Finding Nemo The Musical at Disney's Animal Kingdom - March 7, 2014

Finding Nemo The Musical

Disney's Animal Kingdom is home to musical Finding Nemo The Musical. It is inspired by the animated movie Finding Nemo.  Puppeteers move and voice the puppet characters.  The cast move throughout the theater, providing the audience the opportunity to see the characters up close.  I made a movie of the entire performance from March 7, 2014.  Sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

Burudika Band at Africa in Disney's Animal Kingdom - March 7, 2014

Burudika Band at Africa in Disney's Animal Kingdom

A stage is set up in the square outside of the Tusker House restaurant featuring the Burudika Band.  “Burudika” is Swahili for “to be refreshed”. This band consists of African drummers playing traditional African songs.  The band members will involve some of the audience in their act.  Below is a video that I took on March 7, 2014 of some their music and interaction with the audience.

Wildlife Express Train from Africa to Rafiki's Planet Watch, and Back - Disney's Animal Kingdom - March 3, 2014

Wildlife Express Train Station at Africa

I previously posted to this blog a ride video that I took of the Wildlife Express Train back in 2009 (Ride Video of the Wildlife Express to Conservation Station in Animal Kingdom - December 2009).  In the original video, I showed the train ride experience from Africa to Rafiki's Planet Watch.  You were able to see the backstage areas in Animal Kingdom where the animals sleep after spending the entire day outside.  What you were not able to see was the train ride experience from Rafiki's Planet Watch to Africa.

Affection Station at Rafiki's Planet Watch at Animal Kingdom - March 3, 2014

Animal Kingdom would not be the Animal Kingdom without the animals that the park features in it's attractions and throughout the green areas of the park.  One of the attractions that features animals is Affection Station.  It allows visitors to get really up close to an animal and pet it.  Affection Station is Disney World's version of a petting farm.  Visitors not only can pet an animal, they can also brush their hair using brushes that are available throughout Affection Station.

A goat roaming around

The animals that were available for petting were goats, sheep, and potbelly pigs.  To pet these animals, they need to be roaming around and not in their roped off areas where they feed on treats and drink water.  Visitors are not able to feed the animals.  There were other animals at Affection Station that visitors could look at, but were caged off to prevent them from being petted.  These animals were mules, cows, and donkeys.  Here is video of the animals that I could get up close to.


Before you exit Affection Station, visitors should wash their hands at the washing stations located near the exit doors.  Also, check the bottom of your shoes to make sure you clean up the animal droppings that you might have accidentally stepped on.

Gi-Tar Dan outside of Conservation Station at Rafiki's Planet Watch - March 3, 2014

On March 3, 2014, I decided to start my day at Disney's Animal Kingdom,  It's been a while since I've visited Rafiki's Planet Watch so I wanted to see what has changed in that area.  I took the Wilderness Express train from Africa to get to Rafiki's Planet Watch.  I got off the Wilderness Express train and headed to the Conservation Station.  Once I got to the Conservation Station, I noticed a man playing a guitar and singing a song to a family.  As I got closer to the man, I recognized that this was the same man that used to entertain guests at Camp Minnie-Mickey.  The man calls himself Gi-Tar Dan and has entertained visitors inside the Animal Kingdom for many years.

Gi-Tar Dan

I wondered what Animal Kingdom would do with him when Camp Minnie-Mickey was being converted as part of the Avatarland expansion.  Now we can continue to enjoy his guitar playing and singing outside of the Conservation Station.  Here's a small clip of Gi-Tar Dan entertaining a family.

This Week in Disney Foodies - March 10, 2014 to March 16, 2014

Here is the recap of this week's posts in the Disney Foodies facebook group

Monday, March 10 2014
Ken Alegre posted food pics from Lotus Blossom Cafe.......

Sesame Chicken Salad. This tasted really good. — at Lotus Blossom Café. - Ken Alegre

Orange Chicken with Steamed Rice. This was just ok. My mom and I thought it needed some more flavor to be considered good. — at Lotus Blossom Café. - Ken Alegre

This Week in Disney Foodies - February 23, 2014 to February 28, 2014

Here is the recap of this week's posts in the Disney Foodies facebook group

Sunday, February 23 2014

Jeffery Brice posted a food pic.......

Jeffery Brice

David Messer posted a food pic.......

About 55 days or so before I can get one of these!!!! Depending where we do dinner - David Messer

Constance Ondrejicka Himelberger posted food pics from Hollywood Brown Derby.......

