{"id":232639,"date":"2026-04-15T12:28:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T12:28:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/232639\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T12:28:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T12:28:09","slug":"new-to-do-chew-look-through-at-disneys-animal-kingdom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/232639\/","title":{"rendered":"New to do, chew, look through at Disney’s Animal Kingdom"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let\u2019s place the past on the back burner and put the future on hold for this mini-quiz about what\u2019s going on these days at Disney\u2019s Animal Kingdom<\/a>. I had not been to the theme park since waving goodbye to the now-closed Dinosaur attraction, so it was time for a stroll.<\/p>\n

Answer, if you will:<\/p>\n

1. What\u2019s the newest animatronic in the park?<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 What\u2019s the buzziest new dessert there?<\/p>\n

3. What\u2019s going on behind the Dinoland construction wall?<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 What time does this place close?<\/p>\n

Answers
\n\"BenjaminBenjamin Clawhauser, a character from the “Zootopia” movie franchise, appears in animatronic form at the “Zootopia: Better Zoogether” show. (Dewayne Bevil\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

1. Benjamin Clawhauser, a chunky cheetah character, is seen in animatronic form in \u201cZootopia: Better Zoogether\u201d<\/a> 3D show inside the Tree of Life theater.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve seen this production a handful of times since its debut in November<\/a>. This was the first time I sat on the Clawhauser side of the room, and now I more fully appreciate subtle movements of the figure, especially when Clawhauser recoils from the 4D effect of walrus slobber or reacts to other on-screen actions. He also swivels in the office chair I had not noticed before.<\/p>\n

In addition, when Benjamin reads from the teleprompter, words scroll on his monitor. When he\u2019s talking with other characters, the screen is blank. This is a detail that maybe 20 people in the theater have the right angle to see.<\/p>\n

\u201cZoogether\u201d replaced the \u201cIt\u2019s Tough to Be a Bug\u201d show, prompting this comparison: \u201cZootopia 2,\u201d<\/a> also debuting in November, has made more than $1.8 billion. \u201cA Bug\u2019s Life\u201d (1998) made $363 million.<\/p>\n

\"AThe cookie-dough brownie ice cream sandwich is for sale at the Terra Treats kiosk. (Dewayne Bevil\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

2. Internet enthusiasm steered me to a new dessert offering: the cookie-dough brownie ice cream sandwich sold at Terra Treats<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can guess from the title that it\u2019s sweet. The top layer has sprinkles in the dough, making it colorful, topping the layer of vanilla ice cream that\u2019s atop a brownie. It\u2019s firm, but I ate it without utensils, you know, like a sandwich. It\u2019s about as long as a dollar bill, and all these factors make it a strong shareable option. It sells for $8.29.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s pretty tasty as internet sensations go, and though it\u2019s no purple wall or Figment popcorn bucket, there were lines for it every time I passed. Terra Treats, near the park\u2019s Starbucks outlet, also sells a carrot cake sundae for $8.99.<\/p>\n

\"AA visitor at Disney’s Animal Kingdom looks at a large rendering of the under-construction Tropical Americas section of the theme park. (Dewayne Bevil\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

3. A lot is going up at DAK, particularly in the former Dinoland area that will become Tropical Americas one day.<\/a> Right now, even with the benefit of the elevated bridge from Discovery Island, pedestrians mostly see cranes and other machinery. A large building in the back half of the lot is visible.<\/p>\n

The construction wall gets a fair share of attention from visitors because of a jumbo rendering of the space. Reaction from slow-and-go passers-by has been in the \u201cpretty\u201d and \u201cawesome\u201d camp. Many people seemed to know what was going on, but give a gold star to the woman who identified the House of Madrigal from the \u201cEncanto\u201d area. One younger person erroneously exclaimed that \u201cNemo\u201d was going there (forgivable) and that \u201cEmperor\u2019s New Groove\u201d (fanciful) was getting an attraction, but he was looking at the \u201cIndiana Jones\u201d temple, which will be an overhauled Dinosaur.<\/p>\n

