5 – Walt Disney World Welcomes Adorable Giraffe Calf
In honor of the longest day of the year, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park announced the recent birth of a strapping, long-necked male giraffe.
The healthy calf weighed in at 183 pounds and stands six feet tall, according to Disney’s animal care team on site for the birth. The still-to-be named calf is calm, relaxed and enjoys cuddle time with his mom, Lily. Distinct markings reveal a butterfly on his right shoulder, heart-shaped spots on his coat and a white-tipped speckled mane.
Lily is a parenting pro, staying close to her baby to bond and nurse. Giraffes born at the park spend several weeks bonding in backstage environments before meeting members of their extended giraffe family.
The pitter patter of little hooves is quite familiar to the Disney animal care team. This new arrival is the third giraffe born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the past year, marking another success for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan Program. These plans ensure responsible breeding of threatened and endangered species. Giraffes are a vulnerable species facing a silent extinction in the wild, with a population decline of 40 percent over the past 30 years.
Walt Disney World Resort is a proud home to two subspecies of giraffes. Masai giraffe live on the park’s Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna, while Reticulated giraffe, Hybrid giraffe and Masai giraffe roam the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests can keep their eyes peeled for mom and calf to join the rest of the giraffe herd on the savanna in the coming weeks.
See the adorable photos below in our Instagram post.
6 – Delish and Disney Team Up and Share Amazing Disney Recipes
Everyone loves a good recipe, and we especially love Disney Parks recipes that we can enjoy at home. That’s one of the reasons we’re so excited for the ‘Delish Loves Disney,’ which features more than 50 recipes from Disney parks and resorts around the world. Learn more and how you can get your copy at the link below!
Click here to learn more about how you can get the new ‘Delish Loves Disney’ magazine.
7 – The Search is on for Disney Magic Makers
Disney Parks, Experiences and Products announced this week the Disney Magic Makers contest, an all-new nationwide search to recognize and reward those who make magic by bringing comfort, support and joy to those around them.
Starting today through October 1, 2021, any U.S. resident over 18 can nominate a person who inspires them for the Disney Magic Makers contest by visiting www.disneymagicmakers.com and sharing the positive impact they have made. Fifty nominees whose inspirational acts of kindness, compassion, and creativity best exemplify the values of a #DisneyMagicMaker will win a trip to Walt Disney World Resort to join “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” for the 50th anniversary and a one-year subscription to Disney+ if eligible. People can further celebrate their hometown heroes with a public post using #DisneyMagicMakers on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or TikTok.
“All of us at Disney have been inspired by the countless acts of goodwill by people across the country throughout the pandemic,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks Experiences and Products. “These magic makers and their stories have changed us in ways we never imagined. That’s why we’re so proud to celebrate those who continue to make everyday magic a reality.”
To keep the magic in motion, Disney will donate a total of $400,000 among four non-profits that demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: Make-A-Wish® , Starlight Children’s Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and The Nature Conservancy. These organizations each found unique and innovative ways to continue serving their communities when they needed magic most.
Magic moments come in all shapes and sizes, from simple, sincere acts between neighbors to massive acts of charity, kindness and generosity. What binds these special moments together is the way they raise spirits, inspire communities, and connect people to one another. For more examples of inspiring acts of goodwill from #DisneyMagicMakers, see here .
The search begins now! For more details, visit www.disneymagicmakers.com and follow the conversation on social using #DisneyMagicMakers.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter contest between June 22, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. ET and October 1, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., who are 18 years of age at time of entry. Nominees must be at least 13 years of age at time of nomination. Limit 5 entries per person. See Official Rules and visit www.DisneyMagicMakers.com for full details on how to enter, eligibility requirements, contest entry periods, prize description and limitations. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media, Inc., 500 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521.
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort 2021 Taste of EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival – Now Through July 5, 2021
Click here for what you need to know about the 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival!
Click here to see photos and video of the Menu Boards with pricing for easy trip planning!
Click here to see photos and video of the different topiaries around EPCOT!
Click here for photos and video of our visit to the Flower and Garden Festival!
Click here to see photos of some of the food we have enjoyed at the 2021 Flower and Garden Festival.
Coming Soon to Walt Disney World Summer Resort Reopenings
July 2 – BoardWalk Inn Late July 2021 – Polynesian Village Resort July 15 – November 2021 – The 2021 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Click here for details on the 2021 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
August 10 – October 31, 2021 – Disney After Hours Boo Bash
Click here to learn about the all-new Disney After Hours Boo Bash coming in fall 2021 at Magic Kingdom .
October 1, 2021 – The Most Magical Celebration – 50 Years of Walt Disney World
Click here for details on “The Most Magical Celebration,” which begins on October 1, 2021, on the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World and runs for 18 months.
October 1, 2021 – Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure & France Pavilion Expansion Opens
Click here for more on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure & France Pavilion Expansion – What We Know So Far
Jungle Cruise – Updated in Phases, while remaining open to guests in 2021
Click here to learn about the updates coming to The Jungle Cruise at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Park.
Star Wars Hotel – 2022
Click here for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser-What We Know So Far About the Upcoming Star Wars Themed Hotel Coming to Disney World
EPCOT Reimagined – Now Through 2022 and Beyond
Click here for what we know about the New EPCOT and what’s coming!
New and Coming Soon to Disneyland Resort Disneyland Resort – Now Open
Click here for details on the reimagined Snow White’s Enchanted Wish – now open!
Click here for details on new ways to experience Disney Characters at Disneyland Resort during the phased reopening.
Click here for 10 Ways to Use the Disneyland App and Digital Technology When Visiting the Disneyland Resort.
Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure – Now Open
Click here for more on the Avengers Campus! Now open at Disney California Adventure!
Click here for details on food and beverage offerings inside Avengers Campus.
Click here for information on merchandise available inside Avengers Campus.
Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line The Disney Wish
Click here for an overview of the next Disney Cruise Line Ship – The Disney Wish – Coming Summer 2022
Click here for information on bookings for the inaugural season in summer 2022.
Itineraries in 2022
Click here to learn about Summer 2022 Itineraries on the Disney Cruise Line
Click here to learn about Early 2022 Itineraries on the Disney Cruise Line
Click here to learn about Marvel Day at Sea and Star Wars Day at Sea in Early 2022
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.