We’ve got all the latest in our What’s New at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom
! Come along while we share lots of menu changes, loads of 20th Anniversary merchandise, and a few construction updates!
Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life
Updated Menus and Eats at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
has dropped the Salmon BLT from the menu, but the Turkey BLT and Pimento-Cheese BLT happily remain!
No more Salmon BLT at The Smiling Crocodile
Thanks for sticking around, Pimento Cheese BLT!
Pimento Cheese BLT
The Feeding Ground has added Frozen Lemonade with Mango Rum or Raspberry Vodka. (See where else you can get a brand new spiked drink in Animal Kingdom!)
Spiked Frozen Lemonade at The Feeding Ground
At Tamu Tamu Refreshments, the Chocolate Waffle has been removed and replaced by a Malva Cake Sundae.
Malva Cake Sundae at Tamu Tamu Refreshments
Malva Cake
The Viperwolf Paw we told you about at Pongu Pongu and the Pandora Ice Cream Cart has been changed. It’s no longer a paw shape, and it’s now called an Almond-Cinnamon Bun. It still looks yummy, but we miss the fun shape.
Almond Cinnamon Bun at Pongu Pongu and Pandora Ice Cream Cart
Pizzafari has seen a reboot of its menu. Flatbreads have been replaced by circular pizzas once again (save for the Shrimp Flatbread, which thankfully remains!). They’ve also removed the Cheeseburger and the Mediterranean options and added a Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza.
Pizzafari Menu Updates
Both Hearts of Romaine salads are gone from the menu. Now there’s a basic Caesar Salad with Chicken.
Shrimp Flatbread still at Pizzafari
They’ve also changed the dessert from Tiramisu to Cannoli Cake!
Cannoli Cake now at Pizzafari
Meanwhile at delicious Nomad Lounge, the Brisket Poutine is still off the Small Plate Menu. Such a bummer (and a big loss for the menu, since it’s awesome!).
No more Brisket Poutine at Nomad Lounge
Over at Yak and Yeti Restaurant, the 44 Farms Burger is off the menu, and the Chef’s Fresh Catch is on.
Menu Update at Yak and Yeti Restaurant
Harambe Market has removed the Tikka Masala Chicken and the Grilled Vegetable Stack.
R.I.P. Vegetable Stack!
They’ve added a Roasted Vegetables entree to compensate for the absent Stack. The Corn Battered Beef and Pork Sausage has been replaced by simple Pork Sausage (no longer battered, according to the cast member, who says the only battered option left is the kids’ corn dog). And the Beef and Lamb entree (which was a gyro flatbread) is now an actual Gyro.
Harambe Market Menu Update
And the Safari Cake has replaced the Warm Malva Cake here.
Harambe Market Menu Update
Flame Tree Barbecue has dropped the Lime Mousse dessert and added Banana Maple Cake.
New dessert at Flame Tree BBQ.
And all over the park, you can now find that the Lion King-themed snacks and treats have newly updated packaging.
Lion King Treats available at various locations
Zebra Stripe Popcorn
Striped Rice Krispie Treat
Spotted Rice Krispy Treat
Gummi Spiders
Gummi Insects
Confetti Popcorn
Animal Crackers
Eight Spoon Cafe has changed the format of its Baked Macaroni and Cheese. Previously served in a black souffle cup, it’s now served in a cardboard boat.
Eight Spoon Cafe Menu
And while it looks quite a bit different, on our most recent visit, it was still baked with lots of cheese and just as flavorful.
Baked Mac and Cheese with Sweet Chili Shrimp
It’s all a little more mixed together now, rather than layered like it was previously. Ultimately, this makes it a little easier to eat, since there’s room to move the toppings around.
Baked Mac and Cheese with Shrimp
The Dawa Bar has added the Ngumu Jungle Juice served on the rocks rather than frozen.
Dawa Bar Menu
Caravan Road has removed the Asian Noodle Salad. The menu is now just two items: Teriyaki Beef Slider and Edamame.
Caravan Road Menu
And Drinkwallah has reopened with the same menu as before its renovation.
Drinkwallah Menu
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Construction
Speaking of the Drinkwallah reno, check out the fantastic new look!
Drinkwallah is open!
Drinkwallah has reopened
The entrance is bit more opened up, making it a little easier to get in and out.
Drinkwallah entrance
Drinkwallah ordering area
Of course the Animal Kingdom details we expect are everywhere — including these auspicious garlands over the ordering counter. But I do kind of miss walking into an actual structure versus having this be a walk-up window like it is now.
Drinkwallah details
Drinkwallah behind the counter
And if you’re looking for it, we’ve found the Way Out!
See ya, Drinkwallah!
Over in the Tree of Life Garden there are some construction walls, and some animal habitats are blocked off.
Walls up in the Tree of Life Garden and some animal viewing areas
Pardon our appearance!