The Hollywood Brown Derby - Constance Ondrejicka Himelberger

Warm dinner rolls - Constance Ondrejicka Himelberger

Cobb Salad - Constance Ondrejicka Himelberger

Dessert menu - Constance Ondrejicka Himelberger

Dessert trio of Vanille Brûlée , Grapefruit Cake and Toffee Banana Cake - Constance Ondrejicka Himelberger

Monday, February 24 2014

Danielle Mazurek posted a food pic from Earl of Sandwich.......

Do yourself a favor and get your Full Montagu cold next time. You can thank me later (: - Danielle Mazurek

Wednesday, February 26 2014

Randy G Brutout II posted pics.......

Randy G Brutout II

Disney Foodies is growing fast. 1100 Members now. Welcome Newbie Foodies! These are our Main Events. Yum! - Randy G Brutout II

Ride Video of the Wildlife Express to Conservation Station in Animal Kingdom - December 2009

Animal Kingdom has a train that takes visitors to the Conservation Station, where visitor can pet animals like sheep and goats.  The train is called the Wildlife Express.  Riders sit facing the side of the train so that they can see the backstage areas of Animal Kingdom where the animals sleep during the nighttime hours. It's an enjoyable and relaxing train ride.  I took video of the ride back in December 2009.  Enjoy!

This Week in Disney Foodies - January 18, 2014 to January 25, 2014

Here is the recap of this week's posts in the Disney Foodies facebook group

Saturday, January 18 2014

EatDrink Disney posted food pics from Animal Kingdom, Epcot.....

Mango Margarita and beer from one of the drink carts at Animal Kingdom. Margarita was good, as always. The beer was ok...had a strange aftertaste that wasn't noticed when having it in the past. - EatDrink Disney

Trying out Spice Road Table in Morroco. Pictures and thoughts coming later. For now, this is the view from our table. — at Epcot - Walt Disney World. - EatDrink Disney

Umm...We will have a kids corn dog nugget meal, a beer and a rum lemonade. Please and Thank You °o° — at Restaurantosarus. - EatDrink Disney

This Week in Disney Foodies - November 23, 2013 to November 29, 2013

Here is the recap of this week's posts in the Disney Foodies facebook group

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Rusnik Campground posted food pics from Teppan Edo, Catalina Eddies, Studio Catering.....

Food was great — at Teppan Edo. - Rusnik Campground

Hot Italian sandwich Catalina Eddies. Sorry for the bite! Lol - Rusnik Campground

Smokin onions — at Teppan Edo. - Rusnik Campground

Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom - December 2011

I wanted to post these videos of the version Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom from December 2011 because I wanted to feature the show at its present location at Camp Minnie Mickey.  Camp Minnie Mickey is being converted into Avatarland.  The show will be moving to a location that is currently being built at Africa.  I'm not sure if the show will change in any way when it moves to its new location.  The show in its present form is really entertaining and fun for the whole family.  It is shown multiple times per a day.  Here are videos of the show back in December 2011:

Animal Kingdom's Jamin' Jingle Parade - December 2011

During the first week of December 2011, I had the opportunity to visit Animal Kingdom to see what the park does during the Christmas season.  One premier attraction that the park holds during this time is the Jamin' Jingle Parade.  It is a Christmas twist to the parade that Animal Kingdom normally runs during the late afternoon.  The cast members and characters wear special costumes, and special floats are paraded down the park.  A special musical loop is played throughout the parade route, which gets all guests in the Christmas mood.  I felt the need to "jam" to the music, no pun intended!  Overall, this is a very enjoyable parade to watch to end your fun day at Animal Kingdom.  Below is the entire parade from December 2011.

This Week in Disney Foodies - November 2, 2013 to November 8, 2013

Here is the recap of this week's posts in the Disney Foodies facebook group

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Ken Alegre posted reviews of the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory in Port Orleans French Quarter - October 2013 to the Ken-ventures to Disney Blog

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Jessica Hickman Schneider posted her food pics from Be Our Guest restaurant and Via Napoli....

Triple chocolate cupcake at Be Our Guest Restaurant - Jessica Hickman Schneider

$18.99 fruit punch lololol at Be Our Guest Restaurant - Jessica Hickman Schneider

Pork coq au vin style at Be Our Guest Restaurant -Jessica Hickman Schneider

Four cheese pizza at Via Napoli - Jessica Hickman Schneider

Margherita pizza at Via Napoli - Jessica Hickman Schneider

This Week in Disney Foodies - October 27, 2013 to November 1, 2013

Here is the recap of this week's posts in the Disney Foodies facebook group

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Ken Alegre posted reviews of the Pineapple Dole Whip from Aloha Isle, Halloween-themed soda cups, LeFou's Brew from Gaston's Tavern, Jalapeno Cheese Stuffed Pretzel from Disney Hollywood Studios, Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf and the Oven Roasted Salmon from Wolfgang Puck Express, Holiday Turkey Sandwich and the Potato Salad from Earl of Sandwich to the Ken-ventures to Disney Blog

Corin Droz posted her food pics from her tasting dinner at Flying Fish in Disney's Boardwalk Resort.....

