Disney’s Animal Kingdom Photo Update, February 6th 2016 – Avatar, Rivers of Light, Characters, “Zootopia” Display

Hi everyone!

We went to Disney’s Animal Kingdom yesterday to visit Yak & Yeti, check out the new Zootopia exhibit at Conservation Station (here is a separate article for that) and see what is new around the park – including any changes to what is visible with the upcoming Avatar land and Rivers of Light.

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Avatar construction is easy to see from just outside of the park. It changes little by little during each visit.

Close-up on this rock.

Here are a couple more photos of the Avatar work.

Here is our video look at the construction.

Disney Outfitters (to the right) is currently under a refurbishment.

Riverside Depot, which opened in December, is open.

The entry to Disney Outfitters from inside Riverside Depot is walled off.

Duffy the Disney Bear is dressed as the Easter Bunny in this plush.

Disney Outfitters.

Looking toward Island Mercantile.

Here is a look at construction on the upcoming Tiffins Restaurant behind Pizzafari.

The restaurant is behind the wall with the Avatar artwork as well. Apparently it will be a Signature restaurant.

Avatar artwork.

We headed over to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, where the Zootopia display is inside Conservation Station.

Conservation Station.

I am very much looking forward to seeing Zootopia! The display is titled “Discovering Disney Zootopia at Conservation Station”.  The display is not as in-depth as the ones at the Animation building in Disney’s Hollywood Studios used to be, but there are over 30 pieces of concept art and other info as well here. Disney’s Animal Kingdom park (and Lodge) were included in the resarch for the film. Here are a few photos, and much more is posted in our newest article.

Three cases include the concept art and fun facts about the film and animals.

Here it mentions how Disney artists noticed that giraffes looked like they were moving in slow motion, even when running.

Something filmmakers learned was that elephants used their trunks like an arm. So they incorporated that into the movie.

Guests can take a photo with Flash from the film, in cardboard form.

Chief BOGO is also here as a cardboard standee, as are a few other characters.

Outside, I went looking for goats.

There was also a cow enjoying the cool weather.

This goat was trying to eat the fence.

Tarzan was greeting inside of Conservation Station, we were told because of the cooler temperatures.

Here is our video of Tarzan.

There are no Zootopia signs around, but there is for The Lion Guard.

Flights of Wonder is currently in refurb.

Lunch was at Yak & Yeti.

I almost always get the Chicken Tikka Masala now – it is my favorite dish here. I always recommend the Landry’s Card!

The Pineapple Upside-Down Cake was wonderful too.

Flik was out greeting guests.

Here is our video of Flik!

We also met Terk.

Here are some photos of Rivers of Light construction. The nighttime show is supposed to debut in the spring.

We rode Expedition Everest.

The sun wasn’t quite cooperating in this direction, but Avatar construction can always be seen from the lift hill.

The scariest spot on the ride for me.

The Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel is in the distance, with Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in the foreground.

Spaceship Earth joins in on this photo.

Hollywood Tower of Terror.

Here are a few more photos of the Rivers of Light from this angle.

On the Kilimjaro Safaris, the giraffes seemed to be waiting to go backstage.

The Lions weren’t in a rush.

The Tree of Life.

Here are a few last photos on the way out.

Look for another update from Disney’s Animal Kingdom next month!