For a stress-free Disney or Universal Studios vacation, let the FREE expert planners at Royal Carriage Vacations take care of every detail including dining reservations, applying discounts, and onboard cruise credit.
If you love visiting the Walt Disney World Resort during the holidays, you will LOVE this. Disney’s Animal Kingdom has one of the most MAGICAL holiday offerings, and we have all the details and a first look at the new merch!
Holidays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
While many people think first of the Magic Kingdom when they picture the holidays at Walt Disney World, Disney’s Animal Kingdom should not be overlooked! It has plenty of special magical touches to offer visitors some extra holiday cheer.
For example, the most beautiful festive decor adorns the park. Additionally, you have a chance to visit with Santa! And, you can catch some special Nighttime Entertainment. But, the most enchanting of these offerings is The Merry Menagerie!
Merry Menagerie
Merry Menagerie is a special seasonal offering that appears only during the holidays at Walt Disney World. The performance transforms Discover Island into a winter wonderland as puppeteers bring gorgeous arctic animals to life.
These whimsical puppets are sure to delight Dreamers of All Ages! You will find that there are all sorts of creatures for the animal lover in your travel party to enjoy. The lineup includes creatures such as penguins, reindeer, arctic foxes, polar bears, birds, and baby seals!
The best part about the show is it brings back the old-school feel of Disney magic waiting around every corner, especially for Guests who happen upon it without realizing it is there.
Even better, audience interaction is encouraged. You can pet and pose with the animals. You may even be asked to help with a special mission such as locating a baby reindeer. And, the luckiest guests might even get to fill in as a puppeteer! For a full review of the fun and more pictures, head over HERE.
When To Experience It
If you want to see the Merry Menagerie, you are in luck. It popped up for the first time this season yesterday, Saturday, November 11, 2023.
Sets appear periodically during daytime hours. Performances end before dark, so the last set is likely going to be finished by 5 pm.
There are 2 typically two different sets, featuring different groupings of animals. So, if you have a specific animal in mind that someone in your travel party wants to see, you may have to catch both sets. The performers and nearby Cast Members are generally happy to answer questions about when your best chance is to see a specific animal too.
If you are hoping to see the Merry Menagerie AFTER Christmas, you will have to be quick. According to planDisney, the last appearance of the season will happen on New Year’s Eve, or December 31, 2023.
If you want to see Merry Menagerie, head to Animal Kingdom by December 31, 2023.
MERCH ALERT
Also, this year, Merry Menagerie has some Brand New MERCH! If you or a member of your travel party falls in love with the performances, you can take home a puppet of your own to recreate them!
There are four designs to choose from. They include a penguin, a baby seal, an Arctic fox, or even a polar bear!
The puppets are priced at $24.99. Discounts apply. You can find them in the shops along Discovery Island such as Discovery Trading Company and Riverside Deopt.
You can also find Merry Menagerie ornaments, magnets, and apparel this year! There is plenty to commemorate the sweet experience.
Last year the Merry Menagerie Puppets and ornaments DID sell out. They were not restocked for the end of the year. So if you see them and want them, don’t hesitate.
Of course, this year’s puppets are not quite as magical as last year’s offerings, which were decorated a little more like the Merry Menagerie puppets themselves. This year’s offerings are more like the wildlife represented by the puppets.
Here is a photo of one of last year’s for comparison. I (Katie) would love to see the old styles return, too.
Are you excited to see the Merry Menagerie this year? Do you like this year’s merch or last year’s better? Let us know in the comments. And, be sure to pass on the post to others who are heading to Disney so they don’t miss out on the magic.
Share the love!
