Disney’s Live-Action “The Little Mermaid” Makes Waves at Memorial Day Box Office with $118 Million Debut

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May 29, 2023

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Disney’s Live-Action “The Little Mermaid” Makes Waves at Memorial Day Box Office with $118 Million Debut

Thirty-five years after captivating audiences with the animated tale of Ariel, the enchanting red-haired sea siren who falls in love with a prince, the live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid” dominated the Memorial Day weekend box office. The highly-anticipated Disney release is poised to make a colossal $118 million over the four-day holiday, with $96 million of that impressive total earned during the three-day frame. This achievement ranks it as the fifth highest-grossing Memorial Day opening in history.

The film drew in a multitude of viewers who were captivated by Ariel’s original portrayal on the big screen in 1988, as well as newer generations of fans who may not have witnessed the original release but grew up cherishing the movie through its subsequent appearances on DVD, television, and streaming platforms.

“It’s a timeless classic,” remarked Tony Chambers, Disney’s head of distribution. “When you talk to individuals of my age, many regards ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ as their favorite animated films. This story transports them back to their cherished childhood memories, and this movie provides a perfect opportunity for them to pass that love onto the next generation.”

Directed by Rob Marshall, the live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” stars Halle Bailey as beloved Ariel. Melissa McCarthy portrays the sinister Ursula, the sea witch who steals Ariel’s voice in exchange for granting her legs and a chance to be with the charming Prince Eric, played by Jonah Hauer-King. The talented ensemble also features Javier Bardem, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Daveed Diggs, and even an appearance from Jodi Benson the original Ariel from the Animated movie.

Did you see The Little Mermaid this weekend? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.

Disney News Highlights: Cinderella Carriage Returns to Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Tim Allen Gives Update on Toy Story 5, The Little Mermaid Takes Over the News, Monsters U. Spirit Jersey

By

Greg Gately

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May 29, 2023

Disney News Highlights: Cinderella Carriage Returns to Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Tim Allen Gives Update on Toy Story 5, The Little Mermaid Takes Over the News, Monsters U. Spirit Jersey.

Tim Allen Offers Update on Pixar’s Toy Story 5 For a long time, Toy Story 3 was regarded as a remarkable conclusion to the beloved Toy Story franchise, leaving fans puzzled when Disney and Pixar announced the development of Toy Story 4. Despite the film’s financial success, many fans felt it didn’t live up to the franchise’s high standards.

New Live-Action ‘The Little Mermaid’ Sweet Treats and More at Disney World Dive into the magical realm of Disney World and be part of our extraordinary celebration of the beloved film, “The Little Mermaid,” now enchanting audiences in theaters worldwide!

Live-Action Little Mermaid Props at Walt Disney Presents in Hollywood Studios Live-Action Little Mermaid Props at Walt Disney Presents in Hollywood Studios. We invite you to become part of our world at Disney Parks as we celebrate the release of “The Little Mermaid,” now playing in theaters! Let’s take a look at all the exclusive offerings coming to Disney Parks that will truly show you that life is the bubbles!

New Monsters University Spirit Jersey Spotted At Magic Kingdom! Show your school pride with this Monsters University Spirit Jersey! We found it at Magic Kingdom for $79.99 and immediately fell in love with it.

New Pride Month Eats And Sips Coming To Disney Parks! Pride Month is just a week away, celebrate it at Disney Parks with these delicious Pride Month Eats and Sips you won’t want to miss! From Walt Disney World to Disneyland, you’ll be able to try new treats like a Pride Mousse Cake, Mickey shaped Macaron or the Pride Lunchbox Tart.

Yellow-backed Duiker calf has been born for the First Time in 20 years at Disney’s Animal Kingdom A yellow-backed Duiker calf was recently born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! This was the first time in 20 years that a Duiker calf was born there.

Disney News Highlights

Little Mermaid Cake Petite Cake Wows Guests at Disney Springs Little Mermaid Cake Petite Cake Wows Guests at Disney Springs. We invite you to become part of our world at Disney Parks as we celebrate the release of “The Little Mermaid,” now playing in theaters! Let’s look at all the exclusive offerings coming to Disney Parks that will truly show you that life is the bubbles!

Cinderella’s Carriage Photo Op Returns to the Magic Kingdom The Cinderella’s Carriage Photo Op has returned to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World! Guests can find this royal photo opportunity in Fantasyland near the stone archways by Prince Charming Regal Carousel.

