Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
This year is an exciting one for Disney’s Animal Kingdom as the fourth theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The Park opened on Earth Day, April 22, 1998, and with its milestone anniversary around the corner, Disney is getting ready to celebrate with new experiences and some of the Resort’s most unique cocktails.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park already has plans to welcome a new character experience to Discovery Island ahead of the event, with Moana preparing to greet Guests soon. While we wait to learn about other future developments for the Park (which could include a replacement for DinoLand U.S.A.) we’re sharing the specialty cocktails that could give EPCOT a run for its money…
Credit: Disney
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Before you plan your next trip to World Showcase to “drink around the world,” we need you to consider all of the new options that could make drinking around Animal Kingdom even better.
One of the new specialty cocktails coming to the theme park to celebrate Earth Month can be found at the Dawa Bar. Located adjacent to Tusker House, the Park’s character dining location in Africa, the Dawa Bar offers tasty cocktails with views of live entertainment like Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe.
The bar’s new Rum and Pineapple Cocktail is a refreshing mix of Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Blue Curaçao Liquor, sour mix, and pineapple juice, garnished with a fresh pineapple wedge. The Lost on Safari might be my personal favorite drink at the Dawa Bar, but if you are visiting this Disney Park through April 30, 2023, you might want to give the new offering a try!
Credit: Disney
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Another fan-favorite location at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (typically more so for the food than the drinks, though this special could change our minds on that) is Flame Tree Barbecue on Discovery Island. Now, Walt Disney World is home to several newer barbecue spots, including the Regal Eagle: Craft Drafts & Barbecue in EPCOT, the Polite Pig in Disney Springs, and the latest addition, Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Disney’s Hollywood Studios; But Flame Tree Barbecue predates all of the above.
Also available through April 30, Flame Tree Barbecue is serving up the Bubbling Pink Lagoon (yes, it’s as pretty as it sounds…) This specialty beverage is made with strawberry lemonade, Sprite, and kiwi flavoring for Guests of all ages, and those over 21 can order a spiked version that comes with vodka and a glow cube.
Stop by to pick up this special, or add it to a plate of St. Louis Ribs and lunch with views spanning across Discovery River to Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain.
Credit: Disney (left), Brittany DiCologero / Disney Tips (right)
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For a more relaxed experience on Discovery Island, nothing beats Nomad Lounge. This lounge offers specialty cocktails and small bites in a more casual alternative to its signature counterpart, Tiffins.
On special March 31-April 30, 2023, Guests can try the Gin and Bitters Cocktail, a mix of Cruxland Gin, bitters, and soda water garnished with a lemon wheel and honey simple syrup.
While it sounds delicious, this drink also comes with a conservation message as mixologists created it with inspiration from how beehives can be strategically placed to protect farmers’ crops from elephants in Africa.
Credit: Disney
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Before you think about heading back to World Showcase, we present the Viva Gaia Tonic. Pizzafari is not always a go-to quick service spot in Animal Kingdom (though it can come in handy for picky eaters with its straightforward pizza menu). But you may want to pay this spot a visit to try its newest cocktail.
The Viva Gaia Tonic is a mix of Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade, Sprite, and cotton candy flavor with mint leaves, with a spiked version available by adding vodka and a glow cube.
Still thinking EPCOT has the best drinks? All of the above cocktails and mocktails are just some of what Disney’s Animal Kingdom is serving up for Earth Month, and you can find the full list of drinks, cupcakes, and new snacks for the occasion from Disney Eats here. It might just make you change your Park reservations!