Out foraging!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Merchandise
Animal Kingdom merchandise is all kinds of awesome all the time, and right now, there are some great character tees!
I’m a Nervous Rex Tee
Spud Muffin Tee
Um, yeah, you’re welcome Tee
I’m mad about you Tee
My Family is Incredible Tee
And with the park’s 20th anniversary coming up this month, you can also find special anniversary merchandise! This design features the rides and attractions of Animal Kingdom, including the park’s newest rides Navi River Journey and Flight of Passage.
20th Anniversary Tee
We love this understated tee, with animals making up the 2-0.
20th Anniversary Tee
Minnie gets her adventure on in this one.
20th Anniversary Tee
This cold shoulder look is vibrant blue with a shadowy rendering of the Tree of Life.
20th Anniversary Tee
And the baseball tee makes an appearance with Mickey and his trusty binoculars.
20th Anniversary Tee
Rides and attractions hug this water bottle.
20th Anniversary Bottle
Another great rendition of the 2-0 again, this time on a travel mug!
20th Anniversary Travel Mug
And this is one to display, y’all: an Animal Kingdom cutting board that’s too pretty to use!
20th Anniversary Cutting Board
If you’re a Magic Band collector, check out this anniversary version!
20th Anniversary Magic Band 2.0
And finally, because it’s pretty in pink, this charming Minnie Mouse straw hat!
Minnie Straw Hat
That’s it with What’s New at the Animal Kingdom this week! Stick with the DFB as we continue bringing you everything that’s new and fun at Walt Disney World!
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What’s your favorite new thing at Animal Kingdom? Tell us in the comments!
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Awesome! You have NO idea how happy it makes me to know that the Fat Pizza’s are back at Pizzafari! 🙂
I’m sorry but those flatbread ones are not good! They tasted like ketchup on a cracker with greasy, heavy cheese! 🙁 I stopped eating there all together because of them. The only place that still had the Fat Pizza was Pizza Planet (I know it’s PizzeRizzo) and I found out during my last visit that they are only open from 11am-4pm. What’s up with that? This was back in September. Are those still the hours?
Thanks AJ for the wonderful news and review of the park. I really enjoy reading your updates!
Have you had any of the items at Nomad Lounge that are currently on the menu? I will probably go there on my May trip, but when I looked back at the previous review, it looks like none of those items are on the menu anymore. I was excited about the brisket poutine, but it looks like that’s gone too. I really like the ambiance at Nomad Lounge, but I’m interested to know if any of the food options they currently have are good.
Great update, AJ. I love AK and hearing anything new about it is a treat!
Small sigh. In every change, they removed something I’d like best and if they replaced it, the new stuff is just not as appealing. No matter, though, when I’m at the park surrounded by the colors, sounds, and scents of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, I won’t be thinking about what’s not there.
Thanks for all your hard work! I always enjoy your merchandise previews along with your dedication to keeping us updated on all the food and beverages.
Rebecca B: We’ve tried the Pork Ribs and the Tiffins Bread Service. We’re with you — we want the Brisket Poutine back!
Great and thorough update of my Fav park! While we may miss certain things, its alway nice to find new future fav things to enjoy and keeping it fresh. Every place can’t stay a staple like Dole Whip and Citrus Swirls, they have to add and rotate and replace to keeps things fresh. I am sure if an item is a “best seller”, no way would Disney remove or replace. What trend I have noticed a lot more of throughout all parks is the addition of alcohol. Initially it was basic offerings in a few locations, now it has morphed into adding alcohol to traditional drinks/floats like jungle juice and Dole Whips and hard shakes.
I never used to notice as many loud and obnoxious people in the parks, not DS, as I have in recent trips, do we think the addition of more and more alcohol may have something to do with it? I mean the meal plan includes a alcoholic drink with lunch and dinners so you have 2 free ones to get started, and add a 3rd one and it may make quite a few people a little more boisterous than usual?
GREAT recap, thank you! I’m bummed that the grilled vegetable stack and the Asian noodle salad are gone. They were really tasty. It was especially nice to grab the noodle salad and eat it just while strolling. I did recently (finally) try the pulled pork mac & cheese, though, and OH MY HEAVENS, it is amazing!!!
Thanks, as always, for the update, especially about our favorite park. I’m very sad to hear of the departure of the Corn Battered Beef and Pork Sausage. That was an absolute must for my wife and I on every trip.
Hmm…and mmmmm! Those baked mac n cheese snacks look big enough for a light eater (like my kids) lunch meal. Would you say that’s the case? We’ve got free dining in late August. It’s really helpful that you show the full board menu with DDP logos. Thanks!
Nick, the Baked Mac and Cheese at Eight Spoon Cafe is definitely big enough for a lunch meal — just as you’ve described (light eater and/or child). They can get a little heavy with the proteins on top (particularly the pulled pork), but they’re worth it! Have fun on your trip!