The first day of spring is just around the corner. The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is in full swing, and everywhere you look it seems that the world is beginning to blossom. With all of that in mind, grab yourself a violet lemonade and let’s visit a few Walt Disney World attractions that capture that spring feeling.
The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh
We’ve all heard the saying that “April showers bring May flowers.” Spring is often full of windy days and rainstorms. Well, that’s a perfect reason to visit The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh in the Magic Kingdom. You’ll experience a blustery day like no other, as well as a rainstorm that sends you “floating” down a river of water. But be warned that in between these idyllic encounters you might just encounter some heffalumps and woozles.
While you’re in the attraction, keep an eye out for these little Easter eggs. Look to the left while in Owl’s house, and you’ll spot a portrait of Owl and J. Thaddeus Toad. It’s a nod to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, which previously inhabited the space. Before you leave the room, take a look to the right of your vehicle and you’ll spot a pile of photographs. Among them is a picture of Pooh with Mole, another character from Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
Living with the Land
When I think of spring, I think of planting and growing. With that in mind, a visit to Living with the Land in Epcot may be one of the quintessential “spring” attractions in Walt Disney World. Producing over 30 tons of produce annually, Disney actually uses the food grown in the attraction in park restaurants. So, even if you don’t stop by the attraction, you may still get a taste of it in your meals!
A few hidden secrets to be on the lookout for: as you pass by a house, you’ll notice a mailbox inscribed with “82.” That’s not a random number, but honors the year that Epcot opened. Also, make sure to catch a glimpse of the bison and prairie dogs featured. Those were originally intended to be part of the abandoned Western River Expedition. As a final tip, try and book time to take the Behind the Seeds tour, which provides an up-close look at the agricultural innovations being used throughout the attraction.
It’s Tough to Be a Bug
It’s just a simple fact. Without pollination, all of the gorgeous flowers that we enjoy each spring wouldn’t exist. And who do we have to thank for that pollination? Well, to find the answer to that you’ll need to pay a visit to It’s Tough to Be a Bug in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. As they musically remind us:
We’re pollinators!
If you like vegetables, fresh fruit and flowers
Give thanks to us bugs for our marvelous powers!
A fun fact about the attraction: it actually opened BEFORE the worldwide release of Pixar’s A Bug’s Life. How long before? A full two months. So, Guests could see audio-animatronic versions Flik and the horrible Hopper well before seeing them on the silver screen. Oh, and be sure to stay seated until THE VERY end of the show. Otherwise, you might miss the bugs leaving the attraction before you. How do they do that? You’ll just have to go and see (or should that be feel?).
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Spring is a time for picnics in the park. The long cold of winter (for those of us who live outside of Florida) has finally gone away and we can emerge from indoors to enjoy the light of the sun again. It’s hard to imagine better picnic partners than Mickey and Minnie. In fact, on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, you don’t just join them on ANY picnic, but the Perfect Picnic! Just be prepared to encounter some crazy detours along the way thanks to our good friend Goofy.
Keep your eyes open for some fun hidden references throughout the attraction. At one point, you might notice a newspaper with the headline “Oswald Wins!” a reference to Disney’s first animated star Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Along the way, you might also spot the Iwerks and Uwerks Waterworks Water Treatment Plant, a clever nod to Disney legend Ub Iwerks who is credited with sketching Mickey for the very first time. As a final note, look for the numbers 1901 and 1928 inside the attraction. They’re references to the year of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse’s births respectively.
Kilimanjaro Safaris
While there are obviously exceptions, a lot of mammals give birth during the spring. It provides the perfect balance of warm weather, foliage for cover, and abundant food needed to nourish a new youngster. With that in mind, spring is the perfect time to take a trip on Kilimanjaro Safaris, especially if you want the best odds of spotting an adorable baby animal.
The attraction’s 110 acres are home to 34 different species, including giraffes, lions, hippos, gazelles and more. By the way, that 110 acres? That makes Kilimanjaro Safaris the largest attraction in all of Walt Disney World. You could fit the entirety of the Magic Kingdom inside its borders! Also, if you enjoy hunting for Hidden Mickeys, be sure to look at the island where the flamingos congregate. As an added fun fact, the rocks where the lions congregate are actually air conditioned. They can create a cool breeze for the heat of the day and be warmed on cooler evenings, helping lure the big cats into optimum viewing position. Those aren’t the only tricks that Imagineers used to ensure that animals remain easily observed. Items like salt licks, fodder such as hay and grass, and fresh water have all been strategically placed throughout the attraction to keep the critters out in the open.
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