We’re at Animal Kingdom

Saturday February 7, 2026                                   Most Recent Posts:
Pop Century Hotel                                                 Epcot then Beaches and Cream
Walt Disney World                                                The Magic Kingdom

From Pop Century we had to take a bus to Animal Kingdom.  Here we are as early as we could get here and clearly we aren’t the only ones.

Our last day in Disney World was actually Carrie’s Official birthday though we’d been celebrating it every day we were there just as David and I each did when we got to wear the Birthday buttons.

She brought her birthday cupcake although she didn’t have it for breakfast.

We did have a very nice breakfast at Satu’li Canteen in Pandora. 

The prize for the healthiest breakfast.

YUM!

Right after breakfast we did the Na’vi River Journey, also in Pandora, where we  journeyed by boat deep into a bioluminescent rainforest in search of the Na’vi Shaman of Songs.  

We did find Na’vi.   The colors were wonderful in the near dark.

In Asia, my phone camera was not up to the task at Feathered Friends in Flight where animal behavior specialists gave us a behind the scenes look at how they care for and train their feathered friends.  I didn’t want to lug my 35mm all day and probably could not have kept up with these birds anyway.  Sometimes you just have to watch and enjoy.

The program was fantastic.   Such amazing birds flying over the heads of the audience, JUST over our heads.  Including a bald eagle.   They are HUGE with their open wings.

It was a program worth seeing twice if only we’d had time.

Also in Asia we did the Maharajah Jungle Trek.  Pretty sure I was the one who lobbied hard for this because I love the tigers.  It is a self guided walking tour of Southeast Asia where in addition to the tigers we saw the Komodo dragon.  He’s pretty spectacular too in comparison with the lizards of Florida.

The Tigers are in a very large enclosure and you aren’t always able to see them.

This was my lucky day.   I have been here when I did not see them.  They do as they please.

These were the last two pictures I got as this tiger was headed inside.  I think they are just magnificent.  That’s why so many pictures.

The streets were quite atmospheric and had the feel of what I imagine more rural South East Asia might be.  If you have been there would you agree or is it just wishful thinking on my part?

These two pictures of the Komodo dragon  pale in comparison to this short video of him that I was able to get.   If you have never seen one, I hope this will give you an idea of how HUGE this lizard is.   Use this link to see it.   He’s the largest living species of lizard in the world.  They can grow 10’ long and weigh 150 pounds.  Definitely not the little scurrying lizards I see all the time in Florida.

One of Carrie’s photographers took this one.  I’m so glad to have these pictures of all 3 of us.  Thank you Carrie.

From there we headed to Africa for the Kilimanjaro Safari ride through the African savanna to search for lions, elephants, giraffes and more.   They had the run of the place and we were in this vehicle.

Sleeping Hippos

Just look at those faces.

We were lucky to see the endangered African painted dogs (also known as African wild dogs or painted wolves)  since they are typically out only in the morning.  A pack of brothers, including Alpha dog Oswald and others like Hugo, lives on the savanna.   Not sure who this is.  He didn’t give his name.

I just love Giraffes.   I envy their height.  We got a very close up view.

 

Wish these two hadn’t had their backs to me.

Look closely at the ears in these multiple pictures I took one right after the other.   There are lots of reasons elephants may spread their ears - to cool down, a surprise reaction, to catch distance sounds, to appear larger and more threatening or as a sign of confidence during a confrontation.  Wonder which one this was?

This is a flock of Great Flamingos.  I didn’t realize they are native to Africa as well as parts of Asia and Europe.  The native American Flamingo is actually returning to the Everglades I’ve been told.

African lions are primarily nocturnal using the night to hunt and the day to rest. They spend 15–20 hours a day sleeping or lounging in the shade to conserve energy, while doing most of their hunting at night to gain an advantage over prey.  Not sure how that natural system works here in an artificial savannah where I doubt they hunt prey, but they were definitely sleeping.   4 hours working and 15-20 sleep and lounging sounds like the life we all dreamed of.

Somehow I had always associated ostriches with Australia but they were introduced there in the late 1800’s.  They are native to Africa.  They are the world’s largest birds and can weigh up to 320 pounds and stand 9 feet tall.

The Rhinoceros ranks as among the most endangered species on Earth as demands for Rhino horn in Asia is causing a staggering increase in poaching.

  

The rhino’s large horns, stocky frame and thick skin make it invulnerable to nearly all predators—except humans

As you can see the Kilimanjaro Safari isn’t to be missed.

And neither is the other Lion show, The Lion King.  The next show time was coming up and we were close by in Africa, so we headed that way.   What a production!  Spectacular!!  Another Do not miss it if you are in Animal Kingdom.   Wish I’d done a short video.

From The Lion King we went to hike the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.

There were Zebras and unique birds as well but the Gorillas of course were the focus of attention.. 

                   But first, about those Zebras….Absolutely amazing design.

Every zebra has a completely unique stripe pattern, similar to human fingerprints. No two zebras are identical though all zebras have black skin underneath their white-and-black striped fur.   Why did I always think the stripes were their skin?

The Gorillas here are Western Lowland Gorillas Native to central and western Africa.

 

There are two troops at Animal Kingdom, a family troop and a bachelor troop, to mimic natural behaviors.

Hope you can see his sleeping position which looks pretty much like mine.

Our final stop in Africa  was to visit Rafiki’s Planet Watch, a secluded, conservation-focused area accessible only via the Wildlife Express Train from Africa.   That’s Carrie and Celia on the train.  It features the Conservation Station (animal care, veterinary, and art experiences.

You get off the train and walk through this fantastic 360 degree mural at the Conservation Station.

We closed out our day at Animal Kingdom with the fun show Zootopia.  None of these 3 animals was in the show but they should have been.

And that’s all folks as we head back to Pop Century for our last night.  Home tomorrow.   But what a great time we’ve had and how lucky I am to have been able to be with them for it.