For fans of Disney (DIS) parks who always long for a visit to the happiest place on earth, it doesn’t matter whether they’ve seen its exhibits once or a thousand times – it’s still fun to go.
That said, for those with annual park passes or even those who are lucky enough to live near Walt Disney World or Disneyland, seeing new things on their visits is also part of the delight.
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Luckily, Disney is in a constant state of improvement, from little things like new menus to big moves like opening both of its water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, for the first time since before the Covid pandemic.
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It’s also hard at work on new productions, with one dedicated solely to the true stories behind Disney villains opening in May (we sense “Wicked” vibes) and a retelling of “The Little Mermaid” debuting the same month.
Now Disney has announced an exciting new addition to its Animal Kingdom theme park, and fans who never tire of visits to the savannah are going to want to check it out.
Tucker has been exploring his surroundings.
Image source: Disney Parks Blog
There’s someone new to meet at Animal Kingdom
The next time you pay a visit to Animal Kingdom, make sure to make a stop to the giraffe exhibit. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of its newest long-legged resident: Tucker, a newborn Masai giraffe!
Disney announced the baby giraffe’s debut into the world on its Disney Parks Blog on April 7, which also happens to be the first giraffe calf birth at the resort since 2021.
Tucker is the calf of Mara, a Masai giraffe who came to Animal Kingdom in 2015 and has since given birth to three babies.
While Tucker is delightfully cute, his birth represents a lot more for Disney than just a new animal attraction. The Masai giraffe is an endangered species, with only around 30,000 of them still alive across the globe. By taking care of Tucker in a safe environment, Disney’s efforts will help to preserve the species.
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“Tucker’s birth is really important for us. It’s a testament to Disney’s leadership in animal care and conservation and our incredible partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Species Survival Plan. This plan focuses on maintaining genetic diversity of the giraffe population and helping to prevent giraffes from becoming extinct,” said Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment.
Disney is thriving despite economic anxiety
Despite drawing criticism from fans in recent years about the rise of its prices on everything from park tickets to meals, Disney continues to reap success. Its theme park division announced a 5% rise in revenue for fiscal 2024, with operating income up 4% to $9.27 billion. Experiences (which include the parks, cruises, and resorts) were Disney’s second highest revenue driver in 2024, which earned it $41.18 billion.
However, Disney has also made an effort to listen to its price-conscious customers and adjust to their needs as well. It offers several opportunities for discounted tickets on certain days, such as its 50% off promo on standard Kids Tickets (3-9 years old) with the purchase of three days or longer from May 27 through Sept. 20.
Adults can also get a discount on their park visit thanks to a special deal running from Apr. 6 through Sept. 22. Three-day park tickets, which include admissions to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT, are priced as low as $89 daily. And since Animal Kingdom is included, you’ll definitely have the chance to see Tucker up close.
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