New ‘The Little Mermaid’ Experiences at Disneyland New ‘The Little Mermaid’ experiences have arrived at the Disney parks! At the Disneyland Resort, guests can meet the live-action Ariel, enjoy tasty themed treats, enjoy a new photo op, and more!

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Disney Legend Ming-Na Wen To Be Honored with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame Actress Ming-Na Wen will be honored with the 2,757th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 30th, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. The star will be located at 6840 Hollywood Boulevard adjacent to the El Capitan Theatre. Wen will be awarded her star in the category of Television.

New Minnie Mouse Animal Print Loungefly Backpack For A Wild Style! We spotted a new Minnie Mouse Animal Print Loungefly Backpack at Animal Kingdom for $78. A must have for all the fashionistas out there!

New Details have been Announced for V.I.Passholder Days Coming May 31, 2023! Disney recently announced a new offering for Annual Passholders called V.I.Passholder Days. These days will run from May 31 to June 30, 2023! Today, we’re sharing more details about what Annual Passholders can look forward to!

Beloved Little Mermaid Star Jodi Benson Makes a Special Appearance in Live-Action Film Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel in Disney’s 1989 animated classic The Little Mermaid, shares a deep friendship with director Rob Marshall that spans four decades.

Refreshment Station in EPCOT is Now Open and Serving Up these Amazing Frozen Drinks

By

Chris B

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May 28, 2023

You can grab a frozen Coke (and a smile) at the Refreshment Station in EPCOT

The summer heat is in full swing here in central Florida, and what better way to beat that heat than with a refreshing frozen drink? Refreshment Station, hosted by Coca-Cola, is now open near Test Track in EPCOT and ready to help you cool down with a variety of tasty frozen treats.

Choices at Refreshment Station include the following:

Frozen Coca-Cola
Frozen Fanta Banana
Frozen Coca-Cola topped with Caramel and Blueberries
Frozen Fanta Banana topped with Caramel and Blueberries
Frozen Coca-Cola topped with Assorted Candies
Frozen Fanta Banana topped with Assorted Candies

EPCOT veterans will recall the Refreshment Station was formally known as Cool Wash. Guests can find Refreshment Station just outside of Test Track in EPCOT’s World Discovery neighborhood.

Are you a classic Frozen Coke fan or are you Team Fanta? Do the varieties with candy or fruit added peak your interest? Drop is a comment and let us know!

Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel who specializes in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!

Scaffolding Covers Splash Mountain as Work Continues on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

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Greg Gately

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May 28, 2023

Scaffolding Covers Splash Mountain as Work Continues on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Our weekly update on the construction of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure here at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Scaffolding has been erected all over the facade of what is now the Southern Dome Salt Company. The rock work at the bottom, or the splash down area has been completed and tunnel work looks complete.

What I wouldn’t give to get into the inside and see the construction going on. We only get to see the outside.

“We have exciting news! Construction on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure continues to take shape, and later this summer, a tiara-topped water tower emblazoned with the Tiana’s Foods logo will make its way to Magic Kingdom.”

Disney Parks guests will get to experience Princess Tiana’s story like never before following the attraction’s debut at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort in 2024, and what a party it will be! The story will pick up where the film left off as guests join Princess Tiana and jazz-loving alligator Louis on an adventure down the bayou as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind celebration during Mardi Gras season where everyone is welcome. Along the way, guests will encounter familiar faces, make new friends and travel through the bayou to original music inspired by songs from the film.

Scaffolding Covers Splash Mountain as Work Continues on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Low Park Attendance Hits Disney World on Holiday Weekend

By

Greg Gately

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May 28, 2023

Low Park Attendance Hits Disney World on Holiday Weekend. Maybe it is the price for a single-day park ticket being $174.00, or maybe people are vacationing elsewhere, or maybe people have Disney burnout? It could be a combination of all three, plus other factors we haven’t even considered, but the parks have seen pretty low crowds this three-day weekend.

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer across the country, people head to lakes and beaches for fun in the sun. People descend to on the central Florida area in droves.

Except this year. We are seeing a noticeable difference at all the parks, Epcot’s crowd level was so low on Saturday that it seemed like it could have been the weekend after labor day. Magic Kingdom on Sunday at noon was sparse. While not empty, it was very light.

Don’t get us wrong, people are here having a great time and the parks are not empty. But, attendance levels are noticeably less this year than in past years.

