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• Star Wars Launch Bay
• Character Greetings (including Star Wars characters, Toy Story Land Pals, Mickey, Minnie, and Olaf)

What’s Open During Disney After Hours at Animal Kingdom

• It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
• Na’vi River Journey
• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
• TricerTop Spin
• DINOSAUR
• Meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse at Adventurers Outpost
• Pandora Drummers – Swotu Wayä
• Rivers of Light: We Are One
• Dinoland USA DJ Dance Party

So Is It Worth It Or NOT?

I think that depends on what you’re looking for out of an event like this. If you want a chance to ride some of the most popular rides in each park multiple times with very low wait times, then these experiences are for you. But if you’re looking for a more comprehensive park experience where you see everything and do everything a park normally has to offer, you’ll probably want to stick with a full-day park ticket to each park. I do like that buying an After Hours ticket means that you have access to the park starting at 7:00 pm the night of the event so a regular park ticket isn’t necessary and you can spend the beginning of the day in a different park using a regular park ticket if you want. However, since this is a special ticketed event you can’t Park Hop from one park to the event since it requires special admission.

Disney After Hours Events Pricing

Disney After Hours was an awesome opportunity for me to hit some of my favorite rides multiple times and to experience new rides too. For the cost of $129 plus tax per ticket, I found that both events were a great deal for me. (Annual Passholders and DVC Members can purchase specially priced tickets for just $95 per adult or child, plus tax!). If purchased in advance, you will save $5.00 off of each ticket.

There are still Disney After Hours dates available for the summer, so be sure and check them out if you can!

If you are heading to the parks, be sure to check out these last minute tips and tricks you may need to know before you go!

We would love to hear from you! Join our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, and let us know your thoughts on Disney After Hours Events! Yay or Nay?!?!

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