Disney (DIS) theme parks celebrate anniversaries and observe special events spectacularly whether it's at the Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World. These celebrations include various nighttime fireworks and light shows, special culinary offerings and an array of parades featuring many of Disney's popular characters.
While guests don't get much of a chance to interact with Disney's characters during parades and special shows, visitors do get a chance at certain parks to encounter characters at various areas in the parks. Meet and greets are a popular part of Disney parks, including Disneyland's Mickey and Minnie meet and greet. Disney World parks also have their share of character encounters. Magic Kingdom features Enchanted Tales with Belle from "Beauty and the Beast", while guests can meet Donald Duck or Goofy at Pete's Silly Sideshow or meet Ariel the Little Mermaid at her Grotto, all three encounters located in Fantasyland.
Mirabel from "Encanto" will join Magic Kingdom's cast of characters and greet guests in Fairytale Garden beginning in the fall of 2023. In the Summer, Disney World's Epcot will feature icon Figment greeting guests at the Imagination! pavilion.
Disney's Animal Kingdom is observing the theme park's 25th anniversary and Earth Day on April 22 with a very special moment in front of the Tree of Life, but will also be spending the whole month celebrating with special activities and culinary surprises. Character experiences and meet and greets will be featured throughout the month, while the park will also present unique character appearances through April 23 on the Discovery River Character Cruise. And Moana will begin greeting guests on Discovery Island beginning April 22 to coincide with the anniversary and Earth Day.
Guests Get Rare Experiences at Animal Kingdom
Iconic Disney characters Mickey, Minnie and Scrooge McDuck can be found on flotillas along the Discovery River in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. As usual, Mickey and Minnie can be found at their Adventurers Outpost on Discovery Island and Donald Duck is at the Dino-Bash at DinoLand U.S.A.
Some other rare, uncommon characters that you don't normally see at Animal Kingdom will be joining the anniversary and Earth Day celebrations and have already been seen roaming around the theme park this week. Baloo and King Louie from "The Jungle Book," Tinker Bell and Fawn have been spotted in the Tree of Life Gardens, WDW News Today reported.
Theses characters and many more who are commonly seen at Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot will be making surprise appearances around Animal Kingdom and in flotillas in Discovery River.
Anniversary, Earth Day Celebrations Have Culinary Surprises
The Anniversary and Earth Day celebrations wouldn't be complete without special drink and dessert offers that include Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail featuring brownie, scoop of vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and trail mix at Tamu Tamu Refreshments and Rum and Pineapple cocktail and Honey Bee Citrus Blonde Ale at Dawa Bar in Africa. Asia's Thirsty River Bar offers Tiger Eye Gold Beer and Honey Bee Citrus Blond Ale at three locations, Thirsty River Bar, Trek Snacks and Warung Outpost.
Discovery Island has interesting food items to offer, including Flame Tree Barbecue's Flamingo Cupcake. Terra Treats has a Roasted Mushroom and Leek Pizza, Tiffins has Szechuan Noodles and Creature Comforts has a Bee Hive Mousse. DinoLand U.S.A.'s Restaurantosaurus has an Elephant Cupcake for those with a sweet tooth.
