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Everything You Need to Know About the Discovery Island Trails

You’re going on vacation to Walt Disney World! The only problem? You’re not sure which attractions are right for you and your kiddos and you have questions. Which attractions are too intense for little ones? What rides do I really need a FastPass+ reservation for? What’s the disability access like for certain attractions? We’re answering all those questions and more in our Everything You Need to Know attraction series with today’s focus on the Discovery Island Trails at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

What are the Discovery Island Trails?

The Discovery Island Trails are self-guided walking trails below the Tree of Life and around a variety of animal-viewing locations.

Where are the Discovery Island Trails?

The Discovery Island Trails are located near the base of the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. There are two entrances/exits to the trails. One can be found to the right of the walkway when approaching Africa from Discovery Island. If you’re like me and use Starbucks locations as a point of reference for directions, the path is right across the way from the park’s Starbucks, which is known as Creature Comforts.

Another entrance/exit sits to the right of the entrance to the Tree of Life itself.

What is the History of the Discovery Island Trails?

The Discovery Island Trails were originally called the Tree of Life Gardens and opened to guests on May 24, 1998, just a few weeks after Animal Kingdom’s opening day. The trail was later renamed the Discovery Island Gardens before it was changed again to its current name of Discovery Island Trails.

What You Need to Know About the Queue

There is no queue for the Discovery Island Trails since its a self-guided walking path. However, guests might encounter crowds around certain animal viewing areas and may need to wait their turn for a good view.

What You Need to Know About the Experience

The Discovery Island Trails are lush pathways winding around the base of the Tree of Life. This quiet area is removed from the crowds and park activity while offering spectacular, close-up views of the carvings of the Tree of Life. Guests can even explore tunnels formed by the tree’s roots!

In addition to the tree, the trails’ lush landscaping, and even waterfalls, guests will also encounter small animal viewing areas. Be on the lookout for flamingos, otters, storks, vultures, porcupines, red kangaroos, and more!

Also, at times, Pocahontas can be found on the Discovery Island Trails meeting with guests. Be sure to check a times guide upon entering the park for where she will be and when.

What You Need to Know About Accessibility

Guests may remain in a wheelchair/ECV to experience the Discovery Island Trails.

What You Need to Know About Health and Safety Advisories

There are no health or safety advisories for this attraction! It’s an experience everyone in the family can enjoy together and at their own pace.

What are the Height Requirements?

There is no height requirement for the Discovery Island Trails!

Do the Discovery Island Trails Offer FastPass+?

No. The the Discovery Island Trails do not offer FastPass+. Since this is a self-guided path, there is no posted wait to experience it.

Does Weather Affect the Discovery Island Trails?

A June storm pops over World Drive as a rainy afternoon gets started.

The Discovery Island Trails are located outdoors and guests will be exposed to inclement weather.

What’s the Best Time of Day to Experience the Discovery Island Trails?

There really isn’t a bad time to check out the Discovery Island Trails. Very few guests know about these trails or take the time to explore them. While you never know when the animals might make their appearance, the coolest part of the day is often your best bet. The trek also serves as a great retreat from the crowds and long lines during the busiest parts of the day.

Did I answer all of your questions about the Discovery Island Trails? Is this attraction at the top of your family’s vacation to-do list? Let us know in the comments.

The post Everything You Need to Know About the Discovery Island Trails appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Attractions, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Walt Disney World (FL), Character Meets, Discovery Island Trails, Disney Attractions, disney world, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, FastPass+, Pocahontas, Tree of Life, walt disney world

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

Union leaders say Disney World to bring back thousands of workers in next few weeks

Union

A union leader recently announced that Walt Disney World Resort will be bringing back thousands of furloughed Cast Members. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney may have to reshuffle its employees to replace the positions formerly filled by Disney College Program interns. Eric Clinton, the Union Leader of 362, spoke about this update.

Eric Clinton provided an update on what the future of Disney theme parks might be like for both guests and Cast Members once they reopen. First, he expects roughly 8,000 Disney employees to return to work in the next few weeks. Starting in June, the Walt Disney Company will recall full-time attractions and custodian workers.

However, Mr. Clinton doesn’t expect all attractions to be available when the theme parks reopen. According to the union, Disney doesn’t plan to bring back seasonal employees for a while given the circumstances. Instead of cultural representatives, World Showcase will feature domestic workers filling in for duties at Epcot when the park reopens in July.

Furthermore, the Disney union leader even thinks that live entertainment shows, such as Beauty and the Beast Live at Hollywood Studios, might not return right away to Disney World. The need to practice social distancing will require shifts in available entertainment. The full list of what attractions will reopens is still unknown at this point in time. Clinton went on to say the following:

“Disney has not shared those details with us. What we do know is there’s going to be a massive need for attractions workers across property. There’s going to be a lot of work that needs to be done.”

Source: Orlando Sentinel

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Attractions, News, Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, Cast Members, Disney Cast Member Union, Disney Cast Members, Disney World

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Disney News Disney Parks

Own a piece of history – Epcot Illuminations Float for sale

IllumiNations

How big of a Walt Disney World fan are you? Would you go as far as to bring home a part of Disney history from Epcot? An online auction held by Ritchie Bros Auctioneers recently featured barges from Epcot’s former nighttime spectacular show “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.” The barges were once used nightly for pyrotechnics and fireworks while water fountains and lasers helped entertain audiences.