Even though the sign below reads 45-minute wait at Pirates of the Caribbean, the actual wait was 20 minutes.

On a normal holiday weekend we would not see the walkways. Below you can see a front and back image of the crowd at 11:35 AM.

Low Park Attendance Hits Disney World on Holiday Weekend

Divinely Diabolical Little Mermaid Shake is a New Twist on a Classic Favorite

By

Greg Gately

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May 28, 2023

Divinely Diabolical Little Mermaid Shake is a New Twist on a Classic Favorite. Disney Parks announced a plethora of exciting treats, snacks, Live-Action meet and greet, and so much more to coincide with the release of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. We have already tried Bubbles at Sea, The Little Mermaid Donut Milk Shake, and The Little Mermaid Petit Cake at Amorette’s.

We invite you to become part of our world at Disney Parks as we celebrate the release of “The Little Mermaid,” now playing in theaters! Let’s take a look at all the exclusive offerings coming to Disney Parks that will truly show you that life is the bubbles! At Magic Kingdom Park, be sure to try out the Divinely Diabolical, a fun twist on a classic cookies and cream shake, available for purchase at The Friar’s Nook.

“Drinking a Mermaid Shake at The Little Mermaid Ride.
Divinely Diabolical $7.99
Cookies ‘n Cream Milk Shake with Chocolate Drizzle and Purple
Whipped cream topped with White Chocolate Crisp Pearls and a
Chocolate Seashell.
Available for now at The Friar’s Nook to celebrate the release of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.”

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Divinely Diabolical Little Mermaid Shake is a New Twist on a Classic Favorite

Beloved Little Mermaid Star Jodi Benson Makes a Special Appearance in Live-Action Film

By

Chip

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May 28, 2023

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Beloved Little Mermaid Star Jodi Benson Makes a Special Appearance in Live-Action Film

Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel in Disney’s 1989 animated classic The Little Mermaid, shares a deep friendship with director Rob Marshall that spans four decades.

Before Benson became the iconic voice of Ariel, she was an actress in the vibrant theater scene of New York City. “I knew Robbie when he was a dancer in various shows, and I believe my husband [actor Ray Benson] and he performed together in a musical, where Robbie was part of the dance ensemble,” Benson reveals.

When Marshall made his directorial debut in the world of theater with a touring production of Chess in 1990, he cast Benson as one of the lead roles. Thus, when the opportunity arose years later to create a new adaptation of The Little Mermaid, it was a natural choice to include Benson, given their shared history.

“We thought, ‘It would be perfect to have her in it, as long as it felt organic and not forced,'” Marshall explains.

World Premiere Of Disney's The Little Mermaid — (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)

In the current rendition of The Little Mermaid (currently in theaters), Benson makes a brief appearance in Queen Selena (Noma Dumezweni) and Prince Eric’s (Jonah Hauer-King) Caribbean kingdom. As Ariel (Halle Bailey) embarks on her first exploration of the human world after transforming, she becomes disoriented in a bustling local marketplace.

Amidst the confusion, she encounters a woman who offers her a plate of food. However, Ariel realizes she needs a utensil to eat the meal. In a heartwarming moment, Benson’s character hands Ariel a fork, which the mermaid promptly uses as a makeshift hair comb. Marshall describes it as “passing the torch,” or, in Scuttle’s words, passing the dinglehopper.

The scene was already part of the screenplay by David Magee. In the 1989 film, Ariel combs her hair with a fork at the prince’s dining table. However, Marshall felt this wouldn’t be appropriate for a dinner guest, even a mermaid, to groom themselves at the start of a meal. As a result, they reimagined the scene within the bustling marketplace. When considering how to incorporate Benson into the story, this particular moment came to the forefront.

“It was an immense thrill for me when Robbie reached out. I immediately said, ‘Of course, I’ll be there! No matter what else I have going on, I just can’t wait to be on set and witness all of you working,'” Benson recalls. “It was pure joy for me.”

Beloved Little Mermaid Star Jodi Benson Makes a Special Appearance in Live-Action Film

We had a chance to talk to Ariel earlier this year when Jodi Benson came on our podcast to discuss her new book Part of My World. You can listen to the episode below.

Listen to “Disney Parks in Review Extra – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party” on Spreaker.