Main Entree - Tournedos of Snake River Farms Berkshire Port Tenderloin and Pomegranate-glazed Slow Braised Belly. Wilted Greens, Potato Puree, Wild Forest Mushrooms, and TIny White Asparagus, Burgundy Truffle, Lemon Thyme, Red Wine and Pork Reduction. E. Guigal Chateaneuf-Du-Pape, Rhone Vally '07. - Corin Droz

Second Course at Flying Fish at Disney's Boardwalk Resort - Pan Roasted Local Day Boat Swordfish. Fondue of Porcini, Young Leeks, Tiny Snow Peas with a Smoked Salmon Caviar-Rose Champaign Butter Sauce. Paired with George Duboeuf Pouilly-Fuisse Chardonnay, Maconnaise, France '11 - Corin Droz

Honey Chicken from Yak and Yeti Counter Service

On my recent trip during the first week of October 2013, I spent some time at the Animal Kingdom.  I dropped by the Yak and Yeti Counter Service to try the Honey Chicken.  I usually get the Sweet and Sour Chicken, but I wanted to switch it up this time.  As soon as I got the Honey Chicken, I took a picture of it.

Honey Chicken from Yak and Yeti Counter Service

The Honey Chicken is served in a take out Chinese food box.  There is white rice at the bottom of the box.  On top of the rice is the vegetable.  On top of the vegetable are pieces of fried chicken nuggets drizzled with honey sauce.  I thought that there was way too much honey sauce.  The sauce drowned all the rice.  The mix of the sauce and the chicken was ok.  The fried chicken nuggets tasted better without the sauce.  The vegetable was ok,  I would not order this again.  I prefer the sweet and sour chicken much better.

Samosas at Mr. Kamal's Kiosk in Animal Kingdom

Recently, The Disney Food Blog revealed that new vegetarian offerings were being offered at Mr. Kamal's Kiosk, which is located right outside of the Flights of Wonder show in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom.  One of the items that caught my attention was the samosas.  I had to try this since I'm a big Indian food fan.  I headed down to the Animal Kingdom during the first week of October 2013 to try this out.  The order of samosas came quick.  As soon as I got this, I headed to side tables that were next to the kiosk.  I took a picture of the samosas when I sat down.

Samosas at Mr. Kamal's Kiosk in Animal Kingdom

The order consisted of 5 samosas with a mango chutney sauce.  The size of each samosa was smaller than those that I usually get back home.  Each one was fried then well drained of oil to not make it oily.  The inside of the samosa consisted of peas and potatoes mashed up with Indian seasoning.  It was quite tasty by itself.  I'm used to eating Indian food, so my taste buds liked the curry type seasoning.  I tried the mango chutney by itself.  It tasted very fresh and fruity.  The mango was not too sweet.  When tasting the samosa with the mango chutney, the samosa tasted a bit sweeter.  The mix was good, and there was more than enough chutney to eat with the samosas.  Overall, this makes a good snack to walk around the Animal Kingdom.  If you can't decide on a quick service meal, or are waiting to be seated at Yak and Yeti, drop by Mr. Kamal's and get the samosas!

Breakfast at Pizzafari in Animal Kingdom

I normally eat my breakfast at the Disney resort that I'm staying, whether that is the breakfast at the food courts in the value or moderate resorts or some leftovers from dinner the night before.  I was at Port Orleans French Quarter during the first week of Oct 2013.  I wanted to change routine and head to Animal Kingdom to try breakfast at Pizzafari.  When I got to Pizzafari, it was nearly empty.  The cast members were nice and helped explain the items that were being served for breakfast.  I saw what I wanted, the Spinach and Goat Cheese Frittata with Potatoes and Salsa.  As soon as I got the dish, I took a picture.

Spinach and Goat Cheese Frittata with Potatoes and Salsa at Pizzafari in Animal Kingdom

The frittata was very dense and looked like it was made with real eggs instead of the powdered stuff typically served.  The potatoes looked well cooked and well seasoned.  The frittata was easy to cut into.  As soon as I took my first bite, I said "wow".  This frittata tasted so good.  The goat cheese was really prominent in the taste without being overpowering.  The spinach complimented the egg and goat cheese.  The salsa was fresh and blended well with the frittata and the potatoes.  The potatoes were not overcooked, and had just the right about of seasoning.  This is one dish I wish was offered at the resort food courts because it's so good.  If you are ever at Animal Kingdom during the morning hours and have not had anything to eat, give this one a try and you will not be disappointed.