Here’s something to roar about. Animal Kingdom is joining in the holiday festivities at Walt Disney World this year. There are new decorations, fantastic character meet and greets, and even a holiday version of the Tree of Light Awakenings nighttime show. And since Cory is out of town this week, I’m stepping in from ImagiNERDing to make sure Dateline Disney World is taken care of. With so much new stuff added for the holiday season, there’s a lot to take in, so let’s get started! 

Discovery Island

Disney has added festive luminaries to the roofs and signs of the stores in the Discovery Island area.

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations
The Riverside Depot looks charming in themed garland and wreath.

Animal Luminaries!

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

The animal luminaries add a solemn (yet festive) touch of the holidays in the central area of the park.

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

Tree of Life Awakenings—Holiday Edition

New this year, the Tree of Life Awakenings ceremony projects scenes of snow and winter to celebrate the holidays. You can see the show every ten minutes starting at 6:05 (or so) and until park closing.

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations , Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations , Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

The animated vignettes were completely charming and helped me get into the holiday spirit, even in warm Central Florida. Do you like the Tree of Life projections?

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations , Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations , Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations
At the end of each vignette, the scene freezes for a few moments and presents a Currier and Ives-style painting.

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations , Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

The meet and greet for Russel and Dug has two trees inspired by their characters.
The meet and greet for Russel and Dug has two trees inspired by their characters.

Dinoland USA

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

Donald’s Dino-Bash section of Dinoland USA sports lighting reminiscent of mid-century Americana.

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

The Boneyard Fossil Fun Site sign has a bow and is a present from Donald to Pluto!

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations
The Scrooge McDuck Meet and Greet area has lots of gold decorations…go figure!

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations
Launchpad McQuack’s area is very festive!

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations
Daisy Duck’s Meet and Greet area is as charming as she is!
, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations
Chip and Dale have gotten into the holiday fun, as well!

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations
The snowman outside of Donald Duck’s Meet and Greet is perfect for that group photo!
, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations
Donald’s tree has a dino on top!
, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations
It’s three caroling dinosaurs!

Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations
Santa Saurus is in the house!
, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations
Close-up of the fossil-themed wreath!
, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations
As you head towards the Theater in the Wild and the Rivers of Light area, there are some wonderful dinosaur-themed lamppost lights.

The Festival of Lights in India—Diwali

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights that celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

Africa and Harambe

Harambe has two beautiful trees that combine African and American traditions. You have to get close to the trees to see what makes them special.

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

The trees are full of artifacts, statues and items found around the village.

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations , Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations , Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

Pandora

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations
Even the AMP Suit at Pandora has gotten into the holiday spirit!

Christmas Ornaments and Decorations

I ran across a few whimsical holiday decorations in the Discovery Trading Company store.

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations , Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations , Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations , Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

One parting shot of the iconic tree outside of the entrance plaza to the park.

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

Whew! Taking over the Dateline Disney World column for Cory is fun, but it sure is exhausting. How does he do this every week?!


Get Away Today Early Black Friday Disney Tickets and Travel Specials

, Dateline Disney World: Animal Kingdom Holiday Celebrations

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Are you glad to see Animal Kingdom getting extra festive for the holidays? What do you think of the decorations in the park? Have you seen the new Tree of Life Awakening show? Let us know in the comments.

 

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George Taylor
George has been obsessed with Disney theme parks since the first time he saw a photo of the Haunted Mansion in the early 70s. He started writing about Disney in 2007 and has amassed one of the world's largest Disney-related libraries.