Little Mermaid Cake Petite Cake Wows Guests at Disney Springs

By

Greg Gately

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May 28, 2023

Little Mermaid Cake Petite Cake Wows Guests at Disney Springs. We invite you to become part of our world at Disney Parks as we celebrate the release of “The Little Mermaid,” now playing in theaters! Let’s look at all the exclusive offerings coming to Disney Parks that will truly show you that life is the bubbles!

We were invited to the Walt Disney World Premier of Disney’s The Little Mermaid at AMC24 on Wednesday. We walked out of the theater with our hearts uplifted by the performance we just witnessed, but that wasn’t all we walked out with.

“We hope you enjoy this petite cake celebrating Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” This cake is made with layers of passion fruit chiffon, coconut filling, pineapple jam, fresh kiwi, and cream cheese mousse. This delicious petit cake is available May 25- June 25 at Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs. $22.00″ #disneysprings #disneylittlemermaid #disneyparks

It was tropical and delicious, the passion fruit really made this a delight. Our only issue was how stringy the coconut is. That is not a detraction at all, because overall it was amazing as always!

Little Mermaid Cake Petite Cake Wows Guests at Disney Springs

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Disney News Highlights: Rock n’ Roller Coaster Reopens Early, Mermaid Milkshakes, T-Swizzle Cruella 2 Villian Rumors, Meet a Mermaid at Hollywood Studios

By

Greg Gately

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May 28, 2023

Disney News Highlights: Rock n’ Roller Coaster Reopens Early, Mermaid Milkshakes, T-Swizzle Cruella 2 Villian Rumors, Meet a Mermaid at Hollywood Studios.

Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Now Sold out for the Remaining Dates Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Now Sold out for the Remaining Dates. Disney’s immersive Star Wars experience, the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is permanently closing this September. Disney released a statement regarding the closure:

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Reopens Unchanged at Disney’s Hollywood Studios After Extended Refurbishment After a lengthy refurbishment period, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has reopened, putting an end to speculations about potential changes. Despite rumors suggesting otherwise, the ride has returned without any significant alterations.

Photos & Video: Live-Action Ariel Meet and Greet Now Open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Photos & Video: Live-Action Ariel Meet and Greet Now Open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The line at 9:30 AM was already back to the Jungle Cruise diorama and lasted over 2 hours, but people were willing to wait to meet Princess Ariel from Disney’s Live Action Story “The Little Mermaid”.

New Disney100 Statues, Plates And More Available At Disney Springs! Take a piece of the 100 years of wonder celebration home with the Disney100 statues, plates, stationary and more available at Disney Springs! Every piece is gorgeous and will add a magical touch to any area of your home.

New The Little Mermaid Milk Shake Arrives at Hollywood Studios New The Little Mermaid Milk Shake Arrives at Hollywood Studios. It was “The Little Mermaid” day around Disney Parks yesterday. From a brand new Meet and Greet at Walt Disney Presents with the new Live Action Princess Ariel, to treats and drinks all around the resorts.

DCL DisneyBand+ Now Available for Disney Wish Sailings Beginning in June The wait is over: DisneyBand+ is now available for purchase for select guests! Guests sailing onboard the Disney Wish beginning June 12th and beyond, who are within 45-11 days of their sail date, are now invited to purchase a DisneyBand+.

Disney to Host Royal Ball for Make-a-Wish Families During World Princess Week World Princess Week is August 20-26 and Disney is hosting a royal ball for Make-A-Wish families! This will be one of Disney’s biggest wish-granting events ever filled with enchanting surprises, inspiration and adventures fit for a hero or heroine.

New ‘The Little Mermaid’ Experiences at Disney World The new ‘The Little Mermaid’ film is in theaters and there are new experiences to celebrate the film at Walt Disney World! From a live-action meet and greet to tasty treats and photo ops, take a look at ‘The Little Mermaid’ experiences you can find at Disney World.

Disney World Accident & Injury Report for First Quarter of 2023 The Disney World accident & injury report has been released for the first quarter of 2023. Four incidents were reported at Disney World.

New Madame Leota Crystal Ball Spotted At Magic Kingdom! Add a wicked touch from regions beyond to your home with this Madame Leota Crystal Ball available in Magic Kingdom for $275. A great way to take a piece of the classic Haunted Mansion attraction home!

New Disney SpellStruck Mobile Word Game Now Online Looking for a new mobile game to relax and enjoy during idle moments or while waiting in line at the parks? Look no further than Disney SpellStruck! Embark on an exciting adventure to the captivating Isle of Tiles in this game, where you’ll encounter stimulating word games and team up with beloved Disney and Pixar characters.

