DisneyTips.com Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
The Merry Menagerie at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort just got a little bit merrier!
Of course, the holidays have arrived at the Walt Disney World Resort, and while many are dreaming of attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, there’s plenty of holiday cheer in store over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
For example, Discovery Island is celebrating all things winter with luminaries inspired by the Park’s beautiful animals and sparkling white decor. In addition, many fans look forward to the arrival of the area’s Merry Menagerie each winter with their accompanying musical performers!
Credit: Disney
RELATED: Minnie Mouse WOWS Guests With New Holiday Outfit at This Disney Park!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom introduced elaborately sculpted reindeer, arctic foxes, penguins, polar bears, seals, and more for the Christmas season in 2019. Since then, the collection of blue and white creatures has grown popular with Disney fans who look forward to photos with the adorable life-sized puppets and to seeing them perform in all their artistry.
The Disney Parks Live Entertainment crafted each Menagerie critter using natural fabrics and materials in line with Animal Kingdom’s themes of conversation. In fact, their construction also plays into the theming of Discovery Island, as they’re intended to look like the Island’s residents crafted them themselves. You can even watch a video about their creation from Disney!
Credit: Disney Parks Blog
RELATED: Holiday Armadillo Makes Visit to Fantasyland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
What’s more, a skilled puppeteer navigates each animal for performances and up-close and personal interactions with Guests during the winter celebrations at the Tree of Life. Additionally, holiday musicians accompany the band of puppeteers to provide a holly jolly soundtrack to the Menagerie meet-and-greets for Guests!
However, since their introduction nearly four years ago, it’s understandable that our puppet pals would require some careful maintenance. Twitter user @ThatDisneyBoi shared photos from an encounter with the Menagerie, noting it looked like Disney had “touched up” each animal very prettily.
The puppets got touch ups this year and they all look so mf pretty 😭💙 pic.twitter.com/pdSjlkVns9
— Ethan 👻 (@ThatDisneyBoi) November 14, 2022
Specifically, we can assume this means refinements to their design and/or functioning mechanisms, as well as new paint jobs, fur replacements, or other kinds of small repairs. It’s good to have them back for the holidays, especially in fine shape for interacting with all their friends!
Credit: Disney
Moreover, the Merry Menagerie isn’t the only collection of Entertainment Characters rumored to receive new looks for holiday time at the Animal Kingdom Park. DisneyTips will provide more updates on all the seasonal goings-on as they become available!
Have you ever said “Jambo!” to any of the Merry Menagerie animals? Click here to learn more about all the Character Experiences and Entertainment offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.
