Howdy! Today was a pretty chill day in the Magic Kingdom, crowds have certainly slowed down. The Rapunzel restroom area is still struggling, there is a popcorn box featuring new artwork, and the last living animals have been removed from Dinoland.
Monorail Morning
Good morning from the Transportation and Ticket Center. It is another blistering cold day for Lake Buena Vista as you can tell from the bundled-up guests in front of me. I wore three sweaters and two pants today. I am not built for this weather, but I am getting more used to it.
Good Morning from Magic Kingdom
Don’t be fooled by this picture the crowd levels were very much normal today, and certainly not holiday crowd levels. I would recommend it if you have never taken a ride on the Magic Kingdom Omnibus to do it on your next visit. If you can climb up to the second floor it will give you a new perspective of Main Street U.S.A.
Inside Out 2 Walt Disney World Shirt – $29.99
In the Emporium I found a Walt Disney World Inside Out 2 shirt for adults available for $29.99. I love the Brady Bunch boxes featuring all the different emotions.
I love this movie and I find myself showcasing all these emotions at some point during my Disney Parks days.
Dapper Dans!
Seems the Dapper Dans were chilly this morning as well because when they started their journey down Main Street U.S.A. they were wearing white scarves and blue jackets. You would never know if the cold bothered them because they were just as happy and sound just as wonderful as always.
Sparse Crowds
This is the crowd left post rope drop. Kinda wild compared to the hectic shoulder-to-shoulder crowds we had just last week. Not that I’m complaining it’s just a huge difference.
Swiss Family Treehouse
The boy’s room remains blocked from guests as the treehouse continues its refurbishment. It didn’t stop guests from exploring the rest of the treehouse, but I do wonder how long the scrim, scaffolding, and blocked space will remain.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad CLOSED!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is currently closed for an extended refurbishment. If you travel with a service animal keep in mind the relief area in Frontierland is now behind construction walls leaving you with either the relief area near Pirates of the Caribbean or behind the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe.
The crane wasn’t moving too much this morning but did start moving later in the afternoon.
Rapunzel Restroom Area
At the Rapunzel-themed restroom, the mural she painted outside the women’s room continues to fade. The speaker facing the restroom area remains absurdly loud to the point you can pinpoint the hidden speaker.
Most importantly I saw a stroller hanging on the railing. This innovation from a guest is something I have never seen in the parks. Easy way to remember where you put it, and no fear of it falling over while you’re away, smart move parental unit.
Minnie Mouse Shoes
In Big Top in Storybook Circus, I found two new Minnie Mouse-themed sandals for adults. The Minnie Mouse Crocs are available for $59.99, and the thong flip-flops are available for $19.99. When I was a kid Minnie Mouse was my favorite, to the point that my entire bedroom was decorated with Minnie Mouse. Needless to say, I think both pairs of shoes have a place in Disney Woman’s closet.
New Popcorn Box – $6.00
At Cool Ship in Tomorrowland I spotted a the newly designed popcorn box. Previously the team has found this pattern on small water cups and on soda cups, but this was our first time finding the popcorn box.
I like this new design. I think it is brighter and more fun than the last.
Sonny Eclipse Performing
I went into Cosmic Rays Starlight Café to enjoy my popcorn and listen to the sweet crooning of Sonny Eclipse. I love looking up to see where his stage hides at the top.
Mary Poppins Light up Figurine – $199.00
In Town Square Theater, where you can meet Mickey Mouse, I found a new Mary Poppins figurine safely displayed behind a glass box. The figurine lights up, according my Cast Member friend the pillowy clouds surround her light up. She is available for $199.00.
Solo Boat to the Polynesian
I got a solo boat ride from Magic Kingdom to the Grand Floridian. At the Grand Floridian some other guests joined in and then we made our way to the Polynesian. It’s always so cool to me to have these quiet moments in such a busy place.
Polynesian Villas & Bungalows 10th Anniversary Pin – $19.99
When I got to the Polynesian there was a beautiful bride and her soon to be or already husband taking pictures on the beach, magic. I went the opposite way trying to not interupt and found myself at a dead end. Seems that even though the DVC Island Tower is open the refurbishments at the existing property continue. So I crashed the photoshoot as quietly as possible.
Shout out to the five lifeguards watching one kid swim at the Polynesian pool this afternoon. You are the definition of SafeD.
The Polynesian Villas and Bungalows are celebrating their 25th Anniversary with a limited release pin featuring Moana. The pin is available in Moana Mercantile in the Grand Ceremonial House for $19.99.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
It was a bit busier in Animal Kingdom this afternoon than I would have expected, but still no where near what I experienced a week ago. This is my favorite park at Disney World, but with the coming changes I am sad. Dinoland has a huge stronghold on my memories growing up at Disney.
Abdim’s Stork and Asian Brown Tortoise REMOVED!
In Dinoland a lot is about to happen very quickly. Marley the American Crocodile was removed from Dinoland back in October of 2024 and rehomed in a different zoo. Now the Abdim’s Storks and the Asian Brown Tortoise have been removed from their home in Dinoland.
Abdim’s Storks
Don’t cry like I did seeing the empty nest in Dinoland, the Abdim’s Storks have found a new home in a new habitat behind the Tree of Life, although no sign of the tortoise. Cast Member’s weren’t sure if the tortoise has been permanently removed at this time, or if they kept the tortoise inside for the chilly weather. Stay tuned to our website for more details.
I hope you enjoyed our day around Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I was most excited to see the Abdim’s Storks have a new location behind the Tree of Life instead of losing them altogether. Let me know what you found the most interesting in the comments below.
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The post PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom 1/8/2025 (Rapunzel Restroom, New Popcorn Box, and Dinoland Changes) appeared first on WDW News Today.