Tim Allen Offers Update on Pixar’s Toy Story 5 For a long time, Toy Story 3 was regarded as a remarkable conclusion to the beloved Toy Story franchise, leaving fans puzzled when Disney and Pixar announced the development of Toy Story 4. Despite the film’s financial success, many fans felt it didn’t live up to the franchise’s high standards.

Taylor Swift Rumored to be the Villain in Cruella 2 There’s a rumor that Cruella 2 will be a musical and that Taylor Swift will star as the movie’s villain.

Disney News Highlights

Cinderella’s Carriage Photo Op Returns to the Magic Kingdom

By

Sara

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May 27, 2023

Cinderella’s Carriage Photo Op Returns to the Magic Kingdom

The Cinderella’s Carriage Photo Op has returned to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World! Guests can find this royal photo opportunity in Fantasyland near the stone archways by Prince Charming Regal Carousel.

The carriage is shaped like the pumpkin carriage in Cinderella. It features gold accents and trim. The seat inside looks to be velvet and is vibrant magenta. The seat up front is white with gold accents. There is a golden “C” in the back window of the carriage for “Cinderella”.

While you can’t get inside the carriage, you can take pictures outside of it. Disney’s PhotoPass Photographers are standing by to take your photo.

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Do you have a favorite photo spot at Magic Kingdom?

Want to visit Disney World this summer? Contact me for a free vacation quote! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.

Norwegian Cruise Line Offering 70% off 2nd Guest and TONS of Free Extras

By

Sara

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May 27, 2023

Norwegian Cruise Line Offering 70% off 2nd Guest and TONS of Free Extras

Norwegian Cruise Line is having a Memorial Day Sale! Guests can save 70% of the 2nd guest along with some other great free extras.

For a limited time, enjoy 70% Off 2nd Guest on all cruises worldwide, whether whale watching in Alaska, touring ancient ruins in Greece or a beachside luau in Hawai’i. Plus, you’ll also get Free Unlimited Open Bar, Free Specialty Dining, Free Excursions, Free Airfare for 2nd Guest and more. You’ll also receive $250 Free with CruiseFirst!

Free Unlimited Open Bar: With the Unlimited Open Bar Package, enjoy a wide selection of beverages both on board and at Great Stirrup Cay. Here’s what you get:

Select, premium cocktails & spirits under $15 USD
A variety of beer and wine by the glass under $15 USD
20% off all bottles of champagne and wine
Unlimited soft drinks and juices

Free Specialty Dining: Save up to $180 and savor free meals at Specialty Dining venues

Free Excursions: Save $50 per shore excursion, per stateroom with Shore Excursion Credits

Free WiFi: Save up to $200 with an internet package you can use anywhere on the ship

Free 3rd & 4th Guests: Save up to $1000 with free third and fourth guests on select dates

Free Airfare: Pay airfare for one guest, and you’ll automatically lock-in roundtrip flights for two

If you’d like to take advantage of this Memorial Day Sale, act quickly! It ends soon! Contact me for a free vacation quote. I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary, and I’d love to help you plan an epic cruise!

Yellow-backed Duiker calf has been born for the First Time in 20 years at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

By

Sara

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May 27, 2023

Yellow-backed Duiker calf has been born for the First Time in 20 years at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

A yellow-backed Duiker calf was recently born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! This was the first time in 20 years that a Duiker calf was born there.

Dr. Mark Penning shared on Instagram about the new addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The new yellow-backed duiker calf was born earlier this month to mom Pearl. Her name is Penny! Her birth is truly special as the last yellow-backed duiker calf born in Disney’s care was over 20 years ago.

Mom and baby are backstage now, but you can look out for this adorable pair on Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail later this summer.

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A post shared by Dr. Mark Penning (@drmarkatdisney)

“Join us in welcoming Penny, our newest addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park! This sweet yellow-backed duiker calf was born earlier this month to mom Pearl. The birth of Penny is an incredible milestone, as the last yellow-backed duiker calf born in our care was over 20 years ago.

This birth is truly special to me, as yellow-backed duikers are one of my favorite animals. It’s been a pleasure working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan to introduce this unique species to our guests.

Mom and baby are backstage now, but you can look out for this adorable pair on Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail later this summer.”

Want to plan your next visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Contact me for a free vacation quote! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are complimentary.