Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park is one of the most authentic settings the entertainment company has created. So much travel, research and culture went into building, maintaining and expanding this artistic park over the last few decades and since it opened in 1998. At Christmas time, Animal Kingdom has some nice overlays to bring extra seasonal flair and align with the overall feel of the park. It’s not filled with that gingerbread feeling like Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios at Christmas but it’s fun to explore and admire this time of year. So much creativity goes into it each year. Let’s take a look at Animal Kingdom Christmas 2021.
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Animal Kingdom Christmas Tree and Decorations
The tall and incredibly themed Animal Kingdom Christmas tree is found just outside the park. Each Walt Disney World park has a fantastical, enormous tree for the season that gets put up around mid-November. This is a lovely photo spot but also a great place to enjoy the details. Disney Holiday Services is the team that puts up and maintains all of the holiday decorations around Walt Disney World and for Disney Cruise Line. Huge trees like the Animal Kingdom Christmas tree are covered with fitting visuals that bring the story around them to life. You’ll find nature inspired materials, golden mosaic mirror Mickeys and carved animal pieces decorating this tree.
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Throughout the park the theme is upheld with garlands made of different materials that fit their location. Instead of a traditional red and green Christmas, Animal Kingdom stays true to its origin and purpose and celebrates creatures and cultures with interesting decorations you won’t see anywhere else around Disney.
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Around the Anandapur Theater, near the Yak & Yeti Restaurant, guests will find beautiful lanterns and lights strung overhead in a vibrant color palette. This display represents Diwali, a multi-day festival of lights, which is the biggest holiday in India and celebrated by people of various religions.
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The area around the front of the Tree of Life has a beautiful, wintery set of animal decorations lining the shops inspired by Merry Menagerie.
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Merry Menagerie
In 2019, Disney introduced this unique entertainment experience that feels like an overlay in this area of the park. Throughout the day, Discovery Island in front of the tree of life is transformed into a festive party. Beautifully crafted animal puppets and their performers roam and interact with guests and each other to holiday music played by live musicians. It’s something special and we have a whole blog post on it: What is Merry Menagerie at Animal Kingdom?
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Holiday Flotillas
Since 2020, Animal Kingdom has been offering entertainment by boat with different characters cruising around the park’s water ways. For the holiday season there are two festive character flotillas making the rounds on the Discovery River. This body of water can be seen from most areas from the park as it makes a big circle around the Tree of Life and lets out in the theater where KiteTails shows each day. Donald’s Dino Bash Festive Flotilla brings Donald Duck and his pals around and Chip & Dale’s Festive Flotilla has everyone’s favorite chipmunks float through. The Discovery Island Drummers Festive Flotilla also cruises by playing jolly tunes live and lifting the mood. Guests might also spot other characters in their winter wear. You can see the big man himself cruise by on the Santa Claus Festive Flotilla. Note this is not an opportunity to meet Santa but more of a sighting to add some cheer. Understandable as he’s quite busy this time of year. All of the flotillas move fast and don’t provide great photo opportunities but it is fun to see the characters wave as they go by.
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Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday
Animal Kingdom doesn’t have a firework show or anything that would disrupt the peace of the animals. Instead, there are tiny touches in the evenings and the Tree of Life Awakenings provides pretty visuals after the sun goes down. The subtle Tree of Life Awakenings lighting overlay has a holiday edition each night as well.
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Disney Vacation Club Animal Kingdom Lodge
If you’re enchanted with how Animal Kingdom celebrates the season, remember there is a Walt Disney World resort with the same name and theme. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge has two Disney Vacation Club opportunities. Jambo House is in and around the beautiful main lobby building. Kidani Village has its own building and section of the resort with an exciting water play area and DVC pool. Contact DVC Resale Experts for information on becoming a member through resale DVC points.
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