Two New Animal Encounters Introduced at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Lately it seems like Disney has been introducing quite a few new offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The park has seen some new food options (like pineapple soft serve), new animals (like the Grevy’s Zebra and Sumatran Tigers), and new experiences.  Today, I’m here to tell you about two new, relatively minor experiences that you should certainly check out on your next visit, especially if you are an animal lover.

The first is one that had been announced about a month ago, “Winged Encounters – The Kingdom Takes Flight,” which is now being performed daily at 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. While there are set showtimes, the show is still technically in testing mode, so times are subject to change.

The show is an animal experience featuring macaws that fly over the park, back and forth between a perch found on Discovery Island and a perch found near the DinoLand U.S.A. bridge. The main component of this new show features an up-close encounter where avian experts share conservation stories and insightful information about the birds. The experience features six different types of macaws: hyacinth, green-winged, blue and gold, scarlet, blue-throated, and military. 

In addition, there is a second small show that has been added to Disney’s Animal Kingdom called “It All Started With a Mouse.” Guests who wish to see this animal encounter can head to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, where they will learn all about Walt Disney’s love of animals. Guests see and learn about sheep, porcupines, parrots, birds of prey, and Kunekune pigs. After the show, guests have the opportunity to meet and take photos with some of the animals featured. This show currently only takes place at 11:30 a.m. and lasts about 20 minutes.

It’s exciting to see Disney’s Animal Kingdom showcasing animals in fun ways, and these two new experiences certainly seem to accomplish that. I can’t wait to catch both on my next visit to the World.