On the other side of the park, the Harambe train station to Conservation Station currently is hosting Wilderness Explorers activities for kids, plus character meet-ups, while the area adds\u00a0\u201cBluey\u201d<\/a> touches scheduled to open this summer.<\/p>\n

4. Closing time varies day to day, but count on Animal Kingdom closing at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. or 8 p.m., earlier than the other Walt Disney World parks. It\u2019s not a deal-breaker, but it could affect visitors\u2019 start times. A 6 p.m. close is good if you have dinner plans elsewhere or if you want to park hop to Epcot or Magic Kingdom for fireworks. You might guess DAK is open later in summer, but times posted for June \u2013 just the first 13 days so far \u2013 are all 6 p.m. closes. Of course, these are subject to change and worth a day-before glance.<\/p>\n

\"ThePeter Pan and Wendy now take flight during Magic Kingdom’s “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” parade, which debuted last summer. (Steven Diaz\/Walt Disney Co.)
\nNews, notes, nuggets<\/p>\n

\u2022 The addition of a \u201cflying\u201d Peter Pan and Wendy above a float during Magic Kingdom\u2019s \u201cDisney Starlight\u201d parade is a spectacle, earning oohs and ahhs from land-bound watchers. The characters are in the air for about 15 seconds at a time, making short landings, then starting over. There\u2019s clearly training and rehearsals for these parts, and the performers manage to establish eye contact with spectators below. Downside: You\u2019re even less likely to notice Tinker Bell, who walks in front of the unit. More info: disneyworld.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Universal Orlando has introduced Universal Express Now to its pass lineup. What to know: It may be available for individual rides within a specific time window based on capacity and wait times. It\u2019s on the official app, but can only be activated once users are in a theme park. As Express goes, prices vary. More info: universalorlando.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Gatorland again will hold Gatorpalooza Weekend on May 30-31. The event features artisans, vendors, live music, giveaways, appearances by the Gatorland Vlog team and the sixth annual Florida Man Challenge. More info: gatorland.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Amazing Animals Wild Nights, an after-hours event at the Kissimmee attraction, is set for Saturday. The $100 admission includes food, beverages, live music, encounters with animals such as sloths and capybaras, and a silent auction. More info: amazinganimalsinc.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Best Theme Park Restaurant: 2026 Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Orlando Science Center\u2019s $15 Day is this Sunday. The cut-rate admission includes all exhibits, including \u201cMission: Astronaut,\u201d which is set to leave the museum May 3. More info: OSC.org<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is offering half-price admission to folks ages 55 and up on weekdays through May 22. Tickets must be purchased at the Sanford attraction. More info: centralfloridazoo.org<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Fun Spot is selling single-day passes to Florida residents for weekday use for $39.95. The usual price is $69.95. More info: fun-spot.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Legoland Florida is including gold annual passes for overnight guests within its resort hotels in Winter Haven. This level pass includes Legoland theme park and its water park, Peppa Pig Theme Park and Sea Life Florida Aquarium, which opened last year. More info: legolandforida.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com<\/a>. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com\/newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Let\u2019s place the past on the back burner and put the future on hold for this mini-quiz about…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":232640,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[558,2659,104,28,4451,9571,114,266,1335,139,141,140,11384,687,109,76686,76687,76688,76689,2411,106,1316,107],"class_list":{"0":"post-232639","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-orlando","8":"tag-business","9":"tag-disney-world","10":"tag-entertainment","11":"tag-florida","12":"tag-food-drink","13":"tag-lake-buena-vista","14":"tag-latest-headlines","15":"tag-local-news","16":"tag-orange-county","17":"tag-orlando","18":"tag-orlando-headlines","19":"tag-orlando-news","20":"tag-pets-and-animals","21":"tag-restaurants","22":"tag-social","23":"tag-social-business","24":"tag-social-entertainment","25":"tag-social-theme-parks","26":"tag-social-travel","27":"tag-theme-parks","28":"tag-things-to-do","29":"tag-tourism","30":"tag-travel"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/232639","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=232639"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/232639\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/232640"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=232639"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=232639"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=232639"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}