Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to thousands of animals, but every once in a while, one comes along that stops guests in their tracks. That’s exactly what’s happening at Jumping Junction, where a rare albino wallaby joey named Quartz has become the newest member of the park’s mob of kangaroos and wallabies. With snow-white fur, pink eyes, and a pink nose, Quartz looks completely different from every other marsupial around her, and Disney is encouraging guests to keep an eye out for her during their next visit.
Rare animal births are always exciting, but albinism makes Quartz especially unusual. It takes a very specific genetic pairing for a wallaby to be born this way, which is a big part of why Disney is calling her one of a kind. For animal lovers, families, and anyone who enjoys the quieter side of Animal Kingdom, Quartz is a great reason to make the trip out to Conservation Station.
Here’s everything you need to know about Quartz, what makes her so rare, and where you can find her at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Meet Quartz
Disney introduced Quartz as the newest wallaby joey at Jumping Junction, and shared a short note about what makes her stand out: “Born with albinism, Quartz’s rare appearance makes her one of a kind at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.”
Photos shared by Disney show Quartz peeking out of a pouch, and the contrast is hard to miss. The adult wallaby carrying her has the brown coat you’ll see throughout the rest of the mob, while Quartz is bright white from head to toe. Other photos show her exploring on her own, sniffing through the sand and ferns in the habitat. She appears steady on her feet and curious about everything around her, which is exactly what you want to see from a young joey.
Why Albinism Makes Quartz So Rare
Albinism is a recessive trait. According to Disney, an animal has to inherit the genetic mutation from both parents to be born with it. That means both of Quartz’s parents carry the mutation, and it’s that uncommon pairing that makes her arrival so special.
Because albinism limits pigment, Quartz has white fur and pink eyes instead of the darker coloring of the wallabies and kangaroos she lives with. For guests, that makes her one of the easiest animals to spot in the entire habitat.
Disney also shared that Quartz receives dedicated care from the animal care team and remains a happy, healthy joey. That’s welcome news for fans who want to know she’s thriving in her new home.
Getting to Know Jumping Junction
Quartz lives at Jumping Junction, one of the newer experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The habitat replaced the Affection Section at Conservation Station this spring, giving the park’s kangaroos and wallabies a walk-through home.
Jumping Junction opened alongside the Bluey’s Wild World takeover at Conservation Station, a nod to the show’s Australian roots. It fits right in with the theme, since kangaroos and wallabies are some of the most recognizable animals from Australia.
The habitat is home to three species:
- Red kangaroos
- Western grey kangaroos
- Red-necked wallabies, also known as Bennett’s wallabies
Now, Quartz is easily the standout of the group.
What the Experience Is Like
During Jumping Junction’s limited soft opening in June, animal care Cast Members led small groups of guests along a paved path through the habitat. The kangaroos and wallabies were free to roam around the area, giving guests an up-close look at the animals as they moved through their space.
One important rule to know before you go: Jumping Junction is not a petting zoo. Touching the kangaroos and wallabies is not allowed. The experience is about observing the animals in a natural setting, not interacting with them hands-on.
Disney has also shared plans to expand guest access to Jumping Junction over time, with the animal care team gradually helping the kangaroos and wallabies get comfortable sharing their space with visitors. Since access has been rolled out in stages, it’s a good idea to check availability on the day of your visit.
Where to Find Quartz at Animal Kingdom
To visit Jumping Junction, head to Harambe Station in the Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and board the Wildlife Express Train. The train takes guests out to Conservation Station, where you’ll find Jumping Junction along with the rest of Bluey’s Wild World.
Conservation Station is a bit out of the way compared to the park’s major attractions, which is exactly why so many guests skip it. But with Bluey’s Wild World and now Quartz drawing attention, it’s worth carving out time in your day for the trip.
Tips for Spotting Quartz
Because of her white coat, Quartz should be easy to pick out from anywhere along the path. That said, young joeys spend a lot of time in the pouch, so she may not always be out exploring when you visit.
Here are a few tips to improve your chances:
- Be patient and give yourself some time in the habitat
- Watch the adult wallabies closely, since Quartz may be peeking out of a pouch
- Look along the sandy and fern-covered areas where she’s been photographed exploring
- Ask an animal care Cast Member if she’s been active that day
Why Quartz Is Worth the Trip
It’s not every day you get to see an albino wallaby joey, and Quartz’s rare appearance makes her one of the most unique animals at Walt Disney World right now. Whether you’re a longtime Animal Kingdom fan, a Bluey-loving family, or just someone who enjoys seeing animals up close, a visit to Jumping Junction to look for Quartz is a memorable addition to your day. Hop on the Wildlife Express Train and see if you can spot her.