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is a show beloved by Disney Park enthusiasts. The show ended its 20-year run with its final performance on September 30, 2019. While the nighttime spectacular may be over, it will always be revered as a great part of Epcot history.

The barges being auctioned are classified as “12×12 Pontoon Marine Equipment.” These barges were brought into World Showcase Lagoon to assist in the pyrotechnic displays across the water. These smaller barges would surround the firework launching sites. It’s incredible to realize how these simple water crafts were once capable of dazzling entertainment displays at Epcot!

If someone has a purpose for the pontoon marine equipment, or if you want to own an obscure part of Epcot history, then check out the auction on the barge!

Source and Photo Credit: Ritchie Bros Auctioneers

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Attractions, Disney & Co, Disney Illuminations, Epcot, epcot attractions, Illuminations, World Showcase

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

News! Disney World to Start Calling Thousands of Theme Park Cast Members Back to Work SOON

Earlier we reported some Disney World restaurants and hotels had started notifying their employees about returning to their jobs. With Disney World reopening on July 11th, there is a lot to do around the parks and there are lots of new procedures that Cast Members need to learn.

Animal Kingdom Lodge

And while Disney hasn’t officially released a statement, thousands of furloughed employees are also gearing up to go back to work at the parks.

First reported by The Orlando Sentinel, Local 362’s leader Eric Clinton says full-time Cast Members (as well as a significant number of part-timers) will be called back to work this month.

According to Clinton, “Beginning in June, all Disney full-time attractions and custodian workers, as well as a significant number of part-timers, will get called back to work.”

There is a need for Cast Members that will clean around ride queues and for people to take positions that maintain social distancing in lines while guests wait for their temperatures to be taken prior to entering the parks.

Magic Kingdom

Since Disney World’s water parks aren’t expected to reopen right away, Union members who work at these parks can transfer to other jobs where there are shortages. Especially since Disney World’s future cultural and college programs have been canceled this year and aren’t likely to resume anytime soon according to Clinton.

Also mentioned was that cultural ambassadors will be replaced by domestic employees for the time being (which you can read more about here). 

Disney World

“…There’s going to be a massive need for attractions workers across property. …There’s going to be a lot of work that needs to be done.” Clinton said.

As many as 8,000 Cast Members could be called back to help clean the theme parks and get them ready to receive guests again. And as mentioned previously, Cast Members will need to undergo temperature checks before they’re allowed to work. Clinton emphasized Cast Members who have a temperature over 100.4 degrees will be sent home but get paid time off while they quarantine.

Magic Kingdom Sign

According to Clinton, “Employees will also need to staff Spaceship Earth, the ride inside Epcot’s iconic globe, since the ride’s rehabilitation is postponed indefinitely and will remain open.”

Read MORE about Spaceship Earth’s halted refurbishment HERE! 

Spaceship Earth

As you may know, Disney has postponed fireworks and parades for the time being. Clinton went into detail and also stated Hollywood Studios’ Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage might not resume, at least not initially. This is one of the first times a specific show has been mentioned, so we will continue to look for more updates on the status of entertainment offerings.

We’ll continue to follow this developing story and keep you informed of any official statements released by Disney. We know that this is a crazy time and that a lot of new information is being released. So if you have ANY questions, please let us know and we will do our best to get you the answers you need.

Read MORE about Disney’s reopening plan here! 

Are you excited about Cast Members returning to work at Disney World and Spaceship Earth’s refurb being postponed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Related posts:

  1. NEW Insta-Worthy Nighttime Magic Shots Are Coming to Disney World Soon!
  2. Disney World Has STOPPED Construction During Its Closure. Could This Cause Delays on Upcoming Attractions?
  3. Breaking News! Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Plan to Start Reopening Florida

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Disney News, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, attractions, cast member, cast members being called back, college programs, custodial, disney cultural exchange program, Disney World, furloughed workers, paid sick leave, return to work, sick leave, Spaceship Earth, theme parks, transfer, transfers

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Disney Parks Other

Epcot’s Mariachi Cobre sing Remember Me from Coco

Mariachi Cobre

Walt Disney World continues the “Voices From Home” campaign with a new special music video of Epcot’s Mariachi Cobre. Many Epcot visitors enjoy seeing Mariachi Cobre each year as the band entertains those who travel through World Showcase. Now the members of Mariachi Cobre return to perform a hit song taken from Pixar’s Coco.

The band worked together to produce a fantastic rendition of “Remember Me.” If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll recognize this familiar melody. You can watch Mariachi Cobre perform the song in the video below.

Mariachi Cobre has been entertaining Walt Disney
World guests since 1982. Their voices and instruments are the reason so many enjoy seeing them entertain in the Mexico Pavilion. They perform warm melodies and world-famous folk music from Jalisco, Mexico. In addition to their traditional songs, the band also plays music from Pixar’s Coco in special seasonal offerings. The vibrant dancers and storytellers who accompany them enhance the experience for those who watch their show!

We have been enjoying these virtual musical performances so far. The music found at Disney World is truly one of the highlights of a Disney vacation. Will you go watch them play at Epcot in the future? Let us know in the comments!

Source: Disney

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Attractions, News, Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, Coco, Epcot, Epcot Music, Pixar’s Coco, Remember me!, World Showcase