Category Archives: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom celebrates 20 years today
For the 20th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom today I thought I’d post this shot I took of some of the beautiful artwork in the park. There’s so much great detail if you get the chance to slow down and look around!
QUIZ – So you think you know Walt Disney World?
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Disney Legend Marty Sklar has passed away
It really saddens me to report that Marty Sklar has passed away. A true Disney Legend, Marty was originally hired to write for the Disneyland News souvenir newspaper, and soon became Walt’s top writer. He wrote many of Walt’s speeches and other company communications and ultimately became the head of Walt Disney Imagineering.
Recently, Marty and I had been in touch, as I was going to interview him. Several Disney Legends that I know how contacted Marty to encourage him to interview me, and I just love what he emailed me! “Gee Scott – How come you didn’t get Bob Iger to say I should talk to you? Looks like you have most of the Legends …”
In preparation for the interview, I’ve been reading Marty’s wonderful book, “Dream It! Do It! My Half-Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms.” While I never got that interview, I’m grateful to have his stories.
Interview: Gary Krueger (Disney photographer)
photographed by Gary Krueger
I just posted my interview with Gary Krueger on my Mouse Clubhouse website. In this conversation, Gary talks about his times photographing Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney movie premieres and much more – and you’ll see lots of postcards of Gary’s photography! CLICK HERE for the interview and postcards
Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened on this day in 1998
On this April 22, 1998, Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened at the Walt Disney World Resort. Not coincidentally, it was Earth Day! Today it is one of the largest animal theme parks in the world. Home to more than 2,000 animals across 300 species, the park reflects Walt Disney’s dedication to conservation and is committed to animal care, education and research. The six lands include Oasis, Discovery Island, Africa, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Asia and DinoLand, U.S.A. areas. The photo above is the thrilling Expedition Everest attraction, where you can careen through the Himalayan mountains on a speeding train while avoiding the clutches of the mythic Abominable Snowman.
Snapshot Sunday: Disney’s Animal Kingdom information
This isn’t my fanciest photo, but I just love this art style around Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I took this photo when the sun was hitting it just perfectly and giving me the bluest sky for the background. Whenever I take photos of signs I try to step as far back as I can and zoom in on the sign. This gives a much better perspective than standing close and pointing your camera up to the sign.
I used an ISO of 100 with an aperture of 5.6 and a shutter speed of 1/800 for this.
Feel free to write or comment if you want any more details about the photos, such as settings I used, etc.
A historyosaurus about Restaurantosaurus
Restaurantosaurus, nestled in DinoLand U.S.A. in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is always good for a laughosaurus and some foodosaurus.
The story goes that DinoLand has a history that dates back to 1947 and the discovery of dinosaur bones by an amateur fossil-hunter. Realizing the importance of the find, the bone-hunter contacted some scientist friends who banded together to purchase the site, which included an old fishing lodge.
The fossil-rich site has since been inhabited by scientists, volunteers and grad students who have left a paper trail around the site of notes, theories, questions and answers about the lives of the vanished creatures.
The old fishing lodge became the dorm and commissary for paleontology students. As you can see in my photos above, the “students” have left their humor around the building, which includes deeming the eatery Restaurantosaurus.
And that’s the story! (Are you disappointed I didn’t say storyosaurus?)
At Restaurantosaurus you can enjoy food such as hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken nuggets, and because Disney’s not living in the stone age, they are offering more healthy options like the spicy black bean burgers and grilled-chicken sandwiches.
The Endosaurus
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Pizzafari in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
This unique lamppost found just outside Pizzafari, restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, gives Guests an idea of the stylings found inside the restaurant’s six themed rooms.
If you eat at Pizzafari, while dining on pizza or other related fare, be sure to listen closely to what sounds like African-styled music. Each song is animal-related and you’ll hear familiar melodies such as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” “Black Bird,” “Octopus’s Garden” and the theme to the TV series “Mister Ed.”