DisneyDining Disney Dining Plan and Reviews
When Walt Disney World Resort reopened after being closed for months, things were not quite the same as they were before the pandemic. Theme park capacity was extremely limited, many restaurants were closed, tours were suspended, and some hotels remained closed to Guests. Slowly, things have started returning to “normal” with capacity increasing, all hotels either being opened or mostly open, and a majority of restaurants once again seating Guests.
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One thing that has remained suspended was the popular tours that Disney offered at its Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom theme parks. However, that is now changing. Disney has announced that a number of tours and backstage experiences are open for booking and will return on February 6!
Let’s take a look at what is returning.
Keys to the Kingdom – Magic Kingdom
This 5-hour walking tour takes Guests to all corners of the Magic Kingdom and fills them with a ton of great Walt Disney World facts. Guests even get to visit the infamous “Utilidors” — underground tunnels — that run under the Magic Kingdom and help Cast Members seamlessly get from one area of the Park to the other. Guests will also receive lunch during the tour and may be able to hop right on some of the Parks most popular rides.
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Caring For Giants – Animal Kingdom
This hour-long tour focuses on the beautiful elephant herds that live in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. During this tour, a professional guide will take Guests through the day-to-day steps in caring for the elephants. Guests will also learn how Disney is working to keep these animals — and thousands of others — safe in their native environments through the company’s conservation efforts.
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Wild Africa Trek – Animal Kingdom
This three-hour tour is one for the ages (this writer has done it twice)! Wild Africa Trek takes Guests deep into the savanna as they get up close and personal with the animals that live there. Tour Guests will be able to dine on the savanna as they watch giraffes and gazelle’s graze. They will also be able to walk across a bridge suspended over Nile crocodiles. You may also be able to see trained Cast Members feed a hippo or two.
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Up Close With Rhinos – Animal Kingdom
Over the past few years, Disney has been working incredibly hard to build up the threatened rhinoceros population, and the results have been positive, with multiple rhinos being born at the Park lately. This hour-long tour brings Guests backstage and gets them as close as they may ever be to the gorgeous white rhinos that call Animal Kingdom home. The guide will talk all about Disney conservation and give Guests more insights into the rhino’s days and how Disney takes care of them.
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Savor the Savanna – Animal Kingdom
This experience is not so much a tour but allows Guests to dine on African-inspired cuisine while sitting in a covered area on the Harambe Wildlife Reserve as they watch animals walk by and enjoy their day. The foods will be paired with a selection of beer and wine that can be found in the region. A guide will also tell Guests all about the animals who live on the reserve and how Disney is working to protect their populations. It is the ultimate experience for Disney World foodies.
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Which experience are you most excited to see return to Walt Disney